Marvel Celebrates The Fantastic Four With Massive Anniversary Special

Marvel Comics is going all out in its upcoming celebration of The Fantastic Four's 65th anniversary. The publisher recently announced its plans for an oversized anniversary issue arriving this August.

Fantastic Four #15, the ongoing series written by Ryan North with art by Humberto Ramos, will feature an "extra-large, extra-fantastic adventure" featuring Marvel's First Family when it hits comic book shops on Aug. 5, 2026. Marvel's press release teases that the story will send the superheroes "back and forth through time" in a tribute to their real-world history, with the group debuting in 1961's Fantastic Four #1. "The quartet (and Johnny’s facial hair) will be pushed to their limits as they spiral across eras of their own history with no hope of returning home unless a total stranger can help them return to the present, where a deadly threat awaits them," Marvel writes.

Marvel Goes Back in Time to Celebrate Fantastic Four's Anniversary

The full solicit for Fantastic Four #15 teases just how much of the story will be paying homage to the group's past exploits, with Marvel declaring it will span "centuries of history and a universe of scientific progress! The Fantastic Four have been defeated: with their personal arrows of time reversed, they're careening into the past with no hope of salvation — unless a stranger can find out what they need," it begins.

"But even if she does, that will only get them halfway home, because there's still a threat in the present that's waiting to kill them — and that's IF they can arrive there alive! This is one issue you won't want to miss — because you'll have to wait 65 years for ANYTHING like it. PLUS: Johnny's mustache saves New York City?!"

Marvel also unveiled the main cover art for Fantastic Four #15, drawn by Ramos, with the promise of more news and reveals in the months to come. Fantastic Four: 65 Years of The World's Greatest Comic Covers, a special issue featuring a gallery of more than 700 Fantastic Four covers from numerous artists in the industry and commentary from creators, will also be available on Aug. 5.

Fantastic Four Author Teases Time-Bending Anniversary Issue

Fantastic Four author Ryan North also spoke about how the upcoming oversized issue celebrates the team's impact, saying, "Fantastic Four is a comic that matters like few others in the medium, so it's been a real honor to get to write both our 700th issue, and now this, our 65th anniversary special."

"For this oversized issue, we tell a story that runs across time — in two directions at once — while also getting to see the true effect the Fantastic Four have had on their world, and each other," he continued. "It's got sci-fi, it's got relationships, it's got thrills and chills and fun and adventure and... wait, it says here it's also got a major turning point in Johnny's moustache? That can't be right, can it??"

Executive editor Tom Brevoort also teased what fans can expect from the issue, adding, "The story will also incorporate some classic moments by key FF creators of the past, including Jack Kirby, John Buscema, John Byrne, and Steve Epting—all seen with a new wrinkle added. It’s the sort of mind-bending adventure that fans have come to expect from this award-winning creative team, and the sort of story that will help keep the series exciting and innovative for decades to come."

Fantastic Four #15 goes on sale on Aug. 5.