Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Ultimate Invasion #2Ever since their first appearance, the Fantastic Four have been mainstays of the Marvel Comics Universe. Considered by many to be the publisher’s First Family, the four are an indelible part of the House of Ideas, and as such their family is usually reflected by countless variants across the multiverse. But with the launch of a new Ultimate Universe, it’s clear that the Fantastic Four of Earth-6160 won’t feature a lineup that’s anything like what fans may expect from Reed Richards and co.
Ultimate Invasion #2 by Jonthan Hickman, Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, Alex Sinclair, VC’s Joe Caramagna catalogs the Maker’s early steps in destabilizing the future hero population of Earth-6160. In the process, he also makes it clear that he prevented the Fantastic Four of this universe from ever gaining their abilities in the first place.
A data page seen later in this very issue takes it a step further, confirming that the Maker has gone so far as to kill Ben Grimm as well as Susan and Johnny Storm, keeping blood samples of his victims to study their genetic predisposition to their signature powers. And with this universe’s Reed Richards forced into the identity of Doctor Doom, it’s clear that the Fantastic Four’s standard lineup has no place in the new Ultimate Universe – which is ultimately a good thing.
A Fantastic New Four For A New Universe
With the original Four out of commission, the Maker has eliminated what would arguably be his greatest threat. After all, who knows any version of Reed Richards better than his own family? And his enslavement of this world’s Reed variant as Doom goes a long way towards setting the stage for a new, rawer iteration of the Fantastic Four that could really stand apart from their more traditional counterparts.
One of the Fantastic Four’s greatest strengths is the fact that, before anything else, they are a family, and this tight bond has been the difference between life and death for them on many occasions. It’s one of the aspects of the group that fans love the most, but at the same time, it’s also something that fans have seen done to death. Marvel Comics’ Ultimate line has always been about updating classic concepts for a new era, and with three of the classic Four officially out of commission – and one assuming the identity of their traditional enemy – this is a perfect opportunity to assemble a new Fantastic Four for a new reality.
The Fantastic Four Are Supposed To Explore The Terrifying & New
While they may be some of Marvel Comics’ greatest heroes, the Fantastic Four are explorers at heart. The team is one that exists to push the boundaries of what’s possible, but they’ve usually done so from the familiar familial safety of their classic lineup. A new Fantastic Four lineup augmented with the powers the Maker stole from the originals would be able to explore not just the new possibilities of their universe, but also to explore what exactly makes the Four so Fantastic in the first place.
The Fantastic Four are icons for a reason. And as such, their multiversal variants usually reflect their traditional team makeup. But with Marvel Comics’ new Ultimate Universe radically changing the landscape of the House of Ideas’ hero community, now is the perfect time to form a brand-new Fantastic Four.
Ultimate Invasion #2 is available now from Marvel Comics.
