First Steps

Fantastic Foundations and Families

Thanks to the wonder of streaming (cause have you seen the prices of snackies at theatres after tickets? Yeeshka) I was able to enjoy another cinematic turn of Marvel’s Greatest Comic Magazine (or First Family). Created as a silver age response to DC’s Justice League of America, the family dynamics of philosophical-science-speculative-adventure fiction of the heroes.

Comic accurate? Yup, if you care for such things in aesthetics. It was a multi-verse story of our heroes back in the 1960’s. It was also a space where perhaps Namor and Atlantis had been thematically replaced by Mole Man and Subterannia, though the invader smitted with Susan Storm-Richards is a familiar trope. The growth of a co-operative world in Hope may perhaps seem out of reach for us currently in 2025 but is never far away if we are willing to risk action with our dreams.

This story interweaves a renewal of the origin that may be familiar to many (I still love the early 2000’s duology that I enjoyed with my kids), but did not linger into it as we pick up 4 years after the cosmic rays and the First Family expecting their first child, Franklin. Oh what a wonderful story was being laid out.

Now, there are many things that supposed or alleged fanboys got angry at, to them, I simply have to point out you are a literalist troll, and not a true fan of the art form of our current myths and lore of reality. For each, medium chosen to tell the stories brings new innovations and constraints. Just look back to the Star Trek writer’s of the 1980’s and 90’s who had the blessing of being able to tell stories in comic, television and book form about which provided most freedom. I mean, the bringing in of the robot H.E.R.B.I.E was a wonderful touch, for the not so long term fans of the FF they may be unaware the robot was originally created to replace the character of Human Torch (Johnny Storm) in an animated series in which stations were concerned seeing the Human Torch in animation could lead children to lighting themselves (or siblings) on fire to emulate.

But enough digressions, back to the story as the characters are manifested. Reed being his analytical scientific self. Having to take any moment in time to the quantifiable of the scientific method, even if by being you those closest to you may not fully see the way you process emotional understanding within their own emotional spectrums.

For the story develops that Galactus’ hunger has led them to Earth. The Herald, Silver Surfer, who sacrificed herself to save her own world, is not set on ensuring the hunger of Galactus is satiated—and how is this?

Through the sacrifice of the newly born Franklin Richards.

The newborn baby of Reed and Sue. This is when the way Reed processes challenges and emotions is on full display, contrary to the way Susan does, and the pain this bridging of two minds and hearts can be in a relationship.

A no given by family.

A world on the line, in fear, wanting them to sacrifice the child to bring back harmony of what is known.

Harmony of what is known, but is it the best if the innocent blood is what is required for salvation?

Is the world about to turn to the darkness that we have become comfortable with in super hero lore of the 1990’s?

Or will hope shine through?

I am not going to give away minutae, but the unique and powerful message and underlying of hope is simple. The love of family is the healing power that fuels hope.