It’s Day Seven of this year’s Jack Kirby Tribute Month, curated by Howard Simpson. Dedicated solely this time to the Fantastic Four and related characters, as of the last couple days, we’re in the midst of a group of allies and supporting characters. Today’s prompt is Alicia Masters.
Alicia was introduced as the daughter of the villain the Puppet Master, in Fantastic Four #8. In the course of that story, Alicia meets the FF, and realizes she has feelings for Ben Grimm, the Thing. Ben has feelings for her too, and their relationship helps to soften and ground him after the tragedy of his mutation. We learn that Alicia is blind, and also a very talented sculptor. She becomes a regular supporting character, playing pivotal roles in several stories. Most notably in the Galactus Trilogy, Fantastic Four #48–50.
Something I realized in looking back on her appearances in the first 100+ issues is that there was a real effort to try to keep her fashions and hairstyles current. I notice that with a number of the female characters.
That’s it for Alicia! Tune in tomorrow to see who’s next.
The soap operative force of the Fantastic Four for sure. You wonderfully depict Alicia. The gentle smile and the knowing blind eyes clearly see in ways I wish more of us could. You have captured it all in a single panel. Now only if the energy could be distilled and shared as a restorative elixir. Thanks for caring work.
Thanks much, Joe! Glad you approve. Howard Simpson (who’s curating this whole thing) commented over on LinkedIn that I had managed to capture Alicia’s love for Ben on her face, which you’ve also called out. That’s definitely what I was shooting for, so it’s good to have it confirmed that I pulled it off successfully.