Marvel Studios is going all-in with its marketing forThe 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?
