With a new Phase of the MCU about to kick off, and the unprecedented achievement of having created an interwoven multi-picture universe already, the big question on every comic fans mind now is: which will we see next - the MCU 'Fantastic Four' or a relaunch of the 'X-Men'? For various reasons, I think we will be seeing the Fantastic Four first. Moreover, their introduction may come as early as the next cosmic Phase of the Marvel movie universe.

It’s not exactly news that the most sought after, and best performing, comics over the last ten years have been Silver Age Marvel keys. Of all the extant Silver Age Marvel offerings however, none is more central to the entire Marvel Universe and its mythos than the original Stan Lee and Jack Kirby run on Marvel’s flagship title The Fantastic Four.

First appearing in August of 1961, the FF were Stan Lee’s courageous attempt to write a comic that was different. Inspired in part by the renaissance of the Super-hero genre at the time as well as the success of the DC team up book ‘Justice League of America,’ the FF was also an attempt to change the direction of comics and make them resonate more organically with the times.

While the X-Men and various Mutant offshoot properties are certainly more popular today, various factors at present speak against a speedy MCU 'X-Men' introduction. Not the least of these is the long 'X-Men' Fox film legacy - set to continue this summer with the (almost certainly) last film project: ‘Dark Phoenix’.

Currently, the ‘Dark Phoenix’ trailer is playing before ‘Endgame’ at cinemas (and it pales in impact factor even compared to the 'Godzilla' trailer that also precedes the recent 'Avengers' outing). While I watched the 'Dark Phoenix' trailer in the theater the other week, I couldn’t help but think: please reboot this franchise! Obviously, Marvel will reboot the Mutants, but it will take a while to put the mixed legacy of Fox 'X-Men' films to rest.

For that reason alone, the FF should see the big screen before the X-family. Add to this that the cosmic nature of the next Phase is more suitable to an FF introduction and it’s likely we’ll have to wait for the X-Men.

Still, this is good news for the once lagging FF keys. Where numbers were soft regarding returns on FF comics, the last few years have really seen this trend reverse itself; and I have no doubt this is just the beginning.

So, now the question becomes which FF should you be looking for?

Of the many extensive issues of the crime fighting dysfunctional super-family available - the most important in relation to helping forge the very backbone of the Marvel Universe are the first 67 issues. Fantastic Four #1 (August 1961) is a book that may already be out of range. It used to be the case that a low grade copy was more or less affordable. Today a 0.5 will cost you circa $3, 500.00. That’s more than most casual collectors are willing to pay. But imagine the joy of the person who picked up a copy for $800.00 on 10/10/2016. Today, only two and a half years later, that seems like an incredible bargain. Two other books that have seen great returns over the last two years are Fantastic Four #5 (April 1962) . You can find issue number 5 in 3.5 grade for $3,200.00, just under the price that FF #1 will cost in 0.5 grade. Although that seems like an incredible amount, think of how high this price will soar once Doctor Doom appears onscreen. Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966), by contrast, is of all the original FF run the key that seems to have spiked. Looking at returns over the last three months, this is not exactly true. Returns are currently mixed and show positive numbers in mid-grade (you can currently get FF #52 in 8.5 grade for around $3,200.00 the exact same price that will get you an FF #5 in lowly 3.5). And don’t forget, there’s a Black Panther sequel coming soon. Will Marvel also make use of the Negative Zone? It’s likely and that should work to push this comic back up in price.


The reality is, Kirby and Lee’s original FF run had many stand out keys and everybody is starting to recognize their potential value. Other issues to keep an eye on are the following: Fantastic Four #4 (February 1962) - this comic contains the first Silver Age appearance of Namor. With the success of 'Aquaman', can an MCU answer be long in coming? Fantastic Four #12 (December 1962) - Where to start with this one. Its connection to the larger MCU is hard to downplay. To start, it contains the first meeting of the FF with the Hulk. If that’s not enough, this book is also the very first Hulk cross-over comic. And to really top it off, this issue came out the same month that the FF made a guest appearance with everybody’s favorite web-head in the Amazing Spider-Man #1. Far out. Finally, Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966). With the first appearance of the Silver Surfer and Galactus this is a high point in the Lee-Kirby run. Although a lot of people might think this has spiked already, as in the case of FF #52, I think many will be surprised at what happens to this key when the Surfer and Galactus make their MCU debut. The future for all these books is looking simply fantastic.