The Hidden MCU Heroes You Didn’t Know Started in Fantastic Four Comics!

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It’s possible that you believe the most influential Marvel Comics series for shaping their universe is either “Avengers,” “Spider-Man,” or “X-Men.” However, it turns out to be “Fantastic Four” instead. While their pre-cinema adaptations may not have ignited the world, numerous aspects initially presented in the “Fantastic Four” comics have grown significantly important to the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Some of these characters, all conceived by the creative duo of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, are just a few recurring elements in the MCU that first appeared in the “Fantastic Four” comic books.

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Everything We Know About THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS

Remark: While Dr. Doom, Galactus, and the Silver Surfer will appear in the MCU in upcoming films, they are not included in our current discussion as the Fox’s Fantastic Four movies introduced these characters first in live-action, despite their less than ideal portrayals.

The Skrulls/The Super Skrull

One pivotal development in the fledgling Marvel Universe occurred in 1961’s Fantastic Four #2, where the Skrulls, an extraterrestrial race capable of shape-shifting, made their debut. Over the following decades, these green aliens played a significant role in Marvel Comics, notably during the Kree-Skrull War and Secret Invasion in 2009. The Skrulls also figured prominently in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), playing significant roles in Captain Marvel and Disney+’s Secret Invasion. In fact, Secret Invasion introduced a version of the Fantastic Four’s nemesis, the Super Skrull. Regrettably, that series was far from impressive. However, it serves as an excellent demonstration of how a Fantastic Four villain can first appear elsewhere before the team has a chance to confront them.

The Black Panther and Wakanda

The Fantastic Four’s #52 issue holds immense significance in the Marvel universe, as it introduced the character of King T’Challa, also known as Black Panther, and the concept of the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda. This marked the debut of mainstream comics’ first Black superhero, who later joined the Avengers and starred in his own series. Today, he is recognized as one of the most renowned and iconic superheroes globally. However, many may not know that Black Panther made his initial appearance in the Fantastic Four comic, rather than in stories featuring Captain America or Iron Man, as depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by Chadwick Boseman.

Ulysses Klaue/Klaw

Ulysses Klaue, commonly known as simply “Klaw,” debuted in the Fantastic Four issue #52, published in 1966. Often referred to as a “murderous sound master,” Klaw is the son of a Nazi criminal who later became a scientist. Through his experiments with sound waves, he metamorphoses into a solid-sound being and wears a wrist-mounted sonic emitter as a prosthetic device. He’s fixated on plundering Vibranium from Wakanda, and in the comic books, it was him who killed King T’Chaka, father of T’Challa. A more film adaptation-like (and less red) Klaw is portrayed by Andy Serkis in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Black Panther movies, yet his origins can be traced to the Fantastic Four comics.

Agatha Harkness

In the 1970s issue #94 of Fantastic Four, we were introduced to Agatha Harkness, who served as the nanny for Franklin Richards, the son of Reed and Sue Richards. Initially appearing as an elderly woman with magical abilities, Agatha wasn’t exactly a villain but rather a secretive ally to the team. Later on, she took on the role of teacher for the Scarlet Witch in the Avengers comics. The creators of WandaVision reimagined her character as a villain, portrayed brilliantly by Kathryn Hahn. Due to her popularity, Agatha Harkness even got her own spin-off series called Agatha All Along. Interestingly enough, she initially emerged as a supporting character in the Fantastic Four comic books.

The Inhumans

For many years, the enigmatic Inhuman royal family has been a key element in Marvel Comics, although they’ve led their own series infrequently. However, characters like Black Bolt, Medusa, Triton, and others have significant influence throughout the Marvel Universe. The Inhumans are a secret race with extraordinary abilities, gained through genetic manipulation by extraterrestrial forces. They were first introduced in Fantastic Four #45, way back in 1965.

In 2014, Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige initially announced plans for a movie called “The Inhumans,” but these plans were eventually shifted towards a TV series instead. The 2017 “Inhumans” TV show, which had a low budget and was met with negative criticism, nonetheless served as a significant piece of the Fantastic Four universe, introducing this family in live-action without the actual Fantastic Four characters present. Recently, Anson Mount reprised his role as Inhuman leader Black Bolt in a cameo for “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” It’s anticipated that we’ll see another iteration of these characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe at some point. Given their importance, it seems likely they will make an appearance, possibly in a future Fantastic Four film.

Kang the Conqueror (Rama-Tut)

Initially appearing as a villain in the Fantastic Four comic series, specifically in issue #19 from 1963, Kang the Conqueror was later discovered to be the same character known as Pharaoh Rama-Tut, who had caused trouble for the Avengers. However, it was his encounter with the Fantastic Four that marked his first appearance. Later on, he became a significant antagonist in shows like Loki and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, where he was portrayed as Rama-Tut in the latter film. This suggests that Kang may have a connection to Reed Richards, one of the Fantastic Four members.

Ronan the Accuser/The Kree

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I’ve always been captivated by the diverse alien species populating the Marvel Universe. Among them, the Kree, with their distinctive blue skin, have left an indelible mark. In fact, the original Captain Marvel, Mar-Vell, hailed from this very race. However, not all famous Kree characters were heroes; some, like Ronan the Accuser, were formidable villains. In the grand scheme of the Kree Empire, the title ‘Accusers’ was bestowed upon military governors and jurists.

Ronan made his debut in Fantastic Four #65 way back in 1967, and since then, he’s been a recurring thorn in the side of many superheroes. He’s clashed swords with Thor, the Avengers, and numerous others. In recent years, Ronan has taken center stage in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with Lee Pace bringing him to life in Guardians of the Galaxy and Captagonist Marvel. Unfortunately for us fans, his character met a tragic end in a dance-off against Star-Lord, so it seems unlikely that we’ll see him interacting with the MCU’s Fantastic Four anytime soon.

Uatu the Watcher

The Watchers are an ancient and colossal alien race, known for their oversized heads, who have been a staple of Marvel Comics since 1963. They made their debut in Fantastic Four #13, where we discovered that these cosmic beings were solely assigned to observe significant events across the galaxy without interfering. In the original Galactus Saga, Uatu, one of the Watchers, played a crucial role. Over the subsequent decades, he became a recurring figure in the Marvel Universe. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Uatu served as both the main character and narrator in the animated series What If…?, voiced by Jeffrey Wright for three seasons. This indicates that another key introduction of a character was made through an MCU series before the Fantastic Four even had their chance at it.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are still several Fantastic Four characters left who could appear in potential sequels. Among them are Molecule Man, Diablo, Psycho-Man, Annihilus (Lord of the Negative Zone), and Mole Man, who is rumored to make a cameo in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Annihilus is also believed to be the antagonist in the Nova series. It’s exciting to think that Marvel’s First Family might soon bring more of their characters and villains to live-action storytelling.

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2025-02-11 20:03