'Fantastic Four' will get a surprise MCU story before 'Avengers: Doomsday', and it brings back a major villain
Marvel's First Family is getting a major boost ahead of their next big-screen showdown. And this time, it's happening on the page before it hits the screen. With 'Avengers: Doomsday' looming and anticipation still high following 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps', Marvel is expanding its cinematic universe in print with a brand-new prequel comic centered on Reed Richards and his iconic team. According to The Direct, Marvel Comics is set to release 'Fantastic Four: First Foes' next year, giving fans an early return to the MCU's version of the 'Fantastic Four'.
The one-shot comic brings together a seasoned creative lineup, with longtime Marvel writer Dan Slott penning the story. Slott's résumé includes extensive runs on 'Fantastic Four', 'Amazing Spider-Man', and 'Spider-Boy'. Artwork for the issue will be handled by Mark Buckingham, a familiar name to 'Fantastic Four' readers. Meanwhile, Phil Noto, who provided cover art for 'Fantastic Four: First Steps', is returning to design the comic's cover. What makes ‘First Foes’ particularly intriguing is its narrative framing. The story is set on Earth-828, the universe established in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps,’ and is written as if it were published by the Future Foundation.
It's the in-universe organization closely tied to Reed Richards. Chronologically, the comic takes place after the Fantastic Four have already become global heroes, but before the events of the upcoming 'Avengers' films. This neatly fills in a gap in the team's MCU timeline. Also, Marvel's official synopsis teases a classic villain stepping back into the spotlight. As the Fantastic Four's reputation grows, the Mad Thinker becomes increasingly resentful, believing he's been denied the recognition he deserves. Determined to reclaim his place, he launches a calculated effort to turn the "city of tomorrow" against the very heroes who protect it.
The comic also marks the Mad Thinker's most significant appearance tied to the MCU so far. While the character briefly surfaced in 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps', 'First Foes' gives him the plot space to fully establish his rivalry with the team. In doing so, the issue further bridges Marvel Studios' cinematic universe with its comic book legacy. Importantly, 'Fantastic Four: First Foes' won't stand alone. The one-shot is expected to serve as the foundation for an ongoing 'Fantastic Four' comic series, continuing throughout 2026.
This initiative appears designed to keep Marvel Studios' version of the team active between films, allowing fans to spend more time in Earth-828 while the cinematic storyline unfolds. On the film side, the Fantastic Four are widely expected to play a major role in 'Avengers: Doomsday', which will mark the Avengers' most major team-up since 'Avengers: Endgame'. Beyond that, speculation remains strong that Marvel's First Family will be deeply involved in 'Avengers: Secret Wars', or potentially return for a direct sequel to 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'. Moreover, according to CBR, the comic arrives on March 4, 2026, setting the stage for everything that comes next.
