With Marvel Studios preparing to introduce the Fantastic Four into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s the perfect time to revisit the comic book stories that made them legends. Before Tony Stark suited up or Thor picked up his hammer, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm were the original Marvel superteam.
Created in 1961 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Fantastic Four didn’t just punch villains—they explored time, space, dimensions, and deep emotional bonds. These were heroes who argued like siblings, loved like a family, and faced threats no one else could comprehend.
So before you grab your popcorn for Marvel’s big reboot, let’s take a cosmic detour through the Top 5 Fantastic Four Storylines that defined the team and helped shape the entire Marvel Universe.
🪐 1. The Galactus Trilogy
Fantastic Four #48–50 (1966)
By Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
“This is the day the earth will die.”
This legendary three-part story introduced Galactus, the devourer of worlds, and his herald the Silver Surfer. Earth is doomed, and it’s up to the Fantastic Four—and Johnny Storm, in particular—to travel across the galaxy to find a way to stop a god.
But here’s the twist: Galactus isn’t evil—he’s necessary. A cosmic being who feeds on planets, Galactus is presented as a force of nature. The moral ambiguity, combined with Jack Kirby’s mind-bending art, made this story the first true superhero epic.
Why It’s Iconic:
- First appearance of Galactus and the Silver Surfer
- Elevated superhero comics to mythic storytelling
- Set the tone for Marvel’s entire cosmic universe
🧡 2. This Man… This Monster!
Fantastic Four #51 (1966)
By Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
“I—I wanted to destroy him… but I never dreamed he was just a man… like me.”
One of the most emotionally powerful Fantastic Four stories ever told. A bitter scientist disguises himself as The Thing in an attempt to destroy Reed Richards. But instead, he discovers the heart of the Fantastic Four: compassion, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, the real Ben Grimm, now temporarily human, is left reflecting on who he really is. It’s an intimate, heartbreaking, and beautifully told one-shot that proves you don’t need aliens or gods to make a great comic.
Why It’s Iconic:
- A character study of Ben Grimm
- Themes of envy, sacrifice, and redemption
- Still referenced as one of the greatest single issues in Marvel history
⚖️ 3. The Trial of Reed Richards
Fantastic Four #262 (1984)
By John Byrne
“He saved Galactus. Now the universe wants his head.”
When Reed Richards saves Galactus’s life, he’s arrested and put on trial by the Shi’ar Empire. Their argument? By saving Galactus, he’s responsible for every planet Galactus devours.
What follows is a cosmic courtroom drama with appearances from heavy hitters like Eternity and the Living Tribunal. Reed must defend his actions—not with superpowers, but with moral conviction and scientific reasoning.
Why It’s Iconic:
- Reed Richards at his most heroic—and controversial
- Thought-provoking sci-fi and ethical dilemmas
- Establishes the FF’s place in the cosmic order
🔥 4. Unthinkable
Fantastic Four Vol. 3 #67–70 & #500 (2003)
By Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo
“Magic doesn’t play fair.”
This storyline redefined Doctor Doom for a new generation.
Fed up with losing to Reed Richards through science, Doom makes a terrifying pivot to dark magic—sacrificing his childhood love to gain power. What follows is a psychological assault on the Fantastic Four, especially their children. It’s Doom at his most vile and personal.
Unlike earlier tales of villainy, Unthinkable is intimate horror. It’s not about destroying the world—it’s about tearing the family apart from the inside.
Why It’s Iconic:
- The darkest Doom story ever written
- Showcases Sue, Johnny, and Ben at their most vulnerable and courageous
- A modern masterpiece of superhero storytelling
🌌 5. The Forever Gate / Reckoning War
Fantastic Four Vol. 6 #25–47 (2020–2022)
By Dan Slott and R.B. Silva
“The universe began with a lie. And now, the truth must burn.”
Dan Slott’s cosmic finale is a love letter to Fantastic Four history—and a terrifying glimpse into its future.
When the Forever Gate opens—a portal to everywhere—it sets off a chain of events that uncovers the origins of the Watchers, introduces ancient alien powers, and leads to full-on multiversal war. Reed becomes omniscient. Ben becomes a father. Johnny loses control of his powers. Sue becomes a general.
It’s enormous in scope but grounded in heart. A modern FF epic.
Why It’s Iconic:
- Deep dive into Marvel cosmology
- Huge character development, especially for Reed and Sue
- Sets the stage for future Marvel stories (and possibly films)
🏅 Honorable Mentions
- “The Coming of the Sub-Mariner” (FF #4): The return of Namor, romantic tension, and royal conflict.
- “Three” (FF #583–588 by Jonathan Hickman): A powerful arc with a major team loss and emotional fallout.
- “Fantastic Four: 1234” (by Grant Morrison & Jae Lee): A haunting psychological exploration of each team member.
💥 Why the Fantastic Four Still Matter
The Fantastic Four aren’t just Marvel’s first family—they’re its foundation.
They showed us that superheroes could be:
- Scientists,
- Explorers,
- Parents,
- Siblings,
- And still save the world on a Tuesday.
They’ve fought gods and molecules, but their greatest strength has always been each other.
As Marvel Studios prepares to relaunch the FF, these storylines prove there’s no shortage of powerful, emotional, and cosmic source material to pull from.
Let’s hope the new film remembers what makes the Fantastic Four… fantastic:
- Science fiction.
- Emotional depth.
- Family dynamics.
- And of course, Doctor Doom done right (Art By D.NI)
The Daily Think 
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