8 Major The Fantastic Four: First Steps Characters, Ranked By Power Level

The recent introduction of the Fantastic Four, titled ‘First Steps,’ brought Marvel’s original team back to the screen. The film balanced a touching portrayal of the family’s relationships with impressive demonstrations of their superpowers. ‘First Steps’ highlighted the full potential of both the heroes and their villains, and hinted at how they will connect to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Whether it was Mole Man’s plotting beneath the surface or Galactus’s immense appetite, key characters in First Steps significantly influenced how the team developed. While some heroes and villains truly shined, not everyone lived up to their original comic book portrayal, with a few demonstrating incredible abilities on screen.

Compared to what you might expect, the characters actually show a lot of control. Looking at their powers shows how First Steps cleverly combines relatable human weaknesses with incredible, almost divine strength. From Franklin Richards bringing people back to life by altering reality, to the Silver Surfer defying the cosmos, the film demonstrates a huge range of power levels even within the Fantastic Four’s world.

Harvey Elder, AKA Mole Man

The first villain in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the Mole Man, mainly serves to kickstart the story rather than pose a serious danger. He’s portrayed as odd and unusual, setting the film’s overall tone – a blend of weirdness, humor, and sadness. However, he isn’t particularly powerful or memorable as a threat.

I’ve always been fascinated by the Mole Man! He’s got this incredible ability to command creatures from below and master seismic technology, which feels like it could be a real threat. But in First Steps, it felt like he was mostly there to show how well the Fantastic Four worked together as a team. His whole plan and how they stopped him happened so quickly, mostly in an opening sequence that was really about making the Fantastic Four look like the heroes they are. Honestly, it meant we didn’t get to see much of what the Mole Man could do; his powers felt like they were just there to help tell the team’s origin story.

Though Mole Man seems threatening with his inventions and intelligence, he becomes less important as the story focuses on much larger, universal threats. He’s not the most powerful villain, but he plays a crucial role by reluctantly teaming up with the heroes to fight Galactus. While a small-scale threat on his own, he’s a vital link in the larger narrative.

Ben Grimm, AKA The Thing

Ben Grimm, also known as The Thing, is the powerhouse of the Fantastic Four. In his first appearance, First Steps, though, he isn’t as strong as fans might expect. While incredibly powerful – able to knock down buildings and even pull a ship from the ocean – he doesn’t consistently demonstrate the amazing strength he’s known for in the comics.

I was really struck by how much gentler this version of the Thing felt – a deliberate choice, it seemed. It worked, definitely, but honestly, it was hard not to picture him getting completely overpowered by Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, like they so often show in the comics. What I really appreciated, though, was that the fight scenes weren’t just about flashy effects. They focused on the character’s feelings, which made the action feel much more real and connected to the story.

Despite not being the strongest physically, The Thing’s bravery and toughness make him a vital team member. When others struggle, Ben’s determination holds everyone together. He may not be as powerful as some of the universe’s strongest heroes, but his unwavering loyalty and spirit – as solid as his rocky exterior – instantly made him a fan favorite in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Reed Richards, AKA Mr Fantastic

Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, is the brains behind the Fantastic Four. In the story First Steps, his incredible stretching powers aren’t the main focus—his intelligence is. Though he uses his elasticity in a few fights, it’s his sharp mind that really makes him powerful.

Reed Richards’s ingenuity and planning are what keep the team safe, whether they’re escaping a black hole or figuring out how to relocate Galactus. He doesn’t often stretch and fight, but he cleverly uses his powers to solve problems. This approach, while understated, feels true to his character.

Despite his strengths, Reed seems less powerful than his comic book version. His greatest asset is actually his intelligence; he can think outside the bounds of what’s possible, making him crucial to the team. He might not be the most outwardly impressive member, but he’s arguably the most important for the Fantastic Four’s survival.

Johnny Storm, AKA The Human Torch

Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch, is responsible for some of the most exciting action scenes in First Steps. Whether he’s flying quickly through New York City or battling Silver Surfer with flames, Johnny demonstrates significant growth beyond his earlier, impulsive behavior. He now commands his fiery powers with remarkable accuracy and control.

The scene where he manipulated the flames really showed how easily he controls his powers, even taking in fire from outside his body. This makes him noticeably more powerful than any other Human Torch we’ve seen in movies before. As we saw in First Steps, Johnny is one of the few heroes who can actually fight the incredibly strong Silver Surfer, even if only briefly.

Although Johnny often acts confident, he’s clearly improving as a fighter. He’s now focusing on strategy and working with his team instead of just relying on flashy moves. While he might not be as powerful as some heroes, his skill and control are impressive, making him a really exciting hero to watch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Sue Storm, AKA The Invisible Woman

Sue Storm, also known as the Invisible Woman, quickly becomes a key and deeply compelling member of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Her powers aren’t limited to just becoming invisible; she learns to control force fields, and by the end of the story, she’s the only one capable of stopping the full power of Galactus.

Sue Storm possesses remarkable control and accuracy with her abilities. However, the story really highlights her inner resilience. She’s a dedicated protector who transforms her feelings into impressive self-discipline. A prime example in The Fantastic Four: First Steps is when she pushes her powers to the limit by selflessly protecting her family, and is later brought back thanks to Franklin’s unique ability.

This accomplishment sets her apart from her teammates, making her the most respected member of the superhero group. But what truly makes her special is the way she combines kindness with incredible strength. She’s not only the emotional center of the team, but also its most subtly powerful force.

Shalla-Bal, AKA The Silver Surfer

As Shalla-Bal, the Silver Surfer is the central figure in First Steps. She possesses incredible cosmic power, making her abilities far greater than almost anyone else in the film. Her ability to fly, control energy, and manipulate matter is both stunning and frightening. At first, she serves Galactus, but her internal struggle becomes the story’s main emotional focus.

Throughout the story First Steps, the full extent of Shalla-Bal’s powers isn’t revealed, but she demonstrates abilities commonly associated with the power cosmic. This includes enhanced strength, speed, resilience, the ability to fly, and becoming intangible. The story hints that she may have even more powers yet to be discovered.

When she defeats Galactus by sending him into the portal, it proves she’s one of the most powerful heroes around. The Fantastic Four wouldn’t have survived without the Silver Surfer’s help, and she represents something special: the idea that compassion can triumph over even the greatest power.

Galactus

Galactus is the living definition of endless hunger, needing to consume whole planets just to stay alive. In First Steps, he isn’t shown as a simple storm or cloud – unlike the recent Marvel film – but as a massive, truly frightening figure looming over Earth. He’s so huge, he makes everyone else seem tiny in comparison.

Even with the combined might of the Fantastic Four – Reed’s inventions and Sue’s force fields – they can only briefly hold him back. Only Shalla-Bal can truly stop him. His voice and power feel incredibly old and legendary.

As a huge movie fan, let me tell you, even weakened, Galactus was terrifying – he could wipe out planets with just a wave of his hand! The really cool thing wasn’t beating him through a straight-up fight, though. It took a massive, coordinated effort – a whole team of brilliant minds, brave heroes, and even cosmic rebels – just to move him. Seriously, that fact alone tells you everything you need to know about how powerful he was. He was, without a doubt, the most powerful being in this whole movie universe.

Franklin Richards

Franklin Richards, the son of Reed and Sue Richards, doesn’t appear until later in the story, but he quickly becomes incredibly powerful, changing everything. His arrival forces Galactus to rethink his plans. When Sue seemingly dies fighting Galactus, Franklin instinctively uses his hidden powers – the ability to warp reality – and brings her back to life.

The moment is fleeting, but its implications are enormous. It suggests Franklin has incredible, almost limitless power – the ability to reverse time, create matter, and even bring things back to life. Reed and the others quickly realize this means Franklin’s powers are comparable to those of Galactus, a cosmic being of immense power, even though Franklin doesn’t fully understand what he can do. This subtle conclusion transforms First Steps from a straightforward superhero story into one about inheritance and growth.

Franklin isn’t simply strong; he represents the future of both humanity and the universe. Even a small act of kindness from him becomes an incredibly powerful display, as seen in the exciting post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, where Doctor Doom actively seeks him out.

2025-11-09 02:33