All superheroes have their own style when it comes to saving the world, but it's rare that two of them come up with the exact same solution to a problem. A moment that stands out Superman certain kind of “right” casts doubt on a hero across the aisle, however, like Marvel's Mister Fantastic struggled with a choice Kal-El made without hesitation. Reed Richards' heroism comes with restrictions.
In Justice League of America #84 and Fantastic Four #2, Superman and Reed Richards faced very similar situations; both heroes had the chance to essentially nullify their greatest enemies, Lex Luthor and Doctor Doom, by refusing to restore their memories. Clark Kent didn't hesitate to turn Luthor back to normal, but Reed hesitates for a moment.
Although Reed comes to the same conclusion about Doom and chooses to restore his mind, he contemplates the alternatives before doing so. Side by side, it's an incredible demonstration of Mister Fantastic's internal battle between practicality, logic, and the morally correct choice.
For Superman, the heroic decision is automatic – for Reed Richards, not so much
LJA #84 – Written by Joe Kelly, art by Doug Mahnke; Launched in 2003
In Justice League of America #84Lex Luthor is the victim of a telepath determined to punish criminals. The attack leaves him catatonic and likely unable to return to his old self without extreme help. Superman, who is the almost constant target of Lex's schemes, recruits Martian Manhunter to restore his mind. J'onn confirms that he can help, but before doing so, he questions whether that's really what Clark wants. Superman's response is immediate. Not only does he want to help Lex Luthor, but he also refuses to consider the alternative. Leaving Lex in this state goes against everything he knows is right.
Unlike Superman, Reed Richards' heroism is more a conscious choice than an innate sense of right and wrong.
The easy decision to save Lex is essentially Superman, but it's also the only clear heroic choice; letting Lex suffer could have prevented hypothetical future harm, but it would have required Clark to step aside when he could help. Kal-El's decision contrasts sharply with Reed's when he briefly finds himself in control of the only existing copy of Doom's mind. Despite Doom having saved the world on several occasions and his very existence being in the hands of Mister Fantastic, the decision was not an easy one. Unlike Superman, Reed Richards' heroism is more a conscious choice than an innate sense of right and wrong.
Mister Fantastic is guided by logic and reason – his heroic choices are a byproduct
Fantastic Four #2 – Written by Jonathan Hickman; Art by Steve Epting; Launched in 2011
Although Reed ultimately does the hero's calling and restores Doctor Doom, his contemplation is revelatory. The Invisible Woman cited the ability to think without emotion and see possibilities that others might not consider as one of Reed's greatest strengths. He is not clouded by feelings, and his ultralogical way of thinking often guides him toward clever solutions to save the world. This disconnect has led different versions of Mister Fantastic down such dark paths that he turns into someone cold, calculating and far from “good.” The seeds of this person become visible as he debates what to do with Doom's mind.
Clark Kent can be extremely compassionate and is often guided by his heart, even in the villainous variations of Superman. What he does is a natural consequence of who he is as a person, but Mister Fantastic's greatest efforts are built upon a framework of rational calculations and choices.. In short, he's a hero because it makes sense to be a hero. He is selfless in the moments when it makes the most sense to be selfless. Although he is aware of the morally correct choice, it weighs against practicality in a way that sets him apart from champions like Kal-El.
Superman and Mister Fantastic prove that comics need all kinds of different heroes
Some superheroes fight more than others
Both Superman and the Fantastic Four have saved their respective worlds countless times, and Reed's adventures have often taken him across the stars and across space and time to help beings from all walks of life. He takes a different path to heroism than DC's famous Kryptonian, even if he ultimately makes similar decisions. Clark Kent does not need to qualify his moral compass, as his innate sense of justice and fairness is sufficient. Reed's hesitation to save Doom, especially knowing that the world actually needed Viktor's help more than once, proves that he does not fit the classic hero archetype.
Mister Fantastic is no Superman, but he uses his unwavering sense of practicality to do what is right for the world and his greatest enemy.
However, it could be argued that Reed's consistent choice to do good makes him more courageous, since the alternative is so accessible. Despite rationally weighing all possible options, he repeatedly decides to put himself and his family in danger to save others and even grants his greatest enemy a full life. Following a feeling does not require reflection or internal battle. Reed's sense of logic forces him to go through both, and he doesn't take the easy way out. Mister Fantastic it is not Supermanbut he uses his unshakable sense of practicality to do right by the world and by his greatest enemy.