What is the first appearance of the Fantastic Four?
Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Oct 11, 2026 · 1 min read
Short answerThe Fantastic Four first appeared in Fantastic Four #1, cover-dated November 1961, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for Marvel Comics. The issue introduced Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm, told their origin, and introduced the Mole Man as their first villain. It is regarded as the start of the “Marvel Age” of comics and is Marvel's most important Silver Age key after Amazing Fantasy #15.
The issue
According to Lee's often-told account, publisher Martin Goodman asked for a superhero team to compete with DC's Justice League of America, and Lee and Kirby produced a team that argued, had no secret identities and no costumes in the first issue. Kirby's cover shows the four battling a giant monster rising from the street. The Mole Man and his Monster Isle fill the second half of the book.
Why it matters
Fantastic Four #1 established the tone of Marvel's 1960s — flawed heroes, continuity between titles, New York as the setting — and the Lee–Kirby run that followed (102 issues) introduced much of the Marvel Universe: Doctor Doom (#5), the Skrulls (#2), the Inhumans (#45), the Silver Surfer and Galactus (#48–50), and the Black Panther (#52).
Collecting Fantastic Four #1
- High grades are very scarce; most copies are in the Good-to-Fine range.
- Complete low-grade copies remain expensive because demand is deep; a CGC 2.0 copy is a serious book, and one is in the store.
- Reprints: Marvel Milestone Edition (1991), Golden Record reprint (1966, with a record), and recent facsimiles. Check the indicia and price.
Related Fantastic Four keys in the store
- Fantastic Four #18 (September 1963) — first appearance of the Super-Skrull. See the listing.
- Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966) — first Silver Surfer and Galactus. See First appearance of the Silver Surfer.
- Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966) — first Black Panther. See First appearance of Black Panther.
The Fantastic Four character page lists current stock.
Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.
