LITTLE-KNOWN "THIRD" FANTASTIC FOUR #1 COVER...

   

Published cover

As most readers will know, there are two FF #1 covers; the cover as it was originally drawn (below - known as the "missing man" cover - although that should really be in the plural), which was the version most often used in MARVEL reprints up until the recent Masterworks Omnibus and Trade Paperback editions. Then there is the version which was originally printed. (Left.) This featured the addition of a policeman at the end of the street - and some alterations and additions to the passers-by on the right-hand side of the cover.


Stat of original art by Jack Kirby & George Klein

 What most people don't realize however, is that there is also a third, hybrid, version. (Below.) This was the reprint of FF #1 used for the Golden Book & Record Set in the mid or late '60s. This cover had the original, unaltered passers-by as originally drawn by Kirby, but the policeman (a redrawn version) had been added to make it look like the original printed version from 1961. (The price, number and date had been removed 'though.) Interestingly, considering the debate about who inked the first issue, Dick Ayers is credited as inker on the back of the record sleeve - although his surname is misspelled as "Ayres".)



Golden Book & Record FF #1 reprint