fantastic four #28: reed's stretchy body 76
Written by Stan Lee (The Leader!)
Drawn by Jack Kirby (The King!)
Inked by Chic Stone (The Master!)
Lettered by Art Simek (The Letterer!)
I love this panel a lot. I shouldn't enjoy it as much as I do. I should be irritated by Reed's body bending at right angles. I should be wondering just what muscles would allow someone to manipulate their body in such a way. I definitely shouldn't be overthinking this as much as I am.
But, as with a lot of Kirby's artwork, such anatomical concerns are completely invalidated by the sheer energy he imbues the image with. The Beast is moving at speed, and Reed's stomach-side-step is clearly an instinctive reaction. The speed lines, the way Reed's stomach seems to contract as if he were breathing in, the positioning of his arms, all of which make this image pop.
Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #28 on our thirty-first episode: Just Three Of The Guys, with special guest-host Shawn Engel.