Warning: Spoilers for Fantastic Four #27
When trying to think of theFantastic Four’s darkest enemies, Mole Man doesn’t usually come to mind. After all, compared to the likes of Doctor Doom, he doesn’t come off as a major threat at a glance. Now, Mole Man just revealed that he’s much more sinister than meets the eye, justifying his upcoming inclusion in the MCU and proving that he deserves respect as a Fantastic Four villain.
InFantastic Four#27 by Ryan North, Steven Cummings, Jesus Aburtov, and Joe Caramagna, the titular team of superheroes faces off against the Mad Thinker in a heated battle against his Thermo-Droids. However, their battle isn’t the only one that takes place during this issue.While the Fantastic Four are on their mission in New York, Mole Man seizes the opportunity to attack their kids in their hometown.
Fighting the Fantastic Four already makes him a villain, but Mole Man specifically targeting the school when he knows their parents are distracted elsewhere is a whole new level of evil that redefines his perception in Marvel lore.
Mole Man Is Officially the Fantastic Four’s Most Twisted Enemy in Marvel Lore
Mole Man may be unassuming on the surface due to his sillier design compared to otherMarvel villains, but his latest actions elevate his villainy to a degree that even the scariest foes would shy away from. With the Fantastic Four on their own mission, rather than chasing after them, Mole Man decides to hurt them through their unsuspecting kids.Infiltrating a school full of children when he knows the Fantastic Four can’t stop him is a truly diabolical plan on Mole Man’s part, and his attempted murder ofFranklin and Valeria Richardsdemonstrates how far he’s willing to go for vengeance.
Mole Man debuted in the very first issue ofFantastic Fourby Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, which will be available as areprinted Facsimile Editionon January 8th, 2025.
Historically, Mole Man isn’t thought to be that dangerous, so it comes as a shock to see him resort to such horrific measures here. His typical goofy persona is that of an outsider who’s shut himself away from society in his underground tunnel system, where hecontrols Moloidsthat he unleashes upon the Fantastic Four. Considering his reputation, many fans have been surprised byMole Man’s imminent MCU role. Now,he has cemented himself as an antagonist with a dark side that rivals Doctor Doom’s, and this underrated enemy’s big screen debut makes much more sense as a result.
Mole Man Isn’t the Only Fantastic Four Villain to Target Their Children
Doctor Doom Has Also Employed This Overlooked Villain’s Strategy
Mole Man’s grudge against the Fantastic Four has festered since his first appearance, but there’s another villain whose grudge runs even deeper than his: Victor Von Doom, more widely known as Doctor Doom. Though he’s the main nemesis of the Fantastic Four as a whole, he harbors a specific loathing forReed Richards as his intellectual rival. Victor’s history with Reed has pushed him to commit many despicable acts, but theworst crime that Doctor Doom hascommittedis against Reed’s son rather than Mister Fantastic himself.Like Mole Man, Doctor Doom torments the Fantastic Four’s children in an effort to spite them.
Meet the Fantastic Three, As Marvel Makes Jaw-Dropping Change to a Founding Member
As the “One World Under Doom” crossover event takes new twists and turns, the Fantastic Four are set to lose an iconic member, in a shocking defeat.
InFantastic Four#68 by Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo, Doctor Doom sets his sights on the children ofReed Richards and Invisible Woman. He first possesses Valeria Richards, then spawns hellfire in Reed’s laboratory while his son Franklin is with him. When Reed activates a portal to help Franklin flee,Doom takes over the system with his newly upgraded magical powers and transports Franklin to Hell. Doctor Doom’s petty resentment towards the Fantastic Four leads to the child’s devastating fate, and along with Mole Man, he’s shown that the team’s heroic endeavors are ultimately to the detriment of their children.
It’s Confirmed: The Fantastic Four’s Superhero Lifestyle Endangers Their Kids
By Making Powerful Enemies, the Fantastic Four Put Their Kids' Lives at Risk
With so many dastardlyvillains scheming against the Fantastic Four, from Mole Man to Doctor Doom, the families of these heroes are in danger of being targeted at any moment. These villains aren’t alone in wanting revenge against the Fantastic Four, and more may follow in their footsteps by going after their children to get under their skin. While some of the kids do possess powers - as displayed when Nickiunleashes her Skrull abilities- others are defenseless. TheFantastic Fourshould focus more on protecting their kids, otherwise Mole Man might succeed the next time he tries to eliminate them.
Fantastic Four#27is available now from Marvel Comics.
Fantastic Four (2022)
“WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE FANTASTIC FOUR?” It’s the start of a new era for the Fantastic Four…and they’re already in a ton of trouble. Something has gone terribly wrong in New York, and the Thing and Alicia are traveling across America to escape it! But when they stop in a small town for the night and wake up the morning before they arrived, they find themselves caught in a time loop that’s been going on since before they were born… That’s been going on since before they were born…
