Avengers: Doomsday Unlocks a Forgotten F4 Team

A New Era for the Marvel Universe

After what feels like ages, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to deliver something fans have been eagerly waiting for: a movie that brings together the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men. While Disney doesn’t have full control over Spider-Man, it’s likely that the web-slinger will make an appearance in Secret Wars. This means that, for the first time ever, every corner of the Marvel Universe is open for exploration. The potential for incredible character crossovers is now limitless, and a new era of storytelling is on the horizon.

One of the most intriguing possibilities is the return of one of the most mismatched Fantastic Four teams of all time.

The Fantastic Four of Popularity

Marvel’s First Family made its debut in 1961, but by the 1990s, sales of Fantastic Four weren’t as strong as they once were. While the book wasn’t in immediate danger, it consistently ranked near the bottom of the top 20 selling comics each month. To boost interest, Marvel turned to a tried-and-true strategy: featuring popular characters on the cover.

This led to Fantastic Four #348, which showcased Spider-Man, Hulk, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider instead of the usual team. The cover boldly declared it "The World’s Most Commercially Successful Comic Magazine!" While the move was clearly a sales tactic, writer Walt Simonson and artists Art Adams and Gracine Tanaka created an engaging story that worked despite the unusual cast.

The two-issue arc follows this alternate Fantastic Four as they come together after being tricked into believing the original team had been killed by the shape-shifting Skrull De’Lila, who had taken on the form of Sue Storm. The four heroes initially struggle to work together, but eventually uncover the truth and join forces with the original team to save the day. Even a quick Punisher cameo in Fantastic Four #349 added to the fun.

An Unlikely Team Could Make It to the Silver Screen

The MCU has faced challenges since Avengers: Endgame. While Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine were massive hits, other Marvel films haven’t reached the same level of success. Even Fantastic Four: First Steps, which managed to turn a profit, didn’t meet the expectations of Kevin Feige and his team.

With a sequel to Fantastic Four set to release after Doomsday and Secret Wars, the movies could take inspiration from the comics and introduce a more star-studded lineup. Imagine seeing Spider-Man, Wolverine, and the Hulk teaming up on the big screen—alongside Ghost Rider, who has long been overdue for a major role. This approach wouldn’t necessarily solve all the issues the MCU is facing, but it could provide a much-needed boost to box office performance.

Why This Could Work

There are several reasons why this idea could be successful:

• Fan Demand: Fans have shown a strong interest in seeing these characters interact. The combination of Spider-Man, Wolverine, and the Hulk would create exciting dynamics that could appeal to a wide audience.
• Box Office Potential: These characters are already proven successes individually, so their combined presence could generate significant interest and revenue.
• Creative Opportunities: A reimagined Fantastic Four opens the door for fresh storytelling, allowing writers to explore new relationships and conflicts between these iconic heroes.

While it may not be the traditional version of the team, this approach could bring a new energy to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reignite fan excitement. With the right creative direction, this oddball team could become a hit and pave the way for even more ambitious crossovers in the future.