Franklin Richards One-Shot Sells Out

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Despite a significant overprinting, Fantastic Four Presents Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius has sold out at Diamond. And the newfound success of creators Chris Eliopoulos and Marc Sumerak’s tiny Franklin tales can mean only one thing: more Franklin tales coming this winter as Marvel continues to show support for an all ages line of comics.

Ain’t It Cool News described the Franklin stories as “the most fun I had reading a comic in a very long time. Chris Eliopoulos and Marc Sumerak are making comic book gold.”

More of that comic book gold is to come in the Spider-Man Halloween Ashcan, available through Diamond Comics, which will include a Franklin Richards tale. Then in December, X-Men #180 and Fantastic Four Special 2005 will feature all-new Franklin stories, finding the son of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman getting himself into even more trouble alongside his robotic sidekick/nanny H.E.R.B.I.E.

David Gabriel, Marvel’s Director of Sales reminds retailers and fans to “keep in mind that these Franklin backup stories, similar to the back up tales in Amazing Fantasy and the upcoming Ultimate Vision story in the Ultimate books, are EXTRA content added to these titles. We are not cutting the regular story pages, and in most cases tossing out ad space. So fans get extra story at no extra cost, and at no shortening of the main title’s story.”

"Wow! Talk about the little comic that could!” says writer Marc Sumerak. “Who'd have thought that we'd go from back-up strips in POWER PACK to a sell-out one-shot? Congrats to the tiniest member of the FF family for finally getting some time to shine! I'm truly honored by all the support that both Marvel and the fans have given this title. It's exciting to see that readers of all ages have been discovering this fun little strip. Thanks to everyone for trying something new!"

Fantastic Four Presents Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius has proven to be one of those rare commodities where both young children and adults enjoy the story equally. The Riverside Consolidated School and teacher Scott Lingley have even taken to using the Franklin Richards tales to teach children to read.

“I'm proud to be part of the creative team that is expanding the comic market and developing the next generation of comic fans,” says co-plotter, artist, and letterer Chris Eliopoulos. “As a father of twin boys, I know how hard it is to find age-appropriate comics for kids that adults can enjoy as well, and we worked really hard to give everyone something fun to read.”

While some may credit the success of the Franklin tales with the incredible wit and youthful exuberance the stories are overflowing with, Sumerak thinks there may be another reason.

"If the outstanding support for Fantastic Four Presents Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius has proven one thing to me, it's this: People love H.E.R.B.I.E. No matter how they may bash him online, they really just can't get enough of the little guy! That being said, look for our high-strung robot pal to be joining the New Avengers, the New X-Men, and the New Warriors in the near future. No? Ooookay... then just look for him in the new Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius strips coming this winter!"

Fans be advised that this one shot Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius may still be available in most comic shops.



X-MEN #180
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Pencils & Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP …$2.50


FANTASTIC FOUR SPECIAL 2005
Written by DWAYNE MCDUFFIE
Pencils by CASEY JONES
Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
32 PGS./A - APPROPRIATE FOR AGES 9 AND UP


With a library of over 5,000 proprietary characters, Marvel Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused in four areas: entertainment (Marvel Studios), licensing, comic book publishing and toys (Toy Biz). Marvel facilitates the creation of entertainment projects, including feature films, DVD/home video, video games and television based on its characters and also licenses its characters for use in a wide range of consumer products and services including apparel, collectibles, snack foods and promotions. Marvel's characters and plot lines are created by its comic book division which continues to expand its leadership position in the U.S. and worldwide while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property.