"Prolog: Ten Lunar Orbits Ago" marks a pivotal moment in the Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four series, with John Byrne writing and illustrating this introspective chapter. As Mr. Fantastic revisits the Richards' estate in California, he confronts the lingering mystery of his memory loss by uncovering his father's hidden lab—and a mysterious time platform—amidst the echoes of past battles with Gormuu. The story, rendered in Byrne’s signature style with colors by Glynis Wein and lettering by Janice Chiang and Michael Higgins, features a cover by Byrne and Mark Bright that captures the weight of revelation.
Contains 22 stories
Prolog: Ten Lunar Orbits Ago
11 pp · Superhero
Colonel Bel-Dann (Kree soldier)Empress R'klll of the Skrullsthe Supreme IntelligenceWarlord Raksor (Skrull warrior, poses as Storm)the Watcher [Uatu]Wolverine
Something Old, Something New!
28 pp · Superhero
Colonel Bel-DannFantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]Human Torch [Johnny Storm]Invisible Girl [Sue Storm Richards]She-Hulk]the Inhumans [Black BoltCrystalGorgonKarnakLockjawLunaMedusaTriton]QuicksilverWarlord Raksorthe Watcher
Skyfall
22 pp · Superhero
Fantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]Invisible Girl [Sue Storm Richards]Human Torch [Johnny Storm]She-Hulk [Jennifer Walters]]Wyatt WingfootAlicia MastersFranklin RichardsTerminus (villain)
Planet-Fall
22 pp · Superhero
Fantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]Invisible Girl [Sue Storm Richards]Human Torch [Johnny Storm]She-Hulk [Jennifer Walters]]Alicia MastersFranklin RichardsWyatt WingfootTerminus (villain)Annihilus (cameo flashback)The Thing (cameo flashback)
Happy Birthday Darling!
22 pp · Superhero
Fantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]Invisible Girl [Sue Storm Richards]Human Torch [Johnny Storm]She-Hulk [Jennifer Walters]Ben Grimm [Thing] (flashback)]Alicia MastersWyatt WingfootFranklin RichardsGiles PeacockMrs. PeacockGormuu (flashback, villain)
In "Happy Birthday Darling!", Reed Richards returns to his family's California estate, seeking answers after a mysterious memory loss. With the help of his team, he uncovers his father's hidden lab and stumbles upon a strange time platform, setting off a journey into the past that could unravel more than just his forgotten history.
Cowboys and Idioms
22 pp · Superhero
Fantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]Invisible Girl [Sue Storm Richards]Human Torch [Johnny Storm]She-Hulk [Jennifer Walters]]Wyatt WingfootNathaniel Richards (cameo)Bret Colby
Fathers and Others
22 pp · Superhero
Fantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]Invisible Girl [Sue Storm Richards]Human Torch [Johnny Storm]She-Hulk [Jennifer Walters]]Wyatt WingfootCassandraNathaniel RichardsBret Colby
Rocky Grimm Space Ranger Part IX: Monster Mash
22 pp · Superhero
The ThingTariannaThe TakersLlrrllllnnllyyrrlDraculaDeathThe MummyFrankenstein's Monster
Monster Mash Part Two
22 pp · Superhero
Fantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]Invisible Girl [Sue Storm Richards]Human Torch [Johnny Storm]She-Hulk [Jennifer Walters]The Thing [Ben Grimm]]Alicia MastersAlma ChambersFrankenstein's MonsterGregor LupusMonster Master [Dr. Akerman]KempSpider-Man's Black Costume
The Naked Truth
22 pp · Superhero
Alicia MastersBill Watkins (WXIT radio station employee)Dan Cooley (helicopter pilot)the Fantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]Invisible Girl [Sue Storm Richards]Human Torch [Johnny Storm]She-Hulk [Jennifer Walters]]Franklin RichardsJohn Byrne (mini-portrait in credits box)T.J. Vance (The Naked Truth magazine editor)Wyatt WingfootHideko
Suffer a Witch to Live...
22 pp · Superhero
Fantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]Invisible Girl [Sue Storm Richards]Human Torch [Johnny Storm]She-Hulk [Jennifer Walters]]Alicia MastersWyatt WingfootFranklin RichardsElspeth Cromwell (villain)Mephisto (cameo)Dr. Strange (cameo)Hyram Fieldstone (cameo)Lois Fieldstone (cameo)Joe Palooka (cameo)Ann Palooka (cameo)Dick Tracy (cameo)Mr. Lockhorn (cameo)Mrs. Lockhorn (cameo)Skeezix (cameo)Jiggs (cameo)Henry Mitchell (cameo)Blondie (cameo)Dagwood Bumstead (cameo)Herb Woodley (cameo)
Back from Beyond
22 pp · Superhero
Fantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]Invisible Girl [Sue Storm Richards]Human Torch [Johnny Storm]She-Hulk [Jennifer Walters]The Thing [Ben Grimm]]Doctor StrangeAlicia MastersFranklin RichardsWyatt WingfootDire Wraith (villain)Mephisto (villain)
In "Back from Beyond," Jo returns to Earth from the Beyonder's realm, only to face a Dire Wraith in a fight that tests his strength and resolve. Meanwhile, the Richardses and Doctor Strange confront Mephisto in a desperate bid to save Franklin’s soul—though it’s Franklin who ultimately turns the tide in a moment that defies fate.
Remembrances
22 pp · Superhero
The ThingAlicia MastersMr. FantasticThe Human Torch [Johnny Storm]The Invisible GirlFranklin Richards
The Shattered Stars (Chapter One)
6 pp · Science Fiction, Superhero
The Shadows in the Stone (Chapter Two)
6 pp · Science Fiction, Superhero
Return of the Exile (Chapter Three)
6 pp · Science Fiction, Superhero
The Rhyming Robot (Chapter Four)
6 pp · Science Fiction, Superhero
The End of the Earth (Chapter Five)
6 pp · Science Fiction, Superhero
The Hidden Stars (Chapter Six)
6 pp · Science Fiction, Superhero
Tunnel in the Sky (Chapter Seven)
6 pp · Science Fiction, Superhero
The Dweller in Darkness (Chapter Eight)
12 pp · Science Fiction, Superhero
The Face of the Foe (Chapter Nine)
6 pp · Science Fiction, Superhero
