The Fantastic Four Horror Makeover Revealed in First Look

Marvel has a history of bringing horror to its roster of heroes just in time for the spooky season, and this October will be no different. The Fantastic Four are next in line for some true terrors, promising a memorable Halloween time for comic fans everywhere.

As reported by Bleeding Cool, comic fans can expect Marvel's First Family to star in their own story set in the upcoming horror-centric Midnight Universe. Many have already begun comparing the concept of Marvel's Midnight Universe to DC's Absolute Universe in that it will place well-established heroes in darker, grittier situations than readers have been conditioned to expect. Hopefully, Reed Richards and company can keep those well-known wits about them as they navigate these treacherous new waters — but only time will tell.

Midnight: Fantastic Four Drops Just In Time For the Halloween Season

Midnight: Fantastic Four #1 is set to launch on October 7, 2026, as part of Marvel's horror-centric Midnight Universe. In an exciting turn of events, Benjamin Percy and Kev Walker are being brought on board to reimagine The Fantastic Four with a brand-new cosmic horror origin, with a heavy emphasis placed on dreadful tension. If any super-team is capable of facing these spine-chilling threats head-on, it's four of the smartest heroes Marvel has to offer.

Most Marvel readers recognize The Fantastic Four's history in horror from the Marvel Zombies stories. In those comics, Marvel capitalized on the boom of the zombie genre by having their most recognizable heroes face off with a reality where even they're susceptible to a zombie outbreak. However, Marvel's new Midnight Universe seems to be steeped far more in classic horror as opposed to the trending niche — featuring Lovecraftian monsters and dealing with the fear of the unknown. More than most other heroes Marvel has at their disposal, The Fantastic Four are perfect fits to deal with threats of this kind — especially with a writer who really gets how to make a reader's skin crawl.

Fantastic Four Aren't the Only Marvel Heroes Getting Spooky This October

"Let's be honest: any other circumstances, Marvel wouldn't let me write The Fantastic Four. Because I'm too mean and evil for the first family. But this is the dark continuity of the Midnight Universe—a fresh origin story for the characters that channels cosmic, Lovecraftian terror—which makes it a perfect match for me. Mad science and cults and hidden realities await. The pacing is patient and full of dread and mystery and rich with a mythology that will feel both familiar and uncanny." Benjamin Percy said. about Midnight: Fantastic Four.

Reed, Sue, Johnny, and The Thing aren't the only Marvel heroes entering the Midnight Universe in October. The X-Men and Spider-Man will both be faced with their own horrific situations to contend with. While it's unknown how much crossover will take place between each of these characters, the potential for true Marvel horror is certainly present given the breakdowns the publisher has released for each debut issue. Whether the heroes ever meet or not, Marvel readers can at least look forward to three distinct, bloodcurdling stories featuring their favorites.

Midnight: Fantastic Four releases on Oct. 7.