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The origins of the Fantastic Four are easy to recap: One day, four scientists—Reed Richards; his girlfriend, Susan Storm; her younger brother, Johnny Storm; and Reed’s old college chum Ben Grimm—were out flying around in space when they were bombarded by cosmic rays. After returning to Earth (via a crash landing, of course), Reed found he could stretch and twist his body in impossible ways, Susan had the power to disappear, Johnny could fly and hurl fireballs at the same time, and Ben, well, he looked like a human rock, with stone strength to match.
Less clear is whose idea it was to create these characters in the first place. Writer Stan Lee says his boss at Marvel, Martin Goodman, told him to come up with a superhero team to compete with DC’s Justice League. Lee was reportedly fed up with the comic-book world at that point, but he obliged. Artist Jack Kirby says that he already had all the drawings, and that all Stan Lee did was fill in some dialogue. Whatever.
What we do know is that the Fantastic Four were an instant hit when they debuted in U.S. drugstores and comic-book shops in November 1961. The roughly 500 issues that have followed are a testament to the quartet’s staying power. The first issue, in which our heroes battle the dreaded Mole Man, is of course collectible, as is the Galactus Trilogy (Fantastic Four numbers 48-50, March to May, 1966), in which the foursome meets the legendary Silver Surfer.
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Recent News: Fantastic Four Comics
Source: Google News
Crowdfunding Friday: Corman's Fantastic Four & Tezuka manga
Den Of Geek, May 23rdIn the early 90s, producer Roger Corman stumped up the princely sum of $1m to make a movie adaptation of Marvel's Fantastic Four. Shot over three or four weeks, the movie starred Alex Hyde-White as Reed Richards, Rebecca Staab as Sue Storm, Michael...Read more
Michael B. Jordan as Human Torch in 'Fantastic Four'? The Actor Speaks
STACK News, May 23rdIn recent weeks, Michael B. Jordan's name has been mentioned on the short list of actors to portray the Human Torch in Josh Trank's Fantastic Four reboot. While most fans are excited about the possibility of the talented actor tackling the role, others...Read more
Avengers #12: They Are Not The Fantastic Four
Crave Online (blog), May 22ndHowever, it soon becomes clear that, unlike Hickman's previous heroes, The Fantastic Four, the Avengers are ill-suited towards being the custodians of children. First of all, Spider-Man is here for some reason, and seeing as how he's Dr. Octopus, he's...Read more
Lost 'Fantastic Four' film documentary seeks crowdfunding
Digital Spy, May 22ndDoomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four will chart the history of the 1994 movie that was made but never released. Doomed! The film will investigate the mystery of the movie that has only been seen by fans because of a leaked VHS...Read more
Man of Steel, Fantastic Four, Arrow: May 22nd Comic Reel
Comic Book Resources, May 22ndEmpire Online spoke with actor Michael B. Jordan at Cannes Film Festival about the rumors of being under consideration for the role of the Human Torch in Josh Trank's "Fantastic Four" reboot. "There's nothing in writing, nothing's official, but me and...Read more
Michael B. Jordan On His Fantastic Four Human Torch Casting
Empire Online, May 22ndFruitvale Station - Ryan Coogler's moving tale of the tragic shooting of Oscar Grant in the Bay Area in 2009 - has been one of the hits of the Cannes Film Festival thus far, with Michael B. Jordan's lead turn a particular standout. We spoke to Jordan...Read more
Memphis Redbirds' Fantastic Four Pushing for Promotions to St. Louis Cardinals
Yahoo! Sports, May 21stCOMMENTARY | The St. Louis Cardinals are leading the National League with a 28-16 record through May 20 -- yet four prospects strutting their stuff in Triple-A Memphis could be making Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak think of more than one way...Read more
Michael B. Jordan discusses possible Human Torch casting in Fantastic Four ...
Total Film, May 20thChronicle star Michael B. Jordan has been discussing a potential reunion with director Josh Trank on the latter's forthcoming Fantastic Four reboot, and from the way he's talking, it sounds as though there could be a part with his name on it. “Nothing...Read more