Across the multiverse, the history of the Fantastic Four was radically altered by them having the same powers instead of four unique abilities.
The crash-landing of Reed Richards’ spaceship and the subsequent birth of the Fantastic Four is one of the foundational moments of the Marvel Universe — transforming the world and introducing it to four distinct heroes. But there are some realities across the Marvel multiverse where the team had a far different experience when they returned to Earth.
In What If…? #11 by Jim Valentino, Phil Felix and Tom Vincent, Uatu gazes across the multiverse and sees four unique worlds — each where the Fantastic Four all gained the same power instead of each one gaining a distinct power set.
IF EVERYONE WAS MISTER FANTASTIC
In a world where the exposure to cosmic rays imbued Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben with the same stretching abilities of Mister Fantastic, the Fantastic Four never truly came to be. Although Johnny immediately takes to his powers and Reed believes they could do real good for the world with their powers, Sue and Ben are both immediately turned off by the ability. The two quickly leave Reed’s side and find their own happiness together, leading quiet and unassuming lives while hiding their powers in a blissful marriage.
Meanwhile, Reed used his powers for little more than to help him while in the lab. In fact, Johnny Storm is the only member of the group to fully embrace his powers. He doesn’t become a superhero, instead of using his natural looks and charm — now coupled with his amazing powers — to become a beloved celebrity known as Mister Fantastic.
IF EVERYONE WAS INVISIBLE WOMAN
In this world, the Fantastic Four landed back on Earth, each with the ability to turn invisible and create force fields. Quickly discovered by Nick Fury, the Director of this world’s brand new SHIELD saw great potential in their sudden aptitude for espionage missions. Fury recruited them all, giving them roles within SHIELD. Reed became head of R&D, Sue took over Communications, Johnny became head of Vehicle Maintenance and Design, and Ben became a Recruit Trainer and Pilot.
In this world, their place within SHIELD gave them further authority than in most realities and allowed their first battle against Doctor Doom. During the fight, they revealed that Thing had gained a great deal of control over his force fields, while Johnny had perfected a means to become intangible with his powers. It ended with Doom’s arrest for breaking international law. Notably, of the four worlds showcased, this is the only one where Reed and Sue still ended up in a romantic relationship.
IF EVERYONE WAS HUMAN TORCH
In one world, all four members of the future Fantastic Four gained the ability to ignite their bodies and control fire. In this reality, the four became superheroes and faced off with numerous early threats like the Mole Man and the Skulls, much as they did on Earth-616. But due to the innate excess destruction caused by their powers, it isn’t long before a woman loses her only daughter in a fire caused by one of their battles. The team promptly breaks up out of guilt. Sue Storm repents by becoming a nun and Reed Richards fully throws himself into his work as a scientist.
Meanwhile, Johnny Storm becomes a popular race car driver, while Ben Grimm remains a superhero, formally taking on the mantle of the Human Torch. Notably, he becomes a major Avenger of this reality. In this timeline, the Fantastic Four never reawakened Namor’s memories, meaning Captain America remained frozen and undiscovered by the people of the present day.
IF EVERYONE WAS THE THING
In the most tragic of the realities featured in What If…? #11, all four members of the group are transformed into monstrous forms like the Thing. Each of them are quickly consumed by rage and grief — with Reed and Ben ending up in a massive brawl while Sue loses the ability to communicate thanks to her new form. The transformation also begins to greatly affect Reed and Sue’s minds, reducing their intelligence quickly.
With no other options after spreading terror throughout New York City with their appearances, Reed ultimately convinces them to use his experimental flying vehicle — a prototype for what could have been the Fantastic-Car — to take them somewhere they can be accepted: Monster Isle. Uatu confirms that the Four’s self-imposed exile on the island never came to an end, and all four lived out their days in obscurity.
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