Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Stepswill be skyrocketing to theaters in a little over two months.
This will technically be the fourth adaptation of Marvel’s First Family, but the third to be theatrically released and the first debut to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In the upcoming superhero film, the Fab Four will be going up against one of their most iconic villains in comic book history, the infamous planet-eater Galactus and his herald the Silver Surfer.
If you’re not too familiar with the Fantastic Four or their villains, I’ve assembled a concrete list of comic books to help you take your own “first steps” into their world to prepare you for the upcoming movie.
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This is the comic that started it all.
Published in November 1st 1961, Marvel Comics introduced the First Family’s origin story with how they got their powers from a cosmic radiation while exploring in outer space and having to use them to try to stop their first villain ever, The Mole Man.
Behold, one of the most epic and prominent stories ever told in comic book history.
This trilogy was released in the year of 1966 on March 1st, April 1st and May 1st respectively. Written by Stan Lee and Illustrated by Kirby, this vibrant, epic battle saga introduces the quartet facing their biggest threat, the World-Eater Galactus and his engimatic herald, the Silver Surfer as they defend their Earth from being annihilate from the likes of the two dangerous duos.
This beloved saga, will obviously be the main plot line, but it isn’t the first time it’s made its way to the big screen. It was previously adapted in 20th Century Fox’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer that released in 2007.
In the film, Galactus was infamously (and controversially) adapted as a gigantic cloud in space that was eating up planets and other life forms in the cold reaches of space. In First Steps, however, he’ll be in his original form in the comics and will be played by Ralph Ineson. Early trailers have already teased him casting his shadow over New York City, looking at the Statue of Liberty and walking in the streets of the Big Apple.
Intimidating shots the trailers indeed.
Life Story was published in 2021, written by Mark Russell and Illustrated by Sean Izaakse. Set in alternate universe and not on Earth 616, this six-issue storyline showcases the Fantastic Four dealing with their actions over the course of six decades.
The first issue takes place in the 1960s, similar to the first comic that started it all (and what the tone will be in First Steps), with a retro-futuristic universe of the 1960s while serving as retold origin story of our 4 heroes.
There’s even historical nods to the 1960s like space race between the United States and Soviet Union, John F. Kennedy’s presidency, the Civil Rights moments, etc…
If the first issue isn’t enough for you, all six of the issues explores the group in different decades and builds up to an incredible story that takes place in present day.
At first glance, you might ask what these comics have to do with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Truthfully, they don’t. But they feature the appearance of major villains who will undoubtedly be interacting with Marvel’s first family and other characters in the MCU in the future.
Issue 4 specifically deals with Namor the Sub-Mariner, while Issue 5 is the debut of the mad-genius from Latveria, Victor Von Doom a.k.a Dr. Doom. And we all know that a variation of the character will be center stage in the next Avengers film, Avengers: Doomsday.
Both of these comics were published in both May and July 1st in 1961 and written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Jack Kirby.
You can find all these comic book stories of Marvel’s First Family on Marvel.com. If you have an Amazon Kindle library, sign up for Comixology and get these stories either for free or a lower sale price.
You’ll have time to read these vibrant, cosmic adventures now before the release of Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July 25.
Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be skyrocketing to theaters in a little over two months. This will technically be the fourth adaptation of Marvel’s First Family, bu… Read More