The recently released Fantastic Four tie-in comic has finally provided insight into the MCU origins of Marvel’s First Family. Led by actors Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, the foursome will make their MCU debut with the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which will introduce fans to a different version of Earth. With the movie taking place four years after the gang gained their powers, the tie-in comic has now revealed how the Fantastic Four came to be in the MCU.
Titled Fantastic Four: First Steps #1, the one-shot comic book hit the shelves of stores on July 9 and conveys what happens with the titular group prior to the events of the forthcoming Matt Shakman-helmed flick, The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
With Reed Richards and the team already operating as the Fantastic Four in the movie, the comic not only encapsulates what has happened in their parallel world so far, but also highlights their origin story in the MCU. As per the comic, the group gained their powers after accidentally bathing in ‘celestial radiation’ during one of their expeditions to space instead of cosmic rays, as seen in the traditional Marvel comics.
Additionally, Kirby’s Sue Storm, who has a PhD in archaeology, served as the mission specialist in the flight, with Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm and Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm coming as the pilot and flight engineer, respectively. The comic also sheds light on Johnny’s dream of becoming a professional golfer prior to the accident that transformed him into the Human Torch.
Written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Mark Buckingham, the tie-in book also confirms Reed Richards’ origins before formulating the Fantastic Four, with Pascal’s character having used his unparalleled intellect to make huge advancements in the fields of science, medicine, agriculture, and more on his Earth.
Another notable divergence that the MCU’s Fantastic Four has from its comic book counterparts is their relationship with Mole Man. While the character has always played an antagonistic role in Marvel comics, the gang seemed to have found common ground with Mole Man through Sue Storm’s efforts in the MCU.
With Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 establishing the origin story of the iconic superhero team, fans can catch their latest escapades in the much-awaited First Steps movie, which rolls into theaters on July 25, 2025.