Is THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Introducing Franklin Richards and Setting Up an MCU Reboot?

In the vast Marvel Comics Universe, there are numerous characters with Omega-level abilities, such as Jean Grey and Scarlet Witch among others. Additionally, there are beings like the Eternals, Celestials, and Galactus. However, one of the most powerful characters in Marvel history is expected to make their debut in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“. This character is believed to be Franklin Richards, who is the firstborn child of Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman. Since it has been confirmed that Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm is pregnant in the film, it suggests that Franklin will soon make his appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), even if he is just an infant. This is a significant development for the Multiverse Saga and the MCU as a whole.

The Son of Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman Is Born in Fantastic Four Annual #6

In the year 1968, Franklin Benjamin Richards made his debut in “Fantastic Four Annual #6,” a story written by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. At this time, Franklin was born to Reed and Sue Richards whose genetic makeup was altered by cosmic rays. Initially, it was believed that Franklin possessed a highly potent mutation, stemming from his parents’ cosmic abilities. Due to the unique concept of “comic book time,” Franklin remained a toddler throughout the 1970s. However, he began displaying his powers at an early age. His abilities were primarily psychic in nature, encompassing telekinesis, telepathy, astral projection, and the manipulation of matter and energy. Given his young age, Mr. Fantastic, Franklin’s father, employed mental barriers to restrict the use of his powers.

Franklin Richards, Kid Superhero

During the ’70s and ’80s, the writers of Fantastic Four often depicted Franklin as an ordinary young boy, albeit one with immense power. Given his extraordinary abilities, he required unique attention. His first caretaker was none other than the witch Agatha Harkness, followed by the robot H.E.R.B.I.E. Despite being subjected to power-dampening measures, Franklin’s inherent talents were so potent that they would surface dramatically in times of intense stress or perceived threat to himself or his loved ones. He was a miniature godsend, capable of vanquishing villains such as Annihilus, Blastaar, and even the demon ruler Mephisto with mere thoughts. In his early years, he even became a member of the superteam Power Pack, who were all youngsters. As part of the team, he went by the alias Tattletale.

Occasionally throughout this period, we caught glimpses of what Franklin Richards might become as an adult. It turned out that the grown-up Franklin was involved in a romantic relationship with Rachel Summers, the child of Cyclops and Jean Grey. This information surfaced in the famous “Days of Future Past” storyline from the Uncanny X-Men. In one alternate universe, Franklin and Rachel had a son named Jonathan Richards, who later became the villain Hyperstorm. However, Hyperstorm didn’t last long due to being simply too overpowered with the combined genetic makeup of the main X-Men and Fantastic Four members.

The ’90s Were a Chaotic Era for Franklin Richards

The 1990s were quite chaotic for Franklin, as his grandfather, Nathaniel Richards, abducted him, transported him to the future, and brought him back as a teenager known as Psi-Lord. This younger Franklin was part of a group called the Fantastic Force, which turned out to be an offshoot of the Fantastic Four. Sadly, this team didn’t gain much favor among fans. They even criticized Psi-Lord for being too similar to Cable from the X-Men. In a surprising move, Marvel writers decided to erase Franklin’s journey into the future from the timeline, leaving him as young as six or seven years old once more. However, things only seemed to worsen for him after that.

Onslaught Unlocks Franklin Richards’ Highest Potential

The antagonist Onslaught, a fusion of Magneto and Charles Xavier, harbored ambitions to exploit Franklin’s limitless genetic capabilities for his own benefit. To safeguard his parents and also the Avengers, as well as the Hulk, Franklin devised a separate universe where they could reside for more than a year. Later, Marvel unveiled that Franklin’s reality-altering powers were potent enough to generate an entirely new universe. Given this newfound ability, even celestial beings like the Celestials contemplated inducting the child into their ranks. As readers discovered, Franklin is ageless and will one day join Galactus when the cosmos reaches its end. In a far-off future, Galactus will serve as Franklin’s Herald.

Franklin Saves His Little Sister, Valeria

In the early 1980s, Susan Richards tragically lost a child when her baby was stillborn. Decades later, Franklin Richards employed his time-traveling abilities to rescue the infant from death. He transported her to another dimension, where Doctor Doom took care of her upbringing. She reappeared in the present as an older child, called Valeria Richards. As Franklin continued to manipulate time, he arranged for Valeria to be raised alongside him. Despite lacking superpowers, she inherited her father’s exceptional intelligence. Thanks to Franklin’s meddling with the timeline, Valeria was given a second opportunity at life, allowing Franklin to enjoy having an older sister in his adult years.

Secret Wars Aftermath, Franklin Richards Creates New Realities

Following the devastation of the Multiverse in the 2015 series “Secret Wars”, Doctor Doom combined the remaining fragments into Battleworld, where he reigned as the God Emperor. After a confrontation between Reed Richards and Doom, the Multiverse was restored. Franklin and his family departed for other dimensions, using his immense power to reestablish order in reality and create new universes. Upon their return to Earth 616, more time had elapsed on their journey than on Earth, making Franklin a young teenager upon his return. Due to the tremendous effort of creating countless new worlds, Franklin depleted his powers upon returning to Earth-616.

Teenage Franklin Discovers He’s Not a Mutant

In my own words, I’ve been trying to lead a regular life as a teenager, but it seems the Richards family is destined for anything but normalcy. After dyeing my previously blonde hair jet black, I find myself grappling with complex emotions. However, normalcy has never truly been part of our lives.

Recently, Professor Xavier revealed a shocking truth: I’m not actually a mutant. My cosmic powers were so immense that I unconsciously rewrote my own DNA to appear as if I had an X-gene. But the truth is, I am something far beyond human or mutant.

Lately, I’ve noticed my powers gradually returning. Yet, I choose to only use them on one special day each year, keeping them a secret from everyone. It won’t be long before my full powers are unleashed once more.

Franklin Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and His MCU Future

Secret Wars,” Doctor Doom may be defeated and the Multiverse reborn. However, if Franklin decides to restore reality, his powers might allow for some major adjustments. It’s possible that Franklin could merge the histories of Earth 616 (MCU), Earth-10005 (X-Men), and his own Fantastic Four’s retro ’60s universe into a single consistent timeline. Essentially, this could lead to a Marvel Universe reboot. Therefore, the actor yet to be cast as Franklin Richards might become one of the most significant characters in the MCU since Tony Stark first donned the Iron Man suit.

2025-04-14 21:33