- Written by: Ryan North
- Art by: Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba
- Colors by: Edgar Delgado
- Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
- Cover art by: Alan Davis (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: July 9, 2025
Fantastic Four #1, by Marvel on 7/9/25, isn’t your grandma’s Fantastic Four, and frankly, it’s not quite what you’d expect from a number one issue either.
First Impressions
Marvel’s latest “Fantastic Four #1” hits shelves with a hefty price tag and an even heavier question mark hanging over its head. It aims to draw in new readers, but feels more like a continuation that struggles with its own identity, leaving us wondering if this is a bold new era or just more of the same, wearing a shiny new cover.
Plot Analysis
The issue opens with the Fantastic Four, now explicitly led by Sue Storm , confronting Doctor Doom on a planet he has seemingly conquered. This immediate dive into high-stakes action sees the team, composed of Ben Grimm (the Thing), Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Sue, engaging their classic foe with their usual blend of powers and banter. The battle, however, takes an unexpected turn when Johnny Storm and the rest of the team finds themselves abruptly split up and transported to different periods in Earth’s history by Dr. Doom’s Sorcerer Supreme magic.
Stranded and alone in a world without life, Johnny quickly discovers the perilous conditions of this ancient era: the atmospheric oxygen is a mere 20% of normal, leading to severe hypoxia and hindering his ability to “flame on”. This survival struggle becomes the central focus for the Human Torch, as he grapples with the scientific realities of his predicament and the crushing loneliness of being the only human, or indeed any advanced life form, on the planet. His uniform’s built-in computer provides vital, albeit grim, data, highlighting the extreme conditions he must overcome.
Meanwhile, the Thing finds himself alone on a world populated by dinosaurs. Elsewhen, Reed Richards struggles to keep a low profile when he’s unceremoniously dropped into the Middle Ages. Lastly, Sue Storm arrives in the distant future where all life on Earth is gone in the face of a dying Sun. There only hope is the use of a Forever Stone where each member can inscribe there time/date location in the hope of being found, but how can they be saved if there’s no one left to save them.
The issue’s numbering itself is a curious point, identified as “issue #1a”. The writer, Ryan North, explains it’s a continuation of his previous run (issue #34) and part of the overall Fantastic Four legacy (issue #727). This meta-commentary, while attempting to be clever, underscores a deeper organizational inconsistency within Marvel’s publishing strategy, which becomes a focal point of this critique.
Detailed Review
Story
The narrative of “Fantastic Four #1” feels like a forced restart rather than a fresh beginning. The immediate jump into a Doom-controlled world and the team’s accidental time-travel feels jarring, especially given Ryan North’s concurrent “One World Under Doom” event. The inconsistency between this “new” #1 issue and the ongoing narrative of the previous event, both penned by the same writer, is baffling and betrays a puzzling lack of cohesion from Marvel’s editorial. It’s like finding two different instruction manuals for the same IKEA furniture—you know you’re in for a headache. The decision to re-number to a #1 without a significant creative team change or a clear new direction screams “cash grab” rather than a genuine attempt to onboard new readers. The notion of Sue Storm suddenly declaring herself the leader, while certainly a bold move, feels unearned and historically incongruous, especially given Reed Richards’ established role as the team’s intellectual and de facto leader.
Art
Humberto Ramos’ art, with Victor Olazaba on colors and Edgar Delgado on cover art, is undeniably dynamic and vibrant. Ramos’ signature style shines through in the action sequences, particularly with the Thing and Human Torch. The visual storytelling effectively conveys the chaos of the battle with Doctor Doom and Johnny’s desperate struggle against hypoxia. The character designs are recognizable, and the panel layouts keep the pace moving. However, the art, while technically proficient, can’t fully compensate for the narrative’s shortcomings. The bright, almost kinetic energy of the visuals often contrasts with the disjointed plot, leaving you with pretty pictures but a hollow feeling.
Characters
The characterizations are largely consistent with their established personalities, though Sue’s sudden leadership declaration feels more like a plot device than organic growth. Ben Grimm is still the lovable curmudgeon, Johnny Storm is the hot-headed (and now literally suffocating) hero, and Reed Richards maintains his scientific curiosity even in the face of immense danger. The interactions between the team members are fleeting but hint at their long-standing camaraderie. However, the disjointed plot gives little room for meaningful character development, leaving them feeling more like pieces on a chessboard than fully realized individuals.
Positives
The art by Humberto Ramos is a standout, offering vibrant and kinetic visuals that are a feast for the eyes, particularly during the action sequences. The concept of Johnny Storm being stranded in a prehistoric era with limited oxygen provides an intriguing survival scenario that offers some genuine tension. The individual moments of dialogue still carry the classic Fantastic Four charm, offering glimpses of the team’s beloved dynamics.
Negatives
The primary flaw is the egregious lack of continuity with Ryan North’s own “One World Under Doom” event, making this “new” #1 issue feel utterly disconnected and indicative of a disorganized editorial hand at Marvel. The decision to re-number to a #1 without a significant creative overhaul or a truly fresh direction feels like a cheap tactic to boost sales rather than a genuine reboot. Sue Storm’s sudden and largely unexplained assumption of leadership from Reed feels forced and contrary to years of established character dynamics. The overall narrative, while introducing an interesting predicament for Johnny, struggles to maintain coherence and forward momentum for the entire team, making the story feel less like a groundbreaking premiere and more like a disjointed middle chapter.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Final Thoughts
Fantastic Four #1 is a confusing misstep for Marvel, showcasing a puzzling disconnect in its creative and editorial strategies. While individual elements like the art are strong, the glaring inconsistencies and the seemingly arbitrary re-numbering undermine any potential for a compelling fresh start. It’s a comic that leaves you with a distinct feeling of disappointment, like being promised a grand adventure but getting a slightly recycled theme park ride instead.
4/10
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