Fantastic Four: Fantastic Flaws
The Fantastic Four is a superhero team that was created in 1961 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. They live in Pier 4, although they have lived in multiple other locations. They are a dysfunctional but loving family, a first of their time. They were not typical for their time. Most teams or superheroes were unflawed and above typical human characteristics. Instead, they squabbled and fought showing there is no shame in being however you are. The idea is how someone overcomes their flaws and uses their skills. Hence, when they survived a bombardment of cosmic rays that gave them powers, as most superheroes, they decide to use their powers for good rather than evil.
Who are the Fantastic four?
The group is made of Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman (former Invisible Girl), Human Torch, and Thing. Mr. Fantastic is Reed Richards. He is the typical mad scientist and leader of the group. He can stretch, twist and re-shape his body. He lives in regret of the events that turned his friend, Ben Grimm, into Thing. The latter is Reed’s best friend and college roommate. He was trained as a pilot who is honest and has no ulterior motives. Although Ben is the bitterest of them all because he cannot return to human form, he was most beautiful soul between them all. Hence he is the typical tough guy with a heart of gold.
Another Fantastic Four is Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman. She is in a relationship with Richard Reed and eventually marrying him. She has been passive and becomes more powerful as the wall between Richard and the rest of the team. This is especially true when Sue develops the ability to generate a force field. She becomes the caregiver and protector of the group. Meanwhile, her brother, Johnny Storm, is the rebel. He has the power to control fire and use it to propel himself into flight. He is brash and young. Hence, he is still defining himself, yet he brings in a fresher perspective and new trends. His rebellious nature is useful to the group and help them be progressive.
Are their comics changing the world?
Well, the Fantastic Four did feature in 150 million comics sold by 2005. Hence, their stories have affected the world. They were the first heroes who were unmasked and did not hide behind some aliases. They are very honest about who they are. Their celebrity status stripped them from their privacy and exposed the world to its downfalls, like the paparazzi. Another factor is how truthful the comics are bout their negative characteristics, like anger, resentment, guilt, and underestimation. They still love each other flaws and all. This also shows there is no such thing as perfect humans as most heroes were portrayed at the time of their publishing.
The Fantastic Four did have a tough time in the movies, but they still are respectable characters of the comic universe.
