Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four Vol 5
The 1960s were a wonderful time for Marvel comics. By this time, Jack Kirby had already created some of the most famous characters in pop culture, and was hitting his stride with fantastic stories and villains. (Stan Lee took the credit for the stories and characters, but it really was Kirby who wrote as well as illustrated everything. He told me so when I met him when I was 15, and I believe him.)
The lavishly produced hardcover edition of Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four Vol 5, collects Fantastic Four #41-50 and the Fantastic Four Annual #3. These ten issues are arguably the zenith of Silver Age comics. The story arc introduces Galactus, one of the most awesome villains ever, and the Silver Surfer, who just exudes cool. I get shivers thinking about these comics. If you have never read Fantastic Four, I recommend you start with this book, then go back and buy Volumes 1-4, which are good, but not as good as the issues in Volume 5.
