Invisible Woman: What Nobody Knew About the Fantastic Four’s Sue Storm

Sue Storm may be known to casual fans as the one who “turns invisible” in the Fantastic Four, but longtime comic readers know she’s so much more than that. Behind the scenes of Marvel’s greatest cosmic battles and deepest family dramas stands a character who’s been a leader, a warrior, a mother, and even a covert agent. With Vanessa Kirby stepping into the role for the MCU’s Fantastic Four: First Steps, it’s the perfect time to uncover everything audiences might not know about the Invisible Woman — from her awe-inspiring power set to the surprising depth of her personal journey. This is the Sue Storm that comics fans have cherished for decades, finally ready to shine on screen.

She Was the First Female Superhero of the Marvel Age

Sue Storm made her debut in Fantastic Four #1 (1961), written by Stan Lee and drawn by Jack Kirby. As the only woman on the team, she broke ground as the first female superhero in Marvel’s modern age. Initially portrayed as the team’s emotional core and moral compass, Sue’s early stories often limited her to passive or supportive roles — but over the decades, her characterisation evolved into one of Marvel’s most nuanced and powerful heroes.

Her Powers Are More Devastating Than Most Realise

Despite being known as the “Invisible Woman,” Sue’s most terrifying ability is not invisibility — it’s her mastery over force fields. Introduced later in Fantastic Four #22 (1964), her ability to generate invisible barriers can be used offensively and defensively. She’s created domes that withstand nuclear-level impacts, formed barriers inside people’s bodies to knock them unconscious, and even sliced enemies in half with razor-thin constructs. Reed Richards himself has said her powers may be the most dangerous on the team — if not used responsibly.

She Has Fought and Defeated Cosmic Entities

Sue Storm isn’t just a team player — she’s a solo powerhouse. In Fantastic Four #375 and Fantastic Four Vol. 3 #22, Sue has stood toe-to-toe with godlike opponents. She’s gone up against the likes of Mephisto, Molecule Man, and even held her own against characters like the Hulk when enraged. Her precise control over her powers, combined with tactical intelligence, often turns the tide of battle. There’s even an infamous moment in Avengers #400 where she uses her powers to incapacitate an alternate-universe Thor-level threat in seconds.

She Has Led the Fantastic Four

When Reed has gone missing — and he has, several times — Sue has stepped up as the leader of the Fantastic Four. Her leadership was especially crucial during events like Secret Wars, Civil War, and Future Foundation. She’s shown tactical brilliance, calm under pressure, and emotional strength when the team needed it most. In Fantastic Four Vol. 3 #46, it was Sue who made the final call during a multiversal threat, showcasing her role not just as a maternal figure but as the de facto head of Marvel’s First Family.

She Was a Spy for S.H.I.E.L.D.

In the 2019 limited series Invisible Woman by Mark Waid and Mattia De Iulis, readers learned of a little-known part of Sue’s past: she once worked undercover for S.H.I.E.L.D. on covert missions. This miniseries unveiled a more grounded, stealthy side of Sue — one that thrived on espionage, infiltration, and moral ambiguity. It offered a rare solo spotlight on the character, reimagining her not just as a team-based hero but as an individual who can operate in shades of gray.

She’s a Mother, and That Changes Everything

Sue Storm’s relationship with Reed Richards led to the birth of Franklin Richards and later Valeria. Both children are incredibly powerful, particularly Franklin, who was once considered an omega-level mutant capable of rewriting reality. Raising children in the Marvel Universe — especially super-powered ones — has added emotional weight to Sue’s role. Her strength as a mother is on full display in storylines like Power Pack, Fantastic Four: The End, and Future Foundation, where she balances parenting with world-saving responsibilities.

She’s Had a Darker Side

The 2000s saw a shift in Sue’s portrayal from gentle and passive to more assertive, sometimes dangerously so. In Ultimate Fantastic Four, the alternate-universe version of Sue is a biologist with a stronger will and more independence, often clashing with Reed. In Fantastic Four #587 (part of the Three arc), after Johnny Storm is presumed dead, Sue nearly destroys an Atlantean army in grief. These darker turns explore the emotional depth of a woman who often keeps her pain bottled beneath an invisible shell.

She’s Often the Most Respected Person in the Room

Many of Marvel’s top-tier heroes — from Captain America to Black Panther — have acknowledged Sue as one of the most grounded and morally upright individuals in the universe. In Black Panther Vol. 4 #26, T’Challa praises her resolve, and even Doom — her arch-nemesis — shows her a degree of respect rarely given to others. In crossover events like Secret Invasion and Infinity, Sue’s presence brings a calming authority to chaotic situations. She’s not just respected — she’s revered.

She Is the Emotional Backbone of the Marvel Universe

A few characters have balanced raw power with deep emotional resonance, as does Sue Storm. Whether it’s holding her team together after the death of a teammate or protecting her children while fighting cosmic threats, Sue’s emotional endurance is legendary. In Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #245, she even takes on the moniker “Malice” after being emotionally manipulated — an arc that exposes the fragility and strength of her psyche.

She Could Be the Most Important Character in the MCU’s Future

With the Multiverse Saga heading toward Avengers: Secret Wars, and Franklin Richards’ reality-warping potential teased through Sue, the possibilities are endless. Sue’s history with cosmic threats, time-travel arcs (The Council of Reeds), and reality manipulation through her children puts her at the centre of several multiversal turning points. As portrayed by Vanessa Kirby, she could become the emotional and strategic anchor for Marvel’s cinematic future — the one who holds it all together, even when the universe tears apart.