Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Galactus has a grand entrance into theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, but the character also has one core change that makes him vastly more menacing. Marvel’s First Family has finally made their way into the MCU, and alongside these incredible heroes, the team are forced to face one of the biggest threats to ever appear in the Marvel Comics.
Galactus is a spectacular villainwith a rich history in the comics. And while the character was adapted previously in 2007 when he fought The Fantastic Four inFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, the version seen inFirst Stepsis vastly different to that iteration. However, the 2007 version was already a significant departure from the comics.
Now,First Stepshas stuck much more closely to the comic book originsof these heroes, and it even adopts a 1960s thematic style. In addition, it sees the heroes as established figures in their timeline who have been working as a team for the last four years.
Galactus' Origin Story In The Comics Is Largely The Same As The MCU
Galactus Has A Long History In Marvel Comics
Likewise, Galactus' story in the MCU appears to be remarkably similar to the story featured in the comics. Originally,Galactus was a scientist and a mortal. He lived on a planet, and he had a family. However, when his multiverse was collapsing, he was chosen byEternity, the figure seen inThor: Love and Thunder.
Imbued with the Power Cosmic, thisman was transformed into Galactus, and he became a foundational part of the new reality, carrying with him the power to consume entire worlds, and helping to maintain balance and order throughout the universe.First Stepsestablishes that this version of the character is also older than the universe, and he has powers that make him an incredible force capable of consuming entire planets.
Now, while these stories appear to line up on the face of it, there are minor changes, and there areaspects of the MCU’s Galactus that have yet to be confirmed, which means they could diverge from the comic book origins of the character. But one change that is apparent from the start makes this version of the character much more scary.
Galactus Has One Major Distinction In The MCU
Galactus Possesses An Endless Hunger
Galactus in the comics consumes planets, and he appears to have anendless hunger that motivates him to keep consuming. However, Galactus appears to embrace this role in the comics, and he enjoys the power that comes with his status as the Devourer of Worlds. Whereas the MCU’s version of the character appears to view it as a curse.
In the comics,Galactus is afraid of Franklin Richards, because he knows Franklin has the power to overcome him. But inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps,Galactus views his endless hunger as a curse. With this in mind, Galactus appears to be a reluctant participant, and a slave to his hunger.
But this makes him dangerous, as his hunger is unceasing, and forces him to destroy planets, but he appears to have little control over his diet. And when there is anopportunity to rid himself of his incessant curse, Galactus becomes obsessive about seeking it out, willing to bargain and trade anything for freedom from his relentless appetite.
Franklin Richards Is The Key To Lifting Galactus' Curse, Which Makes Him A Target
The Power Cosmic Qualifies Franklin Richards To Inherit Galactus' Endless Hunger
Franklin Richards becomes a foundational part ofThe Fantastic Four: First Steps’story, when thebaby is shown to have powers beyond his father’s understanding. While Reed has dedicated his life to understanding the powers that he and his family acquired, he is completely unable to detect any powers present in his son.
But, when the heroes approach Galactus on his ship, Galactus immediately recognizes the power that flows in his veins brewing inside Franklin.The Power Cosmic appears to be a keywhich allows the wielder to possess the endless hunger that has plagued Galactus for the duration of the universe. And Galactus wants to take Franklin to make him his successor, and pass the hunger on to the boy.
While it’s unclear what exactly this would do to Galactus, it appears as though he would no longer need to fill the role of the Devourer of Worlds. Evidently, that suggests that Galactus is not interested in continuing in this capacity, and with a new target to take over for him,Galactus is ready to hunt down the boy, and eternally rid himself of the curse.
In many ways, this makes the version of Galactus seen in the MCU considerably more dangerous, because he is obsessed with getting access to Franklin, presumably the first being he has ever encountered who also has the Power Cosmic. In the comics, Galactus would flee from Franklin, and do all that he can to avoid crossing paths with thepowerful child, butThe Fantastic Four: First Stepschanges the dynamics, and suggests Galactus will not relent in his quest to pass his curse on.
