If you’re a fan of superheroes, you may have asked yourself if the Fantastic Four is part of Marvel or DC Comics.
It’s an understandable question; Marvel and DC produce some of the most popular superhero comics, TV shows, and movies.
Whether you’re a comic book fan or not, you may wonder if the Fantastic Four are part of Marvel or DC Comics.
After all, the Fantastic Four is one of the most iconic superhero teams in modern popular culture.
To answer your question—yes, the Fantastic Four is part of Marvel Comics and has been since 1961!
Let’s examine why this beloved superhero team is associated with Marvel rather than DC.
The Origins Of The Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four was created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Sol Brodsky and first appeared in 1961.
It is widely regarded as one of Marvel’s most important titles and has been adapted into several films, video games, and television shows.
The team consists of the following personas:
- Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards)- Ioan Gruffudd
- Invisible Woman (Sue Storm)- Jessica Alba
- Human Torch (Johnny Storm)- Chris Evans
- The Thing (Ben Grimm)- Michael Chiklis
Together, they use their special powers to protect Earth from various threats.
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four are superheroes in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
The group made its début in The Fantastic Four #1 (cover-dated November 1961), which helped introduce a new degree of realism to the genre.
With this book, artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby and editor/co-plotter Stan Lee established a collaborative method for writing comics.
It was the first superhero team they ever created.
The Fantastic Four have been portrayed as a loving but sometimes dysfunctional family since their debut in 1961.
In contrast to comic stereotypes, the members quarreled, harbored serious and trivial grievances, and shunned obscurity or secret identities in favor of fame.
They are particularly well-known for their frequent run-ins with antagonistic Doctor Doom, a.k.a. Victor von Doom, planet-devouring Galactus, vicious Kree Empire enforcer Ronan the Accuser, Negative Zone ruler Annihilus, sea-dwelling prince Namor, space-traveling Silver Surfer, and Skrull warrior Kl’rt, among others.
Four animated series and live-action movies have been made based on The Fantastic Four Film.
The Impact Of The Fantastic Four On Marvel
The introduction of the Fantastic Four was a major event for Marvel Comics, as it marked the beginning of its “Silver Age” period.
During this time, brand-new superheroes were invented, and old superheroes got fresh stories that resonated with readers more than ever.
In addition to launching its Silver Age, Marvel also launched its version of an interconnected universe with characters from different titles crossing paths and interacting with each other regularly—an idea known as “shared continuity” that would define modern comic books.
The success of this approach can be largely attributed to Stan Lee’s work on The Fantastic Four and other titles such as Spider-Man and X-Men, which further cemented Marvel’s place in pop culture history.
Who Will Direct Fantastic Four MCU?
Matt Shakman, the director of WandaVision, will serve as the director of the Fantastic Four movie, Marvel said at the D23 Expo in September.
Jon Watts (known for Spider-Man: Homecoming, Far From Home, and No Way Home) was initially set to direct the film, but he left the project in April.
What Should Be The Plot Of The Upcoming Film?
The film’s plot is mainly unknown, but Marvel Studios Chief Kevin Feige told The Hollywood Reporter in July that it won’t concentrate on the Fantastic Four’s early years.
He told the entertainment outlet, “A lot of people know this genesis tale. A lot of people know the foundations. How can we take that and create something that they’ve never seen before?”
That will put Fantastic Four in a position similar to Spider-Man: Homecoming from 2017, which went over Peter Parker’s incredibly well-known origin story instead of concentrating on establishing his supporting cast and place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
When Is The Release Date Of The Fantastic Four Movie?
The new Fantastic Four iteration is scheduled to hit theaters on February 14, 2025.
No other information has been revealed about the project, but it’s expected to be a part of Marvel Studio’s Phase Five plans.
DC vs. Marvel
Marvel Comics and DC Comics are the biggest names in comic books. While both companies have distinct universes populated with marvel heroes like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wonder Woman, Captain America, and so on, their universes remain separate.
That means that while characters like Superman may appear alongside Batman in a DC comic book, they won’t appear in a Marvel title soon.
So Is Fantastic Four Marvel or DC?
The answer is simple—the Fantastic Four is a Marvel property through and through! They were created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Sol Brodsky for Marvel Comics in 1961, making them part of the expansive Marvel Universe.
There have been crossovers between the Fantastic Four and other popular Marvel characters such as Spider-Man, Wolverine, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, Black Panther—the list goes on!
Conclusion
The Fantastic Four have been an integral part of Marvel Comics since their inception in 1961, becoming some of the most beloved and iconic characters in the Marvel Universe.
From their original comic books to animated series, live-action movies, and beyond, few super teams can match the legacy of Marvel’s First Family.
The upcoming Fantastic Four movie will be released in 2025 and will be a thrilling addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The film will give fans further insight into this storied team of superheroes and their unique place in the Marvel Universe—and hopefully provide some new insights into the often misunderstood relationship between Marvel and DC Comics.
So there you have it—despite being initially developed for DC Comics, The Fantastic Four ultimately found their home at Marvel Comics, where they helped launch one of the most influential eras in comics history.
So if you ever wonder if the Fantastic Four is from DC or Marvel—now you know!
