In a world saturated with Bat-themed heroes and epic, world shattering, event comics, how can a humble family of four survive???
Well, they start with an epic 16-issue run headed by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch, arguably the best creative team in the business. Follow this with a sincere and adventurous monthly run written by Jonathan Hickman, and the world's premier's family is given a fighting chance.
The history of the Fantastic Four is one of the most popular stories in all of Fanboy-dom...but it might not be true. As myth relates, Martin Goodman, head of Marvel, was playing a friendly game of golf with rival DC executive Jack Leibowitz. The two held a friendly, competitive, banter, and after Leibowitz bragged about the success of the Justice League of America, Goodman directed his head of comics, Stan Lee, to create a superhero team. Lee sought the help of famed illustrator, Jack Kirby, and the rest is history...mostly.
Starting in 1961, the Fantastic Four began an unending odyssey of cosmic-sized adventures. Their struggles and triumphs, expertly portrayed through the 'Marvel Method', redefined comic books. Lee and Kirby introduced us to Galactus, Doctor Doom, The Inhumans, and Moleman. The Fantastic Four basically defined the entire Cosmic Universe for all Marvel titles.
Where would the Marvel Universe be without the Silver Surfer??? What about Latveria, home of Victor Von Doom and one-time refuge of all Asgardians??? Without the Skrulls, which were introduced in 'The Fantastic Four', hundreds of stories would never have been written. The truth is, the Fantastic Four and their mythos may be the most fundamental part of the Marvel.
They may not be the most powerful heroes, but that is why they're so great. Each of the Four represents an important part of the Family. As a single person or hero, the Fantastic Four (or Fantastic One as it were) would be just as boring as most Superman or Silver Surfer story-arcs. Separate and united in a team, they form one of the most entertaining books on the market. Mr. Fantastic, the smartest man in the world, is a self-involved intellect who allows his family life to suffer for the sake of his studies. The Invisible Woman is their moral compass who, though tempted by some of the most powerful men in the world (Namor and Dr. Doom) remains loyal to her family and husband. Her brother, Johnny Storm, is the comic relief and his best friend, Thing, is the empathetic whipping boy.
The Fantastic Four has always been an exciting read...but it took a downward spiral in the early 2000's. Under the direction of Marvel scribe Mark Waid, the Fantastic Four was turned into a caricature of their former selves. During his tenure, Marvel's first family met God, depicted as a comic book artist (just as bad as it sounds!), and also saw the Human Torch conscripted as Galactus's herald. If that wasn't bad enough, around this time Galactus was turned into a human being and shown the errors of his ways...one of the greatest characters ever got the Scrooge treatment!!!
The book continued to suffer for a while until Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch committed themselves for an epic run. For little over a year, they easily brought the Fantastic Four back to their former glory. Each issue was just as whimsical and exciting as Lee and Kirby's earlier, episodic ventures. Classic villains were redefined and new villains were introduced...and they were great!!!
Susan Storm comes from the future with a league of superheroes, seeking refuge from a desolate and destroyed world. Galactus appears to be dead, Franklin is given back his powers, and Valerie is revealed as a scheming genius. Hickman inherited the series, continuing many of these plot points, like Nu World and creating the Council of the many Reed Richards.
While a lot of stories rely on throwing really popular characters into one title (I'm looking at you 'New Avengers'), Fantastic Four continues to expand their own mythos in new and imaginative ways.
Admittedly, the addition of Spider-man to the team after the death of Johnny Storm was...regrettable. Spider-man already saturates much of the Marvel U, and his involvement with the Future Foundation would seem more like a gimmick, if it weren't for the fact that Peter Parker shares a deep history with the Fantastic Four. Unlike the Web-head's involvement in other series, like the Avengers, he seems like a natural candidate to join the Fam'.
I know a lot of you will disagree, but after fifty years of scintillating sci-fi odysseys, the 'Fantastic Four' is arguably the World's Greatest Comic.