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Mr. Fantastic
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Creation & Design

Mr. Fantastic was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, debuting in 1961 as the leader of the Fantastic Four, a team that revolutionized superhero comics.

Early Years

Reed Richards was a brilliant scientist who gained his powers after a cosmic ray exposure during a space mission with his team. His ability to stretch his body made him a unique superhero.

Character Development

Over the years, Mr. Fantastic has evolved from a simple superhero to a complex character dealing with family dynamics, ethical dilemmas, and the responsibilities of leadership.

Cultural Reception

Mr. Fantastic has been well-received as a pioneering character in superhero comics, often praised for his intelligence and moral complexity.

Character Details

Real Name:
Reed Richards
Aliases:
Elastic Man, Mister Fantastic
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Fantastic Four, Avengers, Illuminati
Abilities:
Elasticity, Genius-level intellect, Expert inventor
Equipment:
Fantastic Four's headquarters, Various scientific gadgets
Weight:
180lbs
Height:
6' 4"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
black

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Fantastic Four #1

Marvel ⋅ 1961

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Fantastic Four #1
 
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Key Facts

1st team appearance and origin of the Fantastic Four: Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, The Thing

1st appearance of Mole Man

1st appearance of Giganto, a Deviant Mutate from Monster Isle

1st appearance of Tricephalous

Landmark issue that launched the Marvel Age of comics

💰 In April 2022, a 9.2 sold for $1.5 million

💰 In September 2024, a 9.6 sold for $2,040,000

Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #3

Marvel ⋅ 1963

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Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #3
 
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Key Facts

First meeting of Nick Fury and Mr. Fantastic

3rd appearance of Nick Fury

Fantastic Four Annual #3

Marvel ⋅ 1965

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Fantastic Four Annual #3
 
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Key Facts

Marriage of Reed Richards and Sue Storm

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby are briefly seen outside of the wedding, angry that they were denied entry

1st appearance of Hedy Wolfe in the mainstream Marvel Universe, one panel

Fantastic Four Annual #6

Marvel ⋅ 1968

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Fantastic Four Annual #6
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Annihilus, ruler of the Negative Zone

1st appearance of Franklin Richards, as an unnamed infant, considered by Marvel to be the most powerful mutant in the Marvel Universe

[November 2024 - it is rumored Marvel is looking to cast a child in the role of Franklin Richards who will play the character through various ages in future projects]

Introduction of the Cosmic Control Rod, a weapon used by Annihilus that manipulates matter

[December 2024 - Annihilus rumored to be the villain for the Nova TV series]

Fantastic Four #254

Marvel ⋅ 1983

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Fantastic Four #254
 
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Key Facts

Valeria Richards is conceived while Reed and Sue are in the Negative Zone

Fantastic Four #377

Marvel ⋅ 1993

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Fantastic Four #377
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Huntara, daughter of Nathaniel Richards and half-sister of Mr. Fantastic

1st team appearance of the Fearsome Foursome: Huntara, Klaw, Paibok, Devos

Fantastic Four #49

Marvel ⋅ 2001

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Fantastic Four #49
 
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Key Facts

Franklin Richards restores the pregnancy of Sue with Valeria Richards who died after a miscarriage in Fantastic Four #267

Fantastic Four #54

Marvel ⋅ 2002

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Fantastic Four #54
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Valeria Richards as a baby

One of nine 100-page issues sporadically published in the early 2000s

Ultimate Fantastic Four #21

Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2005

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Ultimate Fantastic Four #21
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Greg Land

Fantastic Four #570

Marvel ⋅ 2009

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Fantastic Four #570
 
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Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Council of Reeds, a gathering of Reed Richards' from different dimensions

[June 2025 - Matthew Shakman, writer of the Fantastic Four cited Jonathan Hickman's run on the Fantastic Four which ran through issue #588 as being a major source of inspiration for the screenplay of the film]

Fantastic Four #1
Non-Key

Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018

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Fantastic Four #1
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Artgerm

Fantastic Four #1
Non-Key

Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018

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Fantastic Four #1
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Humberto Ramos

1st cover appearance of Griever

Marvel Knights 20th #1
Non-Key

1:100 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018

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Marvel Knights 20th #1
 
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Key Facts

Variant wraparound cover art by Joe Quesada

Fantastic Four #7
Non-Key

1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2019

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Fantastic Four #7
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Bill Sienkiewicz

Fantastic Four #35

Marvel ⋅ 2021

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Fantastic Four #35
 
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Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of Reed Richards' sister

Origin of the Fantastic Four in a back-up story by Mark Waid, new details

Shang-Chi #6
Non-Key

1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2021

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Shang-Chi #6
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Michael Cho

Fantastic Four #46

Marvel ⋅ 2022

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Fantastic Four #46
 
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Key Facts

1st full appearance of the sister of Reed Richards, cameo in Fantastic Four #35

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