Warning: Contains potential spoilers for Fantastic Four #27!
How the Fantastic Four series continues highlight the next generation of Marvel's First Family, I'm intrigued by how this could shake up the status of the Skrulls in the universe. Alien species are still often portrayed as intergalactic threats, and while the shapeshifting Skrulls have produced other Marvel superheroes, it seems like the Thing's adopted daughter could help his status evolve in the Marvel Universe.
In preview for Fantastic Four #27 – written by Ryan North, with art by Steven Cummings – Nicki Masters-Grimm Is Tired of Hearing Anti-Shapeshifter Rhetoric and Takes Action to Make a Difference. With Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben preparing for the next A world under destruction crossover event, I never imagined that the four children on the team would have their own adventures.
In a fun scene, Niki helps her brother Jo-Venn, using her powers to impersonate her father and get him out of trouble at school. Determined to prove that his abilities are not inherently bad, the Skrull child embarks on an exciting new mission.
The Thing's Skrull daughter takes center stage in a surprising new adventure that's already got me hooked
Fantastic Four #27 – Written by Ryan North; Art by Steven Cummings; Color of Jesus Aburtov; Lyrics by VC's Joe Caramagna
As the latest edition of Fantastic Four officially allows N'Kalla, aka Nicki Masters-Grimm, to lead her own comedic adventure, I look forward to the creative team further developing her character and her new mission as a defender of the Skrull.. N'Kalla and his brother Kree were introduced in 2020 Empire crossover event, where they were adopted by the Thing and Alicia Masters after years of representing their alien species as child soldiers in a bitter rivalry. Despite their intriguing story, the Masters-Grimm boys haven't impressed me much since their debut, but I think Fantastic Four #27 could change that.
The preview for the new issue shows the discrimination Nicki experiences as a Skrull at school, both in the classroom and on the playground, with shapeshifters generally being portrayed as evil and threatening. When Nicki wants to show the world that being a Skrull doesn't make her a monster, I'm seriously rooting for her to prove everyone who thinks that way wrong. Using his shape-shifting powers to help his fellow Fantastic Four children with tasks like renting age-inappropriate movies may not work, but his heart is in the right place and I'm eager to see how his defense evolves.
Nicki Masters-Grimm is determined to show the world that Skrulls can be good guys too – and I think she can do it
A new era for Marvel's eternal alien antagonists
Nicki and Jo-Venn were introduced during Empirethat finally saw the end of the war between the Kree and the Skrulls, and it seems to me that from them relationship of brothers adopted into the Fantastic Four family It is another important step forward in relations between both exotic species. The intergalactic conflict was the source of many evil actions by the villainous Skrulls, and the end of the war mostly saw the end of Skrull-based stories. However, as Nicki tries to prove that her species doesn't make her a monster, I'm ready to see her reinvigorate the Skrulls' standing in the Marvel Universe.
Since they debuted as villains in Lee and Kirby's Fantastic Four #2and subsequently started a Secret Invasion Among other diabolical plots, there have even been some exciting Skrull characters who have become Marvel superheroes. Perhaps the best known is the Young Avenger, Hulkling, who became Emperor of the Kree and Skrull alliance during Empire. I believe Nicki could be the first major Skrull hero in Marvel Comics since Hulkling, perhaps even surpassing her popularity with her place as the Thing's daughter and member of the Fantastic Four family.
I hope to see more of Marvel's expanding first family as its fantastical 2025 progresses
A massive blockbuster event and MCU comic book crossover
The Fantastic Four have a busy year ahead, with an imminent MCU debut and an entire crossover event revolving around their main antagonist, Doctor Doom. As the family takes control of Marvel in 2025, I would love if Nicki and the rest of the kids, including Jo-Venn, Franklin and Valeria, were more prominent in their stories. With the Thing specifically set to undergo changes that could completely alter the character's trajectory at Marvel, I think it would be really cool and interesting to see his Skrull daughter take a more active role in his superhero adventures going forward.
While I didn't expect Fantastic Four to spotlight Nicki Masters-Grimm in this way, I'm excited for her to shake up the Marvel Universe as a new hero representing the Skrulls.
The story centered on Nicki in Fantastic Four #27 could change the dynamics of the team, their family, and be the biggest step forward for the Skrulls since the end of 2020 Empire. As the young daughter of lovable heroes takes steps to counteract the discrimination she faces as an alien shapeshifter, I think her quest to change the species' status quo could be seriously inspiring. Although I didn't fully expect the Fantastic Four To highlight Nicki Masters-Grimm in this way, I'm excited for her to shake up the Marvel Universe as a new hero who represents the Skrulls.
Fantastic Four #27 will be available on December 18, 2024 from Marvel Comics.