Who Are the Fantastic Four?

It all started with a scientific mission to outer space. A few cosmic rays later and the Fantastic Four were born.

The year was 1961, and the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union was in full effect. Coupled with the success of DC Comics' super team, the Justice League of America, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby developed the soon to be beloved staples of the Marvel Universe, "Mr. Fantastic" Reed Richards, the "Invisible Woman" Sue Storm, the "Human Torch" Johnny Storm, and "The Thing" Ben Grim, who are the members of the fantastic four.

The fearsome foursome became an instant success garnering the slogan that appeared across the top of the books "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine" for years to come. People ate up these four universal adventurers and their wacky powers. And with its success new, and old, characters were constantly introduced, like Namor the Sub-Mariner and famed arch rival of the FF, Doctor Doom in issues four and five respectively.

And of course, as we all know, the success of the Fantastic Four propelled their series beyond 500 issues and garnered two modestly well received movies (not to mention a not-so-well received one many years prior). The relationships of the team would evolve and change. Reed Richards would marry Sue Storm, and they would sire a child named Franklin, who would become one of the most powerful mutants on the planet.

The Fantastic Four were also at the center of almost every alien invasion in the Marvel Universe, which speaks of their own cosmic origin, and leads into the current hot story line, "Secret Invasion".

The team members of the Fantastic Four haven't always stayed consistent either. Several times there were substitutes or entirely new teams causing people to wonder "who are the members of the fantastic four?" But it would always come full circle, even through the recent events of Civil War, where Reed and Sue’s marriage was in jeopardy.

The Fantastic Four may not be the coolest thing going, and the franchise garners a very polarized opinion among comic fans, being either that of complete adoration or complete hatred. But no one can deny the popularity of these four that fully represent the familial aspect of the Marvel Universe as a whole. And no one can deny the success Marvel has had in print, film and television with these iconic characters that will forever be known as Marvel's First Family.

Author Bio

Follow the exploits of rockers DEMON TWEAK and the racing clan HARD DRIVING HEROES, as they battle the evil trickster Loki. Also read articles on your favorite classic comic book heroes written by our resident historian VIRGIL THE STORYTELLER.