The Fantastic Fourhave dealt with several enemies in the past, but more often than not, they all seem to be connected to Reed Richards. With Mister Fantastic serving as the team’s self-appointed leader, he naturally became the primary target for many of their enemies, particularly during the team’s heyday when they faced numerous villains created by Stan Lee.
Most readers are well familiar with the most recurring villains inThe Fantastic Fourand especially Reed Richards' rogue’s gallery, but not enough attention is drawn to how many enemies are from Reed’s own family.The biggest Fantastic Four villainsare often those who pose the most personal stakes for Reed Richards.
11Hamish Richards, Reed’s Cousin
Hamish Tried to Feed The Fantastic Four to an Eldritch Monster
Hamish Richards is one of the more obscure members of Reed Richards' family, as his presence is limited almost exclusively toFantastic Four#564. Initially, the Scottish native seemed to have pure intentions for Reed, inviting The Fantastic Four to his homeland for Christmas. Unfortunately, his intentions proved less than festive.
It is soon revealed that Hamish actually invited Reed’s family to Scotland in hopes of sacrificing Valeria to Korgo, a giant tentacled creature whom Hamish and the townsfolk looked upon as a God. Korgo must feed on a child of his choosing annually on Christmas morning to maintain peace and paradise in the town.
10The Invisible Woman, Reed’s Wife
She Was Possessed By Malice
Ever since debuting together, Reed Richards and Sue Storm have been an item, and they have been madly in love with each other. However, their union takes a dark twist when Sue finds herself brieflypossessed by the entity called Malice. When Sue Storm is psychologically vulnerable under distress, she becomes the perfect victim of Psycho-Man’s mind-control device.
When under Psycho-Man’s control, Sue Storm is given the sole goal of killing Reed Richards. Malice carries the cunning of Sue Storm with a newfound malevolence ideal for the Goddess of Hate. As such, she makes as formidable a foe for Reed as she does a personal one.
9Kristoff Vernard, Allegedly Reed’s Half-Brother
He’s also the Heir of Doctor Doom
Kristoff Vernard has always been framed as the adopted son of Doctor Doom, even attempting to take his mantle on one occasion. However, it is often forgotten that Kristoff is the brother of Reed Richards, at least allegedly. It’s a small aspect of his character, so it’s easy to forget or even be unaware of.
It had been merely hinted at in the past by Nathaniel Richards that Kristoff may be his son, making him Reed’s brother. Nothing’s been confirmed, as these hints have never been elaborated upon in the comics. That being said, it’s an almost bittersweet irony to think thatDoctor Doom’s biggest rivalmay be his apprentice’s brother without Doom knowing.
8Tara Richards, Reed’s Half-Sister
The Villainous Huntara
One half-sibling who is confirmed to be related to Reed Richards is Tara Richards. Tara’s background is rather complicated, even beyond being the daughter of Nathaniel Richards, and also moonlighting as a supervillain named Huntara. She doesn’t originally hail from Earth-616, but Earth-6311, eventually traveling to Reed’s world.
During Nathaniel’s multiversal travels, he fell in love with a woman named Cassandra while on Earth-6311, leading to the conception of Tara. She’d grow up to become a villain, even joining Klaw’s Fearsome Foursome, but in time would have a redemption. Most notably, she and Franklin Richards would form the Fantastic Force together.
7Cassandra Richards, Reed’s Stepmother
The Villainous Warlord
When Nathaniel Richards traveled to a parallel world, attempting to travel to the future instead, he helped a warlord leader cultivate her society and legion of followers. In return, she handed her daughter, Cassandra, to Nathaniel for her hand in marriage. While their union came out of some twisted circumstances, Cassandra proved to be just as diabolical as Nathaniel.
Adopting the name Warlord, Cassandra becamea villain with MCU potential. Dressing herself in Nathaniel’s armor, she ruled Other Earth as its leading dictator and warmonger. She even forced The Fantastic Four into one of their deadliest battles, ending in her death at the hands of Wyatt Wingfoot. Mourning his lover, Nathaniel takes her place as overlord.
6Nathaniel Richards, Reed’s Father
He Arguably Got Up to Some Messed-Up Stuff
Nathaniel Richards’s obsession with multiversal time travel has driven him to commit some of the most heinous acts the Fantastic Four have ever faced. One can argue that the savagery of Nathaniel is what gave birth to Kang the Conqueror, as he is a future descendant of Nathaniel’s, albeit from an alternate timeline.
Nathaniel might be Reed’s most personal rival, as their beef doesn’t just stem from Nate’s modern actions, but obviously, Reed’s childhood. Their connection makes Reed unique in the multiversefor the darkest reason, but also gives the leader of the Fantastic Four his biggest challenge every time they face off.
5Kang the Conqueror, Alleged Descendant of Reed’s Dad
The Mega-Villain to The Avengers
Few supervillains have blood on their hands in the same way that Kang the Conqueror does. He’s primarily used as an Avengers villain, but as the descendant of Reed Richards' father, he technically remains a part of the Fantastic Four’s rogues' gallery as well. As such, Kang’s massive wave of destruction extends to the quartet as well.
His connection to the Fantastic Four still remains sparse and complicated, especially when he holds a grudge with their hated archnemesis, Doctor Doom (even ifKang does respect Doctor Doom). Still, Kang’s impact extends to the entire Marvel Universe and multiverse. Nearly every Marvel hero has been conquered by Kang in some way, shape, or form.
4The Council of Reeds
His Evil Other Selves
Viewers of the Marvel Cinematic Universe may be familiar with the Council of Kangs, but the comic equivalent to the concept would have to be theCouncil of Reeds. The Interdimensional Council of Reeds serves as a multiversal super-team of Mister Fantastic variants. It’s not a team of every Reed from every universe, but Reeds who have mastered multiversal travel.
Each of the council members has one thing in common: they abandoned their families to commit fully to the Council. Not aspiring to be a deadbeat, Earth-616 Reed opted not to join, which proved wise when the Council was slaughtered by the Mad Celestials. Ironically, 616 Reed beat the Mad Celestials with the help of his family.
3The Maker, Reed’s Evil Self
One of Marvel’s Most Dangerous Villains
There is no greater evil variant of Reed Richards than The Maker. He hails from Earth-1610, the original Ultimate Marvel Universe. This Reed was eventually abandoned by the Fantastic Four once they learned he had faked his death. After losing his wife and friends, his mind grew unhinged, and his experiments became more spiteful.
He revamps himself as The Maker, deciding to commit fully to becoming the threat to the universe his ex-friends feared him to be. As one of the two survivors of a destroyed Earth-1610, the Maker decided to create a new world in his image, succeeding through Earth-6160.The Maker has become Marvel’s most unsettling villain.
2Franklin Richards, Reed’s Son
Alternate Realities Paint Him in a Questionable Light
Even considering how dangerously powerful Franklin Richards is, this powerhouse is still an undying force of good on Earth-616. Arcs that depict a Franklin Richards from an alternate reality, though, tend to tell a different story. Most notably, there are universes that reveal Franklin to be the new Galactus.
Galactus has always been a complicated figure in Marvel lore, as he’s always been a necessary evil needed to balance out the universe. It’s made it hard to paint him as a complete villain for that reason. The same can be said for Franklin, but inachieving this ultimate form, he unquestionably becomes an antagonist to the worlds he devours.
