The superhero landscape is ever-expanding, with teams of extraordinary individuals banding together to protect the world from all manner of threats. With the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps, starring Pedro Pascal as Mr Fantastic alongside Vanessa Kirby as Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing, and Joseph Quinn as Human Torch, it's a perfect time to examine how Marvel's first family stacks up against some of the other iconic superhero teams.
The Fantastic Four: A History of Ups and Downs
The Fantastic Four, facing off against Ralph Ineson's Galactus in their latest cinematic outing, hold a unique, if somewhat chequered, place in superhero history. Despite being Marvel's original superhero team, their track record at the box office is less than stellar. Previous attempts to bring them to the big screen have largely been considered failures. A 1994 film was never even released, and the 2005 version, starring Ioan Gruffudd, received poor reviews. The 2015 reboot, featuring Miles Teller, reportedly resulted in losses estimated between $80 and $100 million for the producers.
Interestingly, the team's roster has been surprisingly fluid over the years. Beyond the core four, numerous other heroes have been members at various points, including Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Ghost Rider. She-Hulk even temporarily replaced The Thing at one stage.
The Avengers: Cinematic Titans
In stark contrast to the Fantastic Four's cinematic struggles, The Avengers represent unparalleled success. They hold the record for the highest-grossing superhero film of all time with 2019's Avengers: Endgame, which earned a staggering $2.8 billion worldwide.
Their popularity extends beyond the box office. Intriguingly, the US Department of Defence severed ties with the Avengers films back in 2012. Officials deemed the storylines too convoluted and unrealistic. A spokesman, Phil Strub, commented that they "couldn't reconcile the unreality of this international organization and our place in it."
The X-Men: Mutants and Outcasts
The X-Men are a group of mutants, often ostracised by society, who are brought together by Professor X to defend humanity from threats. Originally conceived by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963, they were initially going to be called "The Merry Mutants." Thankfully, Marvel's publisher at the time vetoed this rather less imposing name.
For many years, due to complex rights issues, the X-Men were kept separate from The Avengers in the cinematic universe. It wasn't until Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019 that the possibility of crossovers between the two teams became a reality.
The Justice League: DC's Heavy Hitters
The Justice League is DC Comics' premier superhero team, featuring iconic characters such as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Created in 1960, their first adversary was Starro, a giant alien starfish. The Justice League actually inspired Stan Lee to create the Fantastic Four, showing the influence of one company on the other.
Similar to the Fantastic Four, the Justice League has faced challenges in translating their comic book success to the big screen. A 2007 film project was abandoned after director George Miller departed. In 2017, Zack Snyder had to step down from directing the Justice League film due to a personal tragedy.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Misfits
The Guardians of the Galaxy, a team of quirky cosmic adventurers, first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes in 1969. However, it took another 21 years for them to get their own dedicated comic book series, which only lasted for 62 issues before being cancelled in 1995.
Groot, the tree-like creature voiced by Vin Diesel, emerged as a fan favourite following the release of the 2014 film. However, his characterisation differs significantly from his comic book origins, where he was portrayed as an alien invader intent on capturing humans for experimentation.
Birds of Prey: A Force of Nature
The Birds of Prey, a DC Comics team launched in 1996, is an all-female group known for their willingness to bend the rules. Unlike many other superhero teams, they are not afraid to use lethal force. Huntress, a martial arts expert, frequently eliminates her enemies with a crossbow.
Harley Quinn, portrayed by Margot Robbie, joined the team for the 2020 film. The transformation into the chaotic character required two and a half hours of hair and makeup each day.
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