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The fourth preview trailer forAvengers: Doomsdayreveals that the upcoming movie will include a Marvel crossover that originated in the 1960s, something fans have been waiting for decades. Most of the focus after the fourthAvengers: Doomsdaytrailer centered on the Russo brothers mentioning that the four teasers conveyed “a story” and onaudiences discovering hints within them. Yet in all the conversation surrounding the trailers, from their release to what they disclose about the storyline forAvengers: DoomsdayOne element that was missing was the major crossover in trailer four.
Most of the previews have been separated, focusing on a single character such as Steve Rogers from Thor, or an independent group like the X-Men. However, the fourthAvengers: Doomsdaya preview featuring Shuri and M’Baku from Wakanda, encountering none other than Ben Grimm / The Thing from The Fantastic Four. This marks the first crossover in theAvengersso far, which is usually the main attraction of the movies. Combined with the addition of Namor, the trailer evokes the Stan Lee and Jack Kirby comic series. Bringing The Fantastic Four, Black Panther, and Namor together is a well-earned moment that has been building for years.
Black Panther and Wakanda made their debut in The Fantastic Four
The Marvel Universe was established by the Fantastic Four comic., as the team’s first issue not only launched the Marvel Universe for characters such as The Hulk, Spider-Man, the X-Men, and The Avengers, but also brought in numerous essential components to the franchise within its main comic. The Silver Surfer, Galactus, Doctor Doom, the Skrulls, the Kree, Adam Warlock, Kang the Conqueror (in his initial Rama-Tut appearance), the Watchers, and the Inhumans all made their debut in the pages of The Fantastic Four, earning the title “The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine” as its header. It was within the issues of Fantastic Four that Stan Lee and Jack Kirby would revolutionize comics by introducing Black Panther and Wakanda.
Black Panther first appeared inFantastic Four #52 in July 1962, one issue following the highly praised standalone story “This Man… This Monster!” and just two months after the famous “Galactus Trilogy” arc ended (Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were on a roll). This first issue also presented the technologically sophisticated city of Wakanda andfleshed out Vibranium, which had been launched a few months earlier inDaredevil#13. In the debut issue of Black Panther, T’Challa infiltrates the Baxter Building, confronts the Fantastic Four in a battle, and eventually convinces the team to assist him in rescuing Wakanda from the antagonist Klaw. This marks the start of a lasting bond between the Fantastic Four and the citizens of Wakanda, particularly T’Challa, who would later temporarily join the group alongside his wife, Storm, an X-Men member, when Reed Richards and Sue Storm stepped away for marriage counseling.
Given the histories of the Fantastic Four and Black Panther, the two properties were closely linked for many years. The Black Panther’s initial animated appearance occurred in 1994Fantastic Fouranimated show. Following the release ofThe Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer, director Tim Story aimed for each new Fantastic Four film to continue the trend seen in the comics by introducing a significant comic book character. He intended to introduceBlack Pantherin the third movie and desired the futureGuardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel Star Djimon Hounsou as T’Challa. Nevertheless, the Fantastic Four franchise was delayed as Marvel Studios focused on creating its own series of films, which later led to the formation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Although the film rights to the Fantastic Four were owned by 20th Century Fox until Disney purchased the studio in 2019, the MCU extensively utilized the Fantastic Four’s comic book material to develop its interconnected universe, without including the actual team.The Inhumans were incorporated intoAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.before they had their own television show,the Kree were featured inCaptain Marvel, The Observers made a brief appearance inGuardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 and later spotlighted in What If…?, and characters from The Fantastic Four such as Ronan the Accuser and Adam Warlock were incorporated into theGuardians of the Galaxyfilms. Black Panther will be introduced inCaptain America: Civil War,akin to his initial appearance in the Fantastic Four comics prior to starring in his own solo film in 2018, which eventually became one of the highest-grossing films ever and the first superhero movie to receive a Best Picture nomination.
Now, the Fantastic Four have at last entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although they won’t have the chance to meet T’Challa because of actor Chadwick Boseman’s passing in 2020, it seems appropriate that their debut within the MCU’s established timeline will involve a connection with Wakanda. Similar to the comics, the Fantastic Four will be received in Wakanda and will team up with Black Panther. Black Panther is not the only comic character linked to the Fantastic Four appearing in theAvengers: Doomsdaytrailer; a common companion and opponent also makes an appearance: Namor.
The Timeline of Namor and the Fantastic Four
Besides Shuri, M’Baku, and The Thing, the fourthAvengers: Doomsdaytrailer also included Namor, who served as the antagonist ofBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. Namor’s role in Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverwas not solely a nod to Namor and T’Challa’s conflict in the comics, especiallyAvengers vs. X-Menand the New Avengers storyline “Time Runs Out,” but also an acknowledgment of both Namor and the Black Panther’s connection as part of the broader Fantastic Four narrative. Unlike Black Panther, Namor did not make his debut in the pages ofThe Fantastic Four. In reality, he is 22 years older than the team.
Namor was conceived by writer-artist Bill Everett and first appeared inMarvel Comics #1 in 1939. The character was a significant anti-hero during World War II, but by the 1950s, his fame had declined. In 1962, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby brought Namor back into their expanding Marvel Universe inThe Fantastic Four#4. The comic and later appearances of Namor with the Fantastic Four positioned him as a part of their extended supporting cast, having served both as an ally and adversary to the team, as well as to their main rival, Doctor Doom.
Namor’s most notable link to the Fantastic Four lies in his romantic feelings for Sue Storm, also known as the Invisible Woman. Although Sue’s exact emotions toward Namor frequently spark discussion and differ based on the comic’s writer, Namor’s affection for Sue Storm is intense and often leads to conflicts with her husband, Reed Richards, also called Mister Fantastic. Fans are hoping that theThe MCU fulfills the love triangle involving Namor, Sue, and Reed.
The fourth trailer for Avengers: DoomsdayIt appropriately focuses on the legacy of the Fantastic Four. After years of being disconnected from the Marvel Universe, the team (or at least The Thing for now) will engage not only with other Marvel heroes but also with characters closely connected to the history of the Fantastic Four, such as Black Panther and Namor, in a gathering that seemed unimaginable a decade ago. It’s a subtle detail in the trailer, yet it evokes the original run of Fantastic Four by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, which revolutionized comics and laid the foundation for both the Marvel Comics Universe and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.