Marvel's Fantastic Four: The Best Time to Start Reading

We may have crowned Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri’s *The Ultimates* as the *Best Comic Book Series or Original Graphic Novel of 2024*, but there’s no denying that *Fantastic Four* was a strong contender. The series, under the pen of writer Ryan North and his talented collaborators, has been resurrected to its former glory. With the upcoming release of *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* in theaters, Marvel clearly aims to capture a broader audience this summer.

Marvel plans to relaunch *Fantastic Four* in July, but rest assured—Ryan North remains on board. The new volume pairs North with artist Humberto Ramos (*The Amazing Spider-Man*). Together, they will weave new adventures for Marvel’s First Family, navigating the aftermath of the *One World Under Doom* crossover and facing unexpected journeys through time.

To learn more about the new series and how it offers an easy entry point for both seasoned fans and newcomers, IGN spoke with North via email. Before diving into the details, take a look at an exclusive preview of the first issue in the gallery below, and then read on to discover how the new volume explores the FF not just as a family, but as friends.

Fantastic Four #1: Exclusive Preview Gallery

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Renumbering the series might seem odd given that its writer is staying and the direction isn’t drastically changing, but for North, the reasoning is straightforward. With a new Fantastic Four movie on the horizon, Marvel is seizing the opportunity to make the comic more inviting to potential new readers.

“Comics have this incredible ability to expand,” North explains. “There are millions of people who don’t read comics, believing they aren’t for them. They’re wrong! There are tons of comics out there that are perfect for them, but they just haven’t found them—or perhaps they don’t feel invited. Especially in superhero comics, where every book has a number, people might think they have to start with number one. It can be a real hurdle. By offering a new #1, the hope is that if someone sees the movie and loves it, they’ll feel encouraged to dive into the comics.”

The biggest change in the new series comes with Humberto Ramos joining as the artist. North shares that he and Ramos have been collaborating closely for quite some time.

“We were fortunate enough to meet and discuss the characters over breakfast at San Diego Comic-Con before he began working on this series,” North recalls. “Humberto is incredibly creative and generous, always eager to refine ideas and bring them to life with energy and excitement. People are going to love what he’s been creating, and it’s been tough sitting on all this amazing artwork without sharing it yet.”

Ramos’ reputation for swift artistic output gives North a significant advantage. Knowing Ramos will consistently handle the art allows North to tailor his scripts specifically for the artist, enhancing the synergy between writing and illustration.

“I’ve worked with many fantastic artists on *Fantastic Four*, but often I’m so far ahead with scripting that I don’t know who the artist will be when I write the issue,” North notes. “Writing knowing the artist allows me to craft something that blends both of our visions. With Humberto on board for so long, it’s been fantastic to write specifically for him issue after issue.”

While a new #1 issue helps, North’s *Fantastic Four* run has always been relatively easy to join midstream. Each issue typically stands alone while contributing to a larger narrative—a structure reminiscent of *Rick and Morty*. Does this approach change with the relaunch?

“Not really, but I’m using it as a chance to lean harder into the overarching narrative!” North replies. “Each issue will still stand alone, offering a complete story, but I’m dialing up the scope and scale of the larger tale. I’m not altering the essence—it’s still the same delicious recipe, just with a touch more spice.”

North expressed a desire to emphasize the FF as friends rather than just family. What does this mean on the page?

“It’s a subtle distinction, but I adore my friends, and I wanted to tell stories about people in long-term relationships who didn’t have to be together but chose to be,” North says. “That’s not unlike family, where you’re born into it but must work to sustain those bonds. In the Fantastic Four, only two members, Johnny and Sue, are initially family. Yet they all choose each other, forming something stronger than blood ties. That’s beautiful and fascinating to explore.”

Relaunching the series this summer poses a challenge, as the Marvel Universe is deeply involved in the *One World Under Doom* crossover. North confirms the new series won’t ignore this event but will use it as a foundation for a bold Doctor Doom story.

“Relaunching is tricky,” North admits. “We want a new #1 that’s accessible to new readers but also acknowledges the ongoing crossover. The first arc is a Doom story, giving the FF a chance to fix everything he’s done. It’s a big, sci-fi concept that sets the stage for more wild ideas.”

A major development in *One World Under Doom* saw Doom curing Ben Grimm of his rocky condition, showcasing his superiority over Reed Richards. However, the preview art suggests Ben is back to being The Thing in the new series. Will the relaunch address this twist?

“We’ll resolve this in the final moments of the previous run, ensuring no unresolved threads at the start of the new series,” North reveals. “I aim to make it welcoming for newcomers, keeping essential backstory minimal. The Fantastic Four have decades of history, but I want everyone to feel included, regardless of their starting point.”

*Fantastic Four* #1 releases on July 9, shortly before *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* hits theaters. Here’s the solicitation for *Fantastic Four* #2:

FANTASTIC FOUR #2

Written by RYAN NORTH
Art and Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS

Sue Storm finds herself stranded in the distant future, the sole survivor on a desolate Earth. Can she return home before meeting her demise? Meanwhile, Reed Richards waits in Earth’s past for a rescue that may never come—unless their bond transcends time itself.

Back in the present, Doom unveils the secret to his invincibility, transforming every defeat into victory. How will the FF counter this new invulnerability?

On Sale 8/13.

In other news, the movie also features a prequel comic exploring the origins of Pedro Pascal’s Reed and his family. It’s one of the first comics to connect directly to the MCU.