I always got a kick out of the Fantasticars. The first "flying bathtub" model was beautiful in its simplicity, and its non-aerodynamic shape just made Reed seem brilliant enough to keep the thing in the air. This later design was great too, especially the way it could detach into four separate parts. The Fantasticars allowed Ben Grimm to show off his piloting skills as well. Have there ever been any toys made out of them?
Funny you should ask
ReplyDeleteAmazon.com: Fantastic 4 Fantasticar with Mr. Fantastic ...
https://www.amazon.com/Fantastic-4-Fantasticar-Mr/dp/B000LDVVUY
Nov 25, 2017 · Capable of soaring through the air or hovering along the ground, the Fantasticar is how the cosmic-powered crew gets directly to the action. With battle features designed to enhance the amazing abilities of its crew (and a seating arrangement designed to keep Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm from killing each other), it's the only vehicle fantastic enough for the Fantastic …
Cool! But $160 bucks?
ReplyDeletewhile on ebay. ..
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ebay.com/itm/Marvel-Fantastic-Four-Fantasticar-Cosmic-Space-Vehicle-ToyBiz-1995-New-SEALED/153659493243?hash=item23c6d1cb7b:g:96MAAOSwGWtddVCw&redirect=mobile
What can I say? No need to be Grimm about it, you can get a Fantastic deal on ebay.
ReplyDeleteBut there's More!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ebay.com/itm/Fantastic-Four-4-Fantasticar-2005-with-Box-Mr-Fantastic-and-Dr-Doom/223596696152?hash=item340f66d258:g:70cAAOSwWxldNdKf&redirect=mobile
from 2005... a different model that.... Let's you get 4 four the price of the other 1.
And we all know,"A Benny saved is a Benny earned!"
Sorry, but given the cover, I couldn't resist stretching the answer out.
ReplyDeleteI should be jealous. I only remember ads for vehicles from Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's TV shows! My personal favorite? The proto-Delorean-looking car used by Commander Straker in "UFO."
ReplyDeleteMy first though on seeing this cover was that old Jefferson Airplane song "Plastic Fantastic Lover".
ReplyDeleteI can certainly see Reed trusting Plas' judgement on this, given their association through the Expansion Team. Of course Ben is mistaken, or more likely tricked. Tricked by whom? Well, maybe the Hate-Monger, or maybe (and more likely) someone who has it in for Woozy.
ReplyDeleteBen being a crack pilot is something that I think many readers forget about, ignore, or underestimate, especially with those extra-thick fingers and his unsophisticated speech patterns. Of course Reed would account for those fingers in his design of the Fantasticar, but how often do we see Ben piloting a conventional aircraft? In any event, it only shows that Ben's smarts are not to be dismissed -- he's not unintelligent, just a man of simple tastes.
Great to see a couple of stretchy folk hanging out together. How about a return of the full Expansion Team?
ReplyDelete#Bob G - I think you're right about both Ben and the Fantasticar. In fact, to take both a little further...
ReplyDeleteBen is extremely smart. No, not Reed, or Tony or Bruce or even Peter levels, but he's an expert pilot on just about anything mechanical that leaves the ground.
As for the Fantasticar, the Pogo Planet, the Rocket, etc. - I wouldn't be a little surprised if Reed designed the control panels with templates that would accommodate both Ben's and Sue's hands (for example.) Or possibly a console that switches over so that anyone can fly it. He is a genius, you know!
Ross, this cover is a thing of beauty. If you made these available as posters, this is one I'd purchase.
Good news here - Elongated Man is back with "Event Leviathan" along with Maxwell Lord. When DC erased the time line that was from Flashpoint and that equals timeline B.
ReplyDeleteTimeline B replaced timeline A that existed before Flashpoint.
Timeline C replaced the Flashpoint timeline. Not really sure of all the whys and whens.
But, after Convergence, when the other Earth Superman, Lois and Jon came to this Earth, it was still Timeline C.
Once That Earth Superman and family were integrated into the current Earth thru a retcon, that was done for Timeline D.
No Superman/Wonder Woman romance, no Wonder Woman having killed Max Lord...yet(?).
No Max Lord having yet killed Blue Beetle Ted Kord.
No Jean having killed Sue?? Or is it yet to come?
With the new Legion, there's no telling what else this timeline has for surprises.
Anonymous Plus One.
Toy Biz Fantastic 4 car which is modular and Ben flies it.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.sears.com/fantastic-4-fantastic-four-fantasticar-cosmic-modular-space/p-SPM15071492024?sid=IDx20110310x00001i&gclid=CjwKCAjwxaXtBRBbEiwAPqPxcG05V1T4UJlGvUOAO6z7Nblii-_pilF3Zg3y7BXEMXlXCpKX9WPxwBoCS_QQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Mother Nature's favorite son? A dang Yancy Streeter?! Say it ain't so!
ReplyDelete@Glenn, yep, that's the one on ebay also. Sometimes, Ross' fans can give him good news too.
ReplyDeleteBlogger det_Tobor said...
while on ebay. ..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Marvel-Fantastic-Four-Fantasticar-Cosmic-Space-Vehicle-ToyBiz-1995-New-SEALED/153659493243?hash=item23c6d1cb7b:g:96MAAOSwGWtddVCw&redirect=mobile
October 18, 2019 at 6:31 AM
Johnny Storm hanging on for dear life? Best gag ever!
ReplyDeleteHe's probably waiting to melt down the engine, as a last resort, on Reed's order.
ReplyDeleteThe 18 my birthday
ReplyDelete@Bob Greenwade c/o 10/18/2019: maybe it was Reflecto the Mirror Man holographically disguised as Winks.
ReplyDelete