With the Fantastic FourWith the debut of the MCU on the horizon, the classic adventures of Marvel’s First Family are about to hit comic books shelves again. Marvel has revealed that the team’s first comic books will be reprinted in 2025, ahead of the Fantastic Four’s long-awaited return to the big screen.
Marvel Comics I just announced that the first 12 issues of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four will be reprinted in preparation for the titular team’s arrival in the MCU. Starting January 8, 2025, the first Fantastic Four adventures will be available as facsimile editions that include the original 1961 advertisements, and fans will also be able to read these older stories in a variant cover.
Those Fantastic Four reprints will coincide with the next release of Fantastic Four: Getting Started on July 25, 2025, and fans can’t help but consider a possible connection between the comics and the MCU film.
The first adventures of the Fantastic Four will be reprinted in 2025
Modern readers can experience the origins of Marvel’s first family
Fantastic Four #1 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby was originally released in 1961introducing these iconic heroes to the world for the first time. This major story for the team is significant for the Marvel Universe as a whole because it kicks off the era of heroes in the comics as well as in reality. The success of the Fantastic Four stimulates the creation of other heroes loved by Lee and Kirby in this universe, such as the Hulk and the X-Men. Marvel has shared an official statement regarding the relaunch of Fantastic Four #1:
In FANTASTIC FOUR #1Stan Lee and Jack Kirby forever changed superhero storytelling when they introduced Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, and Susan and Johnny Storm. Together, the adventurous foursome take off on an experimental rocket flight – only to be bombarded by life-altering cosmic rays!
Reed becomes the stretchy Mister Fantastic! Ben transforms into the Rocky Thing! Sue turns into an invisible girl! And Johnny continues as the Human Torch!
They will use their incredible powers to help humanity – starting with warding off the threat of the Mole Man! It’s the best thing after buying FANTASTIC FOUR #1 on newsstands in 1961!
This first edition of Lee and Kirby’s Fantastic Four run is indeed important, as it sets the tone for each story starring these heroes. Their origin is revealed here, where Reed Richards brings his companions on a space expedition that goes wrong and leads to cosmic rays that grant them superpowers. Along with the debut of the Fantastic Four, Mole Man appears as the first villain the team faces in Marvel history. Marvel’s decision to bring these classic Fantastic Four stories back to the forefront in time for the 2025 film could offer an indication of what the plot will involve.
Our Take on the Four Fantastic Stories Being Relaunched Ahead of Their MCU Debut
Upcoming Fantastic Four reprints could hint at the team’s first MCU villain
Considering the rumors surrounding Mole Man’s potential casting in the MCU, There’s a possibility that the stories Marvel is reprinting could serve as inspiration for the premise of the 2025 film. After all, according to Marvel’s statement, the relaunch of these issues is set to align with the release of Fantastic Four: Getting Started. While the film’s story will presumably focus on Galactus, there’s still room for smaller villains – like the Mole Man – to make their long-awaited big screen debut. Regardless of which comics the MCU adapts, readers can look forward to picking up these classic comics to enhance their knowledge. Fantastic Four story before the film hits theaters.
Fantastic Four Facsimile Edition No. 1 will be available on January 8, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
Source: Wonder
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the first MCU film to feature Marvel’s First Family in the same live-action universe as the Avengers. It features the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, and precedes Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars Phase 6.