Tony’s Superhero Saturdays™: Fantastic Four — The First Family of Marvel Returns!

This week’s Tony’s Superhero Saturdays™ dives deep into the rich history, groundbreaking stories, iconic adaptations, and triumphant return of Marvel’s Fantastic Four. With the release of the new Fantastic Four film this weekend, it's the perfect moment to revisit the origin of Marvel’s first family and explore why they’ve remained one of the most beloved superhero teams in comic book history.

Origins & Creators: The Birth of a Superhero Family

The Fantastic Four made their debut in Fantastic Four #1 (November 1961), created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. At a time when Marvel Comics was just beginning to redefine the superhero genre, the Fantastic Four introduced a new kind of team dynamic. Unlike other groups of the era, the FF were a family first — full of bickering, bonding, and real emotional stakes.

Their origin story is simple but powerful: Four individuals go into space on an experimental rocket mission, are bombarded by cosmic rays, and return to Earth changed forever:

• Reed Richards becomes the elastic genius known as Mr. Fantastic.

  
  

• Sue Storm gains the power of invisibility and force fields, becoming the Invisible Woman.

  
  

• Johnny Storm, her younger brother, bursts into flames as the Human Torch.

  
  

• Ben Grimm, Reed’s best friend, is transformed into the rocky powerhouse called The Thing.

Together, they form the Fantastic Four, taking on threats from this world and beyond. Their debut ushered in the Marvel Age of Comics, laying the groundwork for a shared universe teeming with complex characters, moral dilemmas, and cosmic possibilities.

Who Are They? Character Backgrounds & Bios

Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic

• Brilliant scientist, inventor, and strategist with a mind that borders on the superhuman.

  
  

• Leader of the Fantastic Four, often responsible for designing their tech, vehicles, and plans.

  
  

• Known for his elastic powers, allowing him to stretch, reshape, and flatten his body at will.

  
  

• Married to Sue Storm, and father to Franklin and Valeria Richards — two of the most powerful children in Marvel continuity.

  
  

• While he is deeply loving, Reed’s intellect often overshadows his emotional awareness, making him come off as cold or detached in moments of crisis.

  
  

• As a founding member of the Illuminati, he often carries the burden of keeping cosmic-level secrets from even his own team.

Susan Storm-Richards / Invisible Woman

• Sister of Johnny Storm and the emotional core of the team.

  
  

• Originally introduced as a passive figure, Sue has since evolved into one of Marvel’s most powerful and respected superheroes.

  
  

• Her powers go beyond invisibility — her force fields can shield entire cities or become razor-sharp weapons.

  
  

• She’s been a leader of the team in Reed’s absence, and her compassion is rivaled only by her fierce determination.

  
  

• As a mother, wife, and warrior, Sue represents a multi-dimensional female hero who balances empathy with raw power.

Johnny Storm / Human Torch

• The youngest member, Johnny is impulsive, charismatic, and often the team’s comic relief.

  
  

• His powers allow him to engulf his body in flame, fly, and project fire blasts with pinpoint accuracy.

  
  

• Known for his iconic catchphrase: "Flame On!"

  
  

• Though often seen chasing women and fame, Johnny has matured over the years, showing deep loyalty to his family and a growing sense of responsibility.

  
  

• He has also been a member of the Avengers, and even took over the Future Foundation when the original FF disappeared temporarily.

Ben Grimm / The Thing

• Once a brash, Brooklyn-born pilot, Ben Grimm was Reed’s college roommate and best friend.

  
  

• After the cosmic rays transformed him, Ben became a rock-skinned juggernaut with immense strength and near-invulnerability.

  
  

• Struggles with his appearance, often feeling like a monster in a world of gods — but that pain makes him relatable and heroic.

  
  

• Despite his gruff exterior, Ben is gentle, witty, and fiercely protective, especially of children and the innocent.

  
  

• His legendary battle cry, "It’s Clobberin’ Time!", is one of the most recognizable phrases in comic book history.

  
  

• Has close friendships across the Marvel Universe, including with Alicia Masters, Spider-Man, and even Wolverine.

Key Supporting Characters

• Franklin Richards: An Omega-level mutant and one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe. He has the ability to reshape reality, create pocket universes, and has even helped reform multiverses. Though still a child, his cosmic-level powers have made him central to many universe-spanning storylines.

  
  

• Valeria Richards: Incredibly gifted with intelligence possibly surpassing even Reed's. She has acted as a tactical advisor during missions, working alongside Doctor Doom (with whom she has a complicated alliance) and often offers a calm, calculated voice in contrast to her brother’s power.

  
  

• Alicia Masters: A blind sculptor with a heart of gold, Alicia brings emotional depth and human connection to Ben Grimm’s life. Her relationship with The Thing is one of the most poignant love stories in Marvel, showing true beauty lies beyond appearance.

  
  

• H.E.R.B.I.E.: Created originally for animated adaptations, this robotic assistant eventually became canon in the comics. Loyal, quirky, and sometimes comic relief, H.E.R.B.I.E. has helped the team in labs and battles alike.

Rogues Gallery: Villains Who Challenge the FF

• Doctor Doom (Victor Von Doom): A dictator, genius, sorcerer, and Reed Richards’ greatest nemesis. Doom’s intellect rivals Reed’s, and his mastery of both science and magic makes him nearly unstoppable. Despite his villainy, Doom operates by his own twisted sense of honor and often walks the line between enemy and ally.

  
  

• Galactus: A cosmic force of nature who consumes planets to sustain his existence. Often more force of the universe than villain, Galactus represents existential threats and moral quandaries. The FF’s intervention in his first arrival — and Silver Surfer’s redemption — are legendary.

  
  

• Mole Man: The first enemy they ever fought. A misunderstood subterranean ruler with an army of monsters. Though not a cosmic-level threat, his presence helped establish the FF’s place as Earth’s weirdness protectors.

  
  

• Annihilus: A bug-like tyrant from the Negative Zone, wielding the destructive Cosmic Control Rod. Annihilus’ hatred of all life and repeated attempts to invade Earth have made him a recurring threat.

  
  

• Namor the Sub-Mariner: Marvel’s first antihero. Namor is noble and arrogant, the ruler of Atlantis, and harbors an unrequited obsession with Sue Storm. He walks a fine line between enemy and uneasy ally.

  
  

• Super-Skrull: A genetically engineered Skrull with the combined powers of all four Fantastic Four members. A symbol of the Skrull Empire’s relentless ambition and a dangerous combatant.

  
  

• The Frightful Four: An evil counterpart to the FF, often led by the Wizard and including villains like Sandman, Trapster, and Thundra. They challenge the FF’s unity with their own fractured chaos.

The Fantastic Four: Comic Book History, Shake-Ups, and Major Events

Since their debut in Fantastic Four #1 in 1961, the team has undergone numerous transformations, internal struggles, and major events that have shaped Marvel Comics as a whole.

Team Shake-Ups: While the original lineup—Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm—remains iconic, the team has occasionally seen new members step in:

• She-Hulk replaced Ben Grimm during the original Secret Wars aftermath.

  
  

• Medusa of the Inhumans and Crystal, her sister, joined in various stints.

  
  

• Black Panther and Storm briefly served as members during Civil War fallout.

  
  

• Spider-Man, Ant-Man (Scott Lang), and others have filled in when needed. These changes reflect the team’s openness to adaptation and resilience in the face of loss or absence.

  
  

Major Deaths and Defeats: The Fantastic Four have endured incredible losses over the years:

• The Death of Johnny Storm (Fantastic Four #587, 2011): Johnny sacrificed himself in the Negative Zone to ensure his family’s survival. He returned later, but the moment remains one of the most heroic in FF history.

  
  

• Ben Grimm’s apparent death in Secret Wars and his disfigurement from cosmic battles often leave emotional scars.

  
  

• Reed and Sue’s "disappearance" at the end of 2015’s Secret Wars reshaped the Marvel Universe. While they rebuilt the multiverse with their children, the rest of the world believed them dead.

  
  

• Doctor Doom’s countless attacks have left lasting trauma, including moments where he’s taken control of the Baxter Building or harnessed cosmic power to dominate the team.

Game-Changing Arcs:

• The Trial of Galactus made Reed face ethical consequences for saving a cosmic threat.

  
  

• Civil War showed Reed on the side of Superhuman Registration, straining relationships within the team.

  
  

• Jonathan Hickman’s FF and Future Foundation saga (2009–2012) expanded the team’s reach to multiversal science, with Valeria and Franklin taking center stage.

  
  

• Fantastic Four: Life Story and The End explored the team’s legacy across time.

These storylines solidify the FF as more than just superheroes—they are thinkers, adventurers, and a true family constantly tested by science, war, and love.

Fantastic Four in Animation

1967’s The Fantastic Four: Produced by Hanna-Barbera, this series brought Lee and Kirby’s early stories to life with classic Silver Age storytelling and colorful animation. Despite its limited animation, it was a beloved introduction for many fans.

1978’s The New Fantastic Four: Notably replaced Johnny Storm with H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot due to rights issues. Although short-lived, it added a quirky spin and brought the team to a new Saturday morning audience.

1994’s Fantastic Four: The Animated Series: Part of the "Marvel Action Hour" alongside Iron Man. The first season had campy writing and basic animation, but Season 2 drastically improved, introducing more serious arcs like the Galactus saga, Doctor Doom’s complex motivations, and character growth.

2006’s Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes: A bold, anime-influenced series that modernized the characters. With fast-paced stories, stylized visuals, and teen energy, it introduced the FF to a new generation.

2012 appearances in Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and beyond: Though not starring in their own series, the team and its members appeared in ensemble shows like "Avengers: EMH," helping cement their importance in the broader animated Marvel universe.

Fantastic Four in Live-Action Films

Unreleased 1994 Roger Corman Film: Created as a rights-retention project, this low-budget film was never officially released but has become a cult classic. Despite its flaws, it’s filled with heart and remains a curiosity in superhero film history. Starring Alex Hyde-White as Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic, Rebecca Staab as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Jay Underwood as Johnny Storm / Human Torch, Michael Bailey Smith as Ben Grimm (pre-transformation), and Carl Ciarfalio as The Thing (post-transformation).

Fantastic Four (2005): Directed by Tim Story, this lighthearted take introduced the FF to modern movie audiences. Ioan Gruffudd (Reed), Jessica Alba (Sue), Chris Evans (Johnny), and Michael Chiklis (Ben) led the cast. Though not critically adored, it was commercially successful.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007): Upped the stakes with a cosmic narrative, introducing the Silver Surfer and Galactus (as a cosmic storm). While it maintained the family tone, fans were divided over Galactus’s depiction.

Fantastic Four (2015): A darker, more grounded reboot directed by Josh Trank. Despite a talented cast, the film was plagued by studio interference and reshoots. It failed critically and commercially but remains a study in what not to do with a beloved IP.

Fantastic Four (2025): Directed by Matt Shakman and starring Pedro Pascal (Reed), Vanessa Kirby (Sue), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben), and Joseph Quinn (Johnny), this reboot returns to the team’s roots. Emphasizing family, hope, and exploration, the movie has opened to strong box office numbers and fan acclaim.

Special Tie-Ins

Popcorn Buckets: With the 2025 release, movie theaters introduced limited-edition popcorn buckets featuring Galactus and H.E.R.B.I.E. Collectors and fans have flocked to theaters for these stylish tributes.

Toys & Action Figures: The FF has been immortalized in action figures since the ‘70s. Mego figures, ToyBiz lines, Marvel Legends, and even Funko Pops have kept the team on toy shelves and collectors’ radars for decades.

Video Games: The Fantastic Four have appeared in several iconic games:

• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance series: Playable heroes with character-specific moves.

  
  

• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Hilariously depicted with all their signature powers.

  
  

• Marvel Future Fight and Contest of Champions: Offer stylish mobile gameplay adaptations.

  
  

• Fantastic Four (2005): A game tie-in to the movie, with voice work by the film cast.

Legacy: Why the Fantastic Four Matter

The Fantastic Four are:

• The First Marvel Family: Their 1961 debut marked the start of Marvel’s modern era. Without them, the Marvel Universe as we know it wouldn’t exist.

  
  

• Pioneers of Cosmic Marvel: They introduced readers to Galactus, Silver Surfer, the Skrulls, the Negative Zone, and countless other cosmic phenomena. They paved the way for larger-than-life storytelling.

  
  

• Explorers and Scientists: The FF are less about vigilante justice and more about solving mysteries, exploring new dimensions, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

  
  

• Deeply Human: Reed and Sue navigate marriage and parenting. Johnny grapples with maturity and identity. Ben faces loneliness and self-worth. They are a superhero soap opera—but with spaceships and science.

  
  

• Icons of Imagination: From alternate timelines to multiversal collapses, the FF push storytelling into the fantastical, blending pulp science fiction with emotional grounding.

Their legacy is not only in who they’ve inspired in-universe (like Spider-Man and Black Panther) but in how they’ve shaped comic book storytelling as a whole. As the foundation of Marvel Comics and a bridge between superheroics and science fiction, the FF are as relevant today as they were in 1961.

Final Thoughts

The Fantastic Four have always been more than the sum of their parts. They were Marvel’s Big Bang, the prototype for everything that followed. As they return to the big screen today in a bold new direction, there’s no better time to celebrate what makes them fantastic.

Welcome back, First Family. We missed you.