How Is The Fantastic Four: First Steps Different From the Comics?

It’s inevitable that change occurs everywhere, even in fictional worlds where stories evolve and adapt over time. So it’s only natural that the movie adaptation of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” deviated slightly from its comic book origins.

It’s worth mentioning that The Fantastic Four: First Steps generally sticks close to its original content. No previous animated or film adaptations have managed to portray these characters as accurately as this one did. That said, there were certain modifications from the comics created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.

What’s changed between Fantastic Four: First Steps and the comics?

The primary alterations in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” primarily revolved around the challenges of transforming a comic book medium into a big-budget film. Some changes were aimed at simplifying the narratives from the original source, while others were more about aesthetic modifications that didn’t significantly impact the storyline.

Silver Surfer is a woman named Shalla-Bal

The portrayal of Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four: First Steps stirred up a lot of debate. In this version, Julia Garner played the character, who came to Earth as a messenger for Galactus, warning humanity about their looming destruction. However, it was later revealed that she is actually an alien scientist named Shalla-Bal, who sacrificed herself to save her world by offering it to Galactus. In the original comics, Norrin Radd was the Silver Surfer, a male alien character, and Shalla-Bal was his love interest.

Johnny Storm convinces Silver Surfer to help Earth

Initially, when Johnny Storm encounters the Silver Surfer, he becomes flustered. Later on, his persistence in understanding her extraterrestrial language pays off, enabling him to decode a string of messages he believes originate from her home planet. This discovery eventually leads her to assist the Fantastic Four in their battle against Galactus.

In the initial Galactus storyline, it was Alicia Masters who persuaded the Silver Surfer to protect Earth. This was achieved by rekindling in him the idea of beauty and demonstrating the worth of humanity. In contrast, the movie opted for a more straightforward approach, as Human Torch reminded the Silver Surfer of his home and the suffering that would befall Earth if no action was taken.

The fight against Galactus

In issue #50 of Fantastic Four, the team successfully scared off Galactus using a powerful weapon known as the Ultimate Nullifier, with the Watcher, who typically abstains from cosmic events, providing guidance to Human Torch in locating this weapon. However, events unfold differently in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. In this version, there’s no Watcher involved, and the team devises a completely different strategy – instead of using force, they teleport Galactus far away from Earth.

Franklin Richards wasn’t part of the first Galactus fight

In the end, the Cosmic Devourer (Galactus) arrives on Earth to find Franklin Richards. He believes that the youngster is a cosmic link who can assume his role and put an end to his endless and despised life. Although this concept has been explored in different comics, it was two years after the initial confrontation with Galactus when Franklin Richards made his debut.

The Thing and Mister Fantastic have facial hair

One striking difference between the trailer and the actual film was that The Thing appeared with a beard. However, it’s worth noting that The Thing doesn’t naturally grow body hair. In contrast, Ben Grimm’s movie character uses a grinding device to prevent rocky growth on his face. Later in the story, as the world is making energy conservation efforts for the battle against Galactus, Ben Grimm grows a beard.

In the world of comic books, Ben Grimm sported a beard on just one occasion, which was depicted in Fantastic Four #605 (2012). This unique scenario took place in an alternate future where he gained the ability to transform into a human for a week annually. During this transformation, he grew his beard and it mirrored his changes too.

Reed Richards, the character from comic books, is usually shown clean-shaven. But for a few years in the 2010s, he grew a full beard. At times, when he overworked himself, he was also depicted with a thin beard. On the other hand, actor Pedro Pascal is well-known for his distinctive mustache.

Since his role as Maxwell Lord in Wonder Woman 1984, Pascal has chosen not to shave entirely. As he shared with THR, “I was so taken aback by my appearance that I’ve never gone back unless it was absolutely necessary.” This is why you often see him with a mustache or a thin beard in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

2025-07-25 22:17