With theFantastic Four’s MCU debut on the horizon, the classic adventures of Marvel’s First Family are about to hit comic shelves again. Marvel has revealed that the team’s first comic stories will get reprints in 2025 ahead of the Fantastic Four’s highly anticipated return to the big screen.
TheseFantastic Fourreprints will coincide with the upcoming release ofFantastic Four: First Stepson June 25, 2025, and fans can’t help but consider a possible connection between the comics and the MCU movie.
Fantastic Four’s Earliest Adventures Are Getting Reprinted in 2025
Modern Readers Can Experience the Origin of Marvel’s First Family
Fantastic Four#1 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby was originally released in 1961, introducing these iconic heroes to the world for the very first time. This premier story for the team is significant to the Marvel Universe as a whole because it kicks off the age of heroes in the comics, as well as in reality. The Fantastic Four’s success sparksLee and Kirby’s creationof other beloved heroes within this universe, such as the Hulk and the X-Men. Marvel has shared an official statement regarding the re-release ofFantastic Four#1:
InFANTASTIC FOUR #1, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby changed super-hero storytelling forever when they introduced Reed Richards, Ben Grimm and Susan and Johnny Storm. Together, the adventurous quartet blast off on an experimental rocket flight – only to be bombarded by life-altering cosmic rays!
Reed becomes the elastic Mister Fantastic! Ben transforms into the rocky Thing! Sue turns into an Invisible Girl! And Johnny flames on as the Human Torch!
They’ll use their incredible powers to help humankind – starting by fending off the menace of the Mole Man! It’s the next best thing to buying FANTASTIC FOUR #1 off the stands back in 1961!
This first issue of Lee and Kirby’sFantastic Fourrun is indeed an important one, as it sets the tone for every succeeding story starring these heroes. Their origin gets unveiled here, whereinReed Richardsbrings his teammates on a space expedition that goes awry and leads to cosmic rays granting them superpowers. Alongside the Fantastic Four’s debut,Mole Man appears as the first villainthe team faces in Marvel history.Marvel choosing to bring these classic Fantastic Four stories back to the forefront in time for the 2025 movie could offer an indication of what the plot will entail.
Fantastic Four’s Upcoming Reprints Could Hint at the Team’s First Villain in the MCU
Considering therumors about Mole Man’s potential castingin the MCU,there’s a possibility that the stories Marvel is reprinting could serve as inspiration for the 2025 movie’s premise. After all, as per Marvel’s statement, these issues' re-release is set to align with the release ofFantastic Four: First Steps. While the movie’sstory will presumably center on Galactus, there’s still room for smaller villains - such as Mole Man - to make their long-awaited film debut. Regardless of what comics the MCU adapts, readers can look forward to picking up these classic comics to brush up on theirFantastic Fourhistory before the movie hits theaters.
Fantastic Four#1 Facsimile Editionwill be available January 8th, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Cast
The Fantastic 4: First Steps features Marvel’s First Family navigating their dual roles as superheroes and family members in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. They defend Earth from a formidable space god, Galactus, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer, testing their familial bonds and heroic resolve.
