Warning! Spoilers for Fantastic Four Vol. 7 #12A new Fantastic Four comic has introduced a new type of incursion, one of the universe-destroying events that have recently appeared in the MCU. However, there are some key differences between this event and the incursions of old. Whether it’s down to its origin or something else, this incursion isn’t as threatening as prior ones, but that doesn’t mean that it’s still not a huge threat for the FF and the entire Marvel Universe.
In Fantastic Four Vol. 7 #12 (written by Ryan North, penciled and inked by Iban Coello, colored by Jesus Aburtov and lettered by VC’s Ariana Maher) the Fantastic Four travel to an alternate Earth in which the dinosaurs never went extinct, and therefore humanity never evolved. What’s fascinating is that despite this huge difference, this Earth is still extremely close to the main Marvel Universe, with dinosaur analogues of every Marvel character.
As Reed Richards realizes however, this actually presents a huge issue. Because the two universes are so similar, they’re actually crossing over and threatening to unintentionally destroy each other’s planet.
This Threat is a New Type of Multiverse-Destroying Incursion
What Reed discovers is a new version of the incursions, the multiverse-threatening events that have recently been introduced in the MCU in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The incursions were first seen in New Avengers Vol. 3 #1, written by Jonathan Hickman, penciled by Steve Epting, inked by Epting and Rick Magyar, colored by Frank D’Armata and lettered Joe Caramagna. The original incursions are similar to what happens in FF #12, with two alternate Earths crashing into each other, with one having to be destroyed in order to save both universes. What’s different in FF #12 is that there’s actually a solution, with the FF hoping to pour energy into the gap between the two universes to forcefully separate the two.
In New Avengers the incursions are so dire that the multiverse is actually destroyed, but there are two reasons why these new incursions don’t seem so bad in comparison. In New Avengers, the incursions are the deliberate work of the multiversal beings known as Beyonders, who specifically design the incursions to be as foolproof as possible. It’s only through the use of the incursion’s catalyst, the Molecule Man, that Doctor Doom is able to even save a portion of the multiverse. In direct contrast, the incursions of Fantastic Four #12 are simply a scientific phenomenon, leaving the door open to the FF’s trademark science-based solutions.
Marvel’s New Multiverse Might Have Protections from Incursions
The rebuilding of the multiverse following its destruction might also explain why these incursions aren’t as devastating. In 2016’s Secret Wars #9 (written by Hickman, penciled and inked by Esad Ribić, colored by Ive Svorcina and lettered by Clayton Cowles), Reed Richards himself is the one to rebuild the multiverse after its destruction. It would therefore make sense then that he might put in failsafes so something like the original incursions could never happen again. As the MCU heads towards its own Secret Wars, it’s no wonder that an incursion has reared its head again, so it’s lucky the Fantastic Four are here to deal with it.
Fantastic Four #12 is available now from Marvel Comics.
