Fantastic Four #340

Fantastic Four #340 was published by Marvel Comics in May 1990 as part of the long-running Fantastic Four series. This issue is notable for being written by Steve Englehart and featuring artwork by Rich Buckler. It arrived during a period of transition for Marvel as the company navigated the shifting sensibilities of late-twentieth-century comic book storytelling, balancing the traditional heroic tropes of the quartet with more complex, serialized interpersonal drama.

The creative direction for this era focused on exploring the team’s strained dynamics following various roster changes. Rich Buckler’s illustrations adhered to the established aesthetic of the time, emphasizing dramatic action sequences and the distinct character silhouettes that defined the Fantastic Four's brand. The issue was received as a standard installment within a broader, complex narrative arc that sought to maintain the legacy of the original Lee and Kirby concepts while attempting to update the stakes for a modern readership.