Franklin Richards: Marvel's Most Powerful Secret Weapon (And the MCU's Next Game-Changer)
Marvel Comics is home to gods, mutants, sorcerers, and cosmic titans… But few characters have the power to rebuild the universe with a thought.
Enter Franklin Richards… The child of Reed and Sue Richards, a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman.
He might look like your average comic book kid, but don’t be fooled.
Franklin is arguably the most powerful being Marvel has ever created.
Now that he’s officially made his debut in the MCU with Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), it’s time to talk about who Franklin is, where he came from, and how this cosmic prodigy could shape the future of Marvel's cinematic universe.
Created by Legends
Franklin Richards made his first appearance in Fantastic Four Annual #6 (1968), created by the legendary duo of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
Born from cosmic rays and comic book destiny, Franklin was introduced as the son of the Fantastic Four's power couple.
Complications during Sue’s pregnancy were only resolved thanks to a heist in the Negative Zone for Annihilus’s Cosmic Control Rod… because, of course.
Franklin's Powers: Beyond Omega-Level
Franklin isn’t just powerful
He's GOD TIER.
Officially classified as an Omega level mutant (though recent comics complicated that, more on that later), Franklin can
Manipulate reality on a universal scale
Create and destroy pocket universes
Resurrect the dead
Bend time, matter, and energy to his will
Display telepathy, telekinesis, astral projection, precognition
This is a kid who once obliterated Mephisto, banishing the devilish villain across dimensions just to protect his family.
He also, as a child, created a complete alternate universe to save Earth’s mightiest heroes.
Yeah. just think about that for a bit.
Major Marvel Storylines: Franklin at the Center of Everything
Onslaught & Heroes Reborn
When the psionic monster Onslaught threatened all reality, Franklin's parents and the Avengers sacrificed themselves.
But Franklin’s response? He subconsciously created a whole new universe
YES!!!, a whole FREAKING universe to house them safely.
This led to the Heroes Reborn event.
Once Onslaught was defeated, Franklin helped merge both universes back into one.
No big deal…. He was only a child.
Battles with Mephisto & Doctor Doom
Both of these heavy hitters have tried to kidnap, kill, or control Franklin.
Mephisto learned the hard way that you don’t mess with a cosmic toddler.
Doctor Doom once sent Franklin to Hell, leaving him catatonic.
Spoiler… It didn’t stick. The kid bounced back.
Saving Valeria Richards
Franklin saved his stillborn sister by bending time and reality, hiding her in an alternate future, and then reintroducing her into the main timeline.
Yep!… Franklin literally retconned his own sister into existence.
Abraxas Saga & Resurrecting Galactus
Abraxas, a multiversal destroyer, could only be stopped by Galactus. Problem was, Galactus was dead. Solution? Franklin and Valeria resurrected Galactus. Cosmic resurrection by two kids. CRAZY…. I KNOW!
Secret Wars (2015)
After the Multiverse collapsed, Franklin joined his dad Reed and Molecule Man to rebuild the entire Multiverse.
Franklin literally created new universes on the fly, wielding galaxies in his hands like toys. By the time he returned to Earth, he was burned out and depowered… but still a teen god in waiting.
But Wait... He's Not a Mutant?
Recent stories dropped a bombshell… Franklin Richards was never a mutant.
He subconsciously rewrote his DNA to appear as one. So much so that even Professor X was fooled. 😲
This revelation stripped him of his mutant status but didn’t erase the fact that he's still one of Marvel's most significant cosmic beings.
Alternate Realities: Franklin's Many Destinies
From dying at the hands of Sentinels in Days of Future Past, to becoming Galactus in Earth X, to losing most of his power in the MC2 universe.
Franklin’s future is always epic, tragic, or both.
But no matter the timeline, he’s ALWAYS a cosmic force.
Franklin Richards in the MCU: The Multiverse's Last Hope?
Fantastic Four: First Steps introduced Franklin in dramatic fashion. Born during a very tense scen of the film, Franklin stunned audiences by ((SPOILER ALERT)) resurrecting his mother in a burst of energy.
Then came the mid credit scene… Doctor Doom looming over him for unknown reasons.
So what does that mean going forward?
With Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, the Multiverse is apparently headed toward collapse.
Doctor Doom is rumored to be the big bad.
In the comics, Doom has always sought Franklin’s power. If he manipulates Franklin or taps into his dormant potential, a play on ‘God Emperor Doom’ in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday could be the result. 🤷♂️
But here's the kicker… when the dust settles after Secret Wars, Marvel Studios might need a clean slate. Guess who rebuilt the Multiverse in the comics?
That’s right… None other than Franklin Richards.
Don’t be surprised if he becomes the in-universe reset button, merging timelines and setting up the next era of the MCU.
Final Thoughts
Franklin Richards isn’t just a powerful comic book kid—he’s a literal god in the making. He’s saved heroes, rebuilt universes, and humbled cosmic beings. Now, he’s arrived in the MCU.
And if Marvel plays their cards right? He won’t just reshape reality.
He’ll reshape the MCU.
What do you think Franklin’s future holds? Could he be the key to rebooting the MCU or its biggest threat yet? Let me know in the comments!
