The Fantastic Four’s 10 Most Iconic Comic Storylines, Ranked by Legacy

The Fantastic Four launched Marvel Comics into the world of superheroes. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, this team of explorers—Reed Richards, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing—gained amazing powers and became Marvel’s first official superhero group. Their debut in Fantastic Four #1 (1961) marked the beginning of a 65-year legacy filled with incredible adventures, as they established their base in the Baxter Building and dedicated themselves to protecting New York City from supervillains.

From memorable single issues to longer stories spanning many comics, here are the 10 best Fantastic Four storylines that have made the team so legendary.

10) Ryan North’s Run

In 2022, Ryan North began writing Fantastic Four with issue #7, teaming up with artist Iban Coello. He reimagined the series by presenting each story as a standalone science fiction mystery, much like episodes of Star Trek. The team would encounter a bizarre situation, investigate and resolve it, and then move on to a new adventure. This format transformed the comic into a serialized mystery series, beginning with the first issue where Ben Grimm and Alicia Masters found themselves stuck in a time loop in Pennsylvania. This run of stories was recognized with a 2025 Eisner Award nomination for Best Continuing Series.

9) Jack Kirby’s Negative Zone Stories

When Stan Lee and Jack Kirby first created the Fantastic Four, they emphasized exploration and science fiction, setting the stage for the broader Marvel Universe. This focus became clear in Fantastic Four #51, which marked a turning point for the comic. Reed Richards, as a scientist, began pushing the boundaries of what was known and unknown, leading to the discovery of the Negative Zone in that same issue. This discovery then introduced key villains like Annihilus (Fantastic Four Annual #6, 1968) and Blastaar (Fantastic Four #62-64, 1967). Jack Kirby’s work on these Negative Zone stories is considered a highlight of the series and significantly contributed to the development of the popular cosmic side of the Marvel Universe that fans enjoy today.

8) Dan Slott’s FF Run

From 2018 to 2022, Dan Slott revitalized the Fantastic Four with a 46-issue run. This series was significant because it brought the team back after a three-year hiatus caused by licensing disputes with Fox regarding the movie rights. Following the ‘Secret Wars’ event, the Fantastic Four had been disbanded, but Slott’s run reunited them and offered fresh storylines – including Ben Grimm finally marrying Alicia Masters and even a path to redemption for Galactus. The series essentially rebooted the team, transforming them into cosmic explorers and launching a grand, expansive saga.

7) Ultimate Fantastic Four

As a big Marvel fan, I remember when the ‘Ultimate Fantastic Four’ came out – it felt like a really bold move to completely revamp such an iconic team for a modern audience. Mark Millar and Brian Michael Bendis, along with artist Adam Kubert, launched it in 2004, and they did a total overhaul of the origin story. Instead of the classic space race setup, they made Reed Richards a bullied kid who was protected by a young Ben Grimm, and their powers came from a teleportation accident. It was a fascinating take! What’s even more wild is that this run eventually led to Reed becoming a full-on villain, known as The Maker. And if that wasn’t enough, it also kicked off the whole ‘Marvel Zombies’ universe, which is still popular today!

6) “Solve Everything”

As a huge comic fan, I remember when Jonathan Hickman took over Fantastic Four – it was a game changer! His first big arc, “Solve Everything” (issues #570-572, with Dale Eaglesham’s amazing art), really blew my mind. It introduced this incredible concept: the Council of Reeds. Basically, it was a team-up of Reed Richards from across the multiverse, all sharing knowledge and trying to solve problems too massive for any single reality. The idea was brilliant, but it came with a huge cost – Reed realizing he’d have to choose between his family and this grand plan. He couldn’t do it, and walked away. Looking back, that storyline was the seed for so much of what followed – the Future Foundation, the war with the Mad Celestials, the eventual downfall of the Council, and ultimately, the universe-shattering Incursions that led into “Secret Wars.” It was a truly epic run!

5) “The Unthinkable” / “Authoritative Action”

As a huge Fantastic Four fan, I always point people to a run from issues #67-70 and #500 of the third volume. It’s a two-part story crafted by Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo that really hooked me. It starts with Doctor Doom making a seriously unsettling turn – ditching science for dark magic and making a deal with demons. He goes after Franklin and Valeria Richards, and it forces Reed Richards to learn magic just to protect his kids. What follows, in issues #503-508, is amazing – Reed has to take apart Doom’s entire operation and even ends up running the country Doom occupied while the UN prepares to move in. Honestly, it’s one of the best Fantastic Four stories of the 2000s, and it shows Doom at his absolute most terrifying – at least until the ‘Secret Wars’ storyline came along.

4) “The Trial of Reed Richards”

“The Trial of Reed Richards” centers on the aftermath of Reed saving Galactus’s life after a fight on Earth. As a result, the Shi’ar Empire captured Reed and put him on trial, accusing him of being responsible for any future destruction caused by Galactus. This storyline was special because the writer and artist, John Byrne, actually appeared in the story—brought along by The Watcher to document the events. Spanning Fantastic Four issues #261-262 (1983-1984), the trial saw Galactus testify on his own behalf, followed by Eternity delivering the final testimony in Reed’s defense. This story is considered pivotal in establishing Galactus not as a simple villain, but as a fundamental force of nature within the Marvel Universe.

3) “This Man, This Monster”

Many fans consider Fantastic Four #51, a 1966 comic by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, to be the greatest single-issue story in the series’ history. Beyond introducing the Negative Zone, the story features a scientist consumed by envy for Reed Richards. This scientist swaps places with Ben Grimm and joins the Fantastic Four, ultimately sacrificing himself to save Reed in the Negative Zone. In his final moments, he asks to be remembered as a man, not a monster. This issue powerfully shaped Ben Grimm’s character, establishing him as a tragic hero, and is still celebrated as one of Marvel’s best character-focused stories.

2) “The Coming of the Inhumans”

Issues #44-48 of Fantastic Four first introduced readers to the Inhumans. This storyline, now called “The Coming of the Inhumans,” centers on Maximus the Mad’s attempt to overthrow his brother, King Black Bolt, in their hidden city of Attilan. While Medusa had briefly appeared earlier in Fantastic Four #36, these issues revealed her as a member of the Inhuman Royal Family, alongside characters like Karnak, Gorgon, Triton, Crystal, and Lockjaw. This story arc eventually led to a romantic relationship between Crystal and Johnny Storm, and the Inhumans would later get their own comic series. Like many early Fantastic Four issues, this one successfully introduced a new group of heroes and an alien race to the Marvel Universe.

1) “The Galactus Trilogy”

Many consider “The Galactus Trilogy” (issues #48-50 of Fantastic Four) to be the most impactful storyline in the series’ history. It begins with the Watcher arriving on Earth to warn the Fantastic Four about a coming danger. The story famously introduces Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer – two incredibly important characters in the Marvel Universe. Ultimately, Reed Richards uses his intellect to save Earth, but this act establishes Galactus as a threat unlike any the Marvel Universe had faced before. This story is a standout from the Silver Age of comics and remains one of the most significant in Marvel history.

2026-05-24 21:15