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The Marvel comic series, The Fantastic Four, has been captivating readers since author Ryan North took over, particularly with the storyline One World Under Doom. In this tale, the team confronts Doctor Doom, who ascended to become the Sorcerer Supreme and seized control of Earth using his powers. He drained the powers of The Thing, ultimately leading to the loss of the Fantastic Four’s collective abilities. To remedy the situation, they ventured through time and space, aiming to expose Doom to cosmic radiation as a cure. However, none from other realities proved effective. In a covert move, The Thing altered the coordinates, inadvertently sending them to Earth-616. Though he momentarily regained his powers, this action also doomed the Fantastic Four, causing their powers never to return – a predicament that is addressed in Fantastic Four #32, where Valeria Richards, inhabiting the body of her counterpart on this Earth, Mary, seeks a solution to restore order.

Indeed, it’s only natural for logical thinker Valeria Richards to ponder how Earth managed to endure without the Fantastic Four, given they were the pioneers of what is colloquially known as the “Marvel Age”, fending off various perils that threatened the planet, from invasions from the Negative Zone to cosmic titans like Galactus. Eventually, Valeria uncovers the facts – this world’s Franklin Richards obtained divine powers and collaborated with his powerless yet intelligent parents to safeguard humanity. However, Valeria soon discovers a chilling secret that harks back to one of The Twilight Zone‘s most iconic episodes, leaving readers spellbound.

Franklin Gave Everyone a Good Life… Whether They Wanted It or Not

The Twilight Zone, a groundbreaking TV series, stands among the greatest television productions ever made. Its creator, Rod Serling, skillfully navigated the limitations of 1950s network television to deliver spine-tingling science fiction and horror narratives. The show’s writers, including Serling himself, were known for transforming popular sci-fi serial novels into gripping television plays. One episode that stands out is “It’s a Good Life,” an adaptation of Jerome Bixby’s short story written for the screen by Serling. This episode centers around a seemingly idyllic town, but its true nature is far more terrifying. The town is ruled by Anthony Freemont, a young boy with god-like powers who ensures that everyone remains “happy” and nothing ever changes to his disliking. It’s an exceptional episode, often recognized as one of the best by publications such as Time and TV Guide. Additionally, it has left a significant impact on popular culture, being remade in the The Simpsons episode “Treehouse of Horror II” in 1991. Ryan North appears to be a fan, as he drew inspiration from it for Fantastic Four #32.

In the final moments of their previous universe, Valeria and Franklin were safeguarded by their mother’s energy barriers, allowing them to carry on into the new world. Valeria inherited all her mother’s memories and intellect while Franklin obtained all her power. Reed and Sue, realizing their son possessed god-like abilities, utilized them at a tender age to save the world. This revelation instilled in Franklin a chilling lesson – he could eradicate any challenge and bring joy to everyone, thus creating a world under the watch of an omnipotent one-man enforcer. Over time, he even transformed into Galactus, the most formidable being he’d ever met, to intimidate potential foes. This tale bears resemblance to “It’s a Good Life” with a Fantastic Four spin, and it ranks among the top new comics I’ve read recently.

This Issue Shows the Terrible Reality of What Franklin Richards Could Become

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I find myself in awe of Franklin Richards’ extraordinary powers, which elevate him to an unparalleled status among human characters. His unique blend of top-tier psychic prowess and reality-bending abilities has given him the power to shape the Marvel Multiverse post-Incursions, restoring it from total annihilation. Despite his inherent potential for chaos, the Richards’ nurturing influence steered him towards learning from the most remarkable mentors one could ever hope to find. However, on this particular Earth, Franklin’s life unfolded quite differently. Instead of growing up in a loving environment, he was manipulated as a weapon by his parents, ultimately transforming into a destructive force.

Combining the Fantastic Four and The Twilight Zone in this issue is an ingenious move, demonstrating how seamlessly the team’s characters can blend into a sci-fi narrative. In this storyline, Valeria Richards devises a strategy and manages to outsmart her all-powerful, telepathic extraterrestrial sibling. This issue spotlights the exceptional talents of Valeria and Franklin, showcasing their capabilities.

Fantastic Four #32 is on sale now.

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2025-05-28 06:10