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For the third time in cinematic history (fourth if you count a failed attempt), the Fantastic Four are headed to the big screen in the MCU's The Fantastic Four: First Steps. With this movie, cast Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach plus director Matt Shakman, will be not only kickstarting the sixth phase in the sprawling cinematic universe, but they'll also be working six decades of comic book history into a single story. So one has to wonder: where are they getting their inspiration?

We have to assume it's from the very best of the best in terms of Marvel's First Family history, and in order to curate a similar reading experience to the one they likely had, Popverse has put together this list of the Best Fantastic Four Comics Ever Published. Enjoy!

10. Fantastic Four #1-6

Whatever Happened to the Fantastic Four?

Not only are we living in a time where the FF get to shine on the big screen, but we're also currently in the midst of an excellent span of FF comics! That's the current run Marvel is publishing by Ryan North and original artists Iban Coello and Ivan Fiorelli. The saga begins with some strange, Twilight Zone-y stuff going down in NYC and the Fantastic Four split up across the country. Will they reunite to save their home?

Yes, obviously. But it's how they do it that's the cool part.

9. Fantastic Four #262

The Trial of Reed Richards

Galactus is a seemingly constant presence in the wild lives of the Fantastic Four, and usually, it's as their adversary. However, this story written and drawn by legendary Marvel artist (and X-men staple) John Byrne sees Galactus on the side of the FF after Reed Richards chose to save his life a couple issues back. But while Galactus is happy about not having been wiped from existence, the rest of the universe's alien life is less pleased...

8. Fantastic Four #236

Terror in a Tiny Town

Speaking of John Byrne, this single-issue story from 1981 is one of the best examples of a story that's been tackled a few times over the course of the FF's history. That is, a story that gives the FF the hope of having a "normal life." Constantly barraged by the public and endlessly responsible for stopping world-shattering events, the FF in this issue are seduced into believing that they're living in a quiet town called Liddleville, where the stressors of their existence are just a dream.

Well, I'll leave you to guess who's responsible.

7. Fantastic Four #84-87

The Name is Doom! - The Power and the Pride!

You're going to see Jack Kirby and Stan Lee's names a couple times on this list, so better get used to it now. Our first entry bearing those esteemed names is a bit of international espionage, as the FF get trapped in Latveria while working for S.H.I.E.L.D.. There's so much here that makes up the building blocks of what will become Dr. Doom's world, including a Latverian citizen's revolt. 

6. Fantastic Four #544-550

Reconstruction

Drawn by Paul Pelletier and written by Justice League TV scribe (and comic book legend) Dwayne McDuffie, this storyline sees the Fantastic Four recovering from the events of milestone storyline Civil War. In case you didn't know, the First Family was actually split on the whole "superhero registration" thing, and seeing them try to mend those wounds is a punch to the gut. However, because it's McDuffie, there's some excellent humor in this title to break up the heartache.

5. Fantastic Four 1234

Look, I'm a sucker for anything with Grant Morrison's name on it, and if you're reading this, chances are you are too. Now put original Sentry artist Jae Lee on art and you have a story that should be floating higher and higher on your "to read" list. This story features an especially dark and especially powerful Doom, plus a very steamy Sue/Namor situation. And at just four issues, it won't take you long to binge.

4. Fantastic Four #337-352

Into the Time Stream! - It Ain't Funny How Time Slips Away!

Walt Simonson may be known for his landmark run on Thor (or for the real ones out there, his incredible run on Orion for DC), but his time with the FF is, in this writer's opinion, just as deserving of praise. These are F stories as they're meant to be told - big sci-fi concepts that drive emotional family stories. Also, it's from this run that we get the "substitute" Fantastic Four in Ghost Rider, Wolverine, Hulk, and Spider-Man. 

3. Fantastic Four #1-10

The Fantastic Four! - The Return of Doctor Doom!

Oh come on, you had to know that the original Fantastic Four comics were going to be high up on this list! Not only does every one of these still hold up as strange sci-fi exploration fare, they pretty much laid the groundwork for not just the FF but for the Marvel universe in general. The only reason these Kirby and Lee issues aren't even higher on this list is that this run will get even better soon - as we'll get to momentarily.

2. Fantastic Four #67-70, #500-511

Unthinkable 

Before we get into this story, a quick word on the seminal Mark Waid/Mike Weiringo run of FF. In 1996, Marvel rebooted the FF run with a new issue #1. However, as a landmark overall issue of the comic approached, they decided to return to the original numbering, in order to get a "Fantastic Four #500" on shelves. That's why the numbering above is so weird.

Now, as to why you should be reading this run - as we talked about in our Best Superman Comics Ever list, writer Mark Waid does some of the best adapting of Silver Age characters to modern storytelling in the comics sphere, and this run is no exception. Weird concepts, some great family drama, and a Doctor Doom that's more evil than any previous incarnation make this one a FF run for the books.

1. Fantastic Four #48-53 

The Coming of Galactus - The Way It Began...!

If the original Fantastic Four issues were the groundwork of the Marvel U, these six simple comics are its first floor. Within these pages the FF meet the Silver Surfer, have their divine conflict with the being Galactus, and travel to Wakanda where they (and the reader) will meet the Black Panther for the first time. Sixty years later, these concepts have conjured not just a billion-dollar industry but a globe-spanning fanbase who pour their hearts and livelihoods into these stories. These six stories aren't just comics that built their own world - they're comics that forever changed ours.

Get ready for what's next with our guide to upcoming comics, how to buy comics at a comic shop, and our guide to Free Comic Book Day 2025.