Marvel's First Family: 20 Fantastic Facts To Know About The Fantastic Four

The Facts Behind The Name

The Fantastic Four have been part of Marvel's foundation for over six decades. They've appeared in different media and have played a key role in shaping superhero stories as we know them today. It doesn't matter if you're familiar with their origin or just curious about their legacy; there's a lot to learn about what makes this team stand out. This list highlights 20 interesting and important facts about one of the comic world's most tenured superhero teams.

1. The Fantastic Four Were Marvel's First Superhero Team

Debuting in 1961, the Fantastic Four were Marvel’s first superhero team. Created by Lee and Kirby, they introduced realistic characters who often clashed. This approach was fresh for the time. Their popularity helped rescue Marvel from serious financial trouble.

2. Reed Richards Was Inspired By Real-Life Scientists

Reed Richards is often compared to Einstein and Carl Sagan. Canonically, he ranks above Tony Stark and Bruce Banner in intellect. His elastic powers symbolize limitless scientific potential. He rebuilt the multiverse in Secret Wars (2015).

3. Sue Storm Was One Of Marvel’s First Female Superheroes

As a founding member, Sue Storm debuted in 1961 with her own unique powers. Not modeled after a male counterpart, she later earned her place as Invisible Woman. She once held off the Hulk, and her abilities also include creating atomic-level blades.

4. Johnny Storm Predated Spider-Man As A Teen Hero

The Human Torch appeared in Marvel comics before Spider-Man. As a teenager, he provided a youthful balance to the team. He once roomed with Peter Parker, and once, in a galactic gladiator arena, he died and returned.

5. Ben Grimm's "It's Clobberin' Time!" Became Iconic Overnight

Ben Grimm’s iconic catchphrase debuted in 1964 and became a beloved Marvel slogan. One of the first “monstrous” yet beloved superheroes, he’s the godfather to Reed and Sue’s son, Franklin. Grimm once fought the Hulk for 60 minutes.

6. Their Powers Came From Cosmic Rays In Space

After a failed space mission, the Fantastic Four were affected by cosmic rays. This gave them their powers but also mutated their DNA. The team was among Marvel’s first superhero astronauts, and the spacecraft that changed them was known as the Marvel-1.

7. The Fantastic Four Debuted In Fantastic Four #1

The Fantastic Four debuted with Fantastic Four #1, a comic credited with starting the Marvel Age. It sold over 300,000 copies. Initially, the team had no costumes or superhero names. Kirby’s monster story influence is visible in their first adventure.

8. Doctor Doom First Appeared In Their Comic Series

Not long after Victor Von Doom made his debut in Fantastic Four #5, he became one of Marvel’s most enduring villains. Doom is both a genius and the ruler of Latveria. He considers Reed Richards his intellectual equal and rival.

9. They Were The First To Face Galactus And The Silver Surfer

Galactus and the Silver Surfer first appeared in Fantastic Four #48–50. These comics marked Marvel’s shift to cosmic-scale storytelling. Sue Storm’s compassion led the Silver Surfer to defy Galactus, whose character design drew from Biblical angels and gods.

10. Black Panther Made His Debut In A Fantastic Four Issue

Fantastic Four #52 (1966) marked the debut of the Black Panther. He became the first mainstream Black superhero in American comics and initially fought—and defeated—the team to evaluate them. T’Challa later formed a strong bond with the Thing.

11. The Inhumans Were Introduced In Their Storyline

The Inhumans first appeared in Fantastic Four #45. Introduced as a secretive society, they became vital to Marvel’s lore. Crystal and Medusa both joined the team briefly and Lockjaw, the giant teleporting dog, earned fan support.

12. They Opened The Door To The Marvel Multiverse

Marvel’s multiverse traces back to Reed Richards’s experiments. The Fantastic Four were the first characters to explore the Negative Zone. Franklin created entire realities as a child, and the Council of Reeds unites multiversal versions of Mr. Fantastic.

13. The Baxter Building Is One Of Marvel’s Most Famous Headquarters

Based in Manhattan, the Baxter Building was Marvel’s first superhero HQ. It’s equipped with labs, ships, and containment units and has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. Spider-Man frequently dropped by for tech help.

14. Reed And Sue’s Wedding Was A Historic Marvel Event

Reed Richards and Sue Storm got married in Fantastic Four Annual #3 (1965). The event included appearances by nearly all of Marvel’s major heroes and villains. Lee and Kirby appeared in the story, too.

15. Franklin Richards Is One Of Marvel’s Most Powerful Mutants

The son of Reed and Sue Richards, Franklin, possesses reality-bending powers on par with cosmic titans like the Celestials. He once built a universe to protect his family, and Galactus agreed to be his herald.

16. Reed Richards Becomes The Villain Maker In One Timeline

In one Marvel timeline, Reed Richards becomes The Maker, a villain lacking morality. He rewired his brain to think in higher dimensions and founded a group called the Children of Tomorrow. There were multiple universe resets, and he survived them.

17. The Team Was Once Temporarily Replaced

In 1990, Spider-Man, Hulk, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider temporarily formed the “New Fantastic Four.” Though short-lived, this version became a fan favorite due to its chaotic tone. The team battled disguised demons in Las Vegas. Spider-Man rejected stretching powers, calling them Reed’s thing.

18. They Joined The Avengers In Several Major Events

During major events like Infinity War, the Fantastic Four allied with the Avengers. Reed and Sue Richards led the team through cosmic conflicts. The Thing later became a recurring Avenger. Together, they battled Skrulls alongside Iron Man and Cap.

19. The Team Has Had Multiple Movie Adaptations Since 1994

The Fantastic Four’s cinematic history began with an unreleased 1994 film created solely to retain film rights. As of 2025, three major movie versions have been produced. Chris Evans portrayed Johnny Storm before taking on Captain America.

20. Multiple Animated Series Featured Them Before Live-Action Films

Before any live-action adaptations, the Fantastic Four appeared in multiple animated series. Their first cartoon aired in 1967 with a memorable theme. A 1978 series saw the Human Torch replaced by a robot, and the 1994 cartoon introduced Galactus and Doctor Doom to many.