Artist Paul Mann has shared his Fantastic Four promotional “Bubble Gum Card” art for Marvel, ahead of the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps in cinemas on 25th July 2025.
“It’s been an absolute blast working on official promotional artwork for Marvel Studios’ upcoming Fantastic Four,” he says, “bringing these legendary characters to life in my own style was a dream gig.
“A huge thanks to the incredible team at [award-winning creative marketing agency] Zealot Inc and Marvel Studios for trusting me with this vision. Honoured to be a small part of the cosmic energy building around this film.”
The fantastic art, which will be used in a variety of promotions, features actors Pedro Pascal (as Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), Ebon Moss Bachrach (Ben Grimm) and the robot, H.E.R.B.I.E, who first appeared in the FF animated series The New Fantastic Four in 1978, and was integrated into the comics continuity shortly afterwards.
“From the classic silhouettes to those Kirby-inspired flourishes, I wanted every stroke to feel like a love letter to the history of these icons,” says Paul, ” “and a nod to what’s next.”
Paul is sharing more behind-the-scenes and process shots to come, so follow him on his social media for those.
For more than 40 years, Paul Mann has been an active illustrator and professional artist in the Salt Lake City area of the United States. He has perfected his craft through numerous publications, gallery pieces and commission projects. Through his timeless composition and proven technique he has set himself apart as a premier artist within the industry. Take a look at his selected works, and get in touch for more information or to commission a project.
• Paul Mann is online at paulmannartist.com | Facebook | Instagram
Coming Soon to a Cinema Near You…
In The Fantastic Four: First Steps in cinemas from 25th July 2025, Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and the Thing face their most daunting challenge yet as they defend Earth from Galactus and Silver Surfer…
A tie-in single issue comic, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, written by Matt Fraction with art by Mark Buckingham and a cover by Phil Noto, is on sale from 2nd July 2025 in all good Local Comic Shops, and available digitally (AmazonUK Affiliate Link). There’s more information here on the Marvel web site.
“What an honour to be asked to help celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Fantastic Four!” Fraction shared. “It was a thrill to bring their first legendary adventure to the world of comic books for the first time! It’s a story we all know by heart, but I think Magic Mark Buckingham and I have found a way to tell it as you’ve never heard or seen before — and who knows, this could be the start of something big!”
New Fantastic Four: First Steps Books Ahead
• Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps Poster Book (AmazonUK Affiliate Ink) – Available from 16th September 2025
Show your love for Marvel’s First Family with the official poster book of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The book offer an instant gallery of display-ready posters featuring the stars of the film. Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch and the ever-lovin’ Thing have never looked so good as they will on your walls in these 20 beautifully illustrated artworks – also featuring other major characters from the Marvel Studios’ film
• Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps: The Art Of The Movie (Hardcover Slipcase Edition) – Forbidden Planet Affiliate Link – Available from 18th November 2025
The latest in the acclaimed series of art books celebrates The Fantastic Four: First Steps, featuring the long-awaited return of Marvel’s First Family to the big screen.
This Marvel Studios deluxe Art Of tie-in books is filled with all the features you’d expect, including a stunning gallery of never-before-seen artwork and in-depth interviews with the creative team. It comes packaged in a beautiful slipcase with exclusive lithographs so you can journey into the 1960s-inspired, sci-fi wonderland of the Fantastic Four
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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