As a long-time fan of Marvel comics, I must say that the early days of The Fantastic Four were truly a golden era! Reading through these issues again, it’s like taking a trip down memory lane, reminding me of my childhood spent poring over these very pages.
1961 marked the inception of the Marvel Comics era with the debut of The Fantastic Four #1, a series created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This inaugural issue introduced the team that would experience a cosmic ray explosion during an unauthorized space voyage at the peak of the Space Race: genius Reed Richards, his fiancee Sue Storm, her younger brother Johnny Storm, and test pilot Ben Grimm. Post-transformation by the cosmic radiation, they gained their powers and chose to call themselves the Fantastic Four – Reed as the elastic and shape-shifting Mister Fantastic, Sue as the Invisible Girl, Johnny as the fiery Human Torch, and Ben as the Thing, a man with an orange skin and rocky hide.
For the initial twelve issues spanning from 1961 to 1962, these explorers encountered various perils, including the Mole Man with his horde of underground beasts, the shape-shifting extraterrestrials known as the Skrulls, the reemergence of Namor the Sub-Mariner, and Reed’s college rival Victor Von Doom, who transformed into the titular Doctor Doom wearing a metallic mask.
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The group (the Fantastic Four) would eventually acquire their identical outfits, Baxter Building headquarters, and their flying vehicle called Fantasti-Car (in issue #3 of The Fantastic Four), leading to further escapades. These encounters often placed the troubled family against adversaries such as the enchanting magician Miracle Man, the power-hungry alien Kurrgo from Planet X, the manipulator Puppet Master, the molecular manipulator Impossible Man, the Hulk, and the sinister duo of Namor and Doctor Doom.
Starting January 8th, Marvel Comics will release the first 12 issues of The Fantastic Four as authentic reprints known as Facsimile Editions. These editions are identical copies, including the original advertisements that graced the magazine during their initial release. This coincides with the premiere of Marvel Studios’ upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which is set in a 1960s-inspired, futuristic world and marks the entry of Marvel’s original superhero family into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Director Matt Shakman cited the iconic Lee-Kirby run of “Fantastic Four” as being one of the inspirations for his work on “First Steps“. Additionally, John Byrne (who wrote and illustrated the title for five years during the 1980s) and more contemporary runs by Mark Waid, Ryan North, and Jonathan Hickman (the mastermind behind “Secret Wars”) were also mentioned as influences.
Newly disclosed plot points hint at an impending, formidable test for the imaginauts – Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/the Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) – as they encounter Galactus, a planet-consuming deity from space (Ralph Ineson), along with his cosmic-empowered emissary, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).
Although the Eater of Worlds and his emissary, Norrin Radd, didn’t make their first appearance until issue #48 of Fantastic Four in 1966 – which was part of the Galactus Trilogy that played a significant role during the 108-issue run by Lee and Kirby that brought characters like Agatha Harkness, the Mad Thinker and his Awesome Android, Red Ghost and his Super-Apes, and the Black Panther to life – reprints of earlier issues could offer clues about other characters who might show up in First Steps.
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Actors John Malkovich, Paul Walter Hauser, and Natasha Lyonne have been given roles in an upcoming project, but their specific characters haven’t been revealed yet. It’s also unclear who will voice H.E.R.B.I.E., the robot companion of the Fantastic Four. Malkovich could potentially play Puppet Master, a character who debuted alongside Alicia Masters in Fantastic Four #8 from 1962, with Lyonne possibly taking on the role of Alicia herself. Hauser might be portraying Harvey Elder, better known as the subterranean supervillain Mole Man, who made his first appearance in Fantastic Four #1 and was the initial adversary to the newly-formed Fantastic Four when they traveled to Monster Isle and the Mole Man’s underground kingdom of Subterranea.
Robert Downey Jr. is set to portray Doctor Doom. The star known for his role as Iron Man will reappear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Victor von Doom in 2026’s “Avengers: Doomsday” and 2027’s “Avengers: Secret Wars”. This characterization is based on the 2015 comic storyline, where Doctor Doom, the nemesis of the Fantastic Four, ruled as the God Emperor Doom after the devastation of the multiverse.
The Facsimile Editions of The Fantastic Four will start being released monthly, with the first issue coming out on January 8th. The film “Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.
The Fantastic Four #1 Facsimile Edition
Origin and debut of the initial members of the Fantastic Four, namely Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing, as well as the Mole Man.
The Fantastic Four #2 Facsimile Edition
First appearance of the Skrulls.
The Fantastic Four #3 Facsimile Edition
For the very first time, the Amazing Four unveil their distinctive “4” costumes; this particular edition introduces not only these iconic outfits but also the Baxter Building, the Fantasti-Car, and the enigmatic Miracle Man.
The Fantastic Four #4 Facsimile Edition
In a contemporary era, the Fantastic Four meet Namor the Sub-Mariner for the first time in Marvel’s modern age, many decades following his debut in Marvel Comics #1 back in 1939. This encounter also signifies the initial use of the “World’s Greatest Comic Magazine” tagline.
The Fantastic Four #5 Facsimile Edition
For the first time, Doctor Doom emerges as a character and often clashes with the Fantastic Four. That’s all you need to know.
The Fantastic Four #6 Facsimile Edition
After Doom’s defeat and escape from the last issue, he teams up with Namor for a wicked alliance aimed at exacting revenge on the Fantastic Four.
The Fantastic Four #7 Facsimile Edition
The Amazing Four journey to “Planet X” (also known as Xantha), where they rescue the native inhabitants from the clutches of Kurrgo and his mind-controlled mechanical minion.
The Fantastic Four #8 Facsimile Edition
In this narrative, we’re introduced to Alicia Master and her stepfather, Philip Masters. Philip has a peculiar knack for sculpting radioactive clay into puppets that have the power to manipulate people they’ve been modeled after. Over time, Puppet Master became one of the Fantastic Four’s frequent adversaries, while Alicia developed a romantic relationship with Ben Grimm, eventually becoming his wife.
The Fantastic Four #9 Facsimile Edition
Struggling with financial issues, the Fantastic Four were compelled to join “SM Studios,” a film company owned by Namor, in a movie production. However, it turned out that this collaboration was part of Namor’s scheme to eliminate the male members of the Fantastic Four and marry Sue. After the Fantastic Four defeated Namor again, he kept his promise from the deal and the successful movie helped them turn their fortune around.
The Fantastic Four #10 Facsimile Edition
In “The Return of Doctor Doom,” the antagonist acquires a unique power that enables him to transfer his consciousness into another person’s body. He decides to take over Reed’s body, pretending to be him, but eventually his deception is uncovered and he meets his downfall at the hands of the Fantastic Four.
The Fantastic Four #11 Facsimile Edition
The issue introduces the Impossible Man, an impish alien from the planet Poppup who can change his body into anything with just a thought.
The Fantastic Four #12 Facsimile Edition
For the first time ever, the Fantastic Four cross paths with the Hulk in an extraordinary encounter. US Army General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross recruits the quartet to hunt down and eliminate the colossal menace, the Hulk. This storyline also introduces the revamped Fantasti-Car Mark II, departing from its previous design as a “flying bathtub.” The Fantastic Four manage to hold off the Hulk in combat, but their shared adversary is none other than Karl Kort: the notorious “Wrecker,” who is secretly damaging military installations and framing the Hulk for the crimes.
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2024-11-18 23:11