BEST OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR
Spearheaded by the remarkable talents of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Fantastic Four represent the dawn of Marvel’s Silver Age. Read up on some of our favorite classic adventures from the FF’s first ongoing series, starring the family-turned-super hero explorers!
FF Milestones
The Beginning
In Fantastic Four (1961) #1
The comic that started it all! Witness the birth of the Marvel Age of comics, when four unlikely adventurers are bombarded with cosmic rays, and become something more than human! And the strange new powers of Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing are put to the test soon enough, against the vengeful MOLE MAN!
Enter Doom
In Fantastic Four (1961) #5
No sooner had the Fantastic Four become a nationwide phenomenon that they faced off against their now-iconic nemesis…DOCTOR DOOM! Doom sends the FF on a whirlwind gauntlet through time, instantly cementing his status as one of the Marvel U’s most fearsome villains!
The Coming of the Inhumans
In Fantastic Four (1961) #45
Many of Stan and Jack’s enduring ideas originated in the pages of the FF – and the Inhumans are no exception! An enigmatic civilization of super powered beings, the Inhumans encounter the FF first as foes, and then as friends, joining forces to stop the schemes of Maximus the Mad! Read through #47 for the full arc!
Behold…GALACTUS!
In Fantastic Four (1961) #48
In one of the most enduring stories in comic book history, the Fantastic Four are faced with an impossible foe to defeat – the world-eating, godlike being known only as GALACTUS! The sheer scope of the story, and its introduction of mainstays like the Silver Surfer, changed the way that readers looked at comics forever! Read through #50 for this full, incredible arc!
The Panther Strikes
In Fantastic Four (1961) #52
No sooner has the threat of Galactus passed that the FF are hunted by another mysterious figure – the BLACK PANTHER, king of the secretive nation of Wakanda! What is the secret of the Black Panther? And is this dark-clad jungle predator friend or foe?
A Birth in the Family
In Fantastic Four Annual (1963) #6
Sue’s having a baby! The Invisible Woman is pregnant, but before they can celebrate, Reed, Johnny, and Ben must venture into the Negative Zone, entering a life-or-death struggle for the future of the Fantastic Four against the terror of Annihilus! Even if they survive, will the FF make it back in time for the birth of Reed and Susan’s child?
Clash of the Titanic Minds
In Fantastic Four (1961) #200
One of the greatest rivalries of the Marvel Universe reaches a thrilling climax! For their whole lives, Reed Richards and Victor von Doom have been the bitterest of nemeses. And here, when Doom hatches his latest plot for world conquest, the two smartest men on Earth at last have their senses-shattering duel! The final blow of this battle for the Earth must be seen to be believed!
The Meaning of Heroism
In Fantastic Four (1961) #244
GALACTUS RETURNS! Weakened by hunger, the Devourer must consume the Earth if he is to live, but the Fantastic Four won’t go down without a fight! Teaming up with the Avengers, the heroes incredibly take Galactus down – only to realize the godlike being is dying! As heroes, the Fantastic Four stay true to their oath of helping others in need, even when it means saving the life of their most powerful adversary!
Welcome to the Family, Jen!
In Fantastic Four (1961) #265
When Ben Grimm decides to leave the Fantastic Four indefinitely, the team is short a member, and there must always be a Fantastic Four! Jennifer Walters is more than happy to answer the call, and so She-Hulk joins Marvel’s First Family and makes them whole again! This began a new age for the FF in storytelling, and to this day She-Hulk remains one of the FF’s closest allies and friends.
Walt Simonson’s Run
In Fantastic Four (1961) #334
When acclaimed Thor creator Simonson took over the reins, the FF reached dizzying new heights! In his debut issue? A break-in at the Baxter Building, one so bad it leaves the entire team immobilized! Thor and Captain America guest-star.
Fate of the Four
In Fantastic Four (1961) #381
You’ll need your tissues for this one! The rivalry that has spanned decades and crossed dimensions comes to a climactic head…with an unspeakable price of defeat. It’s Mister Fantastic vs. Doctor Doom on battleground Latveria, with all the fanfare a duel of this scope deserves!
Aron the Rogue Watcher
In Fantastic Four (1961) #400
Check out this jaw-dropping 64-page anniversary issue, where villains from across the time stream are assembled to destroy the FF once and for all! And once the dust settles, the Fantastic Four at last pay final respects to their dear friend and leader.