Summary
The Fantastic Fourfan art asks what if Marvel’s First Family got their own cartoon in the delightfully chaotic style ofThe Powerpuff Girls.
WithFantastic Fourstill on its way as Marvel Studios' next big new fodder for uninspired YouTubers, it’s only natural that fan creators would flock to the franchise. This team of sapphire-hued heroes has had a rough go of things over the decades. From movies with mixed reactions to a movie with no reactions to Roger Corman, it seems like it’s become a rite of passage in Hollywood for everyone to, at some point, try to maketheir ownFantastic Fourmovie. Luckily, this talented fan chose to target the television audience instead, and it looks like it would work.
New Zealand artistCharlie Faulksdecided that the wait for the upcomingFantastic Fourmovie wasn’t good enough and took to Instagram with an idea that’s genuinely pleasing to the eyes. At least, it’s pleasing for those who grew up in a specific era of Cartoon Network. Specializing in works reminiscent of classic cartoons from throughout the decades, Faulks evoked the unmistakable vibe ofThe Powerpuff Girlsand its contemporaries with this latest work. Naturally, other fans had some thoughts.
The piece genuinely looks like it would fit right in with Cartoon Network’s early-to-mid-2000s output likePowerpuff Girls(which had its drama with afailed live-actionPowerpuff Girlsseries) and other shows likeDanny PhantomandDexter’s Laboratory. The characteristically thick lines and overstated angles are on full display, driving home the striking variance among theFantastic Fourteam members. The Thing is bulky and rotund, Mr. Fantastic is angular and properly elongated, The Human Torch is sleek and evokes a feeling of fiery fluidity, and The Invisible Woman looks, as oneRedditcommenter so eloquently put it, like “peak goblin Sue” with her scrappy fighting stance and face of a chaotic wildcard.
“Sue looks ready to start some sh*t”
“This is great lol.
Reed with that ‘I’m smarter than Doom’ smirk lol.”
Despite Sue’s design changing things up (even though it would be amazing to see her tear things up with a little anarchy), it seems like it could be a refreshing change of pace for the usually ill-fated hero team. Other fans pointed out that, in the hypothetical scenario that such a series was created, it wouldn’t be the first time themasterpiece comic book heroesFantastic Fourgot their own solo cartoon.Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroeswas an anime-inspired series that ran for 1 season in the mid-2000s, though its initial run on Cartoon Network only aired a few episodes. So, hopefully, a new one would get a bit more of a fair shake. However, the loyal fans still haven’t forgotten it.
“So we’re just pretending fantastic four worlds greatest heroes didn’t happen?”
Frankly, it’s pretty in character for the last cartoon version of theFantastic Fourto be just as ramshackle as the reputation its movies have garnered. But maybe their problem is that they just took themselves too seriously. This is a franchise with a stretchy man and a dude made of rocks. If anything deserves theTeen Titans GOtreatment, it’s this band of weirdos.
Marvel Studios’The Fantastic Fouris scheduled to be released in theaters on June 08, 2025.
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four are Marvel’s original team of superheroes. After being bombarded by cosmic rays, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm gained amazing superpowers, taking on the mantles of Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing. Their main adversary, Doctor Doom, has become one of Marvel’s all-time great villains.
