Fantastic Four

This article is about the superhero team. For other uses, seeFantastic Four (disambiguation).

TheFantastic Four,often abbreviated asFF,is asuperheroteam appearing inAmerican comic bookspublished byMarvel Comics.The team debuted inThe Fantastic Four#1 (cover-datedNovember 1961), helping usher in a new level of realism in the medium. It was the first superhero team created by artist/co-plotterJack Kirbyand editor/co-scripterStan Lee,and through this title the "Marvel method"style of production came into prominence.

Fantastic Four
Promotional art forFantastic Four: The Lost Adventure#1 (February 2008) depicting (left-to-right): TheThing,Mister Fantastic,Invisible Woman,and theHuman Torch. Art byJack Kirby. (repurposed from his 1970sMarvelmaniaposter).
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Fantastic Four#1 (November1961)
Created by	Stan Lee(writer/editor) Jack Kirby(artist/co-plotter)
In-story information
Base(s)	Baxter Building Avengers Mansion(formerly) Four Freedoms Plaza Pier 4 4 Yancy St.
Member(s)	Mister Fantastic Invisible Woman Human Torch The Thing
Roster
See:List of Fantastic Four members

The four characters traditionally associated with the Fantastic Four, who gainedsuperpowersafter exposure tocosmic raysduring a scientific mission to outer space, areMister Fantastic(Reed Richards), a scientific genius and the leader of the group, who can stretch his body into incredible lengths and shapes; theInvisible Woman(Susan "Sue" Storm-Richards), Reed's girlfriend and later wife, who can render herself invisible and project powerful invisible force fields and blasts; theHuman Torch(Johnny Storm), Sue's younger brother, who can generate flames, surround himself with them and fly; and the monstrousThing(Ben Grimm), their grumpy but benevolent friend, a former college football star, Reed's college roommate and a skilled pilot, who possesses tremendous superhuman strength, durability and endurance due to his stone-like flesh.

Since their 1961 introduction, the Fantastic Four has been portrayed as a somewhat dysfunctional, yet loving, family. Breaking convention with other comic archetypes, the members squabbled, held grudges both deep and petty, and eschewed anonymity orsecret identitiesin favor of celebrity status. They are also well known for their recurring encounters with characters such as the villainous monarchDoctor Doom;the planet-devouringGalactus;theKree Empire's ruthless and tyrannical enforcerRonan the Accuser;theNegative Zone's rulerAnnihilus;the sea-dwelling princeNamor;the spacefaringSilver Surfer;theSkrullwarriorKl'rt;and theMolecule Man.

The Fantastic Four has been adapted intoother media,including severalvideo games,animated series,andlive-action films.

Publication history

Further information:Fantastic Four (comic book)

Origins

Apocryphal legend has it that in 1961, longtimemagazineandcomic bookpublisherMartin Goodmanwas playing golf with eitherJack LiebowitzorIrwin Donenfeldof rival companyDC Comics,then known as National Periodical Publications, and that the top executive bragged about DC's success with the new superhero team theJustice League of America.While film producer and comics historianMichael Uslanhas debunked the particulars of that story,Goodman, a publishing trend-follower, aware of the JLA's strong sales, did direct his comics editor,Stan Lee,to create a comic-book series about a team of superheroes. According to Lee, writing in 1974, "Martin mentioned that he had noticed one of the titles published by National Comics seemed to be selling better than most. It was a book calledThe[sic]Justice League of Americaand it was composed of a team of superheroes.... 'If the Justice League is selling', spoke he, 'why don't we put out a comic book that features a team of superheroes?' "

Lee, who had served as editor-in-chief and art director of Marvel Comics and its predecessor companies,Timely ComicsandAtlas Comics,for two decades, found that the medium had become creatively restrictive. Determined "to carve a real career for myself in the nowhere world of comic books",Lee concluded that, "For just this once, I would do the type of story I myself would enjoy reading... And the characters would be the kind of characters I could personally relate to: They'd be flesh and blood, they'd have their faults and foibles, they'd be fallible and feisty, and — most important of all — inside their colorful, costumed booties they'd still have feet of clay."

Lee provided one of his earliest recorded comments on the creation of the Fantastic Four for a fanzine in 1968, during which timepencillerJack Kirbywas also working at Marvel. (Kirby is interviewed separately in the same publication.) When asked who conceived the team, he or Kirby, Lee responded "Both ' 'twas mainly my idea, but Jack created characters visually".In the 1974 bookOrigins of Marvel ComicsLee described the creative process in more detail, stating that he developed the basic characters as well as a story synopsis for the first issue Jack Kirby to follow.Lee noted the involvement of both Kirby and Publisher Martin Goodman prior to preparing his synopsis: "After kicking it around with Martin and Jack for a while I decided to call our quaint quartet the Fantastic Four. I wrote a detailed first synopsis for Jack to follow and the rest is history."Kirby turned in his penciled art pages to Lee, who added dialogue and captions. This approach to creating comics, which became known as the "Marvel Method",worked so well that Lee and Kirby used it from then on, and the Marvel Method became standard for the company within a year.

Kirby recalled events somewhat differently. In a 1970 Fanzine interview he confirmed Lee's involvement in the creation of the Fantastic Four but took credit for the main characters and ideas, stating "It was my idea. It was my idea to do it the way it was; my idea to develop it the way it was. I'm not saying Stan had nothing to do with it. Of course he did. We talked things out."Years later, when specifically challenged with Lee's version of events in a 1990 interview, Kirby responded: "I would say that's an outright lie",although the interviewer,Gary Groth,notes that this statement needs to be viewed with caution.Kirby claims he came up with the idea for the Fantastic Four in Marvel's offices, and that Lee merely added the dialogue after the story was pencilled.Kirby also sought to establish, more credibly and on numerous occasions, that the visual elements of the strip were his conceptions. He regularly pointed to a team he created for rival publisher DC Comics in the 1950s, theChallengers of the Unknown."[I]f you notice the uniforms, they're the same... I always give them a skintight uniform with a belt... the Challengers and the FF have a minimum of decoration. And of course, the Thing's skin is a kind of decoration, breaking up the monotony of the blue uniform."It is important to note, however, that the Fantastic Four wore civilian garb instead of uniforms, which were only introduced (along with the Baxter Building Headquarters) in the third issue of the series following readership feedback.The original submitted design was also modified to include the iconic chest insignia of a "4" within a circle that was designed by Lee.

Given the conflicting statements, outside commentators have found it hard to ascertain who created the Fantastic Four. A typed synopsis by Lee for the introductory segment of the first Fantastic Four issue exists and outlines the characters and their origins, with various minor differences to the published version. However Earl Wells, writing inThe Comics Journal,points out that its existence does not assert its place in the creation: "[W]e have no way of knowing of whether Lee wrote the synopsis after a discussion with Kirby in which Kirby supplied most of the ideas".

It is also notable that the Fantastic Four's first adventure in 1961 depicts a team of four adventurers (three men and a woman) led by a professor travelling to the Earth's center and encountering giant monsters while contending with a human antagonist who is also from the surface world.Although neither Lee nor Kirby ever mentioned the 1959 filmJourney to the Center of the Earthas a direct inspiration, publisher Martin Goodman was well known for following popular entertainment trends to attract sales in his comics line.

Comics historianR. C. Harveybelieves the Fantastic Four was a continuation of the work Kirby previously did, and so "more likely Kirby's creations than Lee's".But Harvey notes that theMarvel Methodof collaboration allowed each man to claim credit,and that Lee's dialogue added to the direction the team took.Wells argues that Lee's contributions set the framework within which Kirby worked, and this made Lee "more responsible".Comics historianMark Evanier,a studio assistant to Jack Kirby in the 1970s, says that the considered opinion of Lee and Kirby's contemporaries was "thatFantastic Fourwas created by Stan and Jack. No further division of credit seemed appropriate. "

1961–1970s

The release ofThe Fantastic Four#1 (Nov. 1961) was an unexpected success. Lee had felt ready to stop working on comics at the time, but the positive response toFantastic Fourpersuaded him to continue with comic books.The title began to receive fan mailand Lee started printing the letters in a letter column with issue #3. Also with the third issue, Lee created the hyperbolic slogan "The Greatest Comic Magazine in the World!!" With the following issue, the slogan was changed to "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine!" and became a fixture on the issue covers into the 1990s,and on numerous covers in the 2000s.

Issue #4 (May 1962) reintroducedNamor the Sub-Mariner,an aquaticantiherowho was a star character of Marvel's earliest iteration,Timely Comics,during the late 1930s and 1940s period that historians and fans call theGolden Age of Comics.Issue #5 (July 1962) introduced the team's most frequent nemesis,Doctor Doom.These earliest issues were published bimonthly. With issue #16 (July 1963), the cover title dropped itsTheand became simplyFantastic Four.InFantastic Four#19 (October 1963),Stan Leeannounced thatReed Richardswould remain leader of the group, due to an overwhelming fan response in the affirmative (93.47%). Stan's comment of'Nuff Saidwould from here become an ongoing phrase in Lee's communications with fans.

While the early stories were complete narratives, the frequent appearances of these two antagonists, Doom and Namor, in subsequent issues indicated the creation of a long narrative by Lee and Kirby that extended over months. According to comics historianLes Daniels,"only narratives that ran to several issues would be able to contain their increasingly complex ideas".During its creators' lengthy run, the series produced many acclaimed storylines and characters that have become central to Marvel, including the hidden race of alien-human genetic experiments, theInhumans;theBlack Panther,an African king who would be mainstream comics' first black superhero;the rival alien races theKreeand the shapeshiftingSkrulls;Him, who would becomeAdam Warlock;theNegative Zoneandunstable molecules.The story frequently cited as Lee and Kirby's finest achievementis the three-part "Galactus Trilogy"that began inFantastic Four#48 (March 1966), chronicling the arrival ofGalactus,a cosmic giant who wanted to devour the planet, and his herald, theSilver Surfer.Fantastic Four#48 was chosen as #24 in the 100 Greatest Marvels of All Time poll of Marvel's readers in 2001. EditorRobert Greenbergerwrote in his introduction to the story that, "As the fourth year of the Fantastic Four came to a close, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby seemed to be only warming up. In retrospect, it was perhaps the most fertile period of any monthly title during the Marvel Age."Daniels noted that "[t]he mystical and metaphysical elements that took over the saga were perfectly suited to the tastes of young readers in the 1960s", and Lee soon discovered that the story was a favorite on college campuses.TheFantastic Four Annualwas used to spotlight several key events. The Sub-Mariner was crowned king ofAtlantisin the first annual (1963).The following year's annual revealed the origin story of Doctor Doom.Fantastic Four Annual#3 (1965) presented the wedding of Reed Richards and Sue Storm.Lee and Kirby reintroduced theoriginal Human TorchinFantastic Four Annual#4 (1966) and had him battle Johnny Storm.Sue Richards' pregnancy was announced inFantastic Four Annual#5 (1967), and the Richards' son,Franklin Richardswas born inFantastic Four Annual#6 (1968)in a story which introducedAnnihilusas well.

Marvel filed for atrademarkfor "Fantastic Four" in 1967 and theUnited States Patent and Trademark Officeissued the registration in 1970.

Kirby left Marvel in mid-1970,having drawn the first 102 issues plus an unfinished issue, partially published inFantastic Four#108, with alterations, and later completed and published asFantastic Four: The Lost Adventure(April 2008),Fantastic Fourcontinued with Lee,Roy Thomas,Gerry ConwayandMarv Wolfmanas its consecutive regular writers, working with artists such asJohn Romita Sr.,John Buscema,Rich BucklerandGeorge Pérez,with longtime inkerJoe Sinnottadding some visual continuity.Jim Sterankoalso contributed some covers during this time. A short-lived series starring the team,Giant-Size Super-Stars,began in May 1974 and changed its title toGiant-Size Fantastic Fourwith issue #2.The fourth issue introducedJamie Madrox,a character who later became part of theX-Men.Giant-Size Fantastic Fourwas canceled with issue #6 (Oct. 1975).Roy Thomas and George Pérez crafted ametafictionalstory forFantastic Four#176 (Nov. 1976) in which theImpossible Manvisited the offices of Marvel Comics andmet numerous comics creators.Marv Wolfman andKeith Pollardcrafted a multi-issue storyline involving the son of Doctor Doom which culminated in issue #200 (Nov. 1978).John Byrnejoined the title with issue #209 (Aug. 1979), doing pencil breakdowns for Sinnott to finish. He and Wolfman introduced a new herald for Galactus namedTerrax the Tamerin #211 (Oct. 1979).

1980s and 1990s

Bill Mantlobriefly followed Wolfman as writer of the series and wrote a crossover withPeter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man#42 (May 1980).Byrne wrote and drew a giant-sized Fantastic Four promotional comic forCoca-Cola,which was rejected by Coca-Cola as being too violent and published asFantastic Four#220–221 (July–Aug. 1980) instead.WriterDoug Moenchand pencillerBill Sienkiewiczthen took over for 10 issues. With issue #232 (July 1981), the aptly titled "Back to the Basics",Byrne began his run as writer, penciller and inker, the last under thepseudonymBjorn Heyn for this issue only.

Byrne revitalized the slumping title with his run.Byrne was slated to write with Sienkiewicz providing the art however, Sienkiewicz left to doMoon Knight,and Byrne subsequently became writer, artist, and inker. Various editors were assigned to the comic; eventuallyBob Budianskybecame the regular editor. Byrne toldJim Shooterthat he could not work with Budiansky, although they ultimately continued to work together. In 2006, Byrne said "that's my paranoia. I look back and I think that was Shooter trying to force me off the book". Byrne left following issue #293 (Aug. 1986) in the middle of a story arc, explaining he could not recapture the fun he had previously had on the series.One of Byrne's changes was making the Invisible Girl into the Invisible Woman:assertive and confident. During this period, fans came to recognize that she was quite powerful, whereas previously, she had been primarily seen as a superpowered mother and wife in the tradition of television moms like those played byDonna ReedandFlorence Henderson.

Byrne staked new directions in the characters' personal lives, having the married Sue Storm and Reed Richards suffer a miscarriage and the Thing quitting the Fantastic Four, withShe-Hulkbeing recruited as his long-term replacement. He also re-emphasized the family dynamic which he felt the series had drifted away from after the Lee/Kirby run, commenting that, "Family—and notdysfunctional family—is the central, key element to the FF. It is an absolutely vital dynamic between the characters. "[emphases in original]

Byrne was followed by a quick succession of writers:Roger Stern,Tom DeFalco,andRoy Thomas.Steve Engleharttook over as writer for issues 304–332 (except #320). The title had been struggling, so Englehart decided to make radical changes. He felt the title had become stale with the normal makeup of Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny, so in issue #308 Reed and Sue retired and were replaced with the Thing's new girlfriend,Sharon Ventura,and Johnny Storm's former love, Crystal. The changes increased readership through issue #321. At this point, Marvel made decisions about another Englehart comic,West Coast Avengers,that he disagreed with, and in protest he changed his byline to S.F.X. Englehart (S.F.X. is the abbreviation for Simple Sound Effects). In issue #326, Englehart was told to bring Reed and Sue back and undo the other changes he had made. This caused Englehart to take his name entirely off the book. He used the pseudonym John Harkness, which he had created years before for work he didn't want to be associated with. According to Englehart, the run from #326 through his last issue, #332, was "one of the most painful stretches of [his] career."Writer-artistWalt Simonsontook over as writer with #334 (December 1989), and three issues later beganpencillingandinkingas well. With brief inking exceptions, two fill-in issues, and a three-issue stint drawn byArthur Adams,Simonson remained in all three positions through #354 (July 1991).

Simonson, who had been writing the team comicThe Avengers,had gotten approval for Reed and Sue to join that team after Engelhart had written them out ofFantastic Four.Yet byThe Avengers#300, where they were scheduled to join the team, Simonson was told the characters were returning toFantastic Four.This led to Simonson quittingThe Avengersafter that issue. Shortly afterward, he was offered the job of writingFantastic Four.Having already prepared a number of stories involving the Avengers with Reed and Sue in the lineup, he then rewrote these forFantastic Four.Simonson later recalled that working onFantastic Fourallowed him the latitude to use original Avengers membersThorandIron Man,which he had been precluded from using inThe Avengers.

After another fill-in, the regular team of writer and Marvel editor-in-chiefTom DeFalco,pencillerPaul Ryanand inker Dan Bulanadi took over, with Ryan self-inking beginning with #360 (Jan. 1992). That team, with the very occasional different inker, continued for years through #414 (July 1996). DeFalco nullified the Storm-Masters marriage byretconningthat the alien Skrull Empire had kidnapped the real Masters and replaced her with a spy namedLyja.Once discovered, Lyja, who herself had fallen for Storm, helped the Fantastic Four rescue Masters. Ventura departed after being further mutated by Doctor Doom. Although some fans were not pleased with DeFalco's run onFantastic Four,calling him "The Great Satan", the title's sales rose steadily over the period.

Other key developments included Franklin Richards being sent into the future and returning as a teenager; the return of Reed's time-traveling father, Nathaniel, who is revealed to be the father of time-travelling villainKang the Conquerorand Reed's apparent death at the hands of a seemingly mortally wounded Doctor Doom.It would be two years before DeFalco resurrected the two characters, revealing that their "deaths" were orchestrated by the supervillainHyperstorm.

The ongoing series was canceled with issue #416 (Sept. 1996) and relaunched with vol. 2 #1 (Nov. 1996) as part of the multi-series "Heroes Reborn"crossoverstory arc. The yearlong volume retold the team's first adventures in a more contemporary style,and set in a parallel universe. Following the end of that experiment,Fantastic Fourwas relaunched with vol. 3 #1 (Jan. 1998). Initially by the team of writerScott Lobdelland pencillerAlan Davis,it went after three issues to writerChris Claremont(co-writing with Lobdell for #4–5) and pencillerSalvador Larroca;this team enjoyed a long run through issue #32 (Aug. 2000).

2000s

Following the run of Claremont, Lobdell and Larroca,Carlos Pachecotook over as penciller and co-writer, first withRafael Marín,then with Marín andJeph Loeb.This series began using dual numbering, as if the originalFantastic Fourseries had continued unbroken, with issue #42 / #471 (June 2001). At the time, the Marvel Comics series begun in the 1960s, such asThorandThe Amazing Spider-Man,were given such dual numbering on the front cover, with the present-day volume's numbering alongside the numbering from the original series. After issue #70 / #499 (Aug. 2003), the title reverted to its original vol. 1 numbering with issue #500 (Sept. 2003).

Karl Keselsucceeded Loeb as co-writer with issue #51 / #480 (March 2002), and after a few issues with temporary teams,Mark Waidtook over as writer with #60 / 489 (October 2002) with artistMike Wieringowith Marvel releasing a promotional variant edition of their otherwise $2.25 debut issue at the price of nine cents US.PencillersMark Buckingham,Casey Jones, and Howard Porter variously contributed through issue #524 (May 2005), with a handful of issues by other teams also during this time. WriterJ. Michael Straczynskiand pencillerMike McKonedid issues #527–541 (July 2005 – Nov. 2006), withDwayne McDuffietaking over as writer the following issue, andPaul Pelletiersucceeding McKone beginning with #544 (May 2007).

As a result of the events of the "Civil War"company-crossover storyline, theBlack PantherandStormtemporarily replaced Reed and Susan Richards on the team. During that period, the Fantastic Four also appeared inBlack Panther,written byReginald Hudlinand pencilled primarily by Francis Portela. Beginning with issue #554 (April 2008), writerMark Millarand pencillerBryan Hitchbegan what Marvel announced as a sixteen-issue run.Following the summer 2008 crossover storyline, "Secret Invasion",and the 2009 aftermath"Dark Reign",chronicling the U.S. government's assigning of the Nation's security functions to the seemingly reformed supervillainNorman Osborn,the Fantastic Four starred in a five-issueminiseries,Dark Reign: Fantastic Four(May–Sept. 2009), written byJonathan Hickman,with art bySean Chen.Hickman took over as the series regular writer as of issue #570 with Dale Eagleshamand later Steve Epting on art.

2010s

In the storyline "Three", which concluded inFantastic Four#587 (cover dateMarch 2011, published January 26, 2011), theHuman Torchappears to die stopping a horde of monsters from the other-dimensionalNegative Zone.The series ended with the following issue, #588, and relaunched in March 2011 as simplyFF.The relaunch saw the team assume a new name, theFuture Foundation,adopt new black-and-white costumes, and accept longtime allySpider-Manas a member.In October 2011, with the publication ofFF#11 (cover-dated Dec. 2011), theFantastic Fourseries reached its 599th issue.

In November 2011, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fantastic Four and of Marvel Comics, the company published the 100-pageFantastic Four#600 (cover-dated Jan. 2012),which returned the title to its original numbering and featured the return of the Human Torch. It revealed the fate of the character of Johnny Storm after issue #587, showing that while he did in fact die, he was resurrected to fight as a gladiator for the entertainment of Annihilus. Storm later formed a resistance force called Light Brigade and defeated Annihilus.

Although it was launched as a continuation of theFantastic Fourtitle,FFcontinues publication as a separate series. Starting with issue #12, the title focuses upon the youthful members of the Future Foundation, including Franklin and Valeria Richards.

In the graphic novelFantastic Four: Season One,the Fantastic Four is given an updated origin story set in the present day instead of the 1960s.The hardcover compilation debuted at number four onThe New York TimesBest Seller listfor graphic novels.

As part ofMarvel NOW!Fantastic Fourended with #611, ending Jonathan Hickman's long run onFFtitles, and the title was relaunched in November 2012 with the creative team of writerMatt Fractionand artistMark Bagley.In the new title with its numbering starting at #1, the entire Fantastic Four family explore space together, with the hidden intent for Reed Richards to discover why his powers are fading.

WriterJames Robinsonand artistLeonard Kirklaunched a newFantastic Fourseries in February 2014 (cover datedApril 2014).

Robinson later confirmed thatFantastic Fourwould be cancelled in 2015 with issue #645, saying that "The book is reverting to its original numbers, and the book is going away for a while. I'm moving towards the end ofFantastic Four.I just want to reassure people that you will not leave this book with a bad taste in your mouth. "In the aftermath of the "Secret Wars"storyline, the Thing is working with the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Human Torch is acting as an ambassador with the Inhumans.With Franklin's powers restored and Reed having absorbed the power of the Beyonders from Doom, the Richards family is working on travelling through and reconstructing the multiverse,but Peter Parker has purchased the Baxter Building to keep it "safe" until the team is ready to come back together.

A new volume for the Fantastic Four was released in August 2018, written byDan Slott,as part of Marvel'sFresh Startevent.The first issue of the new series was met with strong sales,and a positive critical reaction.When the Future Foundation is threatened by the Griever at the End of All Things, Mister Fantastic plays on her ego to convince her to provide him with equipment that will allow him to summon his teammates. When Human Torch and Thing are reunited with Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman, the other superheroes that were part of the Fantastic Four at some point in their lives also arrived, including, unexpectedly,X-Men'sIceman.With the gathered heroes assisted the Fantastic Four into causing so much damage to the Griever's equipment, she is forced to retreat in her final telepod or be trapped in that universe. This left the heroes to salvage components from the broken ship to create their own teleport system to return to their universe.The Fantastic Four and their extended family returned to Earth where they find thatLiberteensmembers Ms. America, 2-D, Hope, and Iceberg have come together as the Fantastix with Ms. America taking the codename of Ms. Fantastix. Following the staged bank robbery that theWrecking Crewcommitted and their involvement of being hired to humiliate the Fantastix in public, the Fantastic Four gave the Fantastix their blessing to continue using the Baxter Building while the FF operate in a house on Yancy Street with a dimensionally-transcendental interior.

In the storylinePoint of Origin,the Fantastic Four entrust Alicia, H.E.R.B.I.E., Franklin and Valeria to protect Earth while they begin their mission to learn a further origin of the cosmic radiation that granted them their powers in the first place, piloting a new space ship called Marvel-2.While in the middle of a space adventure to find the origin, the Fantastic Four are attacked by a group who believed themselves to be the superheroes of Planet Spyre, theUnparalleled.Reed and Sue are separated from the Thing, Human Torch is revealed to be the soulmate of the Unparalleled member named Sky, and they learn that the Unparalleled's leader and the Overseer of Planet Spyre, Revos, was responsible for the cosmic rays that struck the team on their original trip, as he wanted to stop them coming to his planet. Revos subsequently mutated his people to "prepare for their return" before trying to eradicate the mutateswho are unable to retain their original forms in the same manner as the Thing, accusing the mutates of being "villains and imperfects"; as a result, through his own paranoia andxenophobia,the Overseer himself is responsible for the fateful creation of the Fantastic Four and mutated his entire race to face a non-existent threat.Revos challenges Mr. Fantastic to a fight over their differences, until it is settled and they finally made peace. As the Fantastic Four are about to depart Spyre after helping its citizens clean up the Planet (as well as Reed providing the mutates with a variation of the temporary 'cure' he has created for Ben), Skye join them to learn about Earth and every unseen galaxy.When theincomingKree-SkrullEmpyreoccur at the same time as teen heroes are beingoutlawed,the original Fantastic Four went to space with Avengers to stop this Empyre, leaving Franklin and Valeria being backed by Spider-Man and Wolverine to defend Earth.

2020s

In August 2022, Marvel announced that writerRyan Northand artist Iban Coello would launch a new volume of Fantastic Four in November of that year after Slott had concluded his run on the title with issue #46.

Spin-offs

Ancillary titles and features spin off from the flagship series include the 1970s quarterlyGiant-Size Fantastic Fourand the 1990sFantastic Four UnlimitedandFantastic Four Unplugged;Fantastic Force,an 18-issue spinoff (November 1994 – April 1996) featuring a young adult Franklin Richards, from a different timeline, as Psi-Lord. A 12-issue seriesFantastic Four: The World's Greatest Comics Magazineran in 2001, paying homage toStan LeeandJack Kirby's legendary run. A spinoff titleMarvel Knights 4(April 2004 – August 2006) was written byRoberto Aguirre-Sacasaand initially illustrated bySteve McNivenin his first Marvel work. There have also been numerouslimited seriesfeaturing the group.

In 1996, Marvel launched the seriesFantastic Four 2099,part of the company'sMarvel 2099imprint which explored an alternate future of the Marvel Universe. The four protagonists inexplicably find themselves in 2099, with the world believing them to be clones of the original members of the Fantastic Four. The series ran for 8 issues (Jan. – Aug. 1996), serving as a companion toDoom 2099—an original Marvel 2099 title featuring an individual claiming to be the originalVictor von Doom.In 2021, the series was brought back for a single issue.

In 2004, Marvel launchedUltimate Fantastic Four.As part of the company'sUltimate Marvelimprint, the series re-imagined the team as young adults.It ran for 60 issues (Feb. 2004 – Feb. 2009). The issues were repackaged into four-issue graphic novel volumes. The characters continued to appear in other Ultimate Marvel franchises, includingUltimatum.Ultimate Reed Richards became a mainstay of both theEarth-1610andEarth-616continuities as the villainthe Maker.In 2008, they also launchedMarvel Adventures: Fantastic Four,an out-of-continuity series aimed at younger readers.

Although it was launched by Marvel as a continuation of the Fantastic Four title in 2011,FFcontinued publication as a separate series after the regular series resumed in 2012. From issues #12, the title focused on the youthful members of the Future Foundation, including Franklin and Valeria Richards. A second volume was launched as part ofMarvel NOW!byMatt FractionandMike Allreddepicting a substitute Fantastic Four team starringScott Lang,Medusa,She-Hulkand Ms. Thing.

Solo series

The Human Torch solo

The Human Torch was given a solo strip inStrange Talesin 1962 to bolster the title's sales.The series began inStrange Tales#101 (October 1962), in 12- to 14-page stories plotted by Lee and initially scripted by his brotherLarry Lieber,and drawn by penciller Kirby and inkerDick Ayers.

Here, Johnny was seen living with his older sister, Susan, in fictional Glenview,Long Island,New York, where he continuedhigh schooland, with youthful naiveté, attempted to maintain a "secret identity". InStrange Tales#106 (March 1963), Johnny discovered that his friends and neighbors knew of his dual identity all along from Fantastic Four news reports, but were humoring him. Supporting characters included Johnny's girlfriend, Doris Evans, usually in consternation as Johnny cheerfully flew off to battle bad guys. She was seen again in a 1973 issue ofFantastic Four,having become a heavyset but cheerful wife and mother.Ayers took over the penciling after ten issues, later followed by originalGolden Age Human TorchcreatorCarl Burgosand others. The Fantastic Four made occasional cameo appearances, and the Thing became a co-star with issue #123 (Aug. 1964).

The Human Torch shared the split bookStrange Taleswith fellow featureDoctor Strangefor the majority of its run, before being replaced in issue #135 (August 1965) byNick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.The Silver Age stories were republished in 1974, along with some Golden Age Human Torch stories, in a short-lived ongoingHuman Torchseries.

A later ongoing solo series in Marvel'smanga-influencedTsunamiimprint,Human Torch,ran 12 issues (June 2003 – June 2004), by writerKarl KeselandpencilerSkottie Young.The series was followed by the five-issue limited seriesSpider-Man/Human Torch(March–July 2005), an untold talesteam-uparc spanning the course of their friendship.

The Thing solo

The Thing appeared in two team-up issues ofMarvel Feature(#11–12, September–November 1973). Following their success, he was given his own regular team-up titleMarvel Two-in-One,co-starring with Marvel heroes not only in the present day but occasionally in other time periods (fighting alongside theWorld War II-eraLiberty Legionin #20 and the 1930s heroDoc Savagein #21, for example) and inalternate realities.The series ran 100 issues (January 1974 – June 1983), with seven summer annuals (1976–1982) and was immediately followed by the solo titleThe Thing#1–36 (July 1983 – June 1986). Another ongoing solo series, also titledThe Thing,ran eight issues (January–August 2006).

A six issue miniseries written byWalter Mosely,entitledThe Thing,was released in November 2021.

Invisible Woman solo

In April 2019, Marvel Comics announced that it would publishInvisible Woman,a five-issue miniseries written byMark Waidand drawn by artist Mattia De Lulis.This was Sue Storm's first solo title.Adam Hughesdrew the cover for all five issues.

Characters

The Fantastic Four is formed after four civilian astronauts are exposed tocosmic raysduring an unauthorizedouter spacetest flight in an experimentalrocketship designed by Dr. Reed Richards. Pilot Ben Grimm and crew-members Susan Storm and her brother Johnny Storm survive an emergencycrash-landingin a field on Earth. Upon exiting the rocket, the four discover they have developed incrediblesuperpowersand decide to use these powers to help others.

In the first issue the crew talks about Reed Richards' rocketship flying to the stars. Stan Lee's original synopsis described the crew's plan to fly to Mars, but Lee later shortly afterward wrote that due to "the rate the Communists are progressing in space, maybe we better make this a flight to the STARS, instead of just to Mars, because by the time this mag goes on sale, the Russians may have already MADE a flight to Mars!"

In a significant departure from preceding superhero conventions, the Fantastic Four make no effort to maintain secret identities or, until issue #3, to wear superhero costumes, instead maintaining a public profile and enjoying celebrity status for scientific and heroic contributions to society. At the same time, they are often prone to arguing and even fighting with one another. Despite their bickering, the Fantastic Four consistently prove themselves to be "a cohesive and formidable team in times of crisis."

While there have been a number of lineup changes to the group, the four characters who debuted inFantastic Four#1 remain the core and most frequent lineup. They consist of:

• Mister Fantastic(Reed Richards) - A scientific genius, can stretch, twist and re-shape his body to inhuman proportions. Mr. Fantastic serves as the father figure of the group, and is "appropriately pragmatic, authoritative, and dull".Richards blames himself for the failed space mission, particularly because of how the event transformed pilot Ben Grimm.Stan Lee said the stretch powers were inspired by DC'sPlastic Man,which had no equivalent in Marvel.
• Invisible Girl/Invisible Woman(Susan Storm) - Reed Richards' girlfriend (and eventual wife) has the ability to bend and manipulate light to render herself and others invisible. Stan Lee did not want Sue to have superstrength, "to beWonder Womanand punch people ", so eventually he came to invisibility, inspired by works such asThe Invisible Man.She later develops the ability to generate invisible force fields, which she uses for a variety of defensive and offensive effects.
• Human Torch(Johnny Storm) - Sue Storm's younger brother, possesses the ability to control fire, allowing him to project fire from his body, as well as the power to fly. This character was loosely based on aHuman Torchcharacter published by Marvel's predecessorTimely Comicsin the 1940s, an android that could ignite itself. Lee said that when he conceptualized the character, "I thought it was a shame that we didn't have The Human Torch anymore, and this was a good chance to bring him back".Unlike the teen sidekicks that preceded him, the Human Torch in the early stories was "a typical adolescent — brash, rebellious, and affectionately obnoxious."Johnny Storm was killed in the 2011 storyline "Three",before being brought back and rejoining the reformed Fantastic Four.
• Thing(Ben Grimm) - Reed Richards' college roommate and best friend, has been transformed into a monstrous, orange, rock-like humanoid possessing high levels of superhuman strength and durability. The Thing is often filled with anger, self-loathing and self-pity over his new existence. He serves as "an uncle figure, a long-term friend of the family with a gruffBrooklynmanner, short temper, and caustic sense of humor ".In the original synopsis Lee gave to Kirby, The Thing was intended as "the heavy", but over the years, the character has become "the most lovable group member: honest, direct and free of pretension".Lee said his original pitch to Kirby stated that The Thing was "someone who turned into a monster" and is bitter because unlike the other three he cannot change back to a normal appearance.

The Fantastic Four has had several headquarters, most notably theBaxter Building,located at42nd StreetandMadison Avenuein New York City. The Baxter Building was replaced byFour Freedoms Plazaat the same location after its destruction at the hands ofKristoff Vernard,adopted son of the team's seminal foeDoctor Doom(prior to the completion of Four Freedoms Plaza, the team took up temporary residence atAvengers Mansion).Pier 4, a waterfront warehouse, served as a temporary headquarters after Four Freedoms Plaza was destroyed by the ostensible superhero team theThunderboltsshortly after the revelation that they were actually the supervillain team theMasters of Evilin disguise. Pier 4 was eventually destroyed during a battle with the longtime Fantastic Four supervillainDiablo,after which the team received a new Baxter Building, courtesy of one of team leader Reed Richards' former professors, Noah Baxter. This second Baxter Building was constructed in Earth's orbit and teleported into the vacant lot formerly occupied by the original.After their brief hiatus creating universes after the Secret Wars event, they took residence on 4 Yancy Street before moving back into the newly rebuilt Baxter Building.

Supporting characters

Allies and supporting characters

Main article:List of Fantastic Four members

A number of characters are closely affiliated with the team, share complex personal histories with one or more of its members but have never actually held an official membership. Some of these characters include, but are not limited to:Namor the Sub-Mariner(previously an antagonist),Alicia Masters,Lyja the Lazerfist,H.E.R.B.I.E.,Kristoff Vernard(Doctor Doom's former protégé),Wyatt Wingfoot,Sue and Johnny's fatherFranklin Storm,the receptionist androidRoberta,governessAgatha Harkness,and Reed and Sue's childrenFranklin RichardsandValeria Richards.

Several allies of the Fantastic Four have served as temporary members of the team, includingCrystal,Medusa,Power Man(Luke Cage),Nova(Frankie Raye),She-Hulk,Ms. Marvel(Sharon Ventura),Ant-Man (Scott Lang),Namorita,Storm,and theBlack Panther.A temporary lineup fromFantastic Four#347–349 (December 1990 – February 1991) consisted of theHulk(in his "Joe Fixit" persona),Spider-Man,Wolverine,andGhost Rider.

Other notable characters who have been involved with the Fantastic Four includeAlyssa Moy,Caledonia(Alysande Stuartof Earth-9809),Fantastic Force,theInhumans(particularly the royal family membersBlack Bolt,Crystal, Medusa,Gorgon,Karnak,Triton,andLockjaw), Reed's fatherNathaniel Richards,theSilver Surfer(previously an antagonist), Franklin's teleporting petPuppy,Thundra,postal workerWillie Lumpkin,Baxter Building landlordWalter Collins,the Thing's rivals theYancy Street GangandUatu the Watcher.

AuthorChristopher Knowlesstates that Kirby's work on creations featured in theFantastic Fourcomics such as the Inhumans and the Black Panther served as "a showcase of some of the most radical concepts in the history of the medium".

Antagonists

Main article:List of Fantastic Four enemies

Writers and artists over many years have created a variety of characters to challenge the Fantastic Four. Knowles states that Kirby helped to create "an army of villains whose rage and destructive power had never been seen before," and "whose primary impulse is to smash the world."Some of the team's oldest and most frequent enemies have involved such foes as theMole Man,theSkrulls,Namor the Sub-Mariner,Doctor Doom,thePuppet Master,Kang the Conqueror/Rama-Tut/Immortus,Blastaar,theFrightful Four,Annihilus,Galactus,andKlaw.Other prominent antagonists of the Fantastic Four have included theWizard,theImpossible Man,theRed Ghostand theSuper-Apes,theMad Thinker,theSuper-Skrull,theMolecule Man,Diablo,Dragon Man,Psycho-Man,Ronan the Accuser,Salem's Seven,Terrax the Tamer,Terminus,Hyperstorm,andLucia von Bardas.

Fantastic Four Incorporated

Fantastic Four Incorporated,also known asFantastic Enterprises,is a fictional organization appearing inAmerican comic bookspublished byMarvel Comics.It was founded by Reed Richards to license use of Richard's patents and funded the Fantastic Four's operation and their source of income.

Staff are:

• Susan Richards (Invisible Woman)- CEO of Fantastic Four Inc.
• Johnny Storm (Human Torch)- made COO by Susan to give him some work ethic.
• Christi Stoger- with Ethan Crane, tried to frame Johnny Storm for a screw-up to get themselves promoted
• Ethan Crane- with Christi Stoger, tried to frame Johnny Storm for a screw-up to get themselves promoted
• Jian Feeta- Johnny's Personal Assistant
• Bethany Palmer- assisted out of abusive relationship with ex-husband, Jeff, by the Invisible Woman
• Jed Schultz- informed Reed about the embezzlement of their funds
• Margaret Kofpulski

Cultural impact and legacy

Fantastic Four cosplay at the 2016New York Comic Con

Critical reception

Abraham Riesman ofVultureincluded the Fantastic Four in their "12 Teams That Defined Superhero Storytelling" list.Laura Bradley ofVanity Fairincluded the Fantastic Four in their "Stan Lee’s Most Iconic Characters" list.CBR.comranked the Fantastic Four 1st in their "10 Most Fashionable Teams In Marvel Comics" list,3rd in their "Every Marvel Superhero Team" list,and 5th in their "Marvel: The 10 Strongest Superhero Teams" list.Brooke Wright ofMovieWebranked the Fantastic Four 2nd in their "Most Famous Superhero Families" list.Jason Serafino ofComplexranked the Fantastic Four 3rd in their "10 Best Superhero Teams In Comics" list.Michael Doran ofNewsaramaranked the Fantastic Four 4th in their "Best superhero teams of all time" list.Geoff Boucher ofDeadlineranked the Fantastic Four 9th in their "Stan Lee’s Legacy: Ranking The Hollywood Heroes Co-Created By The Marvel Comics Icon" list.Chris Isaac ofScreen Rantranked the Fantastic Four 15th in their "15 Best Superhero Teams Of All Time" list.

Impact

The Fantastic Four's characterization was initially different from all other superheroes at the time. One major difference is that they do notconceal their identities,leading the public to be both suspicious and in awe of them. Also, they frequently argued and disagreed with each other, hindering their work as a team.Described as "heroes with hangups" by Stan Lee,the Thing has a temper, and the Human Torch resents being a child among adults. Mr. Fantastic blames himself for the Thing's transformation. Social scientist Bradford W. Wright describes the team as a "volatile mix of human emotions and personalities." In spite of their disagreements, they ultimately function well as a team.

The first issue ofThe Fantastic Fourproved a success, igniting a new direction for superhero comics and soon influencing many other superhero comics.Readers grew fond of Ben's grumpiness, Johnny's tendency to annoy others and Reed and Sue's spats. Stan Lee was surprised at the reaction to the first issue, leading him to stay in the comics field despite previous plans to leave. Comics historian Stephen Krensky said that "Lee's natural dialogue and flawed characters appealed to 1960s kids looking to 'get real.'"

Sales

As of 2005, more than 150 millionFantastic Fourcomic books have been sold.In 2022, the first issue ofThe Fantastic Fourwas sold for 1.5 million dollars at an auction.

Other versions

Marvel 1602

In the pages of theMarvel 1602story titled "Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four",the Fantastic Four of this reality are known as the Four from the Fantastick who are known explores.

Marvel 2099

Main article:Fantastic Four 2099

In theMarvel 2099reality of Earth-96943, the Fantastic Four of 2099 were revealed to be clones created byUatu the Watcher.Before Uatu can plan to dispose of the clones, he was talked out of it by the 2099 version of Moon Knight. The clones of the Fantastic Four then established themselves the Fantastic Four of 2099.

Marvel Apes

In the "Marvel Apes"reality, the Fantastic Four are primates like every other inhabitant. Mister Fantastic is a baboon, Human Torch is an ape known as the Simian Torch, Invisible Woman was known as Invisible Simian who was also turned into a human, and Thing is a rock-skinned gorilla.

MC2

In the "Marvel Comics 2"reality, the Fantastic Four has been upgraded to theFantastic Five.

Mutant X

In the "Mutant X"reality, the Fantastic Four have no powers. Instead, they wear special suits. Mister Fantastic's suit has extra mechanical arms, Invisible Woman's suit uses stealth technology, Human Torch's suit had pyrokinetic abilities and enables him to fly, and Thing wears armor that enables him to possess super-strength.

Old Man Logan

In the original "Old Man Logan"reality set in Earth-807128,Hawkeyetold Old Man Logan a rumor made byShockerthat Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman were dumped into the timestream by Kang the Conqueror. Thing's arm was seen as a trophy in President Red Skull's trophy room. Human Torch's fate is unknown.

In the similar reality of Earth-21923 as seen in the pages of "Old Man Quill", Human Torch and Thing were killed by different supervillains that attacked the Baxter Building causing Invisible Woman to put a forcefield around it.Thing's rock skin was later used to decorate the throne ofDoctor Doom.An older Star-Lord arrived from the villain-dominated future during the day the villains rose to power in order to get the Ultimate Nullifier needed to stop his time period's Universal Church of Truth. This plan didn't work as Kang the Conqueror showed up and banished Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman into the timestream.By the time Star-Lord found them in the timestream, they were found dead where they left him a recorded message apologizing for not believing him and allowed him to have the Ultimate Nullifier.

Because Doctor Doom of Earth-21923 was dying of cancer, he later created clones of the Fantastic Four so that he can die in battle against them. Unfortunately, the clones were flawed due to lack of enough DNA samples of them where the Mister Fantastic clone had his skin melting off his bones, the Invisible Woman clone was melting, the Human Torch clone was not immune to the burns, and the Thing clone came out deformed. The flawed clones all died from their conditions.

Ultimate Marvel

Main article:Ultimate Fantastic Four

In theUltimate Marvelreality, the Fantastic Four were revealed to have gotten their powers from theN-Zone.

Ultimate Universe

During the "Ultimate Invasion"storyline,MakervisitedEarth-6160and remade it into his own image. One of the things he did was delay the launch of the rocket that would've carriedReed Richards,Susan Storm,Johnny Storm,andBen Grimminto outer space. Maker's memory log lists Susan Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm as "dead" and Reed Richards as "controlled".

More of the flashback revealed that Reed, Susan, Johnny, and Ben went against the orders of their space program's directorFranklin Stormand hijacked a space shuttle. Because of Maker's sabotage, Johnny burned to death, Reed and Susan were detained, and Ben was later found dead at the bottom of a quarry. Franklin Storm used his connections to allow an incarcerated Reed to see Susan who is dying from the radiation as Franklin blamed Reed for killing his children. Later, Reed was brought to The City by Maker and tortured into becoming Doom. In the present,Iron Ladlearned about Doom's history as he experiments with cosmic radiation on four laboratory rats as each of the four laboratory rats keep dying. While having noted his lack of availability in missions, Doom states that he'll help out in them if they need him. He also states that when it comes to the day when one group of four rats survive the cosmic radiation experiments, Earth-6160 will have it's Fantastic Four.

In other media

There have been fourThe Fantastic Fouranimated series and three released feature films. The Fantastic Four also guest-starred in the "Secret Wars" story arc of the 1990sSpider-Mananimated series,and the Thing guest-starred (with a small cameo from the other Fantastic Four members) in the "Fantastic Fortitude" episode of the 1996The Incredible Hulkseries. The Fantastic Four also appeared in the 2010 seriesThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

There was a short-livedradio showin 1975 that adapted early Lee/Kirby storiesand is notable for casting a pre-Saturday Night LiveBill Murrayas the Human Torch. Also in the cast were Bob Maxwell asReed Richards,Cynthia Adler asSue Storm,Jim Pappas asBen Grimmand Jerry Terheyden asDoctor Doom.Other Marvel characters featured in the series includedAnt-Man,Prince Namor,Nick Furyand theHulk.Stan Lee narrated the series and the scripts were taken almost verbatim from the comic books. The radio show was packaged into five-minute segments, with five segments comprising a complete adventure.The team appeared on thePower RecordsalbumFantastic Four: "The Way It Began"book and record set, an audio dramatization ofFantastic Four#126.

Television

The Fantastic Four has been the subject of four animated television series. The first,The Fantastic Four,produced byHanna-Barbera,ran 20 episodes onABCfrom September 9, 1967 to September 21, 1968. The secondFantastic Fourseries, produced byDePatie-Freleng,ran 13 episodes from September 9, 1978, to December 16, 1978; this series features aH.E.R.B.I.E.Unit in place of the Human Torch.

In 1979, the Thing was featured as half of the Saturday morning cartoonFred and Barney Meet the Thing.The character of the Thing received a radical make-over for the series. The title character for this program was Benjy Grimm, a teenage boy who possessed a pair of magic Thing-rings which could transform him into the Thing when he put them together and said "Thing-rings, do your thing!" The other members of the Fantastic Four do not appear in the series, nor do the animatedThe FlintstonesstarsFred FlintstoneandBarney Rubble,despite the title of the program. The thirdFantastic Fourwas broadcast as part ofThe Marvel Action Hourumbrella, with introductions by Stan Lee. This series ran 26 episodes from September 24, 1994 to February 24, 1996. The fourth series,Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes,debuted on September 2, 2006, onCartoon Networkand ran for 26 episodes.

Different Fantastic Four members appear briefly and with little or no dialogue and are mentioned various times throughout the first season ofThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.Their most prominent appearances are in the episode "The Private War of Doctor Doom", in which the Avengers team up with the Fantastic Four to battle the titular supervillain, and in the final episode of season two, in which the groups team up to battleGalactus.The Thing becomes a member of the New Avengers in the episode "New Avengers".

The Fantastic Four make several appearances inSuper Hero Squad Show,such as the episodes "If this Be My Thanos" and "Last Exit Before Doomsday".

The Fantastic Four appear in theHulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.episode "Monster No More", where the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. assist them in thwarting the Tribbitite invasion.

Film

Main article:Fantastic Four in film

A film adaptation of the characters,The Fantastic Four,was completed in 1994 by producerRoger Cormanand starredAlex Hyde-Whiteas Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic,Rebecca Staabas Sue Storm-Richards/Invisible Woman,Jay Underwoodas Johnny Storm/Human Torch,Michael Bailey Smithas Ben Grimm andCarl Ciarfalioas The Thing andJoseph Culpas Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom. The film was made to allowConstantin Filmto keep the film rights to the characters, and therefore was not publicly released, though it has since been made available through bootleg video distributors.According to producerBernd Eichinger,Avi Aradhad Marvel purchase the film for a few million dollars.

In 2005, the second film adaptation,Fantastic Fourdirected byTim Story,was released by20th Century Fox.Despite mixed reviews from critics, it earned US$155 million in North America and $330 million worldwide.The sequel,Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,directed by Story and written byDon Payne,was released in 2007. Despite mixed-to-negative reviews, the sequel earned $132 million in North America and a total of $330.6 million worldwide.Both films featureIoan Gruffuddas Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic,Jessica Albaas Susan Storm / Invisible Woman,Chris Evansas Johnny Storm / Human Torch,Michael Chiklisas Ben Grimm / The Thing, andJulian McMahonas Victor Von Doom / Dr. Doom. Stan Lee makes cameo appearances as the mailman Willie Lumpkin in the first film and as himself in the second film.

A reboot directed byJosh Trank(also titledFantastic Four,but stylized asFant4stic) was released on August 7, 2015.The film starsMiles Telleras Reed Richards,Kate Maraas Sue Storm,Michael B. Jordanas Johnny Storm,Jamie Bellas Ben Grimm andToby KebbellasDoctor Doom.It is based onUltimate Fantastic Four.It earned poor reviews and box office results.On March 20, 2019, due to theacquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney,the film rights ofFantastic Fourreverted toMarvel Studios.

In July 2019 atSan Diego Comic-Con,producer and head of Marvel StudiosKevin Feige,announced that a Fantastic Four film set within theMarvel Cinematic Universe,later titledThe Fantastic Four: First Steps,is in development.In December 2020, it was announcedJon Wattswill direct the film,but he left the project for personal reasons in April 2022.On September 10, 2022 at theD23 Expo,Kevin Feige revealed directorMatt Shakmanwould be taking over the film, with a release date of November 8, 2024.On September 21, 2022, Jeff Kaplan andIan Springerwere announced to be writers for the film.By March 2023,Josh Friedmanwas hired to rewrite the script.In February 2024,Pedro Pascal,Vanessa Kirby,Joseph QuinnandEbon Moss-Bachrachwere officially announced as Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm.

Video games

In 1985, the Fantastic Four starred inQuestprobe #3 The Fantastic Four,an adventure game fromAdventure Internationalfor the Atari 8-bit series.In 1997, the group starred in theFantastic Fourvideo game.The team appeared in theSpider-Man: The Animated Seriesvideo game, based on the 1990sSpider-Man animated series,for theSuper NESandSega Genesis.The Thing and the Human Torch appeared in the 2005 gameMarvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects.

All of the Fantastic Four appear as playable characters in the gameMarvel: Ultimate Alliancewith Doctor Doom being the main enemy.The members of the Fantastic Four are also featured inMarvel: Ultimate Alliance 2,although the team is separated over the course of the game, with Mister Fantastic being 'locked' into the Pro-Registration side of the game's storyline and the Thing briefly becoming unavailable to the player - just as he left America in protest of the war - until he returns to assist in preventing civilian casualties during the conflict.The Fantastic Four also appear inMarvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Orderthis time as playable DLC (downloadable content) alongside additional members ofMarvel Knightsand theX-Men.

The Human Torch has an appearance in a mini-game where the player races against him in all versions ofUltimate Spider-Man,except on theGame Boy Advanceplatform.The Fantastic Four star in tie-in videogames based on the 2005 filmFantastic Four,andits sequel.The Fantastic Four are also playable characters inMarvel Heroes,andLego Marvel Super Heroes.

The Fantastic Four starred in their own virtual pinball gameFantastic FourforPinball FX 2released byZen Studios.

See also

• Maximum Fantastic Four

Further reading

• Gresh, Lois H.;Robert Weinberg(2002).The Science of Superheroes.John Wiley & Sons.p.21–29.ISBN0-471-02460-0.

External links

• Official website
• Fantastic Fourat the Comic Book DB (archived fromthe original)
• Archive ofFFPlaza.com Databasefrom theoriginal page