The essential Fantastic Four crossovers are Secret Wars (1984), the Galactus Trilogy (1966) and Secret Wars (2015), where the Marvel First Family faces cosmic threats that redefine the entire universe.
The Fantastic Four are the pioneers of Marvel crossovers. Since their creation by Lee and Kirby, Reed Richards and his family have found themselves at the heart of the publisher's most ambitious events. Their cosmic and familial dimension brings a unique gravity to each saga: the multiverse is never more threatened than when the FF are involved.
This guide covers major Fantastic Four crossovers, from Silver Age classics to modern events. For the team's founding numbers, see our guide to Fantastic Four key numbers.
Secret Wars (1984). The first major Marvel crossover
Jim Shooter sends Marvel's greatest heroes to the Beyonder's Battleworld. The Fantastic Four are complete, and it is in this series that the Thing decides to stay on Battleworld, temporarily replaced by She-Hulk. A founding event for any Marvel collection.
Collectible Key Numbers
- Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1: Arrival on Battleworld, the entire FF team present. VF: €30-60
- Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8: Black Symbiote, most wanted number. VF: €80-200
- Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #10: Doom steals the Beyonder's power. VF: €15-30
- Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #12: Conclusion, Ben Grimm remains on Battleworld. VF: €15-30
The Galactus Trilogy (1966). The original cosmic event
Fantastic Four #48-50 by Lee and Kirby simultaneously introduce Galactus and the Silver Surfer. It's not a multi-title crossover in the modern sense, but it is Marvel's founding cosmic event: three issues that redefined the scale of superheroic storytelling.
Collectible Key Numbers
- Fantastic Four #48: First appearance of the Silver Surfer and Galactus (cameo). VF: 2000-8000 €
- Fantastic Four #49: First full appearance of Galactus. VF: €1500-5000
- Fantastic Four #50: Conclusion, Silver Surfer turns against Galactus. VF: €1000-3500
Secret Wars (2015). The End of the Multiverse
Jonathan Hickman concludes his epic run with the destruction and reconstruction of the multiverse. Reed Richards battles Doom-God for control of reality. The Future Foundation and the Richards children rebuild the entire multiverse: the family's narrative apotheosis.
Collectible Key Numbers
- Secret Wars #1: Destruction of the multiverse, the FF separated. VF: €15-30
- Secret Wars #9: Reed vs Doom, reconstruction of the multiverse by the Future Foundation. VF: €12-25
- Fantastic Four #645: Last issue before Secret Wars. VF: €8-15
- Fantastic Four #1 (2018): Dan Slott's post-Secret Wars return. VF: €8-15
Onslaught (1996). The Heroic Sacrifice
The entity Onslaught (fusion of Magneto and Xavier) threatens to destroy the Earth. The Fantastic Four sacrifice themselves alongside the Avengers to stop him, disappearing into a pocket dimension. This event kicks off the “Heroes Reborn” period.
Collectible Key Numbers
- Onslaught: Marvel Universe: Sacrifice of the FF and the Avengers. VF: €10-20
- Fantastic Four #416: Last issue before Heroes Reborn. VF: €6-12
- Heroes Reborn: Fantastic Four #1: Relaunch by Jim Lee. VF: €5-12
- Heroes Return: Fantastic Four #1: Return to the main universe. VF: €6-12
Civil War (2006). The Family Divided
Reed Richards supports the Registration Act, creating a schism within the Fantastic Four. Sue and Johnny join Captain America's resistance, separating Marvel's founding couple. This intimate conflict gives Civil War its most emotional dimension.
Collectible Key Numbers
- Fantastic Four #536-543: Tie-ins Civil War, separated family. VF: €5-10 each
- Civil War #1-7: Main series, Reed in the pro-registration camp. VF: €8-20 depending on number
- Fantastic Four #538: Sue leaves Reed, heartbreaking moment. VF: €8-15
- Civil War #7: Final reconciliation. VF: €15-30
Annihilation (2006): Cosmic War
Although the FF are not at the forefront of Annihilation, this cosmic event has direct repercussions on their mythology. The Negative Zone, classic Fantastic Four territory, is the point of origin of the invasion of Annihilus, their recurring enemy.
Collectible Key Numbers
- Annihilation: Prologue: Annihilus launches the Wave from the Negative Zone. VF: €10-20
- Annihilation #1-6: Cosmic War Main Series. VF: €8-15 each
- Fantastic Four #543-544: Repercussions on the team. VF: €5-10 each
Manage your Fantastic Four collection through 60 years of Marvel crossovers with our collection management application. From the Galactus Trilogy to Secret Wars 2015, don't miss a single chapter of the First Family.
Frequently asked questions
Secret Wars (1984), the Galactus Trilogy (1966) and Secret Wars (2015) form the top three. Onslaught (1996), Civil War (2006) and Annihilation (2006) complete the list, with direct consequences for the team.
Not in the modern sense, since it fits in three issues of a single series. Fantastic Four #48-50, by Lee and Kirby, nonetheless introduce Galactus and the Silver Surfer, and remain Marvel's founding cosmic event.
Jim Shooter sends Marvel's heroes to the Beyonder's Battleworld, with the whole team present. The Thing decides to stay and She-Hulk temporarily replaces him. Issue #8, with the black symbiote, is the most sought after.
Jonathan Hickman concludes his run with the destruction and rebuilding of the multiverse. Reed Richards faces God Doom, and the Future Foundation with the Richards children rebuilds everything. Fantastic Four #645 is the last issue before the event.
In Civil War, Reed backs the Registration Act while Sue and Johnny join Captain America. In Onslaught, the FF sacrifice themselves with the Avengers, which launches Heroes Reborn. Annihilation starts from the Negative Zone, the FF's territory and the origin of Annihilus.