4 Times Reed Richards Saved the World (& 5 Times He Almost Destroyed It)

Reed Richards, the head of the Fantastic Four, is dedicated to safeguarding Earth no matter the price. Known as one of the brightest scientific minds in our universe, he tirelessly invents gadgets and devises strategies that ensure our planet’s survival, while keeping a watchful eye on other universes and dimensions too. Yet, Reed Richards is also known for his arrogance within Marvel Comics, often relying on his own decisions even when they may not be the wisest choices for the Marvel Universe as a whole. This self-reliance has resulted in Earth’s protection more times than we can count, but it has just as frequently brought destruction upon us.

This list includes instances where Reed Richards prevented catastrophe, such as thwarting Galactus’ destruction of Earth and even saving Galactus himself, as well as moments when his actions indirectly led to near-disasters like the events of “Secret Invasion” and “World War Hulk.

9) Reed Richards Helped Cause Secret Invasion & Almost Destroyed the World

The event known as “Secret Invasion” unveiled that the Skrulls had been secretly preparing for an invasion on Earth for years, gradually taking over positions of power among various heroes and individuals. This plot was first set in motion by a group called the Illuminati, which consisted of Reed Richards, Tony Stark, and other prominent heroes. Their objective was to warn the Skrulls that if they attacked Earth again, it would not end well for them. However, the Skrulls captured the Illuminati, experimented on them, and then started their infiltration. The information gathered from these experiments allowed the Skrulls to keep Black Bolt captive and send a Skrull imposter in his place, initiating the infiltration process. If Reed Richards and his associates had not gone to the Skrull throneworld to issue their warning, this whole situation might have been avoided.

8) Reed Richards’ Invention In The Coming of Galactus Saved the World

A memorable Marvel Comics saga unfolded in Fantastic Four Volume 1 issues #48-50 – the “Arrival of Galactus” storyline. The narrative commenced with The Watcher’s appearance, hinting at an impending event. Then entered The Silver Surfer, heralding Galactus’ approach to annihilate Earth. Known for consuming planets and exterminating life on them, Galactus encountered his adversary in the Fantastic Four. Eventually, Reed Richards managed to save the world by inventing the Ultimate Nullifier – a destructive force capable of eliminating everything, even Galactus himself. This sent the World Devourer away to find another planet to consume.

7) Reed Richards Helped Cause World War Hulk & Almost Destroyed the World

Just as the Illuminati instigated the “Secret Invasion” due to their hostile actions, they were also responsible for the events leading to “World War Hulk”. The Illuminati, including Reed Richards, deceived Hulk by forcing him onto a spaceship and subsequently betraying him by exiling him from Earth. This banishment led him to an inhabited planet where he found heroism, love, and marriage. A devastating terrorist attack on the planet resulted in the death of his pregnant wife, prompting Hulk’s return to Earth with vengeance against the Illuminati. In this revenge, he defeated many, even fatally wounding Reed Richards in a one-sided battle. However, it was only when Hulk learned that one of his allies had orchestrated the terrorist explosion, that he surrendered. Nevertheless, the initial betrayal by the Illuminati set off the chain of events that ultimately led to the tragic consequences for Hulk.

6) Reed Richards In Secret Wars Saved the World

The Secret Wars event saw the Illuminati, who foresaw the conflict and chose to keep it under wraps, take drastic measures to protect Earth-616. This involved destroying numerous other Earths within the multiverse to avert their collision with this planet, resulting in mass genocide. Despite this questionable action, it was eventually Reed Richards who orchestrated the salvation of the world during this crossover event.

At the outset, a lifeboat had been prepared, ensuring that certain individuals were aware that Battleworld wasn’t the “real world.” These chosen few embarked on a mission to rescue survivors. The story reached its climax when Reed Richards eliminated The Maker to prevent him from meddling further. Subsequently, Reed engaged Doctor Doom in a fair battle after Molecule Man refused to aid Doom. In the end, Reed emerged victorious over Doom and collaborated with Valeria to construct a device using Molecule Man’s assistance, which was designed to recreate Earth-616.

5) Reed Richards’ Work In Marvel Zombies Almost Destroyed the World

What makes the Marvel Zombies stand out from typical zombie stories is that these superhero zombies maintain their intelligence despite their unquenchable thirst for human flesh and their amoral view of existence following their transformation. For instance, Reed Richards demonstrated just how deadly this could be. After his children were killed by the zombies, Reed chose to become a zombie himself, intentionally infecting Sue, Johnny, Ben, Iron Man, Thor, Doctor Strange, and others in the process. This treachery ultimately led to Earth’s destruction. As a zombie, Reed sought to employ his technology to transport the Marvel Zombies into other realms.

4) Reed Richards Saving Galactus Saved the World

In one narrative, Mister Fantastic, or Reed Richards, thwarted a threat to Earth by vanquishing Galactus, banishing the World Devourer from our planet. Yet, in another tale, he also spared Galactus’s life, an act that nearly cost Reed his own life. As Galactus revealed his impending death, he needed Earth to sustain himself. The Fantastic Four and Earth’s strongest heroes fought valiantly against him, eventually defeating the cosmic being. Upon Galactus’s fall, Reed asserted that they had to save his life because Galactus was crucial for maintaining balance within the universe. However, during “The Trial of Reed Richards,” the Shi’ar Empire accused Reed of any future lives Galactus may take. It took Eternity intervening and clarifying that Galactus was indispensable for the universe’s survival to demonstrate that Reed Richards had made a justified decision.

3) Reed Richards’ Civil War Actions Almost Destroyed the World

In the Marvel comic storyline “Civil War“, Reed Richards’ actions, though perhaps not catastrophic enough to end the world, came dangerously close due to his reckless behavior. This carelessness eroded the trust of many heroes in him. Reed sided with Iron Man, employing his genius to justify that more lives could be preserved through the Registration Act than without it. However, this decision led to his wife leaving him. This was triggered by Reed’s role in creating a Thor clone named Ragnarok, which in its first battle killed Bill Foster’s Goliath. Furthermore, Reed constructed a superhero prison in the Negative Zone for those who resisted the Registration Act, showing a willingness to betray anyone not fully supportive. He even kept close watch on his own allies, such as monitoring Spider-Man at Goliath’s funeral. While the question of who was right is still debatable, Reed’s actions can be seen as inherently evil from the outset.

2) Reed Richards Beating The Griever Saved the World

Valeria Richards constructed a passageway known as the Everlasting Doorway, serving as a bridge to any dimension or multiverse. This opening facilitated magical escapades for the Fantastic Four during Dan Slott’s tenure with the series. The realms they explored encompassed those that Franklin Richards had fabricated in his youth, where he crafted entire worlds, societies, and beings using his imagination, effectively becoming a deity to many of these creatures. However, one entity who disliked this was The Griever, a being from across the multiverse who believed Franklin lacked the authority to create new pocket dimensions and worlds. She arrived on Earth with the intent to annihilate this universe, as well as Franklin Richards himself. It was then that Reed Richards stepped in to save the world once more, presenting The Griever with an opportunity to traverse the Everlasting Doorway to witness the end of all things, an offer she couldn’t resist. Subsequently, Reed secured the gate permanently.

1) The Maker Almost Destroyed the World

As Jonathan Hickman commenced penning Ultimate Fantastic Four, he revamped the squad, making them all younger and altering their backstory somewhat. Yet, his most remarkable craftsmanship was reserved for Reed Richards. He molded Reed to be as brilliant as the Earth-616 version, but with fewer ethical guidelines. When Susan discovered how perilous Reed could be, she abandoned him for Ben, which eventually drove Reed to lose self-control and transform into the villain known as The Maker. In his role as The Maker, he became one of the Ultimate Universe’s most lethal adversaries, taking countless lives in his quest for vengeance. He was so formidable that the primary Reed Richards deemed him untrustworthy during Secret Wars and had to neutralize him before confronting Doctor Doom. The Maker remains as powerful as ever, standing once again as the main antagonist in the newly launched Ultimate Universe of 2023.

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2025-07-25 19:13