Created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in 1961, The Fantastic Four are Marvel's first family, literally kick-starting the Marvel Universe as it's known today. After undergoing strange mutations during a space flight, Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Susan Storm (Invisible Woman), Ben Grimm (The Thing) and Johnny Storm (Human Torch) become a team of superheroes and adventurers.
All families have room to grow, and in the case of the FF, there have been several occasions during which additional or even substitute members have been recruited. While several familiar faces from across the Marvel Universe joined the ranks of the FF, some members were more notable than others.
10 Wolverine First Joined The Team After He Was Recruited By A Skrull
Towards the tail end of his iconic Fantastic Four run, Walt Simonson wrote a three part story arc where a Skrull creates her own version of The Fantastic Four, recruiting Spider-Man, Hulk (who was gray and more intelligent at the time), Ghost Rider, and Wolverine. In fact, the gag was that the new FF team had been selected because they were the four most commercially viable characters in Marvel's toy box. This fact was comically pointed out on the cover to Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #348 alongside Logan's declaration, "Nuff said Bub!"
9 Black Panther & Storm Joined The Team During Civil War
Like many iconic Marvel characters, Black Panther was first introduced during Kirby/Lee's run on Fantastic Four. Later the events of Civil War caused a rupture in Marvel's first family because Reed Richards supported the Superhero Registration Act, a side that adopted increasingly authoritarian tendencies.
Susan disagreed with her husband and eventually joined the rebels led by Captain America. These events understandably caused the couple to become separated. Fortunately it was only temporarily. During this time, Black Panther and his (then) wife, the X-Men's Storm took their place on the FF roster.
8 Ghost Rider Joined The Team As A Substitute Human Torch
In a story arc from Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #347-349, the evil Skrull De'Lila managed to temporarily immobilize The Fantastic Four, then took on the aspect of Susan Storm in order to trick some of Earth's Mightiest Heroes to replace them as the new FF. The candidates she chose were Spider-Man, Hulk, Wolverine and Ghost Rider (Danny Ketch) — who had enough flames to put the Human Torch to shame. Eventually the substitute FF realized what had happened and joined forces with the original members in order to save the day.
7 Medusa Joined The Team So Susan Could Care For Franklin
Medusa started off as a villain — a member of the Frightful Four — before it was revealed she was the Queen of the Inhumans. Medusa first joined The Fantastic Four when Sue had to depart in order to take care of Franklin Richards full-time after he fell into a coma.
Medusa also served during Matt Fraction and Mike Allred's run on Fantastic Four, while the original team was on a life or death odyssey across space and time. Medusa had long and powerful hair that she could control with her mind, making her an interesting counterpart to Reed Richard's stretchy power set.
6 Ms.Thing Was A Last-Minute Addition To The Reserve Team
During the Fraction/Allred run, the entire FF had to pick replacements in case they didn't return from their expedition. Ben chose She-Hulk, Susan chose Medusa, and Reed chose Ant-Man (Scott Lang). Johnny forgot to pick someone. When the time came, Johnny volunteered his girlfriend — believing the FF would only be missing for four minutes anyway.
When the original Fantastic Four's mission goes wrong, and the replacement FF realize they'll have to serve much longer than expected. Darla Deering, a young pop-star, dons a mechanical suit which mimics Ben Grimm's powers and becomes Ms. Thing.
5 Luke Cage Was One Of The Earliest Substitute Members
Luke Cage has been a Hero for Hire, an Avenger, and a member of the FF. Back when he was still going by the moniker Power Man, Luke joins The Fantastic Four as a replacement for The Thing after Ben Grimm temporarily loses his powers.
The tenure was short-lived, but Luke Cage was one of the earliest FF substitutes and his pronounced social justice shtick created a lot of friction with the team. This established a formula many of the great FF replacements have followed since, proving that sometimes the most interesting additions were the characters who seemed most out of place in the Baxter building.
4 Ant-Man Became The Capable Leader Of The Substitute Team
As Ant-Man, Scot Lang was once leader of The Fantastic Four. When Reed Richards learned that the FF's mutations were turning into cancers, he quickly took his family on an expedition to seek out a cure. So as not to leave Earth and the Future Foundation without guidance, the four original members selected four replacements. Reed's pick was Ant-Man, and Scott rose to the challenge. During his team leading the new team, Scott became a mentor to the young inhabitants of the Baxter Building and even broke a few hearts.
3 Spider-Man Earned His Place On The Team After Years Of Growth
Spider-Man has had a long association with the FF. He and Johnny Storm are great pals, and Spidey even attempts to join Marvel's first family all the way back in Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1. #1.
After maturing as a hero, Spider-Man finally got his wish, briefly joining Wolverine, Hulk and Ghost Rider. He later served as a full time replacement while Johnny Storm was dead. Perhaps the most tragic moment in modern FF comics, Spider-Man consoled a young Franklin Richards after his Uncle passed away.
2 Crystal Served As A Substitute Member Until Her Health Began To Deteriorate
Crystal was one of the earliest outside characters to join the FF. A member of the super-powered race known as Inhumans, Crystal became the girlfriend of Johnny Storm, although their intense youthful romance was often impeded by politics. While Susan Storm was pregnant with her first child (Franklin Richards), Crystal replaced the Invisible Woman on missions. However, Crystal soon learned she couldn't survive in Earth's atmosphere permanent. Eventually, she was forced to depart the team and return to the Inhuman's home, Attilan.
1 She-Hulk Enjoyed A Long Stint On The Team
The Thing's pride in being the strongest there is has often brought him into conflict with the Marvel Universe's other hulking strongman — the appropriately titled Hulk. While the Jolly Green Giant has also joined the FF on occasion, his equally Jolly and Green cousin is one of the team's most trusted allies.
Jennifer Walters, She-Hulk, joined the team after Secret Wars. Her long tenure among the FF introduced her to the creator who would giver her a solo series, John Byrne. She also served on the team during Matt Fraction and Mike Allred's FF run.