The Fantastic Four Have the Power to Change the MCU

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The Fantastic Four Have the Power to Change the MCU

Summary

  • The Fantastic Four laid the foundation for modern Marvel heroes with unique dynamics and relatable struggles.
  • Many iconic Marvel elements, like the Skrulls and Doctor Doom, originated from the Fantastic Four comics.
  • The Fantastic Four are set to save the MCU, ushering in a new era as the key characters for the future.

As a die-hard Marvel fan who grew up reading the Fantastic Four comics and eagerly awaiting their big screen debut, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nostalgia at the upcoming release of “Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Having followed the team’s journey from their comic book inception to countless failed adaptations, it’s finally time for Marvel’s first family to take center stage in the MCU.

In the realm of popular culture, the Marvel Universe boasts some highly recognizable heroes such as Spider-Man, the X-Men, and the Avengers. These characters have grown from comic books to blockbuster movie franchises, with once-obscure figures like the Guardians of the Galaxy now household names, thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If you told a comic book enthusiast 10 years ago that their favorite superhero could be Ant-Man, they would have found it hard to believe, but today no hero is too unheard of to become a sensation. However, among the most significant characters in the Marvel Universe remain the Fantastic Four.

Although characters such as Captain America and Namor were around before them, it’s the Fantastic Four who truly set off the era of Marvel Comics that fans continue to adore today. The team experienced some tough times for about two decades, but now it seems like Marvel is fully backing the team. Ryan North’s latest run on Fantastic Four in the comics has received high praise, and the upcoming movie Fantastic Four: First Steps will mark the long-awaited debut of Marvel’s First Family in the MCU. This film is already generating buzz as one of 2025’s most highly anticipated releases and one of the most eagerly awaited movies in the history of the MCU. Here’s why the Fantastic Four are crucial to both Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios.

The Fantastic Four Set the Template for Marvel Heroes

The Fantastic Four Have the Power to Change the MCUThe Fantastic Four Have the Power to Change the MCUThe Fantastic Four Have the Power to Change the MCUThe Fantastic Four Have the Power to Change the MCU

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced the Fantastic Four in a way that set them apart from other superhero comics at the time. Unlike their predecessors, these characters didn’t initially have superhero names or costumes; those elements were added later on. However, it was more about how Lee and Kirby crafted the characters that made them stand out. These heroes weren’t just fighting villains – they were also constantly bickering with each other, which gave them distinct personalities and created tension for dramatic effect. Moreover, The Thing, one of the members, had a monstrous appearance, marking a stark contrast to the more polished heroes in DC’s Justice League.

Being a fan myself, I found the authenticity of The Fantastic Four particularly captivating. Unlike other superhero teams set in fictional cities, their New York City setting made them feel more real and relatable to me. Their struggles with self-doubt, interpersonal conflicts, and even financial issues, combined with their unique living arrangement – a lab nested within an apartment complex where they’d gather for breakfast instead of a formal Hall of Justice – added layers of depth that I connected with deeply.

The Fantastic Four stood out from other superhero groups in unique ways. Unlike the Justice League and Justice Society of America whose members were more akin to work colleagues, the Fantastic Four was a family of superheroes in a more authentic sense. This distinctive dynamic influenced how families were portrayed within Marvel teams such as the X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Runaways.

The Fantastic Four essentially paved the way for Marvel’s other superheroes by demonstrating that while they might possess powerful abilities, these came with a darker, tragic side. This was particularly evident in the case of The Thing, who was unable to switch off his powers and was stuck as a monster. Doctor Strange may be a potent sorcerer, but he still bears the scars on his hands, while Daredevil is blind yet has heightened other senses. This underscores the idea that superpowers don’t necessarily alleviate problems, and in fact, can make life even more challenging for heroes like Spider-Man and Hulk, whose powers only add to their struggles. In essence, many of Marvel’s top heroes have roots deeply entwined with the principles the Fantastic Four first established.

Many Iconic Elements of the Marvel Universe Originate From the Fantastic Four Comics

The Fantastic Four Have the Power to Change the MCUThe Fantastic Four Have the Power to Change the MCUThe Fantastic Four Have the Power to Change the MCUThe Fantastic Four Have the Power to Change the MCU

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby collaborated on “The Fantastic Four” comics series from its debut in 1961 up until issue #102 in 1970, a span of nearly a decade which is among the longest in the comic book industry and incredibly impactful. The series frequently boasted the title “The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine,” and although this might seem like an exaggeration at first glance, it’s difficult to dispute now given how many fundamental aspects that shaped the Marvel Universe originated from this remarkable creative partnership – a comic book duo as influential as John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles.

In The Fantastic Four comic series, issue #2 brought us the extraterrestrial beings called The Skrulls, a powerful cosmic race that later became integral to the Marvel Universe’s celestial landscape. The team donned their distinctive blue costumes in the subsequent issue, while in The Fantastic Four #4, published in May 1962, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby reintroduced Namor the Submariner, a classic comic book hero from the Golden Age who made his debut in Marvel Comics #1 back in 1939. With a fresh personality revamp, Namor has since remained a staple character in these comics. Approximately two months later, issue #5 of The Fantastic Four introduced Doctor Doom, a formidable adversary to the Fantastic Four and one of the most feared villains within the Marvel Comics universe.

The Fantastic Four were the first comic series to introduce various extraterrestrial characters like The Watchers (in issue #13 from 1963), Ronin the Accuser and the Kree (in issue #65 from 1967), and Adam Warlock, who was then just called “Him” (in issue #66 from 1967). Later on, it was decided that a villain from The Avengers comics, Kang the Conqueror, was actually a previous version of an enemy of the Fantastic Four named Rama-Tut. This means that Kang the Conqueror had roots in the Fantastic Four even before he officially debuted, and it was also discovered that he is a descendant of Reed Richards.

As a passionate comic book enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary run of the Fantastic Four comics from December 1965 to July 1966. This period saw the introduction of two groundbreaking concepts that would forever change the comic book landscape – the Inhumans in Fantastic Four #45 and the first Black superhero, Black Panther, along with his nation Wakanda, in Fantastic Four #52.

To give you a sense of it, let’s consider the chronology of events for a reader who delved into the Fantastic Four comics during the 1960s, along with significant milestones in the Marvel universe.

  • The Fantastic Four #1 (August 1961)- Introduction of the team and their origin
  • The Fantastic Four #2 (October 1961) – Introduction of the Skrulls
  • The Fantastic Four #3 (December 1961) – The team gets their signature blue costumes and the Fantastic Car
  • The Fantastic Four #4 (February 1962) – Reintroduction of Namor the Sub-Mariner into the Marvel Universe
  • The Fantastic Four #5 (April 1962) – Introduction of Doctor Doom
  • The Fantastic Four #6 (June 1962) – Introduction of Unstable Molecules, a material that explains why superhero costumes transform with them
  • The Fantastic Four #12 (March 1963) – The first time the Fantastic Four meet the Hulk and the interconnected Marvel Comics universe is solidified
  • The Fantastic Four #13 (April 1963) – Introduction of Uatu the Watcher and the Watchers species
  • Fantastic Four #18 (June 1963) – Introduction of the Super Skrull
  • Fantastic Four #19 (July 1963) – Introduction of Rama-Tut, aka Kang the Conqueror
  • Fantastic Four Annual #2 (July 1964) – Origin of Doctor Doom revealed
  • Fantastic Four Annual #3 (July 1965) – The Wedding of Reed Richards and Susan Storm
  • Fantastic Four #45 (December 1965) – The introduction of the Inhuman Royal family after Queen Medusa and Gorgon were introduced in #36 and #45, respectively.
  • Fantastic Four #48 to #50 (March to May 1966) – “The Galactus trilogy” which introduced The Silver Surfer and Galactus
  • Fantastic Four #51 (June 1966)- “This Man…This Monster!” storyline that also introduced The Negative Zone
  • Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966) – Introduction of Black Panther and the nation of Wakanda
  • Fantastic Four Annual #4 (August 1966) – Return of the original android Human Torch.
  • Fantastic Four #65 (May 1967) – Introduction of the alien species the Kree and Ronan the Accuser
  • Fantastic Four #66 (June 1967) – Introduction of Him, who would later be retconned into Adam Warlock
  • Fantastic Four Annual #5 (August 1967) – Introduction of the Psycho-Man and the Microverse, which the MCU will rename the Quantum Realm
  • Fantastic Four Annual #6 (August 1968) – Introduction of Annihilus and the birth of Franklin Richards, son of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman

It’s evident that the basis for the Marvel Universe can be traced back to the Fantastic Four comics, with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby being particularly influential during their time on the series. However, many other talented writers such as Mark Waid, John Byrne, and Dan Slott have also contributed significantly to the Fantastic Four’s storyline. Furthermore, numerous Marvel Universe characters and concepts were first introduced within the pages of the Fantastic Four comics. For instance, Mark Millar’s “Ultimate Fantastic Four” arc titled “Crossovers,” published in 2005, presented a world overrun by zombie superheroes, which was further developed in subsequent series like Marvel Zombies. This storyline also served as the foundation for Millar’s Old Man Logan character, first introduced in Fantastic Four #588 in August 2008. Additionally, Jonathan Hickman’s run on Fantastic Four brought about The Council of Reeds and The Future Foundation, paving the way for the massive crossover event, Secret Wars, in 2015.

The Fantastic Four Are Set to Save the MCU

In a major development for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the Fantastic Four will make their long-awaited debut with the movie “Fantastic Four: First Steps”. This iconic team represents one of the key elements of the Marvel Universe that has yet to be fully explored in the MCU. Previous attempts at bringing this team to the big screen haven’t been successful, but this time around, a lot is riding on this new adaptation. The Fantastic Four are crucial characters in the creation of the Marvel Universe, and they deserve a well-crafted live-action film that fans can enjoy. It’s high time their story was told correctly.

Titled “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” this upcoming film arrives at an intriguing juncture for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as its influence over pop culture seems to be softening somewhat. Despite previous films being box office successes, there’s a sense that the MCU is not quite as powerful as it once was. The return of Marvel’s original family is a significant event, no doubt generating curiosity among regular viewers. However, the film also aims to steer the MCU towards fresh, exhilarating territories.

The promotional materials for “Fantastic Four: First Steps” at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con suggest that this film will not be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s main timeline, but rather an alternate universe. This universe has a retro-futuristic 1960s aesthetic, which reflects the time when the comic was first published and captures the optimistic spirit of the team as a group of pioneers. As it is set in a different part of the multiverse, “Fantastic Four: First Steps” can tell its story without being tied to the extensive continuity of the MCU, making it easier for new viewers to follow or for long-time fans who may be tired of the 16-year-long MCU timeline.

It seems that starting from around 2025-2027, the spotlight in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) could shift to The Fantastic Four and their arch-nemesis. With Doctor Doom being the primary antagonist in “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” it appears that this time period will be dedicated to the Four and their formidable foe. Critics have noted a lack of central characters like Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. The Fantastic Four could potentially step into the limelight during the closing chapters of the Multiverse Saga and become the new leading heroes for whatever follows “Avengers: Secret Wars” within the MCU.

The upcoming movie “Avengers: Secret Wars” is rumored to mark a soft reboot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with the Fantastic Four and X-Men having been part of the team since its inception. This shift, making the Fantastic Four the central characters moving forward, seems commercially sensible given their historic importance in the comic book world, where they were the pioneers of the Marvel Universe. Despite numerous unsuccessful film adaptations in the past, the Fantastic Four are finally set to claim the prominence they’ve long deserved within the MCU. The release date for “Fantastic Four: First Steps” is slated for July 25, 2025.

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2024-08-15 00:32