Marvel's Legendary Superheroes: Unveiling the Fantastic Four's Origin Story

Marvel's long-awaited Fantastic Four film is finally gaining momentum after years of silence. Before they make their debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), here's everything you need to know about the iconic superhero team. And now, with the exciting news that Pedro Pascal, known for his role in The Last of Us, is likely to play Reed Richards, the movie is starting to take shape.

The Fantastic Four, the quartet that initiated the present era of superhero comics, has faced unfortunate luck in mediums other than comic books. While a few animated series have achieved moderate success, their movie adaptations have ranged from laughably bad to simply terrible. As the team prepares for their highly anticipated comeback on the big screen, let's delve into who the Fantastic Four are and why they deserve your attention.

Who are the Fantastic Four?

Regarded as Marvel's inaugural group, the Fantastic Four comprises a team of intellectuals and explorers. This four-member ensemble made its debut in the seminal issue #1 of the Fantastic Four in 1961, ushering in a revolutionary phase in the world of comic books.

The Fantastic Four, created by the iconic duo Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, is Marvel's very first superhero team. With the introduction of the FF, Lee and Kirby initiated a groundbreaking era of superhero comics that emerged amidst the challenges posed by the Comics Code.

Marvel ComicsFantastic Four #1 serves as the foundation for Marvel's contemporary superhero era.

Fantastic Four #1 was a tremendous success because it focused on presenting the heroes as relatable individuals leading authentic lives. This breakthrough led to the emergence of the Marvel Style of comics, introducing iconic characters like Spider-Man, The Avengers, The X-Men, and more. Additionally, it brought back beloved characters such as Namor and Captain America.

In the present day, the Fantastic Four continue to be integral to Marvel, with their stories enshrined among the very best in comic history. Their enduring resonance can be attributed to the team remaining grounded in their humanity since their inception, allowing them to adapt effortlessly to any situation, be it battling dinosaurs in the city or appealing to a higher power to bring back their deceased comrade.

The original members of the Fantastic Four explained

During their endeavor, Reed Richards and Ben Grimm embark on a daring escapade aboard an innovative rocket ship. Their lighthearted excursion extends an invitation to Sue, Reed's girlfriend, and her brother, Johnny.

Marvel ComicsThe Fantastic Four attain their extraordinary abilities following their exposure to cosmic radiation. Despite a successful launch, the journey quickly turns into a catastrophe as the rocket ship gets bombarded by cosmic rays, ultimately leading to a crash landing on Earth. This pivotal event marks a permanent transformation for the group as they emerge with incredible powers and skills, establishing themselves as pioneering superheroes of their time.

Though they lead lives as scientists and explorers, the team is inevitably confronted with the daunting task of combating menacing creatures and nefarious adversaries. With the aid of their specially designed costumes crafted by Sue and under the guidance of Reed, the group transforms into the Fantastic Four, ultimately emerging as the world's most revered team of superheroes.

Marvel ComicsReed Richards possesses the astonishing ability to stretch and reshape his body into various forms and sizes.

Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic

Reed Richards, the patriarchal figure of the Fantastic Four, is renowned for his brilliant scientific mind and is widely regarded as the most intelligent individual in the Marvel Universe. His remarkable superpower allows him to stretch and contort his body, initially limited to basic shapes but progressively expanding to intricate forms and even providing the means to alter his facial appearance as a clever disguise.

Similar to Kang, who is believed to be a descendant of Reed from a different Earth, Reed is an integral member of the multiversal Council of Reeds. This group comprises various iterations of himself from alternate universes, united in their mission to address issues across different Earths. However, their approach is often more pragmatic than that of the true Reed.

Furthermore, Reed holds the distinction of being a founding member of the Illuminati, a revered collective of exceptionally powerful heroes who have undertaken the difficult task of clandestinely guiding Earth's destiny during its most ominous periods.

Marvel ComicsSusan Storm can turn herself invisible and create powerful invisible forcefields.

Sue Richards/Invisible Woman

Sue, with the power to become invisible and create forcefields, takes on the identity of the Invisible Girl. However, her journey in Marvel begins in an unconventional manner by present-day standards.

Sue's age is notably younger compared to her future spouse, Reed, and she frequently finds herself being seen as a burden. In the early stories, she is often portrayed as nothing more than a devoted girlfriend or a helpless woman in need of rescue.

Sue, undoubtedly, has the most remarkable character development within the team. Her transformation from the Invisible Girl to the Invisible Woman signifies a Sue who possesses intelligence equivalent, if not superior, to the others. Alongside her personal growth, her powers have also advanced significantly. She has honed her control over forcefields to such a precise level that she can manipulate them within blood vessels with pinpoint accuracy. Moreover, she can unleash a forcefield of such magnitude that it can shroud an entire planet in darkness for days, effectively blotting out the sun.

Marvel Comics Johnny Storm exhibits exceptional mastery over flame.

Johnny Storm/Human Torch

The accident that grants the team their abilities enables Johnny Storm to envelop his entire body in blazing flames and take flight. Gradually, Johnny's powers progress into a genuine command over fire, enabling him to both absorb and manipulate it effectively.

Despite Johnny's hot-headedness, he possesses a genuine and compassionate nature, making him one of Marvel's most sincere characters. His inherent personality has endeared him to Spider-Man, who considers him his closest friend, as well as to the Inhumans and Avengers, who readily accept him as an ally.

Furthermore, Johnny has endured immense personal hardships, such as discovering that his first wife was actually a Skrull spy and experiencing his own harrowing ordeal, presumed dead in the Negative Zone.

Marvel ComicsBen Grimm has become Marvel’s most relatable superhero.

Ben Grimm/The Thing

The team's powers were bestowed by the pilot of the rocketship, Ben Grimm, who endured the harshest fate. Transformed into a frightful rock monster, his life was completely shattered.

In truth, Ben owes his existence to the unpredictable nature of comics. Due to the decline of horror comics and the uncertainty surrounding superhero comics, a dependable monster character was introduced as a contingency plan in case the book failed.

Luckily, the book gained significant popularity, with readers developing a fondness for Ben. Hailing from the streets of New York, he is a humble and relatable individual who has faced various challenges in life. While many narratives delve into the emotional and physical toll of Ben's metamorphosis, an equal number highlight his resilience in adapting to tough situations.

In the latest installments, he finds contentment in his marital bliss, having tied the knot with his wife, who happens to be the offspring of a supervillain. Additionally, they have embraced parenthood by adopting two children who were orphaned during an extraterrestrial war, making Ben the most well-adjusted member of the Quartet.

That’s everything you need to know for now about the Fantastic Four. To learn more about the film as it develops, be sure to follow all of Dexerto’s coverage.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am incredibly excited about the upcoming Fantastic Four movie. I grew up reading the comics and watching the animated series, and I have always been a fan of the team's unique dynamic and their compelling stories. I think the Fantastic Four is a great representation of the diversity of the Marvel Universe, and I am excited to see how they are brought to life on the big screen.

I am also excited to see how the film explores the team's origin story. The Fantastic Four's origin story is one of the most iconic in all of comics, and I think it is important to get it right. I am confident that the filmmakers will do a great job of bringing the story to life and making it relevant to a modern audience.