Frantic anticipation surrounds the recently-announced "Fantastic Four" Marvel Cinematic Universe reboot — which has been in the works for a while and a long time coming — that is set to be released in theaters on July 25, 2025. While that is a pretty long wait time, good things should be allowed to gestate at their own pace, especially when a potential 1960s setting could veer the project in interesting directions. The Fantastic Four were one of the first Marvel Comics superhero groups to introduce a sense of realism into the genre's hyperreal narratives, with creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby focusing on the personal motivations of the team's individual members on a deep, nuanced level. As the reboot has the chance to reinforce what makes these comic book characters so special and refreshing, the hype surrounding the film is more than warranted.

To understand the range of powers that the "Four" themselves wield,...