Marvel’sFranklin Richardsisthe Fantastic Four’s second-youngest member, but he has appeared in grown-up form more than once.The Fantastic Four: First Stepsmarks Franklin Richards' live-action debut. Similarly to his comic book counterpart, Franklin immediately shakes his universe’s power rankings almost as soon as he’s born.
Even as a baby and young child, Franklin Richards demonstrated reality-altering powers that placed him among Marvel’s most powerful beings. For instance,toddler Franklin easily defeated Mephistoin his own realm. Later, he created an entire pocket universe duringHeroes Reborn. However, Franklin’s cosmic-level potential isn’t limited to his childhood feats.
Marvel Has Shown What Franklin Richards Will Look Like In The Future
Marvel Has Introduced Multiple Adult Versions Of Franklin Richards
The first adult version of Franklin Richards appears in 1988’sDays of Future Present, written by Louise Simonson. This older, battle-hardened Franklin hails from a Sentinel-dominated future connected to theDays of Future Pasttimeline. Struggling with his identity, this Franklin seems almost ghostlike, unsure if he’s real or a psychic construct, and haunted by the collapse of his world.
In Mark Waid’sHistory of the Marvel Universe,Franklin Richards eventually becomes Galactus himself.
In Jonathan Hickman’s 2010Fantastic Four#574 storyline, another adult Franklin Richards emerges from the future as a nearly omnipotent being. As the“Black Celestial Franklin,”this version arrives with his adult sister, Valeria, and mentors his younger self. Franklin’s power is so vast that he casually revives Galactus and appoints him as his personal herald.
Also during Jonathan Hickman’s run, specifically in 2012’sFantastic Four#605, a different future version of Franklin has lived for centuries and matured into a contemplative, godlike figure. In this future, Franklin outlives the rest of the Fantastic Four, watches civilizations rise and fall, and maintains a calm and almost divine presence. This Franklin ultimately witnesses the heat death of the universe.
Marvel Comics' Current Franklin Richards Is A Powerful Teenager
Present-Day Franklin Richards Is One Of Marvel’s Most Powerful Heroes
Present-day, teenage Franklin Richards has played a pivotal role in several universe-defining Marvel events, most notably in Jonathan Hickman’sSecret Wars. After the end of the multiversal event, Franklin helps his father, Reed Richards, rebuild existence timeline by timeline. With Molecule Man as a power conduit and Franklin’s imagination as the creative engine, they reconstruct entire realities.
In Dan Slott’s 2018Fantastic Four, Franklin attempts to explore his identity as a mutant and even joins the X-Men for a brief period. Growing into the role of a superhero, Franklin also takes up the moniker “Powrhouse”. Though not as omnipotent as some of his alternate selves,teen Franklin has still created entire universes, held his own against Celestials, and rewritten molecular structures on a whim.
Marvel’s Prime Franklin Richards May Actually Grow Up In The Present Day
Franklin Richards Has Somewhat Defied Marvel’s Age Stagnation Problem
Franklin Richards is one of the few characters who has visibly aged despiteMarvel’s sliding timeline, which keeps most heroes stuck in the same age range.Franklin has progressed from an infant in the 1970s to a full-fledged teenager in recent runs. His slow but deliberate growth offers a rare sense of real progression and development.
As Marvel continues to explore legacy characters,Franklin Richardscould grow into a permanent leadership role
Though Franklin’s aging has been slow, it proves he could eventually gain the same maturity as his alternate adult versions. His unique position as one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe makes his progression even more valuable. As Marvel continues to explore legacy characters,Franklin Richardscould grow into a permanent leadership role.
