Fantastic Four Week: Ranking Members Of The Fantastic Four

For a team of four heroes, the Fantastic Four has had a surprisingly deep roster. We wanted to take a look at the members of the Four’s core cast, and decide who are the greatest.

16. Namor

Frankly, he only joined the team in a period where Reed Richards was assumed dead, and Sue Richards was wearing a fairly revealing costume. Given his constant romantic interest in Sue, it’s pretty easy to see why he joined.

15. Medusa

Medusa of the Inhumans is a great character. She’s also unfortunately just a stand-in for other characters when she’s joined the team. She’s better as the regal queen of the Inhumans than as a support role for the Four.

14. Sharon Ventura

Sharon had the potential to be one of the greats. Unfortunately, she just really didn’t get the character development to fully step into the light. It’s a shame she’s never made a full comeback, as her background could make for some fascinating stories.

13. Ant-Man

Scott Lang is great. He’s been a substitute member of the Four more than once. The only time it really, truly worked though was when he led the substitute team during the Matt Fraction/Mike Allred run. He doesn’t quite have the science background to work as a “great” member of the Four.

12. Storm

Ororo Munroe joined the Four temporarily alongside her then-husband T’Challa. She was interesting as a temporary member of the Four, but the frankly aimless direction she had in the time period just really didn’t help. She never felt like more than a temp that would eventually end up back with the X-Men.

11. Black Panther

T’Challa is probably the best temporary leader of the Four. He’s only this low because he was obviously a temp from the beginning, and that never gave him time to develop into the team. Plus, he never added any sort of “4” logo to his costume, and that makes him a little less cool around this time.

10. Crystal

Now, here’s where we start to get serious. For one, Crystal’s on and off relationship with Johnny Storm gives her a strong connection with the rest of the Four that none of the previous entries truly had. Her powers- based around the classical elements of earth, wind, fire and water- makes her much more complementary to the rest of the team than most other subs (I mean, if you think about it, Reed, Ben, Sue and Johnny are just the four elements themselves). Prior to 2011, she was really the only Inhuman who got enough development to be interesting. She’s a great substitute member of the Four that doesn’t get used enough.

9. Lyja Laserfist

Lyja was a temporary member around the same time as Namor. Her redemption arc- from Skrull spy to trusted ally and teammate- made her interesting. Like Crystal, she’s a character that could be a lot more interesting alongside the Four if she was used more. She’s also a great example of how Johnny’s love interests could be incredibly additive to the team… if they could just settle on someone long-term.

8. Wolverine

Logan only made it onto the list because he stepped in alongside Spider-Man during the Empyre crisis (there’s a reason I’m not including Hulk or Ghost Rider on this list). He’s been and continues to be a great ally to the Four, and actually stepped up fantastically (sorry) during that crossover. He actually fit in really well and he got a great Fantastic Four costume for his time.

7. Franklin & Valeria Richards

Look, it’s just a matter of time before Franklin and Val join the team full-time (though thanks to the sliding timeline, we’ll probably never see it). Both of them have even had time-travelling versions of themselves as members. It’s a matter of legacy that we’ll eventually see fulfilled the more they develop and grow.

6. Mr. Fantastic

Reed Richards is the founder of the team. He’s their key science problem-solver. His stretching abilities are key in their adventures and exploration. He’s just slipped this low because he’s often disconnected, aloof and dismissive of his family. Several writers- especially Waid and Hickman- have helped redeem him from those moments, but intentional or not, he just keeps his family at arm’s length too often- and when you can stretch your arm as long as he can, that’s a problem.

5. Spider-Man

Peter Parker has the science background to blend into the team. The Four are like a second family to him. He’s stepped up alongside them and stepped in for missing members more than once, including an extended period while Johnny was assumed dead. He’s even been an official fifth member of the team in multiple alternate timelines. He’s practically a member, and always will be.

4. She-Hulk

Jen Walters was the first substitute member that really stuck. She’s almost always the first call the team makes when they need a stand-in, and except in cases where she’s an active Avenger, she always answers the call. She’s just as intelligent as her comrades, just in a unique way. She’s probably Marvel’s most under-rated heroine, and deserves her spot on this list.

3. Human Torch

Johnny Storm is the literal little brother of the team. He’s also the comic relief. However, he’s also a key member in more than just his power set. His levity often helps keep their adventures grounded. He’s frequently a voice of reason in the room. He ensures that the high minded scientific concepts are brought down to a layman’s level. And in an important and often forgotten element, he’s a mechanical genius, adding a dimension to the team that’s much needed.

2. Invisible Woman

Without Sue Storm-Richards, the Fantastic Four falls apart. She ensures that they remember that they’re a family. She’s arguably the team’s leader, balancing her intelligence (don’t forget, she’s also a doctor) with the common sense, empathy and instincts the team needs. People also forget how much of a powerhouse her force-field ability, rivaled only by Johnny’s abilities to manipulate temperature.

1. The Thing

Ben Grimm is the most monstrous of the Four, and that makes him the most human. His humanity is what makes him crucial to the Four, reminding them all that their fantastic abilities have a cost. Despite the tragedy of his lost humanity, he’s also the team’s greatest hero, acting selflessly no matter what the situation. He has the strongest ties to the broader Marvel Universe, and he never quits, even in the face of impossible odds. He’s not just the greatest member of the Fantastic Four, he’s one of the Marvel Universe’s greats as well and perhaps the most human.