Where does a fan start with the history of The Fantastic Four? In almost every way, the new Matt Shakman film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is a perfect introduction to the world and rich history of the beloved superpowered family. Created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee and debuting for the first time in 1961, The Fantastic Four redefined superhero team-ups, science fiction in comic books, and the world of Marvel forever.
And, if you’re interested in exploring the real first steps of The Fantastic Four, you can do no better than a just-released, utterly beautiful new omnibus collection of the best of the early 1960s run, published by The Folio Society. For longtime fans, or fans who want to get a sense of why these first Fantastic comics were so pivotal, the Fantastic Four new 2025 slipcase hardcover, edited by Jonathan Lethem, is an incredible book, and also, a gorgeous piece of art.
