Editing Fantastic Four (section)

==Publication history==
{{Further|Fantastic Four (comic book)}}

===Origins===
Apocryphal legend has it that in 1961, longtime [[magazine]] and [[comic book]] [[publishing|publisher]] [[Martin Goodman (publisher)|Martin Goodman]] was playing golf with either [[Jack Liebowitz]] or [[Irwin Donenfeld]] of rival company [[DC Comics]], then known as National Periodical Publications, <!-- also known as name is mentioned here because Stan Lee says "National Comics" in quote directly below this paragraph --> and that the top executive bragged about DC's success with the new superhero team the [[Justice League|Justice League of America]].<ref group=note>That DC all-star superhero team had debuted in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #28 ([[cover-date]]d Feb. 1960) before going on to its own hit title (issue #1 cover-dated Nov. 1960).</ref> While film producer and comics historian [[Michael Uslan]] has debunked the particulars of that story,<ref group=note>Uslan, in a letter published in ''Alter Ego'' #43 (December 2004), pp. 43–44, writes: "Irwin Donenfeld said he never played golf with Goodman, so the story is untrue. I heard this story more than a couple of times while sitting in the lunchroom at DC's 909 Third Avenue and 75 Rockefeller Plaza office as Sol Harrison and [production chief] Jack Adler were schmoozing with some of us&nbsp;... who worked for DC during our college summers&nbsp;... [T]he way I heard the story from Sol was that Goodman was playing with one of the heads of Independent News, not DC Comics (though DC ''owned'' Independent News). ...&nbsp;As the distributor of DC Comics, this man certainly knew all the sales figures and was in the best position to tell this tidbit to Goodman. ...&nbsp;Of course, Goodman would want to be playing golf with this fellow and be in his good graces. ...&nbsp;Sol worked closely with Independent News' top management over the decades and would have gotten this story straight from the horse's mouth."</ref> Goodman, a publishing trend-follower, aware of the JLA's strong sales, did direct his comics editor, [[Stan Lee]], to create a comic-book series about a team of superheroes. According to Lee, writing in 1974, "Martin mentioned that he had noticed one of the titles published by National Comics seemed to be selling better than most. It was a book called ''The'' {{sic}} ''Justice League of America'' and it was composed of a team of superheroes. ...&nbsp;'If the Justice League is selling', spoke he, 'why don't we put out a comic book that features a team of superheroes?'"<ref name="Origins">{{Cite book | last=Lee | first=Stan | author-link=Stan Lee | title=Origins of Marvel Comics | publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]]/[[Marvel Fireside Books|Fireside Books]]<!--Book predates publisher's change to ampersand in corporate name--> | date=September 1974|location= New York, New York| isbn=978-0-671-21863-8}}</ref>{{Rp|16}}

Lee, who had served as editor-in-chief and art director of Marvel Comics and its predecessor companies, [[Timely Comics]] and [[Atlas Comics (1950s)|Atlas Comics]], for two decades, found that the medium had become creatively restrictive. Determined "to carve a real career for myself in the nowhere world of comic books",<ref group=note>{{Cite book | last=Lee | first=Stan | author-link=Stan Lee | title=Origins of Marvel Comics | publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]]/[[Marvel Fireside Books|Fireside Books]]<!--Book predates publisher's change to ampersand in corporate name--> | date=September 1974|location= New York, New York| isbn=978-0-671-21863-8 | quote=[My wife] Joan was commenting about the fact that after 20 years of producing comics I was still writing television material, advertising copy and newspaper features in my spare time. She wondered why I didn't put as much effort and creativity into the comics as I seemed to be putting into my other freelance endeavors. ...[H]er little dissertation made me suddenly realize that it was time to start concentrating on what I was doing — to carve a real career for myself in the nowhere world of comic books.}}</ref> Lee concluded that, "For just this once, I would do the type of story I myself would enjoy reading&nbsp;... And the characters would be the kind of characters I could personally relate to: They'd be flesh and blood, they'd have their faults and foibles, they'd be fallible and feisty, and&nbsp;— most important of all&nbsp;— inside their colorful, costumed booties they'd still have feet of clay."<ref name="Origins"/>{{Rp|17}}

Lee provided one of his earliest recorded comments on the creation of the Fantastic Four for a fanzine in 1968, during which time [[penciller]] [[Jack Kirby]] was also working at Marvel. (Kirby is interviewed separately in the same publication.) When asked who conceived the team, he or Kirby, Lee responded "Both ' 'twas mainly my idea, but Jack created characters visually".<ref name="StufSaid">{{cite book |last1=Morrow |first1=John |title=Kirby & Lee: Stuf' Said! (Expanded Second Edition) |date=June 2019 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1-60549-094-6 |page=88 |edition=Second}}</ref> In the 1974 book [[Origins of Marvel Comics]] Lee described the creative process in more detail, stating that he developed the basic characters as well as a story synopsis for Jack Kirby to follow in the first issue.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lee |first=Stan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FXJlAAAAMAAJ |title=Origins of Marvel Comics |date=1974 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-0-671-21864-5 |language=en}}</ref> Lee noted the involvement of both Kirby and Publisher Martin Goodman prior to preparing his synopsis: "After kicking it around with Martin and Jack for a while I decided to call our quaint quartet the Fantastic Four.  I wrote a detailed first synopsis for Jack to follow and the rest is history."<ref name="Origins"/>{{Rp|18}} Kirby turned in his penciled art pages to Lee, who added dialogue and captions. This approach to creating comics, which became known as the "[[Marvel Method]]", worked so well that Lee and Kirby used it from then on, and the Marvel Method became standard for the company within a year.<ref name="Daniels">{{Cite book | last=Daniels | first=Les | author-link=Les Daniels | title=Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics | publisher=[[Abrams Books|Harry N. Abrams]]| year=1993|location= New York, New York|isbn=0-8109-8146-7}}</ref>{{Rp|87}}

Kirby recalled events somewhat differently. In a 1970 Fanzine interview he confirmed Lee's involvement in the creation of the Fantastic Four but took credit for the main characters and ideas, stating "It was my idea. It was my idea to do it the way it was; my idea to develop it the way it was. I'm not saying Stan had nothing to do with it. Of course he did. We talked things out."<ref name="Rockets Blast Comic Collector">{{cite book |title=Rockets Blast Comic Collector 81 |date=1970 |publisher=GB Love}}</ref> Years later, when specifically challenged with Lee's version of events in a 1990 interview, Kirby responded: "I would say that's an outright lie",<ref name="GG">{{Cite journal | last=Groth | first=Gary | title=Interview III: 'I've never done anything halfheartedly' | journal=[[The Comics Journal]] | issue=134|publisher=Fantagraphics Books |date=February 1990|location= Seattle, Washington}} Reprinted in {{Cite book | editor-last=George | editor-first=Milo | title=The Comics Journal Library Volume 1: Jack Kirby | publisher=Fantagraphics Books | date=May 2002|location= Seattle, Washington | isbn=1-56097-434-6}}</ref>{{Rp|39}} although the interviewer, [[Gary Groth]], notes that this statement needs to be viewed with caution.<ref group=note>Groth explains in his 2002 introduction to the interview that Kirby's state of mind needs to be taken into consideration when evaluating certain statements within the interview. Kirby was involved in an acrimonious dispute with Marvel Comics regarding the return of his artwork, and his relationship with Lee had deteriorated, in part due to this dispute but also due to Lee's public statements through the years, which Kirby saw as diminishing his role. Groth states: "Lee's contribution is a matter for endless speculation, but most observers and historians consider Kirby's claims here to be excessive."</ref> Kirby claims he came up with the idea for the Fantastic Four in Marvel's offices, and that Lee merely added the dialogue after the story was pencilled.<ref name="GG"/>{{Rp|38}} Kirby also sought to establish, more credibly and on numerous occasions, that the visual elements of the strip were his conceptions. He regularly pointed to a team he created for rival publisher DC Comics in the 1950s, the [[Challengers of the Unknown]]. "[I]f you notice the uniforms, they're the same&nbsp;... I always give them a skintight uniform with a belt&nbsp;... the Challengers and the FF have a minimum of decoration. And of course, the Thing's skin is a kind of decoration, breaking up the monotony of the blue uniform."<ref>{{Cite interview | last=Kirby | first=Jack | subject-link=Jack Kirby | interviewer=Tim Skelly | title=Interview II: 'I created an army of characters, and now my connection to them is lost' | publisher=[[WNUR-FM]]|location= Evanston, Illinois| work=The Great Electric Bird | date=May 14, 1971}} Transcribed and published in ''The Nostalgia Journal'' #27. Reprinted in George, ''The Comics Journal Library''.</ref>{{Rp|4}} It is important to note, however, that the Fantastic Four wore civilian garb instead of uniforms, which were only introduced (along with the Baxter Building Headquarters) in the third issue of the series following readership feedback.<ref name="JackStanFanTwoMorrows">{{cite book |last1=Wells |first1=John |title=American Comic Book Chronicles 1960-64 |date=January 2015 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1-60549-045-8 |pages=74–75}}</ref> The original submitted design was also modified to include the iconic chest insignia of a "4" within a circle that was designed by Lee.<ref>{{cite journal|last= Thomas|first= Roy|date= August 2011|title= Clothes Make the Man – and the Super-hero Team!|journal= [[Alter Ego (magazine)|Alter Ego]]|issue= 104| page= 14|publisher= [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|location= Raleigh, North Carolina|quote= Stan himself at some point played around by drawing a number of possible chest insignias, as seen at left, before settling on the simple number '4' in a circle ...}}</ref>

Given the conflicting statements, outside commentators have found it hard to ascertain who created the Fantastic Four. A typed synopsis by Lee for the introductory segment of the first Fantastic Four issue exists and outlines the characters and their origins, with various minor differences to the published version. However Earl Wells, writing in ''The Comics Journal'', points out that its existence does not assert its place in the creation: "[W]e have no way of knowing of whether Lee wrote the synopsis after a discussion with Kirby in which Kirby supplied most of the ideas".<ref name="WE">{{Cite journal | last=Wells | first=Earl | title=Once and For All, Who Was the Author of Marvel | journal=The Comics Journal | issue=181 | date=October 1995|location= Seattle, Washington}} Reprinted in George, ''The Comics Journal Library''.</ref>{{Rp|78}}

It is also notable that the Fantastic Four's first adventure in 1961 depicts a team of four adventurers (three men and a woman) led by a professor travelling to the Earth's center and encountering giant monsters while contending with a human antagonist who is also from the surface world.<ref name="JackStanFan FF1">{{cite book |last1=Lee |first1=Stan |last2=Kirby |first2=Jack |title=Fantastic Four Volume 1 Number 1 |date=November 1962 |publisher=Canam Publishers Sale Corp |pages=26–32}}</ref> Although neither Lee nor Kirby ever mentioned the 1959 film ''[[Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959 film)|Journey to the Center of the Earth]]'' as a direct inspiration, publisher Martin Goodman was well known for following popular entertainment trends to attract sales in his comics line.<ref name="JackStanFan">{{cite book |last1=Van Lente |first1=Fred |last2=Dunlavey |first2=Ryan |title=The Comic Book History of Comics |date=2012 |publisher=IDW |isbn=978-1613771976 |pages=102–103}}</ref>

Comics historian [[R. C. Harvey]] believes the Fantastic Four was a continuation of the work Kirby previously did, and so "more likely Kirby's creations than Lee's".<ref name="RC">{{Cite journal | last=Harvey | first=R. C. | author-link=R. C. Harvey | title=What Jack Kirby Did | journal=The Comics Journal | issue=167 | date=April 1994|location= Seattle, Washington}} Reprinted in George, ''The Comics Journal Library''.</ref>{{Rp|69}} But Harvey notes that the [[Marvel Method]] of collaboration allowed each man to claim credit,<ref name="RC"/>{{Rp|68}} and that Lee's dialogue added to the direction the team took.<ref name="RC"/>{{Rp|69}} Wells argues that Lee's contributions set the framework within which Kirby worked, and this made Lee "more responsible".<ref name="WE"/>{{Rp|85}} Comics historian [[Mark Evanier]], a studio assistant to Jack Kirby in the 1970s, says that the considered opinion of Lee and Kirby's contemporaries was "that ''Fantastic Four'' was created by Stan and Jack. No further division of credit seemed appropriate."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Evanier|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Evanier| title=Kirby: King of Comics|publisher=[[Abrams Books]]|year=2008|location= New York, New York| isbn=978-0-8109-9447-8}}</ref>{{Rp|122}}

===1961–1970s===
The release of ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|The Fantastic Four]]'' #1 (Nov. 1961) was an unexpected success. Lee had felt ready to stop working on comics at the time, but the positive response to ''Fantastic Four'' persuaded him to continue with comic books.<ref name="century"/> The title began to receive fan mail<ref>{{cite book|editor-last1 = DeFalco|editor-first1 = Tom|author-link = Tom DeFalco|editor-last2= Gilbert|editor-first2= Laura|chapter= 1960s|title = Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|year = 2008|location= London, United Kingdom|page = 84|isbn =978-0756641238|quote= It did not take long for editor Stan Lee to realize that ''The Fantastic Four'' was a hit...the flurry of fan letters all pointed to the FF's explosive popularity.}}</ref> and Lee started printing the letters in a letter column with issue #3. Also with the third issue, Lee created the hyperbolic slogan "The Greatest Comic Magazine in the World!!" With the following issue, the slogan was changed to "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine!" and became a fixture on the issue covers into the 1990s,<ref name="Daniels"/>{{Rp|87}} and on numerous covers in the 2000s.

Issue #4 (May 1962) reintroduced [[Namor|Namor the Sub-Mariner]],<ref>DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 86: "Stan Lee and Jack Kirbuy reintroduced one of Marvel's most popular Golden Age heroes – Namor, the Sub-Mariner."</ref> an aquatic [[antihero]] who was a star character of Marvel's earliest iteration, [[Timely Comics]], during the late 1930s and 1940s period that historians and fans call the [[Golden Age of Comic Books|Golden Age of Comics]]. Issue #5 (July 1962) introduced the team's most frequent nemesis, [[Doctor Doom]].<ref>DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 86: "The introduction of Dr. Doom signaled a slight shift in direction for Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. At last they were moving away from their monster-book formulas to embrace the super hero genre. Dr. Doom was their first real attempt to create an enduring super villain."</ref> These earliest issues were published bimonthly. With issue #16 (July 1963), the cover title dropped its ''The'' and became simply ''Fantastic Four''. In ''Fantastic Four'' #19 (October 1963), [[Stan Lee]] announced that [[Mister Fantastic|Reed Richards]] would remain leader of the group, due to an overwhelming fan response in the affirmative (93.47%). Stan's comment of ''{{'}}Nuff Said'' would from here become an ongoing phrase in Lee's communications with fans.<ref>[https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-stan-lee-fantastic-four-nuff-said/ Cronin, Brian, ''When Did Stan Lee First Use 'Nuff Said' In a Comic Book?'', CBR.com, May 29, 2019.]</ref>

While the early stories were complete narratives, the frequent appearances of these two antagonists, Doom and Namor, in subsequent issues indicated the creation of a long narrative by Lee and Kirby that extended over months. According to comics historian [[Les Daniels]], "only narratives that ran to several issues would be able to contain their increasingly complex ideas".<ref name="Daniels"/>{{Rp|88}} During its creators' lengthy run, the series produced many acclaimed storylines and characters that have become central to Marvel, including the hidden race of alien-human genetic experiments, the [[Inhumans]];<ref>{{cite web | first= Brian|last= Cronin|url= http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/09/18/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-261/|title= A Year of Cool Comics – Day 261|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date= September 18, 2010|access-date= September 29, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101123190418/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/09/18/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-261/|archive-date=November 23, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DeFalco111">DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 111: "The Inhumans, a lost race that diverged from humankind 25,000 years ago and became genetically enhanced."</ref> the [[Black Panther (character)|Black Panther]],<ref>{{cite web |first= Brian|last= Cronin|url= http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/09/19/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-262/|title= A Year of Cool Comics – Day 262|website=Comic Book Resources|date= September 19, 2010| access-date= September 29, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110708181411/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/09/19/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-262/|archive-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> an African king who would be mainstream comics' first black superhero;<ref>DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 117: Stan Lee wanted to do his part by creating the first black super hero. Lee discussed his ideas with Jack Kirby and the result was seen in ''Fantastic Four'' #52.</ref> the rival alien races the [[Kree]] and the shapeshifting [[Skrull]]s;<ref name="DeFalco84">DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 84: "The second issue of the increasingly popular ''The Fantastic Four'' introduced the shapeshifting Skrulls, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...Like the 1956 sci-fi mmovie ''The Invasion of the Body-Snatchers'', Lee and Kirby tapped into a fear that gripped the U.S. at this time: the fear that Russian spies were infiltrating society."</ref> Him, who would become [[Adam Warlock]];<ref>DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 124: "Adam Warlock was an artificial being created by scientists to be the first of an invincible army. Simply referred to as "Him' in his early appearances, Warlock later rebelled against his creators in ''Fantastic Four'' #66."</ref> the [[Negative Zone]] and [[unstable molecules]]. The story frequently cited as Lee and Kirby's finest achievement<ref>{{Cite book|last=Thomas|first=Roy| title=Stan Lee's Amazing Marvel Universe|publisher=[[Sterling Publishing]]|location=New York, New York|year=2006|contribution=Moment 29: The Galactus Trilogy | pages=112–115 | isbn=978-1-4027-4225-5}}</ref><ref name="kirbycollector1">{{Cite journal | last=Hatfield | first=Charles | title=The Galactus Trilogy: An Appreciation | journal=The Collected Jack Kirby Collector | volume=1 | page=211 | date=February 2004}}</ref> is the three-part "[[The Galactus Trilogy|Galactus Trilogy]]" that began in ''Fantastic Four'' #48 (March 1966), chronicling the arrival of [[Galactus]], a cosmic giant who wanted to devour the planet, and his herald, the [[Silver Surfer]].<ref>{{cite web |first= Brian|last= Cronin|url= http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/02/19/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-50/| title= A Year of Cool Comics – Day 50|website=Comic Book Resources|date= February 19, 2010|access-date= September 29, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100504111741/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/02/19/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-50/|archive-date=May 4, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 115: "Stan Lee may have started the creative discussion that culminated in Galactus, but the inclusion of the Silver Surfer in ''Fantastic Four'' #48 was pure Jack Kirby. Kirby realized that a being like Galactus required an equally impressive herald."</ref> ''Fantastic Four'' #48 was chosen as #24 in the 100 Greatest Marvels of All Time poll of Marvel's readers in 2001. Editor [[Robert Greenberger]] wrote in his introduction to the story that, "As the fourth year of the Fantastic Four came to a close, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby seemed to be only warming up. In retrospect, it was perhaps the most fertile period of any monthly title during the Marvel Age."<ref>{{cite book|editor-last = Greenberger|editor-first = Robert|title = 100 Greatest Marvels of All Time|publisher = Marvel Comics|date = December 2001|page = 26}}</ref> Daniels noted that "[t]he mystical and metaphysical elements that took over the saga were perfectly suited to the tastes of young readers in the 1960s", and Lee soon discovered that the story was a favorite on college campuses.<ref name="Daniels"/>{{Rp|128}} The ''Fantastic Four Annual'' was used to spotlight several key events. The Sub-Mariner was crowned king of [[Atlantis (Marvel Comics)|Atlantis]] in the first annual (1963).<ref>DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 95</ref> The following year's annual revealed the origin story of Doctor Doom.<ref>DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 103: "''Fantastic Four Annual #2'' revealed that Dr. Doom had been a college classmate of Reed Richards."</ref> ''Fantastic Four Annual'' #3 (1965) presented the wedding of Reed Richards and Sue Storm.<ref>DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 110: "Having seen them together as a couple since ''Fantastic Four'' #1, the fans couldn't wait for the wedding of Sue Storm and Reed Richards."</ref> Lee and Kirby reintroduced the [[Human Torch (android)|original Human Torch]] in ''Fantastic Four Annual'' #4 (1966) and had him battle Johnny Storm.<ref>DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 119</ref> Sue Richards' pregnancy was announced in ''Fantastic Four Annual'' #5 (1967), and the Richards' son, [[Franklin Richards (character)|Franklin Richards]] was born in ''Fantastic Four Annual'' #6 (1968)<ref name="DeFalco133">DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 133: "November [1968] saw the birth of Franklin Richards, the son of Reed and Sue."</ref> in a story which introduced [[Annihilus]] as well.<ref name="DeFalco133b">DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 133: "Annihilus first encountered humanity when Mr. Fantastic, the Human Torch, and the Thing entered the Negative Zone in search of anti-matter particles."</ref>

Marvel filed for a [[trademark]] for "Fantastic Four" in 1967 and the [[United States Patent and Trademark Office]] issued the registration in 1970.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://trademark.markify.com/trademarks/uspto/fantastic+four/72276841|title= Fantastic Four|publisher= Markify|access-date= May 28, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165738/http://trademark.markify.com/trademarks/uspto/fantastic+four/72276841|archive-date= March 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kirby left Marvel in mid-1970,<ref>[[Peter Sanderson|Sanderson, Peter]] "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 144: "In 1970, [the Silver Age of comic books] began its end with the departure of artist Jack Kirby...marking the end of the most creative period in Marvel history."</ref> having drawn the first 102 issues plus an unfinished issue, partially published in ''Fantastic Four'' #108, with alterations, and later completed and published as ''Fantastic Four: The Lost Adventure'' (April 2008), ''Fantastic Four'' continued with Lee, [[Roy Thomas]],<ref>Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 157: "September [1972] witnessed a new generation taking command at Marvel Comics. Roy Thomas not only became writer of 'The World's Greatest Comic Magazine' with ''Fantastic Four'' #126, but also simultaneously became Marvel's Editor-in-Chief."</ref> [[Gerry Conway]] and [[Marv Wolfman]] as its consecutive regular writers, working with artists such as [[John Romita Sr.]], [[John Buscema]], [[Rich Buckler]] and [[George Pérez]], with longtime inker [[Joe Sinnott]] adding some visual continuity. [[Jim Steranko]] also contributed some covers during this time. A short-lived series starring the team, ''Giant-Size Super-Stars'', began in May 1974 and changed its title to ''Giant-Size Fantastic Four'' with issue #2.<ref>Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 165</ref> The fourth issue introduced [[Jamie Madrox]], a character who later became part of the [[X-Men]].<ref>Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 168: "New Marvel writer Chris Claremont and artist John Buscema introduced Madrox the Multiple Man, a mutant who could duplicate his own body over and over."</ref> ''Giant-Size Fantastic Four'' was canceled with issue #6 (Oct. 1975).<ref>{{gcdb series|id= 2169|title= Giant-Size Fantastic Four}}</ref> Roy Thomas and George Pérez crafted a [[metafiction]]al story for ''Fantastic Four'' #176 (Nov. 1976) in which the [[Impossible Man]] visited the offices of Marvel Comics and [[List of comics creators appearing in comics|met numerous comics creators]].<ref>Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 176: "In a venture into metafictional comedy, the mischievous Impossible Man visited the Marvel offices, where he met his creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, as well as the collaborators on his current story, writer Roy Thomas and artist George Pérez."</ref> Marv Wolfman and [[Keith Pollard]] crafted a multi-issue storyline involving the son of Doctor Doom which culminated in issue #200 (Nov. 1978).<ref>{{cite journal|last = Martini|first = Frank|title = Marv Wolfman's Bicentennial Battles|journal = [[Back Issue!]]|issue = 69|pages = 44–47|publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|date = December 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]] joined the title with issue #209 (Aug. 1979), doing pencil breakdowns for Sinnott to finish. He and Wolfman introduced a new herald for Galactus named [[Terrax|Terrax the Tamer]] in #211 (Oct. 1979).<ref>Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 190: "Created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist John Byrne, Terrax would not only become a threat to the Fantastic Four but also Galactus himself."</ref>

===1980s and 1990s===
[[Bill Mantlo]] briefly followed Wolfman as writer of the series and wrote a crossover with ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man|Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man]]'' #42 (May 1980).<ref>{{cite book|editor-last1 = Manning|editor-first1 = Matthew K.|editor-last2= Gilbert|editor-first2= Laura|chapter= 1980s|title = Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|year = 2012|location= London, United Kingdom|page = 113|isbn = 978-0756692360|quote= In the conclusion to a tale that had begun in the pages of ''Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man'' #42 (May), writer [Bill] Mantlo and artist John Byrne had the latest incarnation of the Frightful Four face off against their Fantastic counterparts}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic| writer= [[Bill Mantlo|Mantlo, Bill]]|penciller= [[Mike Zeck|Zeck, Mike]]|inker= [[Jim Mooney|Mooney, Jim]]|story= Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!|title= [[The Spectacular Spider-Man|Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man]]|issue= 42|date= May 1980}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic| writer= Mantlo, Bill|penciller= [[John Byrne (comics)|Byrne, John]]|inker= [[Joe Sinnott|Sinnott, Joe]]|story= When A Spider-Man Comes Calling!|title= Fantastic Four|issue= 218|date= May 1980}}</ref> Byrne wrote and drew a giant-sized Fantastic Four promotional comic for [[Coca-Cola]], which was rejected by Coca-Cola as being too violent and published as ''Fantastic Four'' #220–221 (July–Aug. 1980) instead.<ref name="Back38">{{cite journal| last= Powers|first= Tom|date= February 2010|title= John Byrne's Fantastic Four: The World's Greatest Family Magazine!|journal= Back Issue!|issue= 38|pages= 3–22|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> Writer [[Doug Moench]] and penciller [[Bill Sienkiewicz]] then took over for 10 issues. With issue #232 (July 1981), the aptly titled "Back to the Basics",<ref>DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 200: "John Byrne went back to basics with the ''Fantastic Four'' and evoked the title's early days of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby."</ref> Byrne began his run as writer, penciller and inker, the last under the [[pseudonym]] Bjorn Heyn for this issue only.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/issue/35487/|title=GCD :: Issue :: Fantastic Four #232 [Direct Edition]|website=Comics.org}}</ref>

Byrne revitalized the slumping title with his run.<ref name="Wright"/>{{Rp|265}} Byrne was slated to write with Sienkiewicz providing the art however, Sienkiewicz left to do ''[[Moon Knight]]'', and Byrne subsequently became writer, artist, and inker. Various editors were assigned to the comic; eventually [[Bob Budiansky]] became the regular editor. Byrne told [[Jim Shooter]] that he could not work with Budiansky, although they ultimately continued to work together. In 2006, Byrne said "that's my paranoia. I look back and I think that was Shooter trying to force me off the book". Byrne left following issue #293 (Aug. 1986) in the middle of a story arc, explaining he could not recapture the fun he had previously had on the series.<ref>{{Cite book | last=Cooke | first=Jon B. |author2=Eric Nolen-Weathington | title=Modern Masters Volume Seven: John Byrne | publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing | year=2006|location= Raleigh, North Carolina| pages=42–44 | isbn=978-1-893905-56-6}}</ref> One of Byrne's changes was making the Invisible Girl into the Invisible Woman:<ref>DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 221: "After freeing herself from the Psycho-Man's control, Susan changed her name from the Invisible Girl to the Invisible Woman."</ref> assertive and confident. During this period, fans came to recognize that she was quite powerful, whereas previously, she had been primarily seen as a superpowered mother and wife in the tradition of television moms like those played by [[Donna Reed]] and [[Florence Henderson]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://fantasticfour.ugo.com/?cur=jessica-alba&gallery=true|title= Jessica Alba – Fantastic Four Girls|publisher= [[UGO]]|access-date= March 6, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080406003917/http://fantasticfour.ugo.com/?cur=jessica-alba&gallery=true|archive-date=April 6, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Byrne staked new directions in the characters' personal lives, having the married Sue Storm and Reed Richards suffer a miscarriage and the Thing quitting the Fantastic Four, with [[She-Hulk]] being recruited as his long-term replacement. He also re-emphasized the family dynamic which he felt the series had drifted away from after the Lee/Kirby run, commenting that, "''[[Family]]''—and not ''[[dysfunctional family]]''—is the central, key element to the FF. It is an absolutely vital dynamic between the characters." [emphases in original]<ref name="Back38"/>

Byrne was followed by a quick succession of writers: [[Roger Stern]], [[Tom DeFalco]], and [[Roy Thomas]]. [[Steve Englehart]] took over as writer for issues 304–332 (except #320). The title had been struggling, so Englehart decided to make radical changes. He felt the title had become stale with the normal makeup of Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny, so in issue #308 Reed and Sue retired and were replaced with the Thing's new girlfriend, [[Sharon Ventura]], and Johnny Storm's former love, Crystal. The changes increased readership through issue #321. At this point, Marvel made decisions about another Englehart comic, ''[[West Coast Avengers (comic book)|West Coast Avengers]]'', that he disagreed with, and in protest he changed his byline to S.F.X. Englehart (S.F.X. is the abbreviation for Simple Sound Effects). In issue #326, Englehart was told to bring Reed and Sue back and undo the other changes he had made. This caused Englehart to take his name entirely off the book. He used the pseudonym John Harkness, which he had created years before for work he didn't want to be associated with. According to Englehart, the run from #326 through his last issue, #332, was "one of the most painful stretches of [his] career."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.steveenglehart.com/Comics/Fantastic%20Four%20304-321.html |title=''Fantastic Four'' 304–332 |last=Englehart |author-link=Steve Englehart |first=Steve |website=SteveEnglehart.com |pages=1–3 |access-date=March 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319012324/http://www.steveenglehart.com/comics/Fantastic%20Four%20304-321.html |archive-date=March 19, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Writer-artist [[Walt Simonson]] took over as writer with #334 (December 1989), and three issues later began [[penciller|pencilling]] and [[inker|inking]] as well. With brief inking exceptions, two fill-in issues, and a three-issue stint drawn by [[Arthur Adams (comics)|Arthur Adams]],<ref name="Manning252">Manning, Matthew K. "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 252: "Spider-Man, the Hulk, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider were tricked into forming a new Fantastic Four...Written by Walter Simonson with art by Arthur Adams, this new FF found themselves locked in battle with the Mole Man."</ref><ref>Cowsill, Alan "1990s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 186: "Take Spidey, Ghost Rider, Wolverine, and the Hulk, add a script by Walt Simonson and illustrations by Art Adams, and the result is one of the best Marvel comics of the decade."</ref> Simonson remained in all three positions through #354 (July 1991).

Simonson, who had been writing the team comic ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'', had gotten approval for Reed and Sue to join that team after Engelhart had written them out of ''Fantastic Four''. Yet by ''The Avengers'' #300, where they were scheduled to join the team, Simonson was told the characters were returning to ''Fantastic Four''. This led to Simonson quitting ''The Avengers'' after that issue. Shortly afterward, he was offered the job of writing ''Fantastic Four''. Having already prepared a number of stories involving the Avengers with Reed and Sue in the lineup, he then rewrote these for ''Fantastic Four''. Simonson later recalled that working on ''Fantastic Four'' allowed him the latitude to use original Avengers members [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]] and [[Iron Man]], which he had been precluded from using in ''The Avengers''.<ref>{{Cite book | last=Nolen-Weathington | first=Eric | title=Modern Masters Volume Eight: Walter Simonson | publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing | year=2006|location= Raleigh, North Carolina| page=66 | isbn=978-1-893905-64-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ILopomw3UpMC&q=%22fantastic+four%22+Steve+Englehart&pg=PA65}}</ref>

After another fill-in, the regular team of writer and Marvel editor-in-chief [[Tom DeFalco]], penciller [[Paul Ryan (cartoonist)|Paul Ryan]] and inker Dan Bulanadi took over, with Ryan self-inking beginning with #360 (Jan. 1992). That team, with the very occasional different inker, continued for years through #414 (July 1996). DeFalco nullified the Storm-Masters marriage by [[retroactive continuity|retconning]] that the alien Skrull Empire had kidnapped the real Masters and replaced her with a spy named [[Lyja]]. Once discovered, Lyja, who herself had fallen for Storm, helped the Fantastic Four rescue Masters. Ventura departed after being further mutated by Doctor Doom. Although some fans were not pleased with DeFalco's run on ''Fantastic Four'', calling him "The Great Satan", the title's sales rose steadily over the period.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12309|title= Brand New (May) Day: DeFalco talks ''Amazing Spider-Girl''|last= Manning|first= Shaun|date= January 15, 2008|website=Comic Book Resources|access-date= March 10, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131019204901/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12309|archive-date= October 19, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fantasticfourheadquarters.co.uk/blog/tom-defalco-interview|title=Blog Posts|website=Fantasticfourheadquarters.co.uk|access-date=2019-02-22|archive-date=2019-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223074158/http://www.fantasticfourheadquarters.co.uk/blog/tom-defalco-interview|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Other key developments included Franklin Richards being sent into the future and returning as a teenager; the return of Reed's time-traveling father, Nathaniel, who is revealed to be the father of time-travelling villain [[Kang the Conqueror]] and Reed's apparent death at the hands of a seemingly mortally wounded Doctor Doom.<ref>Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 265: "In this issue penned by Tom DeFalco and penciled by Paul Ryan, Dr. Doom...managed to lure Reed Richards to him and seemingly ended both of their lives"</ref> It would be two years before DeFalco resurrected the two characters, revealing that their "deaths" were orchestrated by the supervillain [[Hyperstorm]].

The ongoing series was canceled with issue #416 (Sept. 1996) and relaunched with vol. 2 #1 (Nov. 1996) as part of the multi-series "[[Heroes Reborn (1996 comic)|Heroes Reborn]]" [[Crossover (comics)|crossover]] story arc. The yearlong volume retold the team's first adventures in a more contemporary style,<ref>Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 280: "Jim Lee both wrote and drew this Heroes Reborn relaunch title with the help of fellow scripter Brandon Choi."</ref> and set in a parallel universe. Following the end of that experiment, ''Fantastic Four'' was relaunched with vol. 3 #1 (Jan. 1998). Initially by the team of writer [[Scott Lobdell]] and penciller [[Alan Davis]],<ref>Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 288: "Writer Scott Lobdell rearranged his X-schedule to try his hand at writing a different team of Marvel heroes in this new Heroes Reborn series. It was drawn by Alan Davis."</ref> it went after three issues to writer [[Chris Claremont]] (co-writing with Lobdell for #4–5) and penciller [[Salvador Larroca]]; this team enjoyed a long run through issue #32 (Aug. 2000).

===2000s===
Following the run of Claremont, Lobdell and Larroca, [[Carlos Pacheco]] took over as penciller and co-writer, first with [[Rafael Marín]], then with Marín and [[Jeph Loeb]]. This series began using dual numbering, as if the original ''Fantastic Four'' series had continued unbroken, with issue #42 / #471 (June 2001). At the time, the Marvel Comics series begun in the 1960s, such as ''[[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]'' and ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'', were given such dual numbering on the front cover, with the present-day volume's numbering alongside the numbering from the original series. After issue #70 / #499 (Aug. 2003), the title reverted to its original vol. 1 numbering with issue #500 (Sept. 2003).

[[Karl Kesel]] succeeded Loeb as co-writer with issue #51 / #480 (March 2002), and after a few issues with temporary teams, [[Mark Waid]] took over as writer with #60 / 489 (October 2002) with artist [[Mike Wieringo]] with Marvel releasing a promotional variant edition of their otherwise $2.25 debut issue at the price of nine cents US.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/fantfou6.htm#S462|publisher=  The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators|title= ''Fantastic Four'' (III) (1998–2003)}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic| writer= [[Mark Waid|Waid, Mark]]|penciller= [[Mike Wieringo|Wieringo, Mike]]|inker= [[Karl Kesel|Kesel, Karl]]|story= Inside Out|title= Fantastic Four|volume= 3|issue= 60|date= October 2002}}</ref> Pencillers [[Mark Buckingham (comic book artist)|Mark Buckingham]], Casey Jones, and Howard Porter variously contributed through issue #524 (May 2005), with a handful of issues by other teams also during this time. Writer [[J. Michael Straczynski]] and penciller [[Mike McKone]] did issues #527–541 (July 2005 – Nov. 2006), with [[Dwayne McDuffie]] taking over as writer the following issue, and [[Paul Pelletier]] succeeding McKone beginning with #544 (May 2007).

As a result of the events of the "[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]" company-crossover storyline, the [[Black Panther (character)|Black Panther]] and [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]] temporarily replaced Reed and Susan Richards on the team. During that period, the Fantastic Four also appeared in ''Black Panther'',<ref>{{cite book|last = Hudlin|first = Reginald|author-link = Reginald Hudlin|author2=Portela, Francis|title = Black Panther: Four the Hard Way|publisher = Marvel Comics|year = 2007|page = 120|isbn = 978-0785126553}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last = Hudlin|first = Reginald|author2=Portela, Francis|title = Black Panther: Little Green Men |publisher = Marvel Comics|year = 2008|page = 96|isbn = 978-0785126577}}</ref> written by [[Reginald Hudlin]] and pencilled primarily by Francis Portela. Beginning with issue #554 (April 2008), writer [[Mark Millar]] and penciller [[Bryan Hitch]] began what Marvel announced as a sixteen-issue run.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/120286510850855.htm |title=Mark Millar: Tripping the Light Fantastic|first= Sean|last= Boyle|publisher= [[Comics Bulletin]]|date= February 12, 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080515215816/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/120286510850855.htm|archive-date=May 15, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=11167|title= WWC: Mark Millar is the New ''Fantastic Four''-Man|first= Dave|last= Richards|date= August 11, 2007|website=Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140521092533/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=11167|archive-date= May 21, 2014|url-status=live|access-date= May 26, 2013}}</ref> Following the summer 2008 crossover storyline, "[[Secret Invasion]]", and the 2009 aftermath "[[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]", chronicling the U.S. government's assigning of the Nation's security functions to the seemingly reformed supervillain [[Green Goblin|Norman Osborn]], the Fantastic Four starred in a five-issue [[miniseries]], ''Dark Reign: Fantastic Four'' (May–Sept. 2009), written by [[Jonathan Hickman]], with art by [[Sean Chen (artist)|Sean Chen]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/dreign.htm#S568|publisher=  The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators|title= ''Dark Reign: Fantastic Four''}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Zack |url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/010912-Hickman.html |title=Jonathan Hickman – Secret Warriors, the FF and More |work=[[Newsarama]] |date=January 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110034440/http://www.newsarama.com/1925-jonathan-hickman-secret-warriors-the-ff-and-more.html |archive-date=November 10, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last= Richards|first= Dave|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20040|title= The Osborn Supremacy: Fantastic Four|website=Comic Book Resources|date= February 13, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130624110200/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20040|archive-date= June 24, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Hickman took over as the series regular writer as of issue #570 with Dale Eaglesham<ref>{{cite comic| writer= [[Jonathan Hickman|Hickman, Jonathan]]|penciller= [[Dale Eaglesham|Eaglesham, Dale]]|inker= Eaglesham, Dale|story= Solve Everything Part One|title= Fantastic Four|issue= 570|date= October 2009}}</ref> and later Steve Epting on art.

===2010s===
In the storyline "Three", which concluded in ''Fantastic Four'' #587 ([[cover date]] March 2011, published January 26, 2011), the [[Human Torch]] appears to die stopping a horde of monsters from the other-dimensional [[Negative Zone]]. The series ended with the following issue, #588, and relaunched in March 2011 as simply ''FF''.<ref name="JohnnyDeath1">{{cite news |last=Ching |first=Albert |url=http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/01/25/associated-press-spoils-fantastic-four-587-hours-before-comic-goes-on-sale/ |title=Associated Press Spoils ''Fantastic Four'' #587 Hours Before Comic Goes on Sale |work=Newsarama |date=January 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616160700/http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/01/25/associated-press-spoils-fantastic-four-587-hours-before-comic-goes-on-sale/ |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="JohnnyDeath2">{{cite news |last=Ching |first=Albert |url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/hickman-fantastic-four-587-110125.html |title=Hickman Details ''Fantastic Four'' #587's Big Character Death |work=Newsarama |date=January 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921171546/http://www.newsarama.com/6902-hickman-details-fantastic-four-587-s-big-character-death.html |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Moore |first=Matt |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/25/after-half-century-its-1-fantastics-farewell/?page=all |title=After Half Century, It's 1 Fantastic's Farewell |publisher=Associated Press via [[The Washington Post]] |date=January 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610193054/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/25/after-half-century-its-1-fantastics-farewell/?page=all |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The relaunch saw the team assume a new name, the [[Future Foundation]], adopt new black-and-white costumes, and accept longtime ally [[Spider-Man]] as a member.<ref name="ElectricPrimate">{{cite web |last=Khouri |first=Andy |url=http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/02/09/fantastic-four-FF-new-costumes-spider-man/ |title=Fantastic Four Get a New Name, New Costumes and an Old Spider-Man |website=ComicsAlliance.com |date=February 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824112129/http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/02/09/fantastic-four-FF-new-costumes-spider-man/ |archive-date=August 24, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hanks |first=Henry |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/02/10/spiderman.ff.go/index.html?hpt=C2 |title=Spider-Man replacing Human Torch on new 'FF' team |publisher=CNN |date=February 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211073959/http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/02/10/spiderman.ff.go/index.html?hpt=C2 |archive-date=February 11, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Cowsill "2010s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 336: "In a hologram left for Reed, [Johnny Storm] urged his teammates to continue their work, and to replace him on the team with Spider-Man."</ref> In October 2011, with the publication of ''FF'' #11 (cover-dated Dec. 2011), the ''Fantastic Four'' series reached its 599th issue.

In November 2011, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fantastic Four and of Marvel Comics, the company published the 100-page ''Fantastic Four'' #600 (cover-dated Jan. 2012),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/issue/899879/|title=GCD :: Issue :: Fantastic Four #600|website=Comics.org}}</ref> which returned the title to its original numbering and featured the return of the Human Torch. It revealed the fate of the character of Johnny Storm after issue #587, showing that while he did in fact die, he was resurrected to fight as a gladiator for the entertainment of Annihilus. Storm later formed a resistance force called Light Brigade and defeated Annihilus.<ref name="FF600" />

Although it was launched as a continuation of the ''Fantastic Four'' title, ''FF'' continues publication as a separate series. Starting with issue #12, the title focuses upon the youthful members of the Future Foundation, including Franklin and Valeria Richards.

In the graphic novel ''Fantastic Four: Season One'', the Fantastic Four is given an updated origin story set in the present day instead of the 1960s.<ref name="nyt-20120311">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2012-03-11/hardcover-graphic-books/list.html |title=Best Sellers – ''The New York Times'' – Hardcover Graphic Books |date=March 11, 2012 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=May 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521063607/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2012-03-11/hardcover-graphic-books/list.html |archive-date=May 21, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The hardcover compilation debuted at number four on [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''The New York Times'' Best Seller list]] for graphic novels.<ref name="nyt-20120311"/>

As part of [[Marvel NOW!]] ''Fantastic Four'' ended with #611, ending Jonathan Hickman's long run on ''FF'' titles, and the title was relaunched in November 2012 with the creative team of writer [[Matt Fraction]] and artist [[Mark Bagley]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://marvel.com/news/story/19200/marvel_now_qa_fantastic_four |title=Marvel NOW! Q&A: ''Fantastic Four'' |first=Jim |last=Beard |date=August 13, 2012 |publisher=Marvel Comics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511144455/http://marvel.com/news/story/19200/marvel_now_qa_fantastic_four |archive-date=May 11, 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=42363|title= Fraction Celebrates Marvel's First Families in ''Fantastic Four'' & ''FF''|first= Dave|last= Richards|date= November 27, 2012|website=Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130512074944/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=42363|archive-date= May 12, 2013|url-status=live|access-date= May 26, 2013}}</ref> In the new title with its numbering starting at #1, the entire Fantastic Four family explore space together, with the hidden intent for Reed Richards to discover why his powers are fading.

Writer [[James Robinson (writer)|James Robinson]] and artist [[Leonard Kirk]] launched a new ''Fantastic Four'' series in February 2014 ([[cover date]]d April 2014).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=49246|title= James Robinson Ushers in a New Era for the ''Fantastic Four''|first= Dave|last= Richards|date= November 20, 2013|website=Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140429060419/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=49246|archive-date= April 29, 2014|url-status=live|quote= These questions and more will be explored in an all-new volume of ''Fantastic Four'' by writer James Robinson and artist Leonard Kirk, which kicks off in February.}}</ref>

Robinson later confirmed that ''Fantastic Four'' would be cancelled in 2015 with issue #645, saying that "The book is reverting to its original numbers, and the book is going away for a while. I'm moving towards the end of ''Fantastic Four''. I just want to reassure people that you will not leave this book with a bad taste in your mouth."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=56241|title= NYCC: Marvel's Axel-In-Charge Panel Reveals ''Fantastic Four'' Fate, New ''Ant-Man'' and More|first= Albert|last= Ching|date= October 12, 2014|website=Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150928124025/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=56241|archive-date= September 28, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In the aftermath of the "[[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)|Secret Wars]]" storyline, the Thing is working with the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Human Torch is acting as an ambassador with the Inhumans.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/10/14/more-secrets-from-all-new-all-different-marvel-human-torch-and-rogue-really/|title= More Secrets From All-New All-Different Marvel – Human Torch And Rogue? Really?|first= Rich|last= Johnston|date= October 14, 2015|publisher= Bleeding Cool|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151015132106/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/10/14/more-secrets-from-all-new-all-different-marvel-human-torch-and-rogue-really/|archive-date= October 15, 2015|url-status=live|quote= The Thing has joined the Guardians Of The Galaxy amidst cosmic wordplay between Rocket Raccoon and the Kitty Pryde Starlord. While the Human Torch has joined the Uncanny Avengers, and we already know is getting down with Inhuman Queen Medusa.}}</ref> With Franklin's powers restored and Reed having absorbed the power of the Beyonders from Doom, the Richards family is working on travelling through and reconstructing the multiverse,<ref>{{cite comic| writer= Hickman, Jonathan|penciller= Ribić, Esad|inker= Ribić, Esad|story= Beyond|title= Secret Wars|issue= 9|date= March 2016}}</ref> but Peter Parker has purchased the Baxter Building to keep it "safe" until the team is ready to come back together.<ref>{{cite comic|writer= [[Dan Slott|Slott, Dan]]|penciller= [[Giuseppe Camuncoli|Camuncoli, Giuseppe]]|inker= [[Cam Smith (artist)|Smith, Cam]]|story= Friendly Fire|title= [[The Amazing Spider-Man]]|volume= 4|issue= 3|date= January 2016}}</ref>

A new volume for the Fantastic Four was released in August 2018, written by [[Dan Slott]], as part of Marvel's [[Fresh Start (comics)|Fresh Start]] event.<ref>[https://news.marvel.com/comics/86780/fantastic-four-return/ THE FANTASTIC FOUR RETURN] -Marvel.com</ref><ref>[https://www.newsarama.com/39277-marvel-s-fantastic-four-are-back-sort-of.html Marvel's FANTASTIC FOUR Are Back] -Newsarama</ref> The first issue of the new series was met with strong sales,<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.comicsbeat.com/comixology-sales-charts-fantastic-four-2-lands-big-catwoman-2-goes-splat-week-of-8-8-18/|title=Comixology Sales Charts: Fantastic Four #2 Lands Big, Catwoman #2 Goes Splat – Week of 8.8.18|first=Todd|last=Allen|date=13 August 2018|website=Comicsbeat.com}}</ref> and a positive critical reaction.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/08/06/advance-review-fantastic-four-1-spoilers/|title=Advance Review: Fantastic Four #1 - Managed Expectations [Spoilers]|website=Bleedingcool.com|date=6 August 2018 |access-date=10 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/comics/2018/8/8/17661880/new-fantastic-four-comic-dan-slott-marvel|title=The Fantastic Four have returned — but where have they been?|first=Kieran|last=Shiach|date=8 August 2018|website=Polygon.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbookroundup.com:443/comic-books/reviews/marvel-comics/fantastic-four-(2018)/1|title=Fantastic Four #1 Reviews|website=ComicBookRoundup.com}}</ref> When the Future Foundation is threatened by the Griever at the End of All Things, Mister Fantastic plays on her ego to convince her to provide him with equipment that will allow him to summon his teammates. When Human Torch and Thing are reunited with Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman, the other superheroes that were part of the Fantastic Four at some point in their lives also arrived, including, unexpectedly, [[X-Men]]'s [[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman]].<ref>''Fantastic Four'' Vol. 6 #2. Marvel Comics.</ref> With the gathered heroes assisted the Fantastic Four into causing so much damage to the Griever's equipment, she is forced to retreat in her final telepod or be trapped in that universe. This left the heroes to salvage components from the broken ship to create their own teleport system to return to their universe.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' Vol. 6 #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> The Fantastic Four and their extended family returned to Earth where they find that [[Liberty Legion|Liberteens]] members Ms. America, 2-D, Hope, and Iceberg have come together as the Fantastix with Ms. America taking the codename of Ms. Fantastix. Following the staged bank robbery that the [[Wrecking Crew (comics)|Wrecking Crew]] committed and their involvement of being hired to humiliate the Fantastix in public, the Fantastic Four gave the Fantastix their blessing to continue using the Baxter Building while the FF operate in a house on Yancy Street with a dimensionally-transcendental interior.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Fantastic Four'' Vol. 6 #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

In the storyline ''Point of Origin'', the Fantastic Four entrust Alicia, H.E.R.B.I.E., Franklin and Valeria to protect Earth while they begin their mission to learn a further origin of the cosmic radiation that granted them their powers in the first place, piloting a new space ship called Marvel-2.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' Vol. 6 #14. Marvel Comics.</ref> While in the middle of a space adventure to find the origin, the Fantastic Four are attacked by a group who believed themselves to be the superheroes of Planet Spyre, the [[Unparalleled (comics)|Unparalleled]]. Reed and Sue are separated from the Thing, Human Torch is revealed to be the soulmate of the Unparalleled member named Sky, and they learn that the Unparalleled's leader and the Overseer of Planet Spyre, Revos, was responsible for the cosmic rays that struck the team on their original trip, as he wanted to stop them coming to his planet. Revos subsequently mutated his people to "prepare for their return" before trying to eradicate the mutates{{efn|In Marvel comics, the term "mutate" is used as a noun to designate characters that received superpowers from an external source, as opposed to Marvel's [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutants]].}} who are unable to retain their original forms in the same manner as the Thing, accusing the mutates of being "villains and imperfects"; as a result, through his own paranoia and [[xenophobia]], the Overseer himself is responsible for the fateful creation of the Fantastic Four and mutated his entire race to face a non-existent threat.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' Vol. 6 #15-17. Marvel Comics.</ref> Revos challenges Mr. Fantastic to a fight over their differences, until it is settled and they finally made peace. As the Fantastic Four are about to depart Spyre after helping its citizens clean up the Planet (as well as Reed providing the mutates with a variation of the temporary 'cure' he has created for Ben), Skye join them to learn about Earth and every unseen galaxy.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' Vol. 6 #18-20. Marvel Comics.</ref> When the [[Incoming! (comics)|incoming]] Kree-Skrull [[Empyre]] occur at the same time as teen heroes are being [[Outlawed (comics)|outlawed]], the original Fantastic Four went to space with Avengers to stop this Empyre, leaving Franklin and Valeria being backed by Spider-Man and Wolverine to defend Earth.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' Vol. 6 #21. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===2020s===
In August 2022, Marvel announced that writer [[Ryan North]] and artist Iban Coello would launch a new volume of Fantastic Four in November of that year after Slott had concluded his run on the title with issue #46.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/fantastic-four-1-2022-ryan-north-iban-coello-new-era | title=A New Era of 'Fantastic Four' Begins with Ryan North & Iban Coello }}</ref>