Warning: Spoilers for Fantastic Four (2022) #27 ahead!
There has always been a family element in Fantastic Fourwhich initially challenged and aligned with the nuclear family ideal of the 1950s, before exploring more modern interpretations after the birth of Sue and Reed's children. When it comes to parenthood, however, Sue and Reed are far from first in Marvel's First Family; instead, that honor belongs to Ben Grimm and his wife, Alicia Masters-Grimm.
Fantastic Four (2022) #27 – written by Ryan North, with art by Steven Cummings – offers an excellent demonstration of Ben Grimm's parenting skills at work, when his adopted daughter, Nicki, begins using her Skrull shapeshifting powers at school, impersonating the Fantastic Four to get herself and her friends out of trouble. When Nicki is inevitably caught, it leads to an incredibly emotional moment between father and daughter.
Ben's parenting skills are on full display here, as he listens quietly, showing his understanding of why Nicki behaved the way she did, before laying down the rules, without invalidating Nicki's powers or sense of self-expression.
Sorry, Sue and Reed: Ben and Alicia are the emotional heart of the modern Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four (2022) #27 – Written by Ryan North; Art by Steven Cummings; Color of Jesus Abrutov; Lyrics by Joe Caramagna
It may come as a surprise that the boisterous Thing is a better father than Mr. Fantastic, a man who is often criticized for appearing overly paternal. However, at worst, Reed has demonstrated a shockingly arrogant attitude towards his children, especially Franklin: this includes forcibly sending the boy into a coma in Fantastic Four (1961) #141, and secretly injecting him with radioactive nanomachines in Fantastic Four and Power Pack (2007) #2. While Reed always means well, his preferred solution of experimenting on his children has historically made him a terrible father.
Although Sue is a better mother than her husband, she must often be perceptive with her children in order to impose worldly boundaries that escape Reed's attention. Sue is capable and formidable, but doesn't achieve the same interpersonal grace that Alicia Masters-Grimm commands. Alicia is unquestionably the emerging character of the current Fantastic Four comic; her ability to think on her feet in a crisis makes her an invaluable ally during superheroic shenanigans, and Her ability to connect with others, even the notoriously distant Reed, makes her an unflappable mother figure to her adopted children Nicki and Jo.
The Fantastic Four do away with traditional parental tropes to make them one of Marvel's most impactful modern families
The series challenges the traditional view of family
While the Fantastic Four were never a perfect nuclear family, the modern interpretation completely destroys the concept, with four sets of parents, four children, and an orbital uncle. The more domestic nature of the Fantastic Four's Arizona estate, when compared to the sci-fi Baxter building, also highlights how the group functions together as a family unit, with the series often taking time to show the family during mealtimes, helping each other with homework and the ins and outs of family life together. By having characters share familiar roles, the series prevents individual characters from falling into familiar stereotypes.
This race of Fantastic Four it was a breath of fresh air for the series and a wonderful rebirth for a franchise that Marvel has long struggled with. Ben's role as a father, not just a muscular spanker, is one of the emotional highlights of the series, and it's wonderful to see Nicki learning and growing under his care. For the first time in a long time, the Fantastic Four are truly embracing their role as Marvel's “First Family” — just not with Sue and Reed Richards at the helm.
Fantastic Four (2022) #27 is now available from Marvel Comics.