Marvel Celebrates 65 Years Of The Fantastic Four With An Oversized Anniversary Issue And A Topsy-Turvy Trip Through Time

Comics

by Jay Cochran
April 22, 2026

Safety is not guaranteed as writer Ryan North and Humberto Ramos celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Fantastic Four�s debut in 1961�s FANTASTIC FOUR #1 with an oversized issue #15 that takes readers and the team on a thrilling adventure back and forth through time. The quartet (and Johnny�s facial hair) will be pushed to their limits as they spiral across eras of their own history with no hope of returning home unless a total stranger can help them return to the present, where a deadly threat awaits them.

The Fantastic Four first appeared in the pages of FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #1 by co-creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby which provided the launching pad for the modern Marvel Universe. Over the next 65 years, hundreds of talented creators would take the reins of the World�s Greatest Comics Magazine, with North and Ramos being the latest pair to showcase the team�s indomitable bond and adventurous spirit against threats including Emperor Doom, The Invincible Woman, and more.

�Fantastic Four is a comic that matters like few others in the medium, so it's been a real honour to get to write both our 700th issue, and now this, our 65th anniversary special,� explains writer Ryan North. �For this oversized issue we tell a story that runs across time - in two directions at once - while also getting to see the true effect the Fantastic Four have had on their world, and each other. It's got sci-fi, it's got relationships, it's got thrills and chills and fun and adventure and... wait, it says here it's also got a major turning point in Johnny's moustache? That can't be right, can it??�

"To commemorate the Fantastic Four�s 65th year of publication, Ryan North and Humberto Ramos are taking the team back in time�both figuratively and literally!� adds executive editor Tom Brevoort. �And because this is an anniversary issue, the story will also incorporate some classic moments by key FF creators of the past, including Jack Kirby, John Buscema, John Byrne and Steve Epting�all seen with a new wrinkle added. It�s the sort of mind-bending adventure that fans have come to expect from this award-winning creative team, and the sort of story that will help keep the series exciting and innovative for decades to come."

It's the 65th anniversary of The Fantastic Four, and to celebrate, we've got an extra-large, extra-fantastic adventure for you starring everyone's favorite adventurers, spanning centuries of history and a universe of scientific progress! The Fantastic Four have been defeated: with their personal arrows of time reversed, they're careening into the past with no hope of salvation - unless a complete stranger can find out what they need. But even if she does, that will only get them halfway home, because there's still a threat in the present that's waiting to kill them - and that's IF they can arrive there alive! This is one issue you won't want to miss - because you'll have to wait 65 years for ANYTHING like it. PLUS: Johnny's mustache saves New York City?!

Check out the main cover for FANTASTIC FOUR #15 by series artist Humberto Ramos and keep an eye out for more news and reveals in the months to come. Pre-order FANTASTIC FOUR #15 with your local comic shop and pick it up in stores on August 5.

For more celebratory fun featuring Marvel�s first family, check out FANTASTIC FOUR: 65 YEARS OF THE WORLD�S GREATEST COMIC COVERS, a special issue featuring a gallery of more than 700 Fantastic Four covers illustrated by the industry�s finest talents, alongside commentary from FF creators past and present, also available on August 5.

FANTASTIC FOUR #15
Written by RYAN NORTH
Art by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Foil Variant Cover by MARCOS MARTIN
Variant Cover by KRIS ANKA
On Sale 8/5

FANTASTIC FOUR: 65 YEARS OF THE WORLD�S GREATEST COMIC COVERS!
Art by VARIOUS
Cover by JOHN BYRNE, JACK KIRBY, MIKE WIERINGO & WALTER SIMONSON
On Sale 8/5

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Comments...

Last 10 comments - ( Read All Posts )

AndyL - 2025-03-27 @ 1:02 pm

On 3/27/2025 at 2:40 AM, JbombTheGreat said:
I think a lot of it had to do with the changes that were happening at Marvel during that time. Specifically, between 1995-1996 Marvel artists began using more computer software art programs to draw their comics, rather than relying fully on hand-drawn pencil and paper art, as was done previously. After 1995, Marvel's comic book art became really bad across all of their titles. The 90s is my favorite era of Marvel. However, I only collect books up to about 1995 due to the lower quality art that came after. The art seems to have begun improving in the very early 2000s.

Same here. But I bowed out a little bit earlier. Shortly after the entire Image thing happened. Though I did collect certain titles a little longer. I stuck with X-Men for quite a bit longer. Then came that Joe Mads era and virtually every artist was trying to emulate his style and though it was unique at first it just became exhausting. About that time I bowed out due to the art and eventually the writing started to deteriorate to the point it's become. It's just a shame to see what the Mighty Marvel has become. I give most new titles a shot hoping the next one will be the one to set it back on track only to be disappointed. Some titles less than others but by in large the trajectory remains the same though. As I'm prone to saying. Any writer worth their weight in salt is probably working in other better paying industries at this point.

JbombTheGreat - 2025-03-27 @ 7:40 am

On 3/24/2025 at 8:15 AM, AndyL said:
Don't know if you're old enough to remember Mark Silvestri's run on the X-men but man at the end of his run it was pretty bad. Same when he was on Wolverine. .

I think a lot of it had to do with the changes that were happening at Marvel during that time. Specifically, between 1995-1996 Marvel artists began using more computer software art programs to draw their comics, rather than relying fully on hand-drawn pencil and paper art, as was done previously. After 1995, Marvel's comic book art became really bad across all of their titles. The 90s is my favorite era of Marvel. However, I only collect books up to about 1995 due to the lower quality art that came after. The art seems to have begun improving in the very early 2000s.

AndyL - 2025-03-24 @ 3:15 pm

On 3/22/2025 at 12:30 PM, JbombTheGreat said:
Alright, so the cover of the first issue looks appealing, but by the final panel of his last issue it may be a different situation!

It happens. Generally I find his work appealing but it does get monotonous and he does tend to get sloppy. Don't know if you're old enough to remember Mark Silvestri's run on the X-men but man at the end of his run it was pretty bad. Same when he was on Wolverine. They both started off great and even though I don't think his work was terrible compared to a lot of the artists of the time but it was clearly rushed. Maybe it was a schedule or work load thing but he's one of those guys where it's very apparent when he's got time and love to put into his work versus when he's just doing his job or he's just trying to meet a deadline. That's why all these artists eventually just become cover artist where they can really concentrate on one awesome image instead of taking on full time illustrating duties of dozens of panels to fill up. I'm actually surprised and impressed by Ramos taking on this task. Of course all series today rarely run past 6 issues so he's probably only agreed to 6 issues or will bail out after that many if it continues after that. Marvel has become a master of the old bait and switch. Good thing is that if it is only a few issues we'll probably get Ramos' best for that short time.

JbombTheGreat - 2025-03-22 @ 5:30 pm

On 3/21/2025 at 5:28 AM, AndyL said:
He's one of those weird art styles that you appreciate for a while and then get tired of. Plus he does get notoriously sloppy as the series he's one goes on. Almost like he loses interest. Like it's just a job.

Alright, so the cover of the first issue looks appealing, but by the final panel of his last issue it may be a different situation!

AndyL - 2025-03-21 @ 12:28 pm

On 3/21/2025 at 1:26 AM, JbombTheGreat said:
I've never enjoyed Ramos' art, but this cover looks pretty good. Could he possibly be adjusting his style a bit?

He's one of those weird art styles that you appreciate for a while and then get tired of. Plus he does get notoriously sloppy as the series he's one goes on. Almost like he loses interest. Like it's just a job.

JbombTheGreat - 2025-03-21 @ 6:26 am

I've never enjoyed Ramos' art, but this cover looks pretty good. Could he possibly be adjusting his style a bit?

Hogun - 2025-03-20 @ 8:02 pm

I love the F4. I love the entire team, I hope we can see them return to larger multi-issue stories. The short stories were fine for a bit. But, I am more interested in the bigger picture.

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