The Fantastic Four is perhaps Marvel Comics’ most prestigious superhero team. They are Marvel’s First Family, with a practically never-changing roster of heroes who have more than just withstood the test of time, but have actively thrived in every era of their publication history. The iconic Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm famously become Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing when they suit up to take on whatever threatens life on Earth – and their exploits are, indeed, fantastic.

With the team’s first issue debuting in 1961, there are more than half a century’s worth of storylines starring the Fantastic Four, with each one highlighting exactly why they are such a strong team and an even stronger family unit. Of course, that much history also comes with its own set of challenges, as it leaves modern fans feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount they have to read to find the best ones. But now, that job just got a whole lot easier, as these are the 10 best Fantastic Four comic stories in Marvel Comics history, ranked!

10

The ‘New FF’ was the Most Hardcore (& Short-Lived) Iteration of the Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four #347-349 by Walter Simonson and Arthur Adams

While it’s true that the core Fantastic Four roster almost never changes, this is one of the few times the team gets an entirely new cast of heroes – and the ones who were chosen are some of the most hardcore A-list superheroes in Marvel Comics history. The ‘New FF’ consisted of Wolverine, Ghost Rider, Hulk, and Spider-Man, and they replaced the original Fantastic Four after a Skrull attack that saw the FF captured and defeated.

Even though the lineup is absolutely stellar, the storyline here left much to be desired. Not only was every single character underutilized, but the story itself was just too short, as was the tenure of the ‘New FF’. However, just the fact that these heroes/antiheroes were an official Fantastic Four squad at all is worthy of fans’ attention, as it was one of the coolest change-ups to a legacy team ever brought to the page of Marvel Comics.

9

Reed Richards Literally Tears The Fantastic Four Apart By Becoming the Maker

Ultimate Doom by Brian Michael Bendis and Rafa Sandoval

Reed Richards’ Ultimate Universe transformation into a supervillain called the Maker was one of the most shocking developments in Marvel Comics history, and it’s something that’s still impacting the wider Marvel Multiverse to this day – immensely. While it’s true that Reed Richards wouldn’t officially make his debut as ‘the Maker’ until Ultimate Fallout, Ultimate Doom tells the story of how and why he became the Maker (following the events of Ultimate Mystery). And, perhaps more importantly, how Reed Richards single-handedly tore the Fantastic Four apart.

Throughout Marvel Comics history, Reed Richards has been the glue that holds his family together. He’s their rock, and he proves that with practically every passing storyline – whether that be taking on a potentially cataclysmic event, or a simple ‘slice of life’. That’s why witnessing the story of the Ultimate Fantastic Four is so captivating, and utterly heartbreaking.

8

The Fantastic Four Bring a Marvel Comics Legend Back into Canon: Namor the Sub-Mariner

Fantastic Four #4 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

When Johnny Storm decides to help a homeless man with amnesia who he finds on the streets of New York City, he and the rest of the Fantastic Four are stunned to learn that this man is actually the infamous Namor the Sub-Mariner. Once he regains his memory and his strength, Namor fights all four members of the Fantastic Four and defeats them single-handedly. This marks the beginning of the Fantastic Four’s long-standing history with Namor and the Atlanteans, all wrapped up in a comic fans won’t want to put down.

Namor’s Marvel Comics history predates his involvement with the Fantastic Four by a good stretch, and his personal exploits were merely the stuff of legend in the established Marvel Comics continuity. But, with this storyline, Namor’s entire history is brought back into canon in a way that helped shape Marvel Comics’ future from that point forward.

7

The Introduction of Doctor Doom Changed The Fantastic Four’s History Forever

Fantastic Four #5 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Doctor Doom is easily the greatest villain introduced in a Fantastic Four comic, not just because he’s an iconic antagonist to the team itself, but because of his wider impact on the Marvel Universe – and that history began right here, with his debut storyline “Meet Doom”. This issue tells the origin story of Victor von Doom, including his past relationship with Reed Richards, as well as the nature of his powers. Not only is Doctor Doom a technological genius, but he’s also a master sorcerer specializing in the dark arts.

While this issue quickly becomes a weird time-travel story that sees the Fantastic Four dress up like pirates to find Black Beard’s treasure (which, itself, is an absolutely amazing Fantastic Four adventure), the opening conflict between the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom – including Doctor Doom’s origin story – is utterly iconic, and is certainly a must-read for Fantastic Four fans everywhere.

6

Fantastic Four Fans Don’t Know the Scope of Doctor Doom’s Terrifying Sorcery Until “Unthinkable”

Fantastic Four Vol. 3 #68-Vol. 1 #500 by Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo

Doctor Doom’s origin in Fantastic Four #5 covered the broad-strokes of his backstory, including and especially his practices in the occult, though fans wouldn’t truly understand the terrifying scope of Doctor Doom’s sorcery until the storyline “Unthinkable”. In it, Doctor Doom remotely infects the mind of Valeria Richards from his fortress in Latveria, which he was able to do after casting a spell on the child following her birth (Doom helped deliver the baby). Doom did this to literally see through Valeria’s eyes, allowing him to spy on the Fantastic Four.

This was also a sick way to ‘claim’ the child, as Doom believed Valeria was as much his daughter as she was that of Reed and Sue. While using magic to effectively possess a child is disturbing, that’s only the tip of the iceberg in terms of Doctor Doom flexing his magical abilities, making “Unthinkable” one of the most exciting Fantastic Four stories to date.

5

Mr. Fantastic Reaches the Negative Zone in The Thing’s Most Iconic Story

Fantastic Four #51 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“This Man… This Monster” is perhaps the Thing’s most iconic Fantastic Four story, as it sees him being ridiculed for his appearance by practically everyone he comes across, before his powers/identity was stolen by a mad scientist, leading to a now-human Ben Grimm longing to return to the life he formerly believed was cursed. It’s a brilliant character study of the Thing, and a crystal-clear look into the realities of his everyday life – both good and bad.

However, this comic is not just the Thing’s story, as it also features Reed Richards breaking through the interdimensional barriers into the Negative Zone for the first time. As Fantastic Four fans know, the team’s connection with the Negative Zone is well-charted in Marvel Comics canon, and it all started with the events of this must-read issue.

4

Marvel’s Ongoing Fantastic Four Run is a Near-Perfect Depiction of the Superhero Family

Fantastic Four Vol. 7 written by Ryan North

The latest ongoing Fantastic Four comic run is being shaped by writer Ryan North, and so far, it has been a near-perfect depiction of Marvel’s First Family. While the individual story arcs, the action sequences, and – of course – the outstanding artwork done by the many artists that have tackled this latest era are all fantastic reasons to read this series, it’s North’s writing that truly makes this version of the Fantastic Four an absolute standout. The biggest reason that this is the case comes down to one word: family.

Ryan North understands that not every issue has to feature the FF jetting off to save the world, or introduce a new game-changing character. But what every issue does need to do is make Marvel’s First Family feel like just that, a family. Low-stakes storylines woven seamlessly into high-stakes drama allow the Fantastic Four to flourish like never before. In other words, right now is truly a great time to be a Fantastic Four fan, as their ongoing book – regardless of the individual adventures – truly understands what makes the Fantastic Four so special.

3

Reed Richards Stands Trial for His Hand in the Deaths of Billions by Saving Galactus

Fantastic Four #262 by John Byrne

“The Trial of Reed Richards” tells the story of Reed facing the cosmic consequences of saving Galactus’ life (which he did in Fantastic Four #244). As Reed stands trial, representatives from worlds across the universe are brought to testify against him, asserting that if he had simply allowed Galactus to die, their worlds wouldn’t have been destroyed, and the lives of billions would have been spared.

This story marks the first time readers truly witness the scope of Galactus’ universe-spanning wave of destruction since his first appearance in “The Coming of Galactus”, and even then it was only his reputation fans had to go off of, not testimonial evidence. Plus, it reveals why Galactus is actually a necessary force in the universe, not just an average ‘villain’ that should have been slain. This issue greatly expands upon Galactus’ lore, and the way this story is told (including John Byrne himself being a main character reporting on the events) makes it wildly entertaining from start to finish.

2

Galactus’ Debut is the Most Iconic Fantastic Four Story in Marvel Comics History

Fantastic Four #48-50 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“The Galactus Trilogy” is the three Fantastic Four issues that detail his coming, his arrival, and his ultimate defeat, and one would be hard-pressed to find a Fantastic Four story more iconic and impactful. Not only does “The Galactus Trilogy” almost immediately spiral out of the Fantastic Four’s isolated canon to the wider Marvel Universe upon Galactus’ debut (with the Devourer of Worlds becoming a major player in Thor continuity soon thereafter before continuing to impact the universe at large), but it’s also just fantastically written, with artwork that’s truly unparalleled.

There are a plethora of reasons why “The Galactus Trilogy” is such a staple in Fantastic Four comics, but the only way fans will really understand is by reading it themselves – and this storyline absolutely qualifies as essential reading.

1

Fantastic Four’s Best Marvel Comics Story Elevates the High-Concept Sci-Fi Nature of the Series

Fantastic Four #570-572 by Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesham

“Solve Everything” is arguably the best Fantastic Four story, even if it is a bit Reed-heavy (literally). This story introduced the Council of Reeds, featuring Reed Richards from across the multiverse working together to quite literally ‘solve everything’. Reed of Earth-616 is invited to join the Council after he proves he’s independently capable of interdimensional gateway travel. Through his eyes, readers see Reeds wielding Infinity Gauntlets, taking down alternate versions of Galactus, and even battling ‘Mad Celestials’.

Not only is “Solve Everything” a high-concept Sci-Fi fan’s dream come true, but it also has the essential ‘family’ element that every great Fantastic Four story needs. In the end, Reed has to choose between the Council and his family, and he chooses his family, which puts to rest any notion that Mr. Fantastic cares more about science – or himself – than those he loves, cementing him as a true hero. And for those reasons, “Solve Everything” is the best Fantastic Four story in Marvel Comics history.