What Is the Fantastic Four?

The Fantastic Four are Marvel's first family of superheroes, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and debuting in Fantastic Four #1 (1961). The team consists of Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ben Grimm (The Thing) — four astronauts transformed by cosmic rays during an unauthorized space flight. Their unique dynamic as a family unit, complete with squabbles, love, and loyalty, set them apart from every other superhero team. Over 416 issues (1961–1996), they battled iconic villains like Doctor Doom, Galactus, and the Skrulls, and introduced massive concepts like the Negative Zone and the Inhumans. If you want to dive in, Fantastic Four #1 is the place to start!