Congratulations to Marvel’s First Family! Fantastic Four #600 is released today. The 50th Anniversary of The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine. Thanks to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for giving us Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny. I guess we should thank them for Doctor Doom too. A great super team deserves a great villain.

Comics, cartoons or movies – the Fantastic Four have entertained us for decades. If you haven’t picked up an issue in a while, here’s an update on our heroes.

SPOILER WARNING:

 

 

 

Johnny Storm apparently sacrificed himself to stop an invasion from the Negative Zone. Spider Man joined the team. Reed renamed the group the Future Foundation.

Spider Man is just the latest in the long line of guest members including Storm, Black Panther and She-Hulk. Reed, Sue, Ben, Johnny, their extended family and Johnny and Ben’s girlfriends have been through cosmic clashes and emotional dramas.

One of my all time favorite covers is Fantastic Four #236. This was the 20th Anniversary issue drawn by John Byrne. Not since the early days of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby has a creator captured the spirit of the Fantastic Four than John Byrne on his epic run.

Jonathan Hickman is now chronicling the FF with innovative concepts but always staying true to the core of what makes this book great. The Fantastic Four is always about big adventure and family.

Happy Anniversary!  Here’s to another 50 years (and maybe a new movie?)