Fantastic Four (2025-) #12

by Ryan North, Patrick Boutin (Artist), Humberto Ramos (Cover Art)

Aliens have invaded Earth and been rebuffed by the Fantastic Four many a time before, and finally, one of them got wise and invaded Earth where the FF couldn't defend They're attacking our world in the past, in ANCIENT ROME. Johnny and Reed are the only two who make it back in time before all of history is erased, but it's okay! As long as they can defend Earth, push the aliens back AND reset history to how it once was, everything should be fine, right? Good thing that, when left alone, Johnny and Reed don't get into ANY sort of problems on the regular. Reed stretches in a new way in this one! He does that in a lot of our issues, but this one is particularly fun.

Genres: Marvel, Comics

Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2026

About the author

Hi, I'm Ryan! I was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in 1980 and since then have written several books. You can read my Wikipedia page for more, or check out my author site at RyanNorth.ca!

I'm the author of the webcomic Dinosaur Comics (that's the comic where the pictures don't change but the words do, it's better than it sounds and I've also done crazy things like turn Shakespeare into a choose-your-own-path adventure, write a comic for Marvel about a girl with all the powers of a squirrel, or mess up walking my dog so badly it made the news.

I'm working on more stuff as we speak, hopefully it's good

Reviews

[Machiavelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

North keeps pushing at just how weird he can get with this book and I love it. The premise here is pure comedy gold — an alien race finally gets smart and invades Earth in Ancient Rome, where the FF can’t defend it, and Reed and Johnny are the only two who make it back in time to stop them. What could go wrong? Everything, obviously, and it does. Johnny is hilarious and hilariously self-unaware throughout, Reed stretches in a particularly fun new way that I won’t spoil, and the Latin and Roman history bits are exactly the kind of nerdy touches North does better than anyone. Boutin steps in on art and does a great job capturing the Roman setting with real personality. Not every comic needs to reinvent the wheel — sometimes you just want Marvel’s First Family thrown into a ridiculous situation and let loose. This is exactly that and I had a blast. 4.5⭐️

[Neil Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Ryan North for providing me with Marvel books that are accessible, fun, and don't require the knowledge of 5 years of events and titles across the entire Marvel universe.

These tales feel like a callback to the classic Fantastic Four where you get a whole adventure that's crazy, fun, and yet with a modern touch. He has such a good handle on the characters as well, especially Jonny who is likeable and not just a brat. I really can't fault the story and wish more writers had the ability to craft such tales (although Fraction is doing his own successful take on single issue stories in "Batman").
The art is a little weak as it appears quite sketchy in places especially regarding faces and groups of characters. However I can totally see how they make a good fill in for Humberto Ramos and there's possibly more of a Scottie Young. I'd probably like to see them doing a regular series where they presumably have more time and are familiar with the characters.

It certainly looks like this book is back to business as usual after the Doom event and I can hopefully keep reading until the next event or relaunch hits.



Overall impression = 4/5
Writing = 5/5
Art = 3/5

Will I read the next issue? yes

Wait for the trade collection? I prefer monthly when the stories are self contained.

Did I need to read previous issues/series? No this is a done in one tale.

Will I read previous issues I might back track on this run if they are all short arcs.

[Norrin Shearer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun one-off adventure with low stakes for the story as a whole, but high stakes on the pages while you’re reading it! This was a ton of fun! I will say, I haaaaaate Boutin on art though. Objectively, far more talented at producing comic book art than I could ever be, but that doesn’t mean I have to enjoy looking at it. Bring back Humberto Ramos PLEASE.

[Craig Schorling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun, self contained story. Reed and Johnny take center stage here. The final panel provided a great chuckle. The artwork wasn't too my liking but North is still killing it with the writing.

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reed is responsible for the dodecahedron? That is so crazy, it works. Loved the story and Reed’s relationship with Johnny keeps getting better.

[Andy Waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

once again, i must petition that ryan north write this book for AT LEAST 100 issues

[Paxton Holley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Filler story, but a VERY GOOD filler story. Reed and Johnny go back in time to fight aliens trying to take over the Earth.

[Wm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan North: classic scifi nerd, hard science nerd, and now history nerd? Heck yeah. These are the ingredients of which a great writer is made.

[Antonio Escobar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This issue felt like a side quest mission that Reed and Johnny go on. Love it all-

[Axx · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I told you, I think about Ancient Rome the normal amount! And memorizing how to say "flame on" in Latin IS the normal amount!"