The Fantastic Four: First Steps has convinced me that the MCU needs to challenge the DCU in one major way going forward. The ending of The Fantastic Four: First Steps rounded off an important July for both Marvel and DC. For the latter, the post-credit scene of Fantastic Four: First Steps set up Avengers: Doomsday.
This came only two weeks after Superman‘s release, which kickstarted the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. Both movies have been highly successful, both critically and commercially, for Marvel and DC, setting up bright futures for both. After watching The Fantastic Four: First Steps, though, I believe the upcoming DC movies have an advantage over Marvel that the latter needs to challenge the former on.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Proved How Well Alternate Dimensions In The MCU Can Work
Earth-828 Was A Highlight
The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ reviews have been highly positive since its release, with many outlining one specific aspect that works in the most recent MCU movie. The aspect in question is the film’s setting, Earth-828, a completely different universe from the MCU’s mainline Earth-616 that also serves as a neat Easter egg to the team’s creator, Jack Kirby.
Many have singled out Earth-828 as one of The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ biggest strengths. The universe was allowed to be very different from the mainline MCU in terms of its visual style, thanks to the retrofuturistic, 1960s-inspired production design it aimed for. Not only did this give the film a unique look from every other MCU project, but it made the entire story feel fresh.
The film was, instead, allowed to be its own enтιтy with its own style and language…
The Fantastic Four: First Steps was not beholden to other MCU projects, in story or character. The film was, instead, allowed to be its own enтιтy with its own style and language, something that the MCU has arguably been missing of late. Earth-828 was a mᴀssive reason for this, proving how well the full exploration of alternate dimensions in Marvel movies can work.
The DC Universe Has Already Showcased The Potential Of Alternate Dimensions
DC Knows How To Utilize The Multiverse
Concerning how this links to DC, Marvel’s main compeтιтor has already showcased the potential of alternate dimensions. This came via Matt Reeves’ The Batman, released in 2022. The Batman has since been dubbed an Elseworlds project under the DC Universe, as have the likes of Joker and its sequel. Thanks to these Elseworlds projects, DC Studios can harness the true potential of alternate universes.
The Batman is already considered one of the best superhero movies of all time, partly because of the excellent depiction of Gotham that separates it from Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, for example. The Penguin was set in the same universe and lauded as possibly the best superhero TV show ever made.
Then there is The Batman – Part II, which is undoubtedly the most anticipated DC movie of the next few years. One of the biggest reasons for all of this praise can be argued to be the lack of connections The Batman universe has to wider DC properties.
The Batman, like The Fantastic Four: First Steps, could be its own thing without the need to tie into other stories, as could The Penguin. In dubbing these stories Elseworlds, the DC Universe has a perfect way to differentiate these different kinds of stories that are self-contained and not beholden to a broader continuity.
The MCU Should Challenge The DCU With Its Own Version Of Elseworlds After Avengers: Secret Wars
With all of this in mind, I think the MCU should look to challenge the DCU with its own version of Elseworlds. The Fantastic Four: First Steps has already proven how this could work, and one specific upcoming Marvel movie has the opportunity to allow this to happen: 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars.
Kevin Feige has recently confirmed that Avengers: Secret Wars will soft-reboot the MCU, much like the story on which it is based did for Marvel Comics. In the comics, the multiverse was saved by Reed Richards using the powers of beings known as the Beyonders, colliding Earth-616 with Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, known for housing characters like Miles Morales.
This meant that Marvel’s continuity was reset, albeit with some of the same characters. By the sounds of things, Avengers: Secret Wars is set to follow a similar story. Therefore, if the MCU multiverse is reset to allow for new stories to be told in the franchise, what better opportunity is there to begin an Elseworlds format?
The MCU could then challenge the DCU by continuing its own interconnected story while allowing for creators to come in and make comic book movies with more freedom. This would allow for more distinct movies like The Fantastic Four: First Steps and The Batman to be created on a much bigger scale, which would be a bonus for audiences everywhere.
