THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS In-Universe Time Magazine Covers Spotlight Marvel's First Family
Marvel Studios is going all-in with its marketing for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and this it a pretty cool marketing campaign, as the studio has dropped a series of in-universe magazine covers featuring Marvel’s First Family gracing the front pages of iconic publications like Time, People, and Men’s Health, and the attention to detail is next level.
The retro-futuristic aesthetic perfectly fits the film’s 1960s-inspired tone, and each cover highlights a different side of the team. Time spotlights Reed Richards and Sue Storm in their dual roles as scientists and heroes, while Johnny Storm leans into his celebrity persona (complete with ads for his “Hot” aftershave), and Ben Grimm stands tall as the reluctant star everyone can’t stop talking about.
But the campaign isn’t just about style, it’s sprinkled with clever Easter eggs. Case in point: People magazine’s feature on H.E.R.B.I.E. hides a subtle nod to none other than Doctor Doom with “Doom Detection”. You can see screen shots of that below.
I also included information below all the magazine covers that has been making the rounds online about Doctor Doom, but if true, it’s spoiler territory. So, read at your own risk.
For now, these magazine covers give fans a fun peek into how Marvel is treating the Fantastic Four as celebrities within their own universe. It’s a smart way to build hype while staying true to the spirit of the comics.
What do you think of Marvel’s in-universe marketing?
Possible spoilers ahead.
According to recent plot leaks, Doom doesn’t actually show up during the main film, at least, not directly. The biggest clue to his presence? A reference to Latveria. But then there’s the post-credits scene, which reportedly goes full-on Doom tease:
"Sue is reading a book to Franklin. She gets up to grab another one. In the background, we hear the sound of a teleportation device activating. When she returns, she freezes. The book slips from her hand. Standing before her is a cloaked figure - Doctor Doom. We don't see his face, but his full body is visible beneath a silver cloak. In one hand, he holds his iconic mask (rendered in CGI); in the other, he carries an unconscious Franklin."
That sounds intense and sets the stage for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, where Downey Jr.’s Doom is expected to play a major role.