Marvel Comics is closing out its Fantastic Four: First Foes series this December with one of the team’s oldest enemies, as the Wizard makes his debut in the world of Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Fantastic Four: First Foes – The Wizard #1 comes from writer Fabian Nicieza and artist Mark Buckingham, who returns after drawing each of the previous First Foes one-shots. The series has explored adventures set before the events of the film, filling in the history of this version of Marvel’s First Family and introducing their early adversaries.
For the finale, Bentley Wittman has his sights set on proving himself intellectually superior to the Fantastic Four. His plan is suitably ambitious: steal the Baxter Building itself. To pull it off, the Wizard assembles his own answer to Marvel’s heroes, the Frightful Four.
The issue marks the first appearance of both the Wizard and Frightful Four within the First Steps universe, giving the creative team an opportunity to reinterpret the classic villains through the retro-futuristic world established by the film.
Buckingham reflected on working across all five of the comics and collaborating with writers Matt Fraction, Charles Soule, Greg Pak, Dan Slott, and now Nicieza.
“How fortunate I am to have enjoyed so many Fantastic creative firsts on First Steps and First Foes!” Buckingham said.
Buckingham also pointed to the unusual collaboration between Marvel Studios and Marvel Comics, along with the opportunity to revisit characters that have meant a great deal to him throughout his career.
“On top of all that I am getting to revisit and reimagine the first adventures of my comic book first love, truly the world’s greatest comic magazine, the Fantastic Four!”
For the finale, Buckingham teased that the Wizard won’t be the only threat waiting for the team.
“For this final instalment, Fabian and I bring you not just the Wizard but a whole quartet of Frightful villains to test our fantastic first family to their absolute limits! I can’t wait for you all to read it!”
Nicieza was similarly enthusiastic about getting another opportunity to write the Fantastic Four while expanding the history established in First Steps.
“Getting to write the Fantastic Four is something I haven’t done often enough in my career, so I relish every chance I can get, and getting to expand on the First Steps film made it twice as much fun,” Nicieza said. “I loved everything about the movie, so getting to work with Mark to reimagine the Wizard and the Frightful Four is pretty much everything that makes these kinds of projects a crunchy continuity candy treat!”
Fantastic Four: First Foes – The Wizard #1 arrives this December with a cover by Phil Noto.
FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST FOES – THE WIZARD #1
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