If you’re a superhero fan, how could you not get excited for the recent news regarding casting for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most eagerly anticipated upcoming film: Fantastic Four?
It’s safe to say that the MCU has stalled since the Avengers: Endgame (2019) when they closed the chapter on Phase Three of the film series and began laying the ground for where we are now: a sort of mushy middle ground. Really, ten films and a plethora of Disney+ miniseries into Phase Four and Five and it feels like the MCU doesn’t know what direction it’s headed.
But that’s why all attention (and hope) has turned to the MCU’s most anticipated sci-fi franchise.
Fantastic Four, the first family of the Marvel Comics universe, is heralded as the savior of the MCU film series. Earlier this month, fans of the movies and the comics got their first taste of what’s to come in theatres across the globe with the casting of fan favourite Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (the Thing).
Go on, go salivate! This is exciting stuff!
The casting news, coupled with more recent rumours that Daniel Craig might be lined up to portray the villainous Victor Von Doom (Doctor Doom) in the Fantastic Four film has immediately breathed new life into what had become a somewhat lifeless MCU franchise.
Suddenly, movie fans can get enthusiastic about what’s to come! Again!
But never forget that the Fantastic Four began their pop culture origins in comic books. And Marvel Comics, eager to use the film fanfare to their print advantage, is reminding readers of that very fact today!
Today, we get the release of Giant-Size Fantastic Four #1 – a biggie-sized tribute to the “Giant-Size” format, the Fantastic Four characters, and their comic book adventures to come!
Written by longtime Marvel Comics scribe and author Fabian Nicieza (New Warriors, Thunderbolts, Cable, Deadpool, X-Force, X-Men) and illustrated by the acclaimed Creees Lee (The Invincible Iron Man, Tiger Division) , the one-shot Giant-Size Fantastic Four #1 is a deliciously overstuffed 50th anniversary tribute to all the Marvel Comics “Giant Size” issues that were first published in the 1970s.
Giant-Size Fantastic Four #1 follows last month’s release of Giant-Size Spider-Man #1 and precedes a host of Giant-Size titles to come. The title’s aim is to give readers a glimpse of the revelations, storylines, and potential future direction of everyone’s favourite heroes. Teasers, if you will! Here, in the pages of Giant-Size Fantastic Four #1, we’ll be reminded of the imprisoned Namor, disgraced King of Atlantis and the rise of Natlus, the long-hidden secret of that underwater realm. After thousands of years, he has been awakened – and this ancient ruler will claim his throne! Only the Fantastic Four, Marvel’s First Family can intervene on the behalf of the good and just!
Backing up this main story is a reprint of Fantastic Four #33, a classic FF story by legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, originally published in 1961, where the team meets up and fights alongside Namor!
Catch the hype! Learn about the Fantastic Four in advance of their essential MCU film engagement or whet your appetite for the astounding Fantastic Four adventures to come within the pages of their monthly comic books!
In either case, make the run to your local comic book shop and pick up Giant-Size Fantastic Four #1 today!
