Throughout the 2000’s the Fantastic Four have remained the rare Marvel property that isn’t properly beloved. Terrible movies will do that. I’m here to rectify that wrong with all the awesome Fantastic Four comics you’ll ever need.
I) Fantastic Four Launch the Marvel Universe – Lee & Kirby in the 60’s
The Fantastic Four Omnibus (Lee & Kirby) Volume 1
Fantastic Four #1-30, Annual #1
The comic that started Marvel as we know it. Gotta read your Lee & Kirby if you ever want to call yourself a True Believer!
The Fantastic Four Omnibus (Lee & Kirby) Volume 2
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Fantastic Four #31-60, Annual #2-4
The Fantastic Four Omnibus (Lee & Kirby) Volume 3
Fantastic Four #61 to #93, Annual #5 to #7
Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 10
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #94-104, Fantastic Four: The Lost Adventure (2008) #1
The final issues of the classic Stan and Jack era!
Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 11
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #105-116
Stan’s around for a bit longer and there’s even one last Kirby story but say hello to new talent such as Archie Goodwin and John Buscema!
Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 12
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #117-128
More Archie and Big John plus Stan’s final arc!
Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 13
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #129-141
Sue’s out! Medusa’s in! Johnny’s new red costume! Quicksilver! Thundra! Featuring the talents of Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, John Buscema, Ross Andru and Ramona Fradon!
Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 14
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #142-150, Giant-Size Fantastic Four (1974) #2, Avengers (1963) #127, Material from Giant-Size Super-Stars (1974) #1
The F4 temporarily break up before Reed and Sue finally get back together! Plus Crystal and Quicksilver’s wedding crossover with the Avengers crashed by Ultron!
Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 15
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #151-163, Giant-Size Fantastic Four (1974) #3-4, Material from Marvel Treasury Edition (1974) #2
More wacky Bronze Age adventures courtesy of Conway, Roy Thomas, Len Wein and Rich Buckler- featuring a brief return of Stan (sort of). Also the first appearance of Jamie Madrox, the Multiple Man!
Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 16
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #164-175, Fantastic Four Annual (1963) #11, Marvel Two-In-One (1974) #20, Marvel Two-In-One Annual (1976) #1, Material from Marvel Treasury Edition (1974) #11
It’s the Roy and George Perez show featuring Rich Buckler and Big John! The return of King Kirby on covers! Luke Cage replaces The Thing because… reasons! Plus Galactus versus the High Evolutionary!
Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 17
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #176-191
The Roy and George era concludes, giving way to a brief “It takes a village” period before landing on George and Len Wein and another near break-up of the F4! Also featuring the second half of 70s Kirby covers!
Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 18
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #192-203, Fantastic Four Annual (1963) #12-13
Marv Wolfman and Keith Pollard become the new regular team as Perez becomes the cover artist. The F4 reunite (again)… and just in time for their 200th issue celebration!
II) John Byrne Restores the Fantastic Four to Glory
Fantastic Four by John Byrne – Volume 1
Issues: Marvel Team-Up #61-62; Marvel Two-In-One #50; Fantastic Four #215-218, #220-221, #232-262 And Annual #17; Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #42; Avengers #233; Thing #2; And Alpha Flight (1983) #4
The collected issues referenced here are the ones you’ll find included in the Marvel Omnibus edition. You can certainly dig for these in Marvel Unlimited, but I’d just as soon keep to those within the Fantastic Four title.
Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 19
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #204-218, Fantastic Four Annual (1963) #14
John Byrne comes on board as regular artist with stories written by Wolfman and Bill Mantlo!
Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 20
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #219-231, Fantastic Four Annual (1963) #15
The acclaimed Moon Knight team of Doug Moench and Bill Seinkiewicz take the F4 into the 1980s! Plus more early John Byrne on the title!
Fantastic Four by John Byrne Volume 2
Issues: Fantastic Four (1961) #261-295, Fantastic Four Annual #18-19, Alpha Flight (1983) #4, Thing (1983) #10 And #19, Avengers Annual #14, And Material From Secret Wars Ii #2, Epic Illustrated #26-34, What If? (1977) #36, What The -?! #2 And #10, Thing (1983) #7, Fantastic Four Roast, Fantastic Four Special Edition
Fantastic Four Vs. The X-Men #1-4
Limited 1987 series from Chris Claremont. In the wake of the X-Men’s mutant massacre.
Fantastic Four Epic Collection: The More Things Change…
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #308-320, Fantastic Four Annual (1963) #21, Incredible Hulk (1968) #350, Marvel Graphic Novel: Hulk/Thing – The Big Change (1987)
Steve Englehart and returning Keith Pollard are the regular creators and transform the F4 figuartively and litreally in mid-80s tales seeing a trek through the center of the Earth, the Beyonders, Cat People and a Grey “Joe Fixit” Hulk versus “Rocks to 11” Thing two-parter! Plus, horror master Bernie Wrightson!
Collects: Avengers (1963) #298-300, Fantastic Four (1961) #322-324, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #311-313, Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #146-148, Web Of Spider-Man (1985) #47-48, Daredevil (1964) #262-263 & 265
Semi-retired family downtime in the suburbs isn’t in the cards for Reed and Sue as supernatural shenanigans has them join the Avengers for a hot second. Meanwhile, Ben and his F4 gang face villains like Graviton and Kang and stage a rescue for Mantis!
Fantastic Four Visionaries: Walt Simonson Vol. 1
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #334-341
Coming out of the Acts of Vengeance event, Walt Simonson steps in as regular writer/artist (so, of course, Thor guest-stars- so, cool…). Also guest-starring Iron Man and more of that confusing Kross-Time Kang/ Nebula story from the Avengers. But also tremendous fun…
Fantastic Four Visionaries: Walt Simonson Vol. 2
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #342-346
More fun and adventure up and down the timestream and into the multiverse!
Fantastic Four Epic Collection: The New Fantastic Four
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #347-361, Fantastic Four Annual (1963) #24, Material from Marvel Holiday Special (1991) #1
Walt Simonson finishes his run collaborating with Art Adams while the incoming team of Tom DeFalco and Paul Ryan begin their tenure- starting with turning everything you thought you knew about Johnny Storm and Alicia Masters’ marriage upside down (pssst… it’s Skrulls)!
III) Heroes Return: The Waid & Wieringo Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four/Inhumans: Atlantis Rising
Collects: Namor: The Sub-Mariner (1990) #60-62, Fantastic Four: Atlantis Rising (1995) #1-2, Fantastic Force (1994) #8-9, Fantastic Four (1961) #401-402, Fantastic Four Unlimited (1993) #11
Mid-90s crossover featuring Namor, the Inhumans and that time Scott Lang was part of the 4!
Fantastic Four Epic Collection: Strange Days
Collects: Fantastic Four (1961) #403-416, Fantastic Four: The Legend (1996) #1, Onslaught: Marvel Universe (1996) #1, Material from Tales of the Marvel Universe (1997) #1
The return of Reed… just in time for Onslaught!
Collects: Fantastic Four (1996) #1-12
The 4 survive Onslaught and relive their lives in a bubble universe reboot by Image-era Jim Lee and company!
Fantastic Four: Heroes Return- The Complete Collection Vol. 1
Collects: Fantastic Four (1998) #1-15 & 1/2, Fantastic Four 1998 Annual , Iron Man (1998) #14
The 4 return to mainstream reality and try to go back to business as usual- except it’s not that easy. Featuring stories by X-alumni Scott Lobdell, Alan Davis, Chris Claremont and Salvador Larocca!
Fantastic Four: Flesh and Stone
Fantastic Four #40 – 45
As you’ll note, you could start all the way back with Fantastic Four #1 as part of Heroes Return. Personally, I don’t find this period of Marvel Comics very worthwhile, but completists will want to jump all the way back. Otherwise, I’d kick off with this intriguing Jeph Loeb run as a lead-in to Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo’s truly excellent arc.
Fantastic Four: Resurrection of Galactus
Fantastic Four #46 – #50, + Fantastic Four Annual (2001)
Collects Inhumans #1-4 And Fantastic Four #51-54
This is a weird trade collection, and although I own it, it’s not one I highly recommend. Nonetheless there are some major Inhuman developments here. I won’t be doing a full Inhumans reading order within the FF, but I will note that you’ll want to read Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee’s Inhumans miniseries before these four Inhumans issues.
Fantastic Four by Waid & Wieringo Ultimate Collection, Book 1
Collects Fantastic Four #60 – #67
If you’re looking for the best modern starting place for Fantastic Four, look no further. Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo put together one of my favorite Fantastic Four runs ever, and it’s a highlight of early 2000’s Marvel. Note that the series adopts its original numbering after issue #70 for the all important issue #500.
Fantastic Four by Waid & Wieringo Ultimate Collection, Book 2
Collecting Fantastic Four (1998) #67-70, Fantastic Four (1961) #500-502 And Material From The #500 Director’S Cut
Fantastic Four by Waid & Wieringo Ultimate Collection, Book 3
Collecting Fantastic Four (1961) #503-513
Fantastic Four by Waid & Wieringo Ultimate Collection, Book 4
Collecting Fantastic Four (1961) #514-524
Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius Ultimate Collection – Book 1
Collects Son Of A Genius, Everybody Loves Franklin, Super Summer Spectacular, Happy Franksgiving, March Madness, World Be Warned, Monster Mash, Fall Football Fiasco!
I’m adding in here one of Marvel’s finest all ages creations, a series of Franklin Richards one-shots. Not necessary for continuity, but a lot of fun, and again, very well suited for all ages.
IV) Marvel Knights Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four: 1234 (Marvel Knights)
#1 – #4
If after all the fun, laughs, and joy of the previous Fantastic Four stories you find yourself wanting to see Marvel’s first family dragged through hell, well, here’s Grant Morrison & Jae Lee with 1234! This is an out of continuity miniseries under the Marvel Knights imprint, meaning it’s much darker and edgier than the reading thus far. It’s also some of Morrison at his madcap best, devising insidious torture for the Fantastic Four.
The Thing: Freakshow #1 – #4, Thing & She-Hulk: Long Night #1
A Thing miniseries written by future DC scribe, Geoff Johns.
Startling Stories: Fantastic Four – Unstable Molecules
Startling Stories: Fantastic Four – Unstable Molecules #1 – #4
Startling Stories: Thing – Night Falls on Yan
Startling Stories: Thing – Night Falls On Yan #1 – #4
Human Torch by Karl Kesel & Skottie Young: The Complete Collection
Human Torch #1 – #12
Solo, out of continuity Human Torch action. 2003 version of Skottie Young!
Collects Fantastic Four: Foes #1-6
Robert Kirkman gets into the heads of the Fantastic Four’s villains.
Marvel Knights Fantastic Four, Vol. 1: Wolf at the Door
Marvel Knights 4 – #1 – #7 (Feb 2004 – July 2004)
Marvel Knights Fantastic Four, Vol. 2: The Stuff of Nightmares
Marvel Knights 4 – #8 – #12
Marvel Knights Fantastic Four, Vol. 3: Divine Time (v. 3)
Collects Marvel Knights 4 #13-18
Marvel Knights Fantastic Four, Vol. 4: Impossible Things Happen Every Day (v. 4)
Marvel Knights 4 #19-24
Marvel Knights Fantastic Four, Vol. 5: The Resurrection of Nicholas Scratch
Collects Marvel Knights 4 #25-30
Fantastic Four: House Of M #1 – #3
I’d rate House of M: Fantastic Four as one of the best House of M tie-ins out there.
Tales Of The Thing #1 – #3
Collects Fantastic Four: Books Of Doom #1-6
A personal favorite detailing the rise of Victor Von Doom. From Ed Brubaker, writer of Captain America: Winter Soldier and Joker: The Man Who Laughs (or Criminal, Velvet, Fatale… he writes a lot of good comics).
The Thing #1 – #8
Really underrated solo Thing series (the Thing was HUGE in 2005!) from current Spidey scribe, Dan Slott.
V) Civil War Hits The Four
Fantastic Four by J. Michael Straczynski, Vol. 1
Fantastic Four #525 – #535 (April 2005 – Feb 2006)
I’m of the opinion that you can basically jump past this portion of the Fantastic Four to the Civil War tie-ins, but do you!
Collects Fantastic Four: First Family #1-6
Look back at the very first moments of the Fantastic Four’s superpowered transformation.
Collects Fantastic Four #538-543
Naturally, if you want to see how these issues fit in with the rest of the event, you can check out the Civil War reading order guide.
Collects Fantastic Four: The End #1-6
Out of continuity look at the final Fantastic Four story!
Fantastic Four and Power Pack: Favorite Son
Collects Fantastic Four And Power Pack #1-4
Inessential but fun all ages Fantastic Four and Power Pack team-up.
Collects Fantastic Four #544-550
Dwayne McDuffie takes over Fantastic Four duties following the team shake up of Civil War. Lots more Black Panther and Storm in these issues, which are quietly very solid.
Fantastic Four: The Beginning of the End
Collects Fantastic Four #525-526, 551-553
Collected edition includes earlier McDuffie work on issues #525 and #526, but obviously you can just keep on rolling with Fantastic Four #551
Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest
Collects Fantastic Four #554-561 (Feb 2008 – Nov 2008)
Strangely, Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch – the duo behind the Ultimates – didn’t do much to launch the Fantastic Four to new heights. Don’t worry, we’re nearly in Hickman range.
Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four
Collects Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #1-3, And Fantastic Four #300 And #357
And of course, check out here for the rest of the Secret Invasion reading order.
Fantastic Four True Story #1 – #4
Fantastic Four: The Masters of Doom
Collects Fantastic Four #562-569 (Ends July 2009)
VI) The Jonathan Hickman Fantastic Four Era
Collects Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #1-5
Sub-Mariner: The Depths #1-5
Darn right I’m throwing in an awesome Marvel Knights Sub-Mariner book.
Doctor Doom and the Masters of Evil
Collects Dr. Doom & The Masters Of Evil #1-4
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman, Vol. 1
Collects Fantastic Four #570-575 (Aug 2009 – Jan 2010)
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman, Vol. 2
Fantastic Four #575-578
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman, Vol. 3
Fantastic Four #579-582 (Ends Aug 2010)
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman, Vol. 4
Collecting Fantastic Four #583-588 (Sept 2010 – Feb 2011)
Doomwar #1 – #6
This mini event is not a part of the Hickman saga, so buyer beware.
Ff #1 – #5
The series reloads to just “FF” after the “Three” story arc. Issues #1 through #11 of FF will count as Fantastic Four #589 through #599. Don’t freak out when those are “missing” in Marvel Unlimited!
You can also read the Fear Itself: FF one-shot here.
Ff 6-11
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 5
Fantastic Four 600-604
FF by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 3
Ff 12-16
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 6
Fantastic Four 605.1, 605-611 (Ends Oct 2012)
FF by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 4
Ff 17-23
VII) Marvel NOW Fantastic Four
One Shot
Fantastic Four, Vol. 1: New Departure, New Arrivals
Fantastic Four 1-3, Ff 1-3
I highly enjoyed Matt Fraction and Mike Allred’s work on FF, and I actually think the Fraction and Bagley Fantastic Four is semi underrated. I’m not saying it’s the best work on the team, but semi kinda underrated.
Fantastic Four, Vol. 2: Road Trip
Collecting: Fantastic Four 4-8, 5Au
Fantastic Four Volume 3: Doomed
Collecting: Fantastic Four 9-16
Ff #4 – #8
FF – Volume 2: Family Freakout
Collecting: Ff 9-13
VIII) The End of Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four Volume 1: The Fall of the Fantastic Four
Collecting: Fantastic Four 1-5
Fantastic Four Volume 2: Original Sin
Collecting: Fantastic Four 6-10
Hard to describe how much I dislike these Original Sin tie-ins. Ugh.
Fantastic Four Volume 3: Back in Blue
Collecting: Fantastic Four 11, Annual 1, 12-14
Fantastic Four Volume 4: The End is Fourever
Collecting: Fantastic Four 642-645
Secret Wars is effectively a Fantastic Four event, and marks the end of Hickman’s story arc on the Fantastic Four. Highly recommended for fans of the run.
IX) All-New All-Different Fantastic Four
Members of the Fantastic Four make appearances in the following comics following Secret Wars.
Uncanny Inhumans Vol. 1: Time Crush (Uncanny Inhumans #0 to #4)
The Human Torch becomes an ongoing regular with long-time Fantastic Four collaborators, the Inhumans.
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 1: Emperor Quill
Less expectedly, the Thing shoots back in to space, as Benjamin J. Grimm becomes the latest Earthling to join the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Ultimates: Omniversal Vol. 1: Start With the Impossible
Although it’s my favorite Marvel Comic of 2016, Ultimates doesn’t have a particularly direct FF connection for most of its run. Nonetheless, it’s where we get the clearest glimpse into what the Richards family is doing after Secret Wars.
Uncanny Avengers: Unity Vol. 1: Lost Future
Collects: Uncanny Avengers (2015B) #1-6, Material from Avengers (2015) #0
In addition to hooking up with Medusa, the Human Torch also joins Old Man Steve Rogers’ Avengers Unity Squad alongside Rogue (whom he also had a relationship with at some point??)
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 2: Wanted
Collects: Guardians of the Galaxy (2015) #6-10
The Thing and the Guardians stage a breakout on a Badoon prison planet!
Collects: Avengers Standoff: Welcome to Pleasant Hill (2016) #1, Avengers Standoff: Assault on Pleasant Hill Alpha (2016) #1, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2016) #3-4, Uncanny Avengers (2015B) #7-8, All-New, All-Different Avengers (2015) #7-8, New Avengers (2015) #8-10, Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015) #7-8, Illuminati (2015) #6, Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2015) #6, Avengers Standoff: Assault on Pleasant Hill Omega (2016) #1
The Torch and the Unity Squad get caught up in S.H.I.E.L.D. prison town gone wrong!
Uncanny Inhumans Vol. 2: The Quiet Room
Collects: Uncanny Inhumans (2015) #5-10
When Johnny and Medusa’s relationship goes public, Crystal is not happy!
Uncanny Avengers: Unity Vol. 2: The Man Who Fell To Earth
Collects: Uncanny Avengers (2015B) #7-12
The Torch and the Unity Squad encounter the Hank Pym/ Ultron hybrid! (Also contains Standoff tie-in issues)
Uncanny Avengers: Unity Vol. 3: Civil War II
Collects: Uncanny Avengers (2015B) #13-17
Johnny and the Unity Squad get involved in the escalating events of Civil War II before (Hydra)Cap officially dissolves the team! Meanwhile, Ben and the Guardians return to Earth to talk sense to Captain Marvel before it’s too late! Johnny and the Unity Squad are on the run and trying to clear their names!
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 3: Civil War II
Collects: Guardians of the Galaxy (2015) #11-14, Material from Free Comic Book Day 2016 (Civil War II) #1
A closer look at Ben and the Guardians during the hero versus hero turmoil!
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 4: Grounded
Collects: Guardians of the Galaxy (2015) #15-19
When Civil War II leaves the Guardians stranded on Earth, the Thing becomes Ben Grimm, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.!
X) Marvel Legacy Fantastic Four
Infamous Iron Man Vol. 1: Infamous
Collects: Infamous Iron Man (2016) #1-6
Inspired by Tony Stark, Victor von Doom attempts “heroism” as a very different type of Iron Man. Investigating him is Agent Ben Grimm…
Uncanny Avengers: Unity Vol. 4: Red Skull
Collects: Uncanny Avengers (2015B) #18-23
Johnny and the Unity Squad are still on HydraCap’s disavowed list when the long-standing plotline of the Red Skull possessing deceased Professor X’s brain finally comes to a close!
Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man Vol. 1: Into The Twilight
Collects: Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man (2017) #1-6, Material from Free Comic Book Day 2017 (Secret Empire) #1
Johnny finds his way into BFF Spidey’s title as series regular by Chip Zdarsky and Adam Kubert!
Infamous Iron Man Vol. 2: The Absolution Of Doom
Collects: Infamous Iron Man (2016) #7-12
Victor encounters The Maker- the evil Reed Richards of the Ultimate Universe while Ben and Johnny have an awkward reunion…
Secret Empire: United We Stand
Collects: Secret Empire: United (2017) #1, Secret Empire: Underground (2017) #1, Secret Empire: Uprising (2017) #1, Uncanny Avengers (2015B) #24-25, All-New Guardians of the Galaxy Annual (2017) #1
Tie-ins featuring more of Johnny and the Unity Squad in NY during Secret Empire! Johnny and the Unity Squad fight the good fight as Manhattan is plunged into the pitch black Darkforce Dimension while Ben becomes a fixture in the Underground’s fight against Hydra! Also featuring a new twist on the old Hulk versus Thing fights!
Uncanny Avengers: Unity Vol. 5: Stars and Garters
Collects: Uncanny Avengers (2015B) #26-30
Reinstated after Secret Empire, the Unity Squad tie up some loose ends!
Collects: Marvel Legacy (2017) #1, Marvel Legacy Primer pages, FOOM Magazine (2017)
The Thing hopefully sends out the Fantasti-flare as Valeria Richards narrates the whole special from somewhere out deep in the multiverse. The first glimpses that the family may be returning soon…
Marvel Two-In-One Vol. 1: Fate Of The Four
Collects: Marvel 2-In-One (2017) #1-6
Ben, Johnny and Doom as the Infamous Iron Man go venturing into the Multiverse looking for the Richards family!
Marvel Two-In-One Vol. 2: Next Of Kin
Collects: Marvel 2-In-One (2017) #7-12, Marvel 2-In-One Annual (2018) #1
Part 2 of the multiversal search and the fateful reunion!
Collects: Avengers (2016) #675-690
Johnny has one last Avengers adventure!
Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man Vol. 2: Most Wanted
Collects: Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man (2017) #297-300
Johnny continues to guest-star on through to the 300th issue special!
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Vol. 5: Fantastic Three
Collects: Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #25-30
Ben and Johnny team up with Yancy Street’s smartest new sensation, Lunella Lafayette!
Marvel Fresh Start: Return of the Four
Fantastic Four Vol. 1: Fourever
Collects: Fantastic Four (2018) #1-4
Dan Slott and Sara Pichelli relaunch Marvel’s First Family!
Fantastic Four Vol. 2: Mr. And Mrs. Grimm
Collects: Fantastic Four (2018) #5, Fantastic Four Wedding Special (2018) #1, Fantastic Four (1961) #8
Ben and Alicia Masters finally get married!
Fantastic Four Vol. 3: The Herald Of Doom
Collects: Fantastic Four (2018) #6-9
Doom tries to merge Galactus into a mountain and steal his resources for Latveria! Like 10 seconds after the Thing’s wedding!
Collects: War Of The Realms (2019) #1-6, War Of The Realms: Omega (2019) #1
The 4 help defend Manhattan from Malekith’s invading forces during Marvel’s 2019 event, War of the Realms!
Latest Additions:
Fantastic Four Vol. 4: Thing vs. Immortal Hulk
Collects: Fantastic Four (2018) #12 to #13, Fantastic Four: 4 Yancy Street (2019) #1, Fantastic Four: Negative Zone (2019) #1
Fantastic Four Vol. 5: Point of Origin
Collects: Fantastic Four (2018) #14 to #20
Collects: Empyre #0 Fantastic Four (2020), Fantastic Four (2018) #21 to #23, Empyre Fallout: Fantastic Four (2020) #1, Fantastic Four (2018) #24
Collects: Empyre #1 to #6
Check out CBH’s full Empyre Reading Order!
Fantastic Four Vol. 7: The Forever Gate
Collects: Fantastic Four (2018) #25 to #30
Fantastic Four Vol. 8: The Bride of Doom
Collects: Fantastic Four (2018) #31 to #35
Fantastic Four Vol. 9: Eternal Flame
Collects: Fantastic Four (2018) #36 to #39, Fantastic Four: Road Trip (2020) #1, Fantastic Four: Grimm Noir (2020) #1
Fantastic Four Vol. 10: Reckoning War Part I
Collects: Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha, Fantastic Four (2018) #40 to #42, Reckoning War: Trial of The Watcher
Fantastic Four Vol. 11: Reckoning War Part II
Collects: Fantastic Four (2018) #43 to #46
Fantastic Four by David Pepose & Juann Cabal
Collects: Fantastic Four #47 to #48
Judgement Day Tie-Ins. Check out CBH’s full Judgement Day Reading Order!
Collects: Fantastic Four: Life Story #1 to #6
Fantastic Four by Ryan North Vol. 1: Whatever Happened To The Fantastic Four
Collects: Fantastic Four (2022) #1 to #6
Fantastic Four by Ryan North Vol. 2: Four Stories About Hope
Collects: Fantastic Four (2022) #7 to #11
It would be nice to know where the Hickman books fall in terms of continuity.
The continuity obsession is real. Help!
Hi Dave, thanks for all this! Question about the Slott/Pichelli’s Fresh Start: how does that intertwine (if it does at all) with events between No Surrender and War of Realms, specifically Infinity Countdown/Wars and No Road Home? Is there any specific reading order you’d suggest? Much appreciated. TIA
Is this going to be updated for 2018? The new F4 series and also Marvel Two-In-One with Human Torch and Thing (and Doom!)
How far back inFantastic Four history would I need to go back to, to start reading so that the events / story lines of 2014 – 2015 make sense.
I haven’t read any FF since I he mid 90s and even back then I wasn’t a regular reader. I was primarily reading Spiderman back then ????
The Jonathan Hickman era (about 2009, Fantastic Four #570, plus a Dark Reign mini) is the best way to understand where the team is at, and for that matter to understand Marvel’s Secret Wars. It’s a decent commitment, but in my opinion well worth it.
Enjoy the comics!
Great thanks for the information ???? I had started reading the Dark Reign mini series until someone came up with h a suggestion ????
As I currently have a lot of time on my hands now and also have a Marvel Unlimited account , seems like I have no excuse but to dive right in ????
I’m confused, is the Waid and Wieringo run actually included in Marvel Unlimited starting at issue #60? I’m confused at the renumbering system, would be great if someone could confirm whether or not issues 60-67 are in MU.
Dave,
May also want to consider revising/ addressing Walt Simonson’s run somewhere after “Fan4 vs X-Men” (Section 2 B?). Although highly stylized those are some fun issues (& even features the “New Fantastic Four” w/Art Adams!).
Re: Inhumans #1-4. The Jenkins/Lee 12-Part is definitely an advisable alternative! The 2000 mini is a weird bit of quasi-canon, also doubling as a sort-of Marvel Universe prequel, showing the exile of J-Son of Spartax pre-Meredith Quill. Maybe it’s just easier to blame Wolverine for breaking the timestream in this case & moving on…
Awesome feedback. Love the Future Foundation “Year One” Guide.
I need to check out Simonson’s run. Admittedly I haven’t touched it, unless he wrote the issue where Doctor Doom brings Thing, Miss Thing, and Human Torch into the negative zone to find the Beyonder.
Completely forgot J-Son of Spartax was in that Inhumans mini. I don’t think I would have understood that reference at the time at all. It’s such a weirdly influential miniseries canonically for being such a mess.
Another great order! Thanks!
Quick question: Does Hickman’s run intersect much with ongoing Marvel events (Siege, Chaos War, Fear itself, Avengers vs X-Men) or can I read it straight through to Marvel NOW?
There’s a Fear Itself: FF one-shot that can be read after the first 5 issues of Hickman’s FF. Otherwise the Hickman run can go pretty much straight through.
thanks!
Yeah, Hickman’s F4/FF just barrels through so trying to find gaps to allow for other appearances is tricky, esp. tossing Spidey into the mix! Digging to the microscopic level of continuity, you literally have to allow spaces between panels & pages for them to appear in other stories.
My personal take on Future Foundation “Year One” goes like this:
FF 1 pg. 1-20
Amazing Spider-Man 658-660
FF 1 pg. 21-24, FF 2-3
FF 6-7 (self-contained flashback stories involving Black Bolt’s return in #5)
FF 4-5, 8-9 (One big story with no gap)
FF 10 pg. 1-14
Fear Itself
Spider Island
Annihilators: Earthfall 1-4 (Somehow Ronan delays his Kree invasion to attack Earth with his cosmic super-gang instead?!)
FF 10 pg. 15-20, FF 11, F4 600, FF 12, F4 601, FF 13, F4 602, FF 14, F4 603-604