Fantastic Four: First Steps Title Design

It all begins with four: the foundation of Marvel’s original family of heroes and the inspiration for a bold new design story. Perception designed the vibrant Main On End title sequence for Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four: First Steps, celebrating Marvel’s “first family” through a retro-futuristic lens. Inspired by mid-century modern aesthetics and the analog charm of 1960s title design, the sequence blends bold color fields, handmade animation and classic grid layouts to create an authentically vintage feel. The sequence is a celebration of the Fantastic Four, showing how they are seen as heroes and cultural icons within their world.

The sequence unfolds through grids of images, with moving squares and dynamic layouts inspired by the split screen title design of the 1960s. Typography becomes a storytelling tool, with extended letterforms leading the viewer’s eye from frame to frame, threading together photographs, illustrations, and other design elements in a continuous visual rhythm.

To make this world feel truly alive, our team designed original in-world artifacts, like magazine covers, collectible cards, lunch boxes, and even a commemorative Galactus plaque, all created specifically for the sequence. These unique elements were blended with Marvel-provided assets, including alternate takes, behind-the-scenes footage, and props, to make the world of the Fantastic Four feel truly lived in.

Each piece adds texture, history, and playfulness to the world of Fantastic Four: First Steps, grounding the sequence in a sense of cultural celebration that evokes both nostalgic magic and a refreshing new perspective.

If you look closely, you may notice that each credit in the sequence is paired with personalized visuals that connect directly to the people behind the film:

The project’s quick turnaround demanded close collaboration and quick creative iteration. Rather than overplanning, we dove straight into animation to discover compositions as we worked. This approach helped us quickly define the tone and pacing of the sequence while keeping momentum high. It also opened the door to simpler, more graphic compositions. A single square with text might seem minimal in isolation, but within the rhythm of the full sequence, it became dynamic and engaging.

We spent a lot of time on the animation, aiming for something energetic yet timeless. To capture the handmade charm of 1960s title design, we avoided relying too heavily on the computer to ease our keyframes, instead animating much of it by hand. Shapes were never perfectly cut, edges carried a touch of roughness, and nothing felt overly clean or digital. These subtle imperfections brought an authenticity that perfectly complemented the retro-futuristic world of the film.

Fantastic Four: First Steps marks another milestone in Perception’s 15-year collaboration with Marvel Studios, continuing our studio’s tradition of worldbuilding — shaping rich, distinctive worlds with care and authenticity.

“Collaborating with Marvel on the Fantastic Four Main On End was truly a dream project. As the first family of comics, the Fantastic Four holds an iconic place in pop culture — and with our long-standing relationship with Marvel, they feel like family to us. Being able to continue the story through a 1960s-inspired lens was an incredible creative experience. We had a blast incorporating B-roll-style moments that gave the sequence an authentic, behind-the-scenes charm.” – Danny Gonzalez, Co-Founder, Perception

“It was an absolute honor for Perception to be part of this incredible film. Fantastic Four is deeply personal to me — it’s a love letter to Jack Kirby, whose work has inspired me my entire life (even my dog is named Kirby). As Marvel’s first family, the Fantastic Four marked the beginning of the legendary Kirby-Lee blitz that reshaped comics forever. His boundless imagination and creative genius shaped my passion for design and storytelling, and being able to help honor his legacy through this film was a dream come true.” – Jeremy Lasky, Co-Founder, Perception