After a stint drawing for the Distinguished Competition for the last few years, Marvel announced last month that the prodigal penciler John Romita Jr. had returned, and teased a high profile project for his first project back at Marvel. Sure enough, today Marvel revealed that Romita Jr. will be joining Fantastic Four writer Dan Slott on the giant-sized Fantastic Four 60th Anniversary issue of Marvel’s First Family with Fantastic Four #35. The special will also feature a story by former Fantastic Four writer Mark Waid and artist Paul Renaud, as well as a story written and drawn by Jason Loo.

This isn’t the first time Slott and Romita Jr. have collaborated together, with Romita Jr. having drawn various Amazing Spider-Man issues written by Slott during the Brand New Day era of Spidey, most notably the “New Ways to Die” storyline.

No colorist was named in the announcement, but I would assume Marte Garcia since he colored the aforementioned John Romita Jr. teaser.

Take a look at the cover for the first issue by Mark Brooks, as well as a preview of Romita Jr.’s interior art with inks by JP Mayer and the full text of the announcement for the series below. Look for Fantastic Four#35 to arrive in stores in August.

Fantastic Four 60th Anniversary Fantastic Four 60th Anniversary Fantastic Four 60th Anniversary issue

This year, Marvel Comics is proud to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Fantastic Four! Home to concepts and characters that revolutionized comic book storytelling, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s beloved creations have enjoyed one of the most memorable sagas in comic book history and this year will see some of greatest adventures yet! Following the highly anticipated BRIDE OF DOOM storyline, August’s FANTASTIC FOUR #35 will be a special giant-sized spectacular that will see series writer Dan Slott teaming up with legendary artist John Romita Jr.

Recently returned to the House of Ideas, Romita Jr. is back to bringing his incredible artwork to Marvel’s biggest heroes, starting with this celebratory 60th anniversary issue for Marvel’s First Family. FANTASTIC FOUR #35 will launch a brand-new storyline that will see every iteration of the iconic villain Kang teaming up for a devious plot that will unravel across Fantastic Four history!

The entire Kang bloodline is out to destroy every era of the Fantastic Four! How can Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny hope to survive simultaneous attacks across their lifetimes by Rama Tut, the Scarlet Centurion, Kang the Conqueror and Kang’s final descendant, the sinister Scion?! Still dealing with the repercussions of Doctor Doom’s climactic wedding, the groundbreaking changes to the Fantastic Four’s status quo are just beginning. Plus: Mark Waid and Paul Renaud deliver dramatic new insights into the origin of the fabulous foursome in an all-new anniversary tale and a third story written and drawn by Jason Loo in his Marvel Comics debut!

“I’ve read, and been told by much smarter people, that ‘luck is the residue of design’ so I won’t even attempt to claim I designed the events of these last few months, but I will take this kind of luck any day any time,” Romita Jr. said. “I was lucky to begin my career with Marvel and now am extremely lucky to re-connect with Marvel. That’s an enormous amount of good fortune. I sincerely thank all the folks up at Marvel, and Disney, who worked for this fortunate re-connection to happen.

“To add to all this, and I hate to add a third section to my good fortune, is the opportunity to start off with a huge project, which is the 60th anniversary of the Fantastic Four! It is an honor and extreme privilege to be asked to work on this along with a friend and former collaborator, Dan Slott! Along with ink artist JP Mayer, I am looking forward to this being up for viewing in August!”