Marvel Renamed Iconic Fantastic Four to The Four
The new horror-themed Midnight imprint reimagines the team as ruthless figures.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Comic Books
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Marvel has rebranded the classic Fantastic Four as The Four within its new horror-focused Midnight comic imprint. This iteration depicts the original members as obsessed and ruthless individuals rather than the heroes introduced decades ago.
Why it matters
The rebrand strips the team of their heroic title to reflect their shift into cold capitalists and obsessive figures. This dark reimagining explores eldritch secrets and the descent of these characters into a terrifying version of their former selves.
The Fantastic Four originally debuted 65 years ago in 1961. The current narrative arc continues through issue #3, released December 16, 2026, and issue #4, arriving January 20, 2027.
The players
Marvel
Marvel is a prominent American media and entertainment company known for creating iconic superheroes and publishing popular comic books.
Reed Richards
Reed Richards is the genius scientist of the Fantastic Four who is reimagined as an obsessive character in the new imprint.
Susan Storm
Susan Storm is a member of the Fantastic Four who serves as a ruthless businesswoman and corporate leader in this series.
Benjamin Grimm
Benjamin Grimm is a core member of the team who operates as an enforcer for Susan Storm.
Johnny Storm
Johnny Storm is a skilled pilot who serves as a member of the team.
The details
The narrative features Reed Richards as a pill-using obsessive and Susan Storm as a powerful businesswoman who uses Richards' addiction to maintain control. Alongside them, Benjamin Grimm acts as Susan's enforcer, and Johnny Storm is a pilot who lost his legs as the team explores a realm described as Hell.
Timeline
The original Fantastic Four team made their debut in 1961.
Midnight: Fantastic Four #3 is scheduled for release on December 16, 2026.
Midnight: Fantastic Four #4 is scheduled for release on January 20, 2027.
Culture Shift
This transformation of the Fantastic Four reflects a broader trend of darker, horror-themed reinterpretations of long-standing comic book icons. It signals a move away from traditional heroic tropes in favor of exploring psychological and moral decay within established franchises.
Readers can expect a tonal shift in the series that challenges their previous perceptions of these classic characters. The series is now available through standard comic book retailers as part of the new horror-themed continuity.
The takeaway
This rebrand suggests that even the most enduring archetypes can be subjected to extreme thematic shifts to suit contemporary horror audiences. Fans of the franchise should prepare for a version of the team that prioritizes obsession and ruthlessness over teamwork.
What happens next
The Midnight: Fantastic Four #3 issue will be released on December 16, 2026, followed by the release of issue #4 on January 20, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more about Comic Books to understand the evolution of long-running series.
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