Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Mark Buckingham
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Phil Noto (Cover A)
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 9th 2025

Brief Summary

Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 is a retelling of Marvel’s first family’s very first battle against the Mole Man and his moloids. It is being released now to tie in with the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Fantastic Four: First Steps movie.

Plot Summary

The issue opens with a letter telling us that this is the Fantastic Four’s first adventure and it’s being told in their own words. We get a two-page condensed origin story and then the scene shifts to Building Q, Rocket City, USA. The Fantastic Four are in self-quarantine while they figure out the extent of their new powers. It’s a good chance for us to get some typical banter between Johnny and Ben, which leads to Sue using her powers to cut off their oxygen supply! This rather excessive move quickly snaps them out of it and she alerts them to “trouble in Manhattan.” It also gives us an idea of how powerful Sue Storm is.

The scene shifts to midtown Manhattan where the Mole Man and his Moloid marauders have launched a full-scale attack on the surface dwellers. Marvel’s first family takes a fantastic flight in the Fantasticar to the Big Apple and are greeted by an excited press. We’re reminded that this is their first public appearance after their cosmic “accident” and quarantine. But they don’t get any time to pose for photos as a giant green monster bursts out of the ground, referencing the classic cover of the very first issue by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.

They work together to defeat “Giganto” the monster and we get a good look at each member’s powers. It is cool to see Ben Grimm utter his most famous line, “It’s Clobberin’ Time!” as well as Johnny Storm’s surprised reaction, “What did he just say?!?” This is followed by Johnny doing his signature, “Flame On!” as he becomes the Human Torch and joins in the fray. Reed uses his stretchy powers to wrap around Giganto’s legs and Sue delivers the K.O. move by encasing the creature’s head in an invisible bubble: “See young geniuses, oxygen!”

But Giganto’s attack was just a distraction. We see the Pan Am building suddenly drop and disappear into the ground, stolen by the Mole Man! The Fantasic Four quickly jump down into the hole after the building and it’s time for some exposition. We learn there is a whole “civilization” under the streets of New York and all the recent city building and construction work has been damaging it. Welcome to “Subterranea” and it’s leader Mr. Elder, the Mole Man. He was just tryin to protect his people.

The Subterraneans try to fight Marvel’s First Family but they are quickly overpowered and Mole Man is captured. Sue Storm lobbies for Subterranea to be recognised by the World and an agreement is reached between the people and the Moloids. Peace and, hopefully, prosperity. The issue ends with a full-page shot of the Fantastic Four and the word “Excelsior!” Shout out to Stan “The Man” Lee!

Sharp Points!

It’s a fun story overall with some nice nods to the original Fantastic Four issue #1 by Kirby & Lee. Writer Matt Fraction was clearly enjoying himself writing this issue and it comes through on every page. The art, while simple at times, is bright and colourful and channels the optimism of the original series. There are also some page inserts relating to the upcoming FF movie including a Johnny Storm Fan Club, a look at the movie’s Fantasticar, and an interview with Reed “Pascal” Richards himself.

Dull Points!

I’m a fan of the artist Mark Buckingham, but I have to admit some of the pages lack detail and can look a bit simple. This is not really an original story, more a retelling of the very first issue of Fantastic Four. The movie promotion pages might feel unnecessary to some readers and do break up the flow of the story.

Final Thoughts

Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 is a bright and colourful comic that is not meant to be taken too seriously. It isn’t really an essential purchase for fans of the characters, but those who buy a copy will probably have fun with it. I enjoyed Fraction’s voice for the characters and his chosen narrative style fits the retro feel of the original classic series as well as the upcoming movie.

7/10

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Here’s my video review if you’d like to see more of the art:

About the reviewer: Wakizashi Gray has a YouTube channel where he reviews comics. It has the rather bizarre name of Wakizashi’s Teahouse. He also keeps a WordPress blog called Wakizashi Teahouse Blog.

Thanks for reading!