Warning: Spoilers for Fantastic Four (2022) #27 ahead!
There has always been a family element to theFantastic Four, one that has initially both challenged and aligned with the nuclear family ideal of the 1950s, before exploring more modern interpretations after the birth of Sue and Reed’s children. When it comes to parenting, however, Sue and Reed are far from first placein Marvel’s First Family;instead, that honor belongs to Ben Grimm and his wife, Alicia Masters-Grimm.
Fantastic Four (2022)#27 – written by Ryan North, with art by Steven Cummings – provides an excellent showcase of Ben Grimm’s parenting skills at work, when his adopted daughter, Nicki, begins usingher Skrull shapeshifting powersat school, impersonating the Fantastic Four to get herself and her friends out of trouble. When Nicki is inevitably caught, it leads to an incredibly heartwarming moment between father and daughter.
Ben’s parenting skills are on full display here, as he listens quietly, showing his understanding of why Nicki behaved the way she did, before setting out the rules, without invalidating Nicki’s powers or sense of self-expression.
Sorry, Sue And Reed: Ben and Alicia Are The Emotional Heart Of The Modern Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four (2022)#27 – Written By Ryan North; Art By Steven Cummings; Color By Jesus Abrutov; Lettering By Joe Caramagna
It may come as a surprise that the rough-and-tumble Thing is a better father than Mr. Fantastic, a man who is frequently criticized for coming off as overly paternal. Yet at his worst, Reed has shown a shockingly cavalier attitude toward his children, particularly Franklin: this includes forcibly sending the boy into a coma inFantastic Four (1961)#141, and secretly injecting him with radioactive nanomachines inFantastic Four and Power Pack (2007)#2. While Reed always means well, his go-to solution of experimenting on his children historically makes him a terrible father.
Gain greater insight into Reed Richards' parenting failures inFantastic Four (1961)#141 – written by Gerry Conway, with art by John – andFantastic Four and Power Pack (2007)#2 – written by Fred Van Lente, with art by Gurihuru.
While Sue is a better parent than her husband, she must frequently be sharp with her children, to enforce mundane boundaries that escape Reed’s notice. Sue is capable and formidable, but she does not quite achieve the same interpersonal grace that Alicia Masters-Grimm commands.Alicia is unquestionably the breakout characterof the current ongoingFantastic Fourcomic; her ability to think on her feet in a crisis makes her an invaluable ally during superheroic shenanigans, andher ability to connect with others, even the notoriously distant Reed, makes her an unflappable mother figure to her adopted children Nicki and Jo.
The Fantastic Four Shake Off Traditional Parenting Tropes To Make Them One Of Marvel’s Most Impactful Modern Families
The Series Defies The Traditional View Of Family
Whilethe Fantastic Four has never been a perfect nuclear family, the modern interpretation outright shatters the concept, with four parental pairs, four children, and an orbital uncle. The more domestic nature of the Fantastic Four’s Arizona homestead, when compared to the sci-fi Baxter Building, also highlights how the group functions together as a family unit,with the series frequently taking time to show the family during mealtime, assisting each other with homework, and the ins and outs of familial life together. By having characters share family roles, the series prevents individual characters from falling into family stereotypes.
Marvel Announces The Thing’s Solo Series, Paving Way For His Movie Return
Fan-favorite Fantastic Four member the Thing is getting a new solo miniseries ahead of his MCU debut, and there’s no Marvel character more deserving.
This run ofFantastic Fourhas been a breath of fresh air for the series and a wonderful revival for a franchise with which Marvel has long struggled. Ben’s role as a father, not just a muscle-bound clobberer, is one of the emotional highlights of the series, and it’s wonderful to see Nicki learning and growing under his care. For the first time in a while, theFantastic Fourare trulyembracing their role as Marvel’s “First Family”– just not with Sue and Reed Richards at the helm.
Fantastic Four (2022)#27is available now from Marvel Comics.
Fantastic Four (2022)
“WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE FANTASTIC FOUR?” It’s the start of a new era for the Fantastic Four…and they’re already in a ton of trouble. Something has gone terribly wrong in New York, and the Thing and Alicia are traveling across America to escape it! But when they stop in a small town for the night and wake up the morning before they arrived, they find themselves caught in a time loop that’s been going on since before they were born… That’s been going on since before they were born…
