(Photo Credit: Mavel Studios)
The Fantastic Four: First Steps was notable in not devoting much screen time to the team’s origins. The MCU film jumped straight into the action after a brief explanation of how four explorers developed superpowers. Now, a prequel comic is exploring that origin and tying it to a classic Marvel Comics villain.

Apart from the Mole Man, The Fantastic Four: First Steps did not directly involve any of the team’s classic enemies. There were Easter eggs showing several of their villains, such as the opening of the animated series in one post-credit scene. Some of these villains were also mentioned by name.

However, the prequel comic Fantastic Four: First Foes marks the first appearance of one of these notorious villains. More, a preview of the issue reveals that villain played an ironic role regarding their origin story.

What villain is tied to the Fantastic Four’s MCU origins?

The villain in question is the Mad Thinker. However, his origin in the MCU is quite different from the original Fantastic Four comics. There, the Mad Thinker was a random criminal mastermind, who feared the Fantastic Four were the only ones who could stop him. Later, he became jealous of Reed Richards‘ intellect, and sought to prove himself the superior scientist.

Here, however, he is Reed Richards’ former mathematics professor and mission control coordinator on the launch of the Excelsior. It is his genius that is able to bring the Fantastic Four home safely after they run into a cosmic storm. However, there are signs of the man he will become, as he rankles at being referred to as “almost as smart as Reed Richards himself.”

The main cover and first four pages of Fantastic Four: First Foes #1 may be viewed below.

(Cover by Phil Noto)

Fantastic Four: First Foes #1 arrives in comic shops on March 25, 2026.