Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for James Gunn’s SupermanThe MCU introduces its most powerful character in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but the DCU does exactly the same only two weeks earlier, in Superman. James Gunn’s Superman introduces several important DCU characters who will probably have even bigger roles in future тιтles. Besides, Superman teases the debut of over a dozen other heroes, and sets the stage for the return of at least two villains.
Released less than half a month after Superman, Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to introduce the MCU iteration of Marvel’s First Family, some of the most famous heroes in Marvel history. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a more self-contained movie than Superman. Still, it certainly lays the foundations for the тιтular team’s crossover with the Avengers and other MCU teams in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
The MCU Is About To Introduce One Of Its Most Powerful Characters
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Marks The MCU Debut Of Franklin Richards
In 2025, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Franklin Richards, who has created and restored entire universes from scratch and reshaped reality in the source material. Franklin was long considered a mutant, though recent comics have retconned the origin of his power. Instead, it’s now established that Franklin subconsciously altered his own genetic code to appear as a mutant. Regardless, Franklin Richards’ power level usually rivals the Celestials, the Beyonder, God Emperor Doom and other omnipotent forces in Marvel lore.
A pre-teen Franklin is arguably more powerful than Scarlet Witch, Captain Marvel, and Sentry himself
Franklin Richards makes his MCU debut as a baby, but his potential power is already known. Aware of Franklin’s latent abilities, Galactus attempts to capture and consume him to harness Franklin’s cosmic energy in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The MCU’s Franklin Richards probably won’t reveal his powers in his first movie appearance, or at least not until the end. Still, Franklin’s power is already a key source of conflict in the franchise.
Once Franklin Richards grows up, he could easily surpᴀss the biggest MCU powerhouses. A pre-teen Franklin is arguably more powerful than Scarlet Witch, Captain Marvel, and Sentry himself. After the events of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Franklin will likely be growing up on Earth-616, which is teeming with reality-warpers, gods, and cosmic enтιтies. Yet, Franklin may possess the power to surpᴀss them.
The DCU Just Introduced A Very Similar Character To Franklin Richards
Metamorpho’s Son Joey Has One Of The Best Superpowers In The DC Universe
Metamorpho’s son Joseph Mason a.k.a. “Baby Joey” makes his DCU debut in James Gunn’s Superman. While Baby Joey doesn’t use his metahumans abilities in the movie, he may already be one of the most poweful characters in the franchise. Whereas Rex Mason a.k.a. Metamorpho transmutates his own body, Joey Mason can alter the composition of other objects and beings. This subtle difference makes Joey’s superpower much more versatile and dangerous, as he can basically create any material at will.
On a larger scale, Joey’s abilities could shift global economies and entire industries by producing rare elements or eliminating scarcity
In theory, Joey Mason could reshape any battlefield instantly, craft weapons or defenses from thin air, or even alter the chemical makeup of his opponents. On a larger scale, Joey’s abilities could shift global economies and entire industries by producing rare elements or eliminating scarcity. Joey’s powers are limited only by his imagination, which can make him one of the most powerful characters in DC lore if he ever chooses to use his abilities to their full extent.
After Superman saves Metamorpho and Joey from Lex Luthor’s pocket dimension in Superman, Joey may eventually train to become a hero under his father’s mentorship. Metamorpho is also set to develop his powers further and grow into his newfound superhero role in the Justice Gang. Although Joey could choose a peaceful life away from other metahumans, he’s likely to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Joey’s DCU Introduction Is Still Less Mind-Boggling Than Franklin’s Looks Set To Be
Franklin Richards’ Introduction Is A Game Changer For The MCU
Baby Joey’s introduction in James Gunn’s Superman mirrors Franklin Richards’ debut in the MCU’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but Franklin’s arrival is proportionately a much bigger event. Joey Mason’s metahuman abilities might eventually make him one of the most powerful DCU heroes. However, the DCU is already populated by a growing list of extravagant powerhouses, so he may remain overshadowed for a while. Joey’s introduction feels more like a promising setup for future stories rather than a universe-altering event.
Joey Mason’s powers may be incredibly versatile, but Franklin Richards operates on a cosmic scale
Whereas Superman‘s Joey Mason can transmute existing matter, Franklin manipulates the raw fabric of reality itself. In the comics, Franklin Richards has created fully functioning universes from nothing, complete with galaxies, planets, and sentient life. His abilities include matter creation, multiversal manipulation, and even resurrection. No Marvel hero or villain can truly match Franklin’s power. Joey Mason’s powers may be incredibly versatile, but Franklin Richards operates on a cosmic scale.
If Marvel Studios follows the comics, Franklin may soon become a central figure for the Marvel multiverse. The MCU’s Earth-616 will likely welcome its most powerful character ever from a different universe after the Fantastic Four exit their timeline post-The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Like his comic book counterpart, the MCU’s Franklin Richards could eventually claim Galactus as his Herald, challenge the Celestials, and take it upon himself to reshape the multiverse during or after the events of Avengers: Secret Wars.
