U.S. Open Honors Althea Gibson In Marvel Fantastic Four Comic Book Journey

By Barry Janoff

August 14, 2025: The U.S. Open has joined with Marvel for a second consecutive year to support this year’s U.S. Open theme — “Celebrating 75 Years of Breaking Barriers” — with an original comic book spotlighting tennis icon Althea Gibson and the Fantastic Four.

More than 40,000 print copies of the comic book will be given out for free during U.S. Open Fan Week, Aug. 18-23, to people who have signed up for a Fan Access Pass, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

The storyline follows the Fantastic Four as they learn about Gibson’s life and career and the legacy she inspired while breaking tennis’ color barrier at the 1950 U.S. Open. She then went on to win back-to-back Wimbledon and U.S. Open singles titles and became one of the most legendary figures in tennis.

According to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, “Gibson’s inclusion in America’s biggest tennis event wasn’t just about gaining acceptance in the sporting world, but seen as a momentum builder for blacks in the game of life.

“What Jackie Robinson did for baseball by being in the Brooklyn Dodgers’s starting lineup at first base on April 15, 1947, Althea Gibson did for tennis when she made her historic debut, defeating Barbara Knapp, 6-2, 6-2, in the first round.”

She was induced in to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971. She passed away in 2003 at age of 76.

Motivated by Gibson's life, the Fantastic Four go the U.S. Open, "where they channel Gibson to overcome an impossible challenge on the courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center."

“Telling the story of Althea Gibson alongside the Fantastic Four is an incredible way to shine a light on her life and legacy to a whole new audience,” Nicole Kankam, USTA managing director of pro tennis marketing and entertainment, said via the organization.

“Collaborating with Marvel to honor Althea in this new and exciting way — to a wide array of fans on-site during U.S. Open Fan Week — only adds to the fan experience and amplifies the celebration of our theme.”

Last year, calling it a “landmark collaboration,” the U.S. Tennis Assn. and Marvel formed a partnership highlighted by an original comic book featuring a roster of top-ranked ATP Tour men and Hologic WTA Tour women players in action alongside the Avengers.

That limited-edition comic book — set at the U.S. Open with a storyline driven by that year’s theme, “Celebrating the Power of Tennis” — featured such players as Naomi Osaka, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Frances Tiafoe, Jessica Pegula, Taylor Fritz, Aryna Sabalenka, Ben Shelton, Sloane Stephens and Nick Kyrgios, interacting with some of Marvel’s iconic characters.

This year, each day from Monday through Friday of U.S. Open Fan Week 6,000 books will be given away to people who have signed up for a Fan Access Pass.

The remaining copies to be given away on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day Aug. 23.

Photo: U.S. OpenThe comic books will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to people who scanned their Fan Access Pass at the giveaway booth, with a limit of one comic per person for the week.

“New York is home to many of Marvel’s beloved heroes, including the Fantastic Four,” Holly Frank, Walt Disney Studios vp-partnership management and operations for Marvel., said via the company.

“We’re thrilled that these characters, at the heart of Marvel’s comic book origins, are teaming up with the U.S. Open to celebrate the legacy of Althea Gibson and delivering a fun and engaging story showcasing the power of tennis for fans.”

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