Comics Land

by Dwayne Moreland

This article contains spoilers for X-Men/Fantastic Four #1. You can listen to this article here.

After returning from a mission in space, Reed and Sue Richards have their hands full dealing with its effects upon their son—the reality warping, Omega-level mutant, Franklin Richards. Now a teenager, Franklin begins to question his role in the world as he faces the fact that his mutant abilities are going away in X-Men/Fantastic Four #1.

Frustrated that his genius father, Mr. Fantastic, can’t figure out why his powers are draining; Franklin begins to question if this is intentional and if his father even wants to solve his problem at all. The Thing assures the young man that his dad is doing his best to help everyone. Unbeknownst to Franklin; the X-Men have their own plans for the boy.

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Charles Xavier summons Marauder Kate Pryde to the mutant island of Krakoa. He and Magneto inform her about the issue regarding Franklin’s powers and then asks for her help recruiting him to their side. Meanwhile, it seems Mr. Fantastic has his own theory about why his son’s powers are not working.

Reed finds that superhumans have a connection to sources of intradimensional energy known as “Godpower”. He speculates that if the power exists, a broken connection could explain Franklin’s failing power.

The X-Men arrive to discuss the issue of Franklin’s “birthright”, and whether it is best for him to come to Krakoa with his fellow mutants. Reunited, Franklin and Kate decide to slip away from the group and discuss his feelings about Krakoa—feeling they can help him with his powers.

Once the X-Men and Fantastic Four catch up with the duo, a battle ensues over the fate of Franklin. Exasperated, the teen attempts to flee through one of the portals to Krakoa only to discover that he can’t use the gate. Mr. Fantastic then admits to implanting a device within his son that masks his mutant gene so that he can’t use the portals.

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Feeling betrayed by his father, Franklin enlists the help of his sister Valeria. Always loving a good challenge; she agrees to help her brother bypass the device so he can go to Krakoa.

Onboard the Maurader’s ship, Captain Kate Pryde discovers that Franklin and Valeria have somehow gotten onto the vessel. She scolds the children before informing them that they are not headed to Krakoa, but instead in route to a boat full of mutants stranded on the ocean for a rescue mission. Unfortunately, before Kate can figure out what to do with the children, the ship comes under assault by Dr. Doom in a surprise attack!

To find out more about the fate of Franklin Richards and his journey to the island of Krakoa, catch X-Men/Fantastic Four #2 on sale February 26, 2020.