Debuting in 1961 in The Fantastic Four #1, the very first comic released by the legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, The Fantastic Four consists of four individuals who gained superpowers after exposure to cosmic rays during a scientific mission to outer space; Mister Fantastic, a scientific genius and the leader of the group, who can stretch his body into incredible lengths and shapes; the Invisible Girl, who eventually married Reed, who can render herself invisible and later project powerful invisible force fields; the Human Torch, Sue's younger brother, who can generate flames, surround himself with them and fly; and the monstrous Thing, their grumpy but benevolent friend, a former college football star and Reed's college roommate as well as a good pilot, who possesses tremendous superhuman strength, durability, and endurance due to the nature of his stone-like flesh