In an era where our Marvel Superheroes are increasingly high-gloss or known largely through film, revisiting Essentials becomes more important than ever. Sure, there's the jolt of getting used to things that are going to now be viewed as sexist (yes, Sue Storm is the Invisible Girl, you'll find out that one of her hobbies is actually "cosmetics") and plot lines will revolve around fighting communists and winning the Cold War.

But that's okay. This is how the Fantastic Four started. Sue's powers are limited to invisibility and cunning. Johnny is sixteen years old. Marvel is only in partial crossover mode, so meeting the Hulk or Spider-Man is a treat instead of a well-orchestrated multi-trade paperback plan.

Volume 1 collects issues 1-20, along with an annual and a bonus Spider-Man crossover story. Within these pages, you'll meet a variable who's-who of villainy - Dr. Doom, Puppet-Master, Namor the Sub-Mariner and Molecule Man to name just a few.

The edition could have been improved had the original covers been presented in color. ( )