Fantastic Four #3

 " I'm disappointed in you, Reed! You almost had him, and then he slipped through your fingers!"

This issue begins to feel a bit more Marvel from the start, with the cover showcasing the Fantasti-car and the new costumes, which are introduced halfway through, designed by Sue... although Ben won't end up wearing the whole thing. We're also introduced to the FF's huge and expensive-looking secret HQ, crammed with Batcave type stuff. The question must again be asked- how are the FF paying for all this?

The opening scene is a nice little set piece as the four of them see a show by Miracle Man, a stage magician and (very) minor Marvel villain for future years, who is nevertheless destined to get his own Top Trumps card in the late '80s. Hilariously, the Thing is making a token attempt to disguise himself in the audience, and it's fun to see the character humiliate the FF, and Ben especially.

Reed tempts fate by musing that it would be unfortunate if the Miracle Man should turn to crime, while Sue, in giving out the team's new costume, speaks of "crime fighting". At this point, then, the team are being envisaged as crimefighters as opposed to explorers.

The best thing about this issue is the unreasonably critical police commissioner, who is hilariously rude to Reed. I certainly hope to see him again. We then round out the issue, after yet another origin recap and some basic character stuff with Ben and Johnny, with Reed revealing that Miracle Man was just a hypnotist all along, and his powers were just illusions... well ok. Best not to look too closely at the details of that.

Still, this is a pretty good issue and we're starting to see the team slowly morph into becoming the FF we know.