For the first time, a team of superheroes led by Reed Richards appeared in comics in 1961. After a terrible incident in outer space, he comes up with the pseudonym Mr. Fantastic and, together with the Invisible Lady, the Human Torch and the Creature, becomes a member of the Fantastic Four. In addition, Reed Richards is passionate about science and is rightfully considered one of the smartest inhabitants of the planet.
early years
Reed was born into the family of the outstanding physicist Nathaniel Richards, whose genes and upbringing aroused his interest in science. His mother, Evelyn, left this world when his son was only 7 years old. Since then, the main task of the father was the proper education of the boy, who at an early age showed incredible talent and mastered any scientific discipline with unbelievable speed. This led to the fact that at the age of 14, Reed Richards had already graduated from high school and entered several universities at once, in which he defended doctoral dissertations in various areas. Even then, space exploration became his great passion. He dreamed of building his own research ship and embarking on a journey beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.
Scientific career
In his student years, Reed met another brilliant mind, Victor Von Doom, and between them almost immediately a hostile hostility arose. At the same time, he met his best friend Ben Grim, who was later destined to master the profession of a pilot and an astronaut. The comrades promised each other that in the future they would definitely go into space and Ben would be the main pilot in this flight. In subsequent years, Richards led the spacecraft project, which was supposed to be a scientific breakthrough. However, the constant problems with financing led to the fact that they decided to cancel the space expedition.
Prohibited Flight
The cessation of funding does not stop a scientist who plans to conduct an illegal flight devoted to his ideas and desires. However, the support of friends is necessary for its fulfillment. Soon, Reed Richards, whose team consists of his girlfriend Susan Storm, her brother Johnny and, of course, pilot Ben Grim, sets off on a journey through the solar system. But it does not last very long, because as a result of cosmic radiation radiation enters the ship, changing the lives of crew members forever.
"Fantastic Four"
By a happy coincidence, the whole team managed to avoid death, but the consequences of exposure instantly made themselves felt. Reed's body has changed, it has become elastic and stretchable. Susan got the ability to become invisible, and Johnny Storm's body burned with fire, which does not harm him and makes it possible to fly. Ben, who was completely covered with powerful stones and became absolutely unbreakable, suffered most of all externally. Reid had a strong sense of guilt for what had happened, but he came up with a way that would help his friends feel better and more confident. He created special costumes and came up with code names. So the team of superheroes was born, which included Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Lady, the Human Torch and the Creature. So began their adventures.
Super abilities
Reed Richards and his colleagues directed all their efforts to maximize the acquired abilities. The genius began to study the possibilities of his new body, and from experience he became convinced that he could take any form by stretching, compressing, or increasing. In addition, his limbs can also transform and deliver powerful blows to enemies. The length to which his body is able to stretch reaches a kilometer. He learned to change his own density to the hardest, or vice versa, liquid state. A big plus was that most poisons and toxins do not affect Reed due to the special structure of internal organs. In addition to the superpowers acquired as a result of the incident, he still remains the owner of a unique intelligence. In minutes free from the fight against evil, Reed continues to invent new devices, conduct scientific experiments and create high-tech weapons. His special talents became the reason for joining another team called the Illuminati, which includes other prominent superheroes.
Universe Ultimate
According to the laws of the Multiverse, there are parallel worlds in which Reed otherwise received his nickname Mr. Fantastic. Marvel Comics in 2004 released the new Ultimate Fantastic Four comic book series, which takes place not in the main universe, but in the modern, called “Earth-1610”. There, Reid met Ben as a child, and together they opposed classmates who mocked Richards because of his inconsistency with general standards. Relations with his father, whose name is Harry, he did not develop, and he left his parents' home early to engage in scientific research. Later, he meets a talented scientist named Victor Von Doom and works with him on his invention. As a result of incorrect calculations, the test, in which Sue, Johnny and Ben again participated, ends in failure, and the heroes gain their abilities. This version is less popular, but has every right to exist.
Adaptations
Over the long years of the existence of the Fantastic Four, the team has repeatedly appeared on the screen. For the first time, the comic book was adapted as an animated film of the same name in 1976. In subsequent years, Reed Richards repeatedly appeared in other cartoons, including Spider-Man, The Superhero Squad, The Incredible Hulk, and many others.
In 1994, a feature film was released in which Mr. Fantastic was played by Alex Hyde-White.
However, most of the audience learned about this team thanks to the 2005 film, in which the main role went to Joan Griffith. The plot was based on a classic story about superheroes, and Doctor Doom became the main villain. It was one of the first films about these superheroes, which brought him great success. The collection of the picture was 3 times higher than its budget, so it was decided to shoot the sequel. The next part, in which the heroes encountered the Silver Surfer, was released 2 years later, but it did not show such a brilliant result. They decided not to continue the sequel, and for many years there was no information about the future of the superhero family.
Present
Nevertheless, about three years ago, a restart of films about the Fantastic Four was announced, the rights to the adaptation of which remained with the Twentieth Century Fox studio. The leading roles were announced right there. It was decided to create a team of young actors, and make the story itself darker. The plot was based on a completely different version to which everyone was accustomed. After long shootings in August 2015, the updated version was released. Unfortunately, she was negatively perceived by both ordinary people and loyal fans. So continuation is hardly worth counting on.
With comics, the situation is also in a deplorable state. In 2014, it was announced that the publisher decided to stop releasing this series, as it sold out very poorly. However, fans will still continue to delight with the appearance of their favorite characters in comics about other characters in the Marvel universe. Over the many years the Fantastic Four has existed, team members have changed more than once, but everyone will always remember its classic composition, and especially Reed Richards, a superhero who everyone knows as a true leader and recognized genius.