How The Fantastic Four: First Steps Characters Should Really Look

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my excitement about the upcoming movie, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Over the years, various adaptations of this iconic team have graced our screens, each one offering a distinctive visual flair that represents Marvel’s original family. This time around, the team is taking a trip down memory lane, set against a backdrop of a retro-futuristic world reminiscent of the 1960s.

This alternate reality provides a fresh canvas for the team to establish their unique identity, separate from what we’ve witnessed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe thus far. If the post-credits scene in “Thunderbolts*” hints at anything, it seems they might eventually find themselves entangled in the affairs of Earth-616. For now, though, they’re carving out their own niche, and I can hardly wait to see them in action!

Currently, the Fantastic Four have donned retro styles inspired by earlier comics, yet their appearances aren’t exactly as they initially appeared back then. Some creative adjustments were made to suit our vision of how these heroes and villains should look, given their comic book roots. Over time, characters like the Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer, and Galactus have undergone various changes, enhancements, and simplifications. However, for this list, we focused on their 1960s appearances where possible. While strict adherence to the comics isn’t always ideal or required, here’s what they might have looked like if they were direct representations of their most iconic comic book versions.

Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards)

Pedro Pascal undoubtedly put in an immense effort to achieve a muscular physique for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” as Mister Fantastic, or Reed Richards. While he sports the physique of a superhero, it’s interesting to compare this portrayal with how Reed is typically depicted. In terms of costuming, “First Steps” distinguishes Reed from his teammates by opting for a blue collar instead of the usual white one. This choice allows the color to harmonize with the rest of his attire. In contrast, comic book versions of Reed (and typically the other Fantastic Four members) are often depicted wearing black collars.

It’s interesting to note how similar everyone else on the team’s superhero costumes are, with the notable exception being the “4” emblem on their chests. Pascal, however, shares a striking resemblance with Reed in terms of his side-swept white hair, a characteristic that Reed is known for in most adaptations. The main distinction seems to be that Pascal’s hair appears to be a slightly darker shade than Reed’s, a deeper color than the light brown we’ve seen previously.

Reed Richards’ Portrayal by Pascal: Pascal’s depiction of Reed Richards distinguishes him from his fellow team members, devoid of a white collar. Instead, he sports a blue turtleneck, which was quite fashionable in the 1960s, making it fitting for the setting but slightly divergent from the early comic book portrayals. However, what truly matters is capturing Reed’s character as one of the universe’s most intelligent individuals and a devoted family man. In this aspect, Pascal excelled remarkably.

Invisible Woman (Sue Storm)

In this adaptation, Vanessa Kirby portrays Reed’s wife, known as the Invisible Woman, who typically wears an outfit with a white collar rather than the usual black one. Given the various costume transformations Sue Storm has undergone throughout the years, this change is relatively minor.

The movie “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” did not include historically accurate hairstyles for the characters, particularly Sue Storm. In the original ’60s comics, Sue had a large volume of hair, which was popular during that era with many women wearing beehives or bouffant styles. Interestingly, other female characters in the film have similar period-accurate hairstyles. There’s a scene where a group of reporters are questioning Reed, and one of them has an incredibly accurate hairstyle from the ’60s. It appears that Sue should have had this style for this movie, as her current look seems more fitting for a Vanity Fair photoshoot in 2025 rather than the film’s intended setting.

Vanessa Kirby Delivers an Impressive Performance as Sue Storm: Vanessa Kirby shines as Sue Storm, and her portrayal is convincing. However, the hairstyle used in this production might not align perfectly with the marketing’s retro vibe due to its emphasis on vintage aesthetics. Nevertheless, when the Fantastic Four eventually join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there will be an opportunity for more modern hairstyles. For now, it’s a minor concern as Vanessa Kirby effectively embodies this strong character.

Human Torch (Johnny Storm)

In “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” did the background actors finish off all the AquaNet hairspray, leaving none for the principal cast? Despite men having less voluminous hair in the ’60s than women, the comic book character Johnny Storm still has some height to his coif. However, the portrayal of Johnny Storm (played by Joseph Quinn) as the Human Torch appears rather flat-looking compared to the usual style. The costume is generally accurate with similar modifications for everyone else, but we should focus on two distinct versions of Johnny that are worth analyzing.

In his everyday life, Johnny is a regular human. But when he yells “Flame on,” he transforms into a fire-shaped mannequin, with an outline of his human form visible beneath the flames. In earlier comic books, Johnny’s human features were barely noticeable during transformation, as his body was entirely consumed by flames, leaving only a muscular red silhouette behind. However, as the comics progressed, Johnny retained more human characteristics when he ignited. But if we’re talking about the ’60s, there was a significant difference in how Johnny appeared during his transformations.

Revised Version: Johnny Storm’s Rating without His Hair: 7/10 – Disregarding his hairstyle, Quinn appears quite appealing as plain Johnny Storm. Although his Human Torch appearance varies, it’s reasonable given the context. Portraying the classic Human Torch look in a live-action movie might have been jarring. Moreover, considering he’s attempting to win over Silver Surfer during the film, it’s essential for him to maintain some level of charm even when ablaze.

The Thing (Ben Grimm)

Is Ebon Moss-Bachrach reminiscent of Ben Grimm prior to his transformation into The Thing? To some extent, yes, but it’s essential to acknowledge that the primary focus isn’t on physical resemblance. In truth, the movie adaptation of The Thing comes incredibly close to embodying the character as faithfully as possible in live-action film. The production has fully embraced the hero’s distinctive style, turning him into an unyielding stone figure. They even incorporated his signature large brow, a detail that has been underrepresented in previous adaptations.

It seems that the main point of discussion is his costume, and I can see why the filmmakers made the choices they did. Initially, The Thing sports blue swim trunks with a big “4” emblazoned on them, revealing his entire torso. However, for consistency with the rest of the team, the movie opted to dress him in a full-body suit instead.

In this movie adaptation, Ben Grimm’s costume for The Thing is impressive and well-executed, even if it deviates from his original comic book appearance. The CGI used to portray the rocky body is spot-on, making this the best on-screen representation of the character so far. It’s fortunate that we didn’t get a glimpse of what lies beneath the stone, as it would have been quite unpleasant to see.

Shalla-Bal (Silver Surfer)

In contrast to some misconceptions found online, female Silver Surfers have indeed existed in comic book history, as portrayed in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”. Shalla-Bal was initially the girlfriend of Norrin Radd, the original Silver Surfer, but she later assumed the role of Galactus’ herald herself. Upon examining her Silver Surfer form, it’s evident that one aspect has been a recurring issue with these redesigns – the hair. Shalla-Bal’s Silver Surfer hairstyle is voluminous, while Julie Garner’s character sports slicked-back hair, almost merging with the rest of her body.

In the close-up scenes of Shalla-Bal in “First Steps,” you can clearly see her irises and pupils. Her eyes serve as one of the last remaining human traits, but in the comics, they are solid silver like the rest of her. Her eyes add more expressiveness to the film version, but it’s important to remember that she is known as the Silver Surfer, not the Silver with a Touch of Blue Surfer.

Score for Accuracy as Man: 8 out of 10 – The character Shalla-Bal, from “First Steps,” is essentially a bare silver individual riding a surfboard. This portrayal is quite satisfactory for a Silver Surfer adaptation. We can overlook the lack of extensive hair because it’s unlikely she has access to Earth-like beauty products in space.

Mole Man (Harvey Elder)

In Mole Man’s initial comic book debut, it’s clear as day: This is a man who dwells among moles. His green attire appears more like a trash bag than fashion. The cloak around him adds an ominous vibe, and most significantly, he sports unique blue spectacles that enable him to navigate on the surface due to his eyes being exceptionally light-sensitive.

In “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” Paul Walter Hauser portrays the Mole Man with glasses, which is a nice touch. However, his costume receives an upgrade from the usual nondescript green attire to a stylish tracksuit, complete with white lining, giving it a more high-end Adidas vibe rather than something salvaged from the trash. Furthermore, he’s seen wearing a tie beneath his tracksuit, suggesting we might call him Mr. Mole Man instead.

Mole Man’s portrayal in the movie: The blue glasses on the character indicate to some that this could be Mole Man, yet his overall appearance leans towards a fashionable jogger rather than a typical supervillain. Considering the film draws heavily from the ’60s comics, it’s disappointing that he doesn’t embody his original look more accurately. This seems like a missed chance for “First Steps” to stay true to the source material.

Galactus

As a diehard fan, I must say, Galactus is a chilling adversary even more menacing than Thanos, and it’s thrilling to witness his grandeur unfold in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Previously, he made an appearance in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” where he was portrayed as a colossal space cloud. While some shots did capture a comic-accurate shadow, it fell short, to the point that anything would have been preferable. But fear not, because “First Steps” delivers something significantly better!

In this portrayal, Galactus maintains his authentic comic-book essence, albeit with a somewhat subdued shade of purple and blue compared to the comics. This is typical in film adaptations. Notably, he dons his iconic helmet adorned with side projections resembling antlers. To add, this Galactus is truly colossal, which is delightful. The live-action interpretation doesn’t shy away from embracing a slightly quirky appearance. Essentially, Galactus is an enormous cosmic being that devours planets, and in this version, we have just that, and we couldn’t be more pleased with it.

Score for Accuracy (Man): 10/10 – Galactus is one of numerous cosmic entities conjured by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s brilliant minds. As described by Kirby himself to Wizard Magazine, Galactus embodies a divine essence, transcending all criticism or opinion. This deity-like quality certainly shines through in his portrayal within “First Steps.” Compared to the weather phenomenon he was reduced to in “Rise of the Silver Surfer,” this depiction is significantly more impressive.

H.E.R.B.I.E.

H.E.R.B.I.E., voiced by Matthew Wood, is a beloved robot companion of the Fantastic Four. Although he first appeared in the 1978 animated series “The New Fantastic Four,” he was actually conceived later, making him a creation of comic legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. In fact, H.E.R.B.I.E. (an acronym for Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics) was their final joint creation. The friendly robot soon found his way into the comics, and more recently, he’s transitioned to live-action with some modern enhancements.

In comparison to the H.E.R.B.I.E. portrayed in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” the version from the ’70s has a significantly different appearance, particularly in the face area. While the movie’s H.E.R.B.I.E. sports gears for eyes, most other versions, including the initial one, sport a fully digital face that resembles a screen with dots for eyes and a line for a smile. Regarding his overall shape, past iterations of H.E.R.B.I.E. have been rounder, featuring what appears to be a large belly with a button interface on the chest, adorned with various colors. The film’s version of H.E.R.B.I.E., however, sports a more streamlined and slimmer design.

Score for Accuracy in Man’s Design: 3/10 — In “First Steps,” H.E.R.B.I.E.’s appearance is similar to a portable air conditioner unit. The chest interface has been removed, replaced with a “4” logo, making it clear he isn’t part of the team. His new look doesn’t have any issues, fitting well within the film’s overall retro-futuristic style. However, it deviates from the previous depictions we are familiar with. Despite the movie’s focus on comic-accurate aesthetics, it seems that the design team had certain constraints in bringing H.E.R.B.I.E. to life as we know him.

Giganto

By examining the cover of “Fantastic Four” #1 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, you’ll find the subterranean beast known as Giganto, showcasing its magnificent form, emerging from a street to cause fear above ground. This is Marvel’s first family’s initial encounter with a monster, and it’s a meaningful homage to their history to feature Giganto in “First Steps.” Primarily, the portrayal of Giganto in the movie is impressive, as he is depicted accurately – a massive green creature that destroys the city.

Typically, live-action adaptations often tone down colors compared to their comic book counterparts. In the case of Giganto, it’s less vibrant and more of a muted green, rather than the bold hues found in the comics. The film version of Giganto seems to sport armor-like textures on its shoulders and arms, reminiscent of mud, as opposed to being entirely green. However, there’s no mistaking that this is indeed Giganto, with its characteristic giant mouth present and accounted for.

Appreciation for Accurate Portrayal of Giganto’s Design in the Film

One of the standout features of the movie’s Giganto design that has garnered praise is its pure white eyes, a detail often neglected in live-action comic book adaptations. Given Giganto’s status as a monster, this design choice seems fitting and adds an appealing comic book atmosphere to the scenes. Due to this, the more subtle alterations become less noticeable.

Who should play teen Franklin Richards in the MCU?

In our original discussion, we decided not to compare the comic book character Franklin Richards with his film counterpart since both are depicted as babies. However, we began brainstorming potential actors who might suit the role of an older Franklin in upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe projects.

Secret Wars,” his potential influence in the MCU could increase significantly. However, if we don’t encounter him again until the next “Fantastic Four” film (provided there is one), who would make an excellent choice to portray him?

In the comics, Franklin is frequently depicted as a teenager. However, due to his ability to rapidly accelerate his aging (reality warping), the MCU can skip the waiting period and show Franklin’s growth from an infant to a teenager more quickly. A highly skilled young actor who could convincingly portray Franklin is Jacob Tremblay, who gained recognition for his roles in “Room” and “Wonder.

At present, Tremblay is 18 years old, but he possesses the ability to portray characters younger than himself if Marvel decides to take that approach. A simple hair color change to black would make him an almost identical match for the character. Furthermore, Tremblay’s background in dramatic roles equips him well to play a character who carries the burden of being a god, with the universe’s fate resting on his shoulders.

Who should play adult Franklin Richards in the MCU?

In another instance, Franklin Richards, who typically retains the mindset of a child despite occasionally growing into an adult, is showcased in “Fantastic Four” #245 by John Byrne, Bob Sharen, and Jim Novak. His unruly golden hair and full beard are a stark contrast to his juvenile demeanor as he hurls furniture around. We believe that Dan Stevens would be an excellent fit for such a role given his prior experience portraying a powerful comic book character with psychic abilities in “Legion.” Thus, he seems ideally suited to introduce Franklin into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In other words, Stevens has previously excelled at portraying intense characters in underappreciated movies like “The Guest” and “Cuckoo.” Therefore, a strong character with a volatile mind seems like an ideal role for him. If a future Marvel Cinematic Universe film chooses to make his adult version more stable, Stevens would still be capable of delivering top-notch performances alongside Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and the rest of their on-screen family without skipping a beat. He’s a gifted actor who could easily match up with such distinguished peers.

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe prepares to explore uncharted realms, it’s introducing characters with powers greater than any we’ve witnessed in previous movies. Franklin Richards, who single-handedly vanquished Galactus, could be an incredibly potent ally for the Fantastic Four if they require assistance.

2025-07-26 01:02