Marvel has announced a new comic one-shot that will serve as a prequel to The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps was released in United States theaters last year. Directed by Matt Shakman, the movie stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson as Galactus. It is currently available to stream on Disney+.
What is The Fantastic Four: First Steps prequel?
Publishing this June from Marvel Comics, Fantastic Four: First Foes — Shalla-Bal #1 is a new prequel one-shot that will reveal the origins of Garner’s MCU character. The comic comes from writer Charles Soule and artist Mark Buckingham.
A description of the one-shot reads, “Years ago, in order to save her planet, astronomer Shalla-Bal gave up her freedom to become the sustenance-seeking Herald of the intergalactic Devourer of Worlds, Galactus! Now, for the first time, learn the secrets of her transformation, her journey, and the horrifying decisions that she had to make!”
Buckingham said in a statement, “Already spoiled rotten to have had superstar writers Matt Fraction and Dan Slott collaborate with me on this Fantastic Four series, I was over the moon to discover I’d be joined by the incredible Charles Soule for this next installment! nd over the moon, and far into deep space, is where we are going. To glimpse a dramatic and heart breaking tale from Shalla-Bal’s past, beautifully written by Charles, that takes place prior to the events in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. It continues to be a delight and utter joy to draw this book, and to have a whole issue to indulge in my love for the Silver Surfer, especially after seeing Shalla-Bal so exquisitely brought to life in the film. I’ve loved bringing the magic of the early FF stories and Marvel Studios’ movie together and delving deeper into the universe of The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
Featuring cover art by Phil Noto and variant cover art by Marc Aspinall and Buckingham, Fantastic Four: First Foes — Shalla-Bal #1 arrives on June 10, 2026.
There is also a Fantastic Four: First Foes #1, which is focused on the Mad Thinker, releasing on March 25, while another prequel, Fantastic Four: First Steps #1, was released last year. Both those issues are illustrated by Buckingham, with Slott writing the former and Fraction the latter.
Source: Marvel
