Marvel Officially Names New Leader Of the Fantastic Four

Published Oct 28, 2026, 5:30 PM EDT Shaun Corley has been with ScreenRant for over 5 years, and is currently the Coordinator for PR and Outreach for the Comics Team. Warning: contains spoilers for Fantastic Four #18! Marvel has officially named a new leader for The Fantastic Four. The “First Family” of the Marvel Universe has traditionally been led by Reed Richards, AKA “Mister Fantastic.” One of the finest intellects to ever exist, Reed Richards has saved Earth, the galaxy, and the entire multiverse many times over, all while having an active family life with his wife and children. From the get-go, The Fantastic Four’s dynamic was different from other superhero teams. Not only were identities public knowledge, but they also had “real world” concerns, such as bills and social lives. Yet through it all, The Fantastic Four are a family, and this separates them from the rest. Reed and Sue are married. Johnny is Sue’s younger brother, and Ben is Reed’s childhood best friend. Interpersonal relationships were nothing new in American comics, but The Fantastic Four took it to another level. Interpersonal relationships were nothing new in American comics, but The Fantastic Four took it to another level. And Reed Richards is at the center of this extraordinary team, serving as both a husband to Sue and a father figure of sorts for Johnny. Ben can be seen as the “uncle” of the family. Reed was clearly The Fantastic Four’s leader when the book debuted, but in later years, Sue has stepped up as well. But now, under unusual circumstances, The Fantastic Four has a new, but temporary, leader. The Human Torch Is The New Leader Of The Fantastic Four In Fantastic Four #18, written by Ryan North and drawn by Vincenzo Carratu, the titular team selects a stunning new leader. The team are stranded in a mysterious world, with no knowledge of how they got there, or their identities, with the members using new names. For instance, the amnesiac Sue calls herself “Opehila,” while Reed is “Pete.” The Fantastic Four come to learn they are, wildly enough, stranded inside of Magneto’s body. As The Fantastic Four fight their way out of Magneto’s body, they take a breather to discuss strategy. At this point, the team still has amnesia, so they are unaware that Reed Richards is the team’s leader. Without their old identities, new and curious takes on their various personality quirks manifest themselves. In Johnny’s case, the usually hot-headed “kid brother” takes on a leadership role, so much so that the rest defer to him when it comes time to finish their escape. Ben even calls Johnny “the leader.” The Human Torch Is The Fantastic Four's Leader Only For A Short While However, Johnny's Stint As "Team Leader" Should Not Be Ignored Johnny Storm, AKA “the Human Torch,” has, throughout The Fantastic Four’s history, been portrayed as arrogant, headstrong, and reckless. Johnny loves women and fast cars, and, in many ways, is seen as the stereotypical “jock.” At the same time, he is compassionate, and cares deeply about those he loves. Yet, he is far from what anyone would consider a “leader,” which makes his turn in Fantastic Four #18 all the more interesting and inspiring. While it is a given that The Fantastic Four will get their memories back, and Reed Richards resumes command, Johnny Storm’s brief time heading up the team offers new insight into his character. No one in the Marvel Universe sees the Human Torch as a leader, even Johnny himself. Johnny’s brash and arrogant personality does not endear him to others. But freed from the usual expectations, the Human Torch rose to the occasion, making this a vein future Fantastic Four creators should explore, even when the team gets their memories back. Fantastic Four #18 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!