Some direct market retailers might want to quibble with Avi Arad's recent assertion that the success of Marvel-based movies translates into more readers for Marvel comics.  Certainly sales of Fantastic Four graphic novels have not set any records in bookstores even as the FF movie soared to the number one spot over the past weekend.  Still it's hard to argue that Marvel's big screen successes haven't helped its franchise Spider-Man and X-Men comics stay strong in a largely flat market for periodical comics.  And though some might point out that recent strong showings by the Fantastic Four in comic book format might have more to do with creators like J. Michael Straczynski, Mike Carey and Jae Lee than with the Tim Story-directed FF film, there is no denying that there is some new life in the venerable Fantastic Four comic book property.

Both issues #19 and #20 of the Ultimate Fantastic Four are sold out from both Marvel and Diamond Comic Distributors.  The two issues, written by Mike Carey and illustrated with great verve by Jae Lee, introduced a deadly new villain, the Thinker.  Coupled with the success of the Stracynski Fantastic Four, the latest sellouts indicate that there's still plenty of life in the First Family of comics.