So many major announcements came from San Diego Comic-Con that we’re still unpacking it all nearly a month later. Heading into SDCC, Marvel Studios had already confirmed its Fantastic Four movie was in development. While we still don’t know who will play Marvel’s First Family, Kevin Feige revealed that their introduction to the MCU will kick off the highly anticipated Phase 6 in November 2024.
As we wait for Feige to make the FF castings public, there’s also a rumor that Tom Holland will bring Spider-Man to the world of the Fantastic Four. That makes perfect sense considering that Spidey and the FF, specifically Human Torch, have been paired together since Amazing Spider-Man #1. Don’t forget that the first issue of What If…? from 1977 pondered the Fantastic Five with Spidey on the team.
Eventually, Spider-Man would canonically join the FF for short spells. However, the first time he was technically in a version of the FF was in the early 1990s. He partnered with the toughest of all Marvel’s heroes to briefly form the New Fantastic Four.
To be honest, this was more a misleading gimmick to sell comics, and it worked. Plus, it was fun to see these four characters on the page together.
FANTASTIC FOUR #347
In December 1990, Spider-Man finally joined the FF…sort of. As the story goes, the Baxter Building had been infiltrated by a Skrull posing as Susan Richards. When she took down the FF, she convinced Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, and Ghost Rider that the Reed, Johnny, and Ben had all be murdered.
The replacement FF left to find the “killers” and bring them to justice without alerting anyone that the FF was dead, which they weren’t.
Prices are on the move for FF #347 graded at a 9.8. After averaging $128 for the past year, August 4 saw one sell for an eye-opening $185.
FANTASTIC FOUR #348
The New FF’s total reason for being, at least in my opinion, came down to this famous artwork. By this point in the FF’s career, their popularity was waning. The X-Men had taken their throne as Marvel’s premiere superhero team, and younger comic fans saw them as outdated. The Marvel editorial staff used an old tactic that never fails to boost sales: throw in some popular characters. Thus we have the New FF advertised on the front of FF #348, and it’s remained popular ever since.
Although the end of July saw the prices dip into the $150 range, the 9.8s had been selling for close to $200 earlier in the month. There’s also a second print that should have your attention. Sales for those are few and far between, but it was earning as much as $300 in 2020.
WHAT IF…? #78
Aside from another cool cover for your collection, there isn’t anything that would make this issue a key. However, that could change if this storyline makes into an episode of What If…?, which is the most likely chance to see Spider-Man and his ass-kicking friends become the FF. Seeing money on the table, Marvel would continue exploring the Spidey-led FF with another What If…? issue in 2008, but the 1995 version would be the first to feel the heat of any speculation.
There are no records for graded sales, so you should be able to find a raw copy for dirt cheap.
UNLIKELY FOR THE MCU, BUT A FAN CAN DREAM
By no means am I saying we’ll see the New FF in the MCU outside a trip deep into the Multiverse, but other collectors may make the connection. After all, the MCU already has the Hulk and the Robbie Reyes Ghost Rider, and Taron Egerton confirmed he’s spoken to Marvel about playing Wolverine.
The far-fetched New FF theories are coming, and that speculation alone could drive the prices up.
Want more Fantastic Four spec?
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FRANK MILLER’S FANTASTIC FANTASTIC FOUR #1 COVER REVEALED
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HOTTEST SILVER AGE COMICS: FANTASTIC FOUR BOOKS ARE ON FIRE!
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AFFORDABLE FANTASTIC FOUR: INVISIBLE WOMAN
