Marvel Comics Partners With The Future Foundation To Present ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ In July
by Tony Thornley
In a very charming announcement, Marvel Comics has revealed a new in-universe one-shot tie-in to Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Written by Matt Fraction, drawn by Mark Buckingham and with a cover by Phil Noto, the story appears to be an in-universe adaptation of the “real world” events of the Four’s first adventure in their world. This shows how seriously Marvel is taking this one-shot and by extension the movie.
The MCU movie adaptations and tie-ins up to this point were almost entirely afterthoughts by creators who weren’t very well known. Bringing in Fraction, Buckingham and Noto is a big deal, almost as big as Marvel hiring Stan Lee and Alan Davis to adapt the first Spider-Man movie to comics. Though Buckingham has been recently working with Marvel on completing his Miracleman stories from the 80’s, this is the first time Fraction has worked with the publisher in years.
Normally, I don’t copy and paste press releases into these news announcements, but this one is so charming, I had to share below.
Check out Noto’s cover and watch for Fantastic Four: First Steps in July from Marvel Comics!
New York, NY— April 25, 2025 — This July, the Future Foundation is proud to partner with Marvel Comics to produce the first-ever authorized retelling of the Fantastic Four’s early adventures. Titled Fantastic Four: First Steps, the single-issue comic will be authored by acclaimed writer and renowned Fantastic Four expert Matt Fraction and drawn by award-winning super hero artist Mark Buckingham. The issue will hit stands just in time for the fourth anniversary of the Fantastic Four’s public debut to our world, part of a milestone celebration that’s shaping up to be the talk of the summer season!
It’s the moment that changed the world–-presented in the most brilliant medium there is! Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 is certain to be a must-have item, both for those who have looked up to this super team since they made themselves known those who might be unaware of the history behind Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and The Thing’s incredible rise to global stardom!
Four years ago, the world was transformed as an amazing cosmic-powered quartet revealed themselves and their astonishing abilities to the public! Since that time, they have become world-famous as the Fantastic Four! Now, to celebrate that anniversary, Marvel Comics recounts their very first exploit that saved our city from near destruction!
“What an honor to be asked to help celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Fantastic Four!” Fraction shared. “It was a thrill to bring their first legendary adventure to the world of comic books for the first time! It’s a story we all know by heart, but I think Magic Mark Buckingham and I have found a way to tell it as you’ve never heard or seen before — and who knows, this could be the start of something big!”
Take a look at the team in action on artist Phil Noto’s cover and be sure to ask the fine folks at your local comic shop to save you a copy of Fantastic Four: First Steps #1!
