Strongest Members Of The Fantastic Four, Ranked

Summary

• Black Panther brought focus and leadership to The Fantastic Four during Reed and Sue’s absence.
• The Human Torch Johnny Storm can reach super-nova levels and has faced formidable foes like Doctor Doom.
• The Thing Ben Grimm is a reliable frontline member who has faced powerful foes like Juggernaut and Galactus.

The Fantastic Four are one of the founding families of the Marvel universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961 when the team debuted in The Fantastic Four #1, the roster included Mr. Fantastic, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm. During an interstellar mission, the team plus Victor Von Doom were hit by waves of cosmic energy that changed their physiology forever. Overnight, they all became super-powered beings, some for the better and some for the worse.

Since then, they have all adapted to their new powers, formed a team called The Fantastic Four, and began acting as superheroes in New York City (except for Victor Doom). However, over the years and with the numerous tragedies that have occurred, the roster of The Fantastic Four has shuffled quite a few times, introducing new members and saying goodbye to veterans. Here are some of the strongest members of The Fantastic Four.

8

Black Panther

Has Beaten The Entire Fantastic Four

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four #52

T’Challa serves as the Black Panther, who is the primary protector of Wakanda, the most advanced nation on Earth. Black Panther has been a long-time hero since joining the Avengers in 1968. A skilled fighter, a brilliant tactician, and a scientist with a strong moral code, Black Panther stands as an icon among most heroes.

After the events of the Civil War storyline, both Reed Richards and Sue Storm took a leave of absence from the team. Black Panther was a trusted friend at the time, so he was asked to step in. Black Panther brought a strong sense of focus to the team, and while all new things have growing pains, he was capable of leading and adapting to teamwork quickly.

7

Johnny Storm

Able To Go Super Nova

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four #1

Johnny Storm is known as the Human Torch while working as a member of The Fantastic Four. When hit by the cosmic waves of space, he was granted the power of self-immolation on a gargantuan level. Johnny can fire heat blasts, fly through the air, and raise his temperature to super-nova levels. These abilities make Johnny more than a formidable foe and suit his personality perfectly.

Johnny has accomplished a fair amount as a hero. He has faced the likes of Doctor Doom and the Hulk, coming out on top a few times. He also has enough firepower to destroy a moon easily.

6

The Thing

Knocked Out A T-Rex With A Single Punch

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four #1

Ben Grimm was a reluctant member of The Fantastic Four, as the cosmic raves granted him incredible strength and durability at the cost of his body and appearance. Transformed into a rock-humanoid hybrid, Ben Grimm became The Thing.

As a member of The Fantastic Four, Ben is always on the frontline, soaking up the focus of the danger to allow his teammates to make their moves. He has absolute faith in his family members and never hesitates to take one for the team. The Thing has traded blows with Juggernaut, The Hulk, and even Galactus and still stood his ground, offering “Clobbering Time” to anyone in his way.

5

Mr. Fantastic

Has Restrained The Hulk

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four #1

Reed Richards was a genius before the cosmic rays hit him, and he is credited as one of the most brilliant men on planet Earth. After being struck by the cosmic rays, Reed Richards’s mind was elevated, and he was gifted the ability to elongate his body. With this new ability, Reed Richards adopted the moniker Mr. Fantastic and became nearly indestructible.

Over the years, Mr. Fantastic has created some of the most advanced technology in the universe and battled with some of the most powerful beings, always able to think his way out of a problem. However, with Richard’s immense intellect comes a lack of judgment, as he is often focused on whether he can do something instead of whether he should.

4

Spider-Man

Has Held Up An Entire Bridge

• First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15

Spider-Man is one of the most popular superheroes in the Marvel universe, and perhaps one of history’s greatest comic book creations. Peter Parker was an average high school student until he was bitten by a radioactive spider and given superpowers. He now acts as a protector of the innocent as Spider-Man, and tries to do good wherever he can.

Spider-Man has joined The Fantastic Four on numerous occasions, most notably when Johnny Storm left him a spot on the team in his will after his death. Spider-Man is a more than capable hero, able to lift tons, face off against behemoths like The Rhino, and handle any situation with superhuman speed and reflexes.

3

The Invisible Woman

Has Punched Through A Celestial’s Armor

• First Appearance: The Fantastic Four #1

Sue Storm is the only woman on The Fantastic Four team, and one of the smartest members next to her husband, Reed Richards. After being struck with cosmic energy along with the rest of her family, she developed several abilities. Sue Storm gained the ability to make herself and others invisible, create indestructible force fields and shape them into anything she can think of, and nullify advisory invisibility.

Sue Storm works with her family as The Invisible Woman and is one of the most powerful members of the team. Her force fields are impenetrable, and she can move and fling them in any direction she wants. She can also create force fields inside objects, including human bodies.

2

Storm

Able To Control Weather On A Global Scale

• First Appearance: Giant-Size X-Men #1

Storm is a prominent character in the Marvel universe, first appearing as an X-Man. Storm is a mutant with the ability to control the weather. Worshipped in her past as a goddess, Storm joined Xavier’s school and became a hero for protecting people like herself.

Storm can manipulate the weather in nearly any way she sees fit, from creating tornadoes, lowering the temperature to freezing levels, and creating storms out of thin air. When Reed and Sue Richards took a leave of absence from The Fantastic Four, Storm and her husband T’challa took their place when asked.

1

Ghost Rider (Ketch)

Fought the Furies For Three Days Straight And Won

• First Appearance: Ghost Rider Vol. 3 #1

Dan Ketch is the brother of Johnny Blaze and the youngest of the Blaze children. He was bestowed the power of the Spirit of Vengeance by a long-lived curse on the Blaze family. As Ghost Rider, Dan Ketch is immensely strong and powerful. Fueled by Hellfire, Ketch can sense wrongdoing and seeks out evil souls to punish and send to hell. Like any Ghost Rider, super strength and durability comes with the package.

Ketch joined the Fantastic Fur during a special moment where the entire team was replaced by The Hulk (Joe Fixit), Spider-Man, and Wolverine in Fantastic Four #347.