Inspired by DC's top-selling smorgasbord of heroes, the Justice League of America, Stan Lee, and Jack Kirby decided to go one better when tasked with creating a copycat title for Marvel. Instead of a mashup of existing heroes, Lee and Kirby struck upon the novel concept of creating a super-family, allowing young readers to instantly identify with the day-to-day squabbles and growing pains of the protagonists while still enjoying liberal doses of heroism and derring-do. This dynamic and historic first issue hit the ground running with an action-packed cover and one of the most thrilling and engrossing origin stories of the era.

In keeping with the Marvel theme of creating cosmic heroes out of everyday people, the Fantastic Four started out as a family melodrama masquerading as a superhero title. Cosmic threats were nothing compared to the tensions created by the insertion of driven genius Reed Richards into the family life of the Storms, via fiancee Sue, and the love-hate relationship between her hotheaded brother Johnny and the streetwise former marine Ben Grimm. Yet, through it all, this ersatz family unit would always unit under pressure and struggle to ward off any number of dangers, wether they be on Yancy Street or the far-flung edges of the galaxy, all against the backdrop of a gritty, recognizable New York City that even in the early 60s was believed to have its best days behind it. The book was an almost instant sensation, making this debut issue difficult to track down in nice condition. Feast your eyes on this wonderful high-grade copy, its cover features dazzling whites and a vivid color palette. Marvel key enthusiasts never fail to throw everything they've got at higher-grade copies of this issue, and we think this will be no exception.

Overstreet Guide 2013 VF+(8.5) value = $46,500.

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