Fantastic Four: First Steps # 1 2025 NM

Fantastic Four: First Steps # 1 July 9, 2025 is a prequel tie-in comic for the 2025 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film of the same name. It is unique as a meta-fictional "in-universe" artifact, presented as an authorized retelling published by the Future Foundation to celebrate the team's fourth anniversary. 

The one-shot recounts the team's first major public exploit, largely echoing the classic 1961 Fantastic Four #1 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. 

• The Origin: It features a condensed retelling of their flight into space and transformation via cosmic radiation.
• The Battle: The team emerges from quarantine to face Mole Man (Harvey Elder) and his subterranean Moloids in Manhattan.
• Giganto: The heroes defeat a giant green monster (Giganto) in a battle that pays homage to the original 1961 cover.
• A Diplomatic End: After discovering that Mole Man was protecting his underground society, Subterranea, Sue Storm successfully lobbies for its international recognition to ensure peaceful coexistence. 

• Creative Team: Written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Mark Buckingham, with a cover by Phil Noto.
• Movie Connections: The comic confirms that by the events of the First Steps film, the team has already been active for four years. It also confirmed actor Paul Walter Hauser's role as Mole Man in the movie.
• Easter Eggs: The issue includes in-universe advertisements, a "Johnny Storm Fan Club" page, and an interview with Reed Richards (depicted to resemble actor Pedro Pascal).
• Expanded Series: Following this issue's success, Marvel announced a series of quarterly tie-in one-shots for 2026, starting with Fantastic Four: First Foes #1 on March 4, 2026.