In Justice League of America #84 and Fantastic Four #2, Superman and Reed Richards faced very similar situations; both heroes had the chance to essentially nullify their biggest foes, Lex Luthor and Doctor Doom, by refusing to restore their memories. Clark Kent didn’t hesitate to return Luthor to normal, yet Reed hesitates for just a moment.
While Reed does draw the same conclusion about Doom and chooses to restore his mind, he contemplates the alternatives before doing so. Taken side by side, it’s an incredible demonstration of Mister Fantastic’s internal battle between practicality, logic, and the morally correct choice.
For Superman, The Heroic Decision Is Automatic – For Reed Richards, Not So Much
JLA #84 – Written By Joe Kelly, Art By Doug Mahnke; Released In 2003
In Justice League of America #84, Lex Luthor falls victim to a telepath set on punishing criminals. The attack leaves him catatonic and likely unable to return to his former self without extreme aid. Superman, who is the near-constant subject of Lex’s schemes, recruits Martian Manhunter to restore his mind. J’onn confirms that he can help but, before doing so, questions whether it’s really what Clark wants. Superman’s answer is immediate. Not only does he want to help Lex Luthor, he refuses to even entertain the alternative. Leaving Lex in that state goes against everything he knows to be right.
Unlike Superman, Reed Richards’ heroism is more of a conscious choice than an innate sense of right and wrong.
The effortless decision to save Lex is quintessentially Superman, but it’s also the only clear heroic choice; leaving Lex to suffer could’ve prevented hypothetical future harm, but it would’ve required Clark to walk away when he could help. Kal-El’s decision contrasts sharply with Reed’s when he finds himself briefly in control of the only existing copy of Doom’s mind. Despite Doom saving the world on multiple occasions, and his very existence being in Mister Fantastic’s hands, the decision didn’t come easily. Unlike Superman, Reed Richards’ heroism is more of a conscious choice than an innate sense of right and wrong.
Mister Fantastic Is Guided By Logic And Reason – His Heroic Choices Are A Byproduct
Fantastic Four #2 – Written By Jonathan Hickman; Art By Steve Epting; Released In 2011
While Reed eventually makes the hero’s call and restores Doctor Doom, his contemplation is telling. The Invisible Woman has cited the ability to think without emotion and see possibilities others may not consider as one of Reed’s greatest strengths. He isn’t clouded by feelings, and his ultra-logical way of thinking often guides him toward clever solutions for saving the world. This disconnect has led different versions of Mister Fantastic down paths so dark that he morphs into someone cold, calculating, and far from “good.” The seeds of that person become visible as he debates what to do with Doom’s mind.
Clark Kent can be compassionate to a fault and is frequently guided by his heart, even in Superman’s villainous variations. What he does is a natural consequence of who he is as a person, but Mister Fantastic’s greatest endeavors are built on a framework of rational calculations and choices. In short, he is a hero because it makes sense to be a hero. He is selfless in the moments it makes the most sense to be selfless. While he’s aware of the morally correct choice, it’s weighed against practicality in a way that sets him apart from champions like Kal-El.
Superman And Mister Fantastic Prove That Comics Need All Kinds Of Different Heroes
Some Superheroes Struggle More Than Others
Both Superman and the Fantastic Four have saved their respective worlds countless times, and Reed’s adventures have often taken him through the stars and across space and time to help beings from all walks of life. He travels a different path to heroism than DC’s famed Kryptonian, even if he ultimately makes similar calls. Clark Kent doesn’t need to qualify his moral compass, as his innate sense of justice and fairness is enough. Reed’s hesitation to save Doom, especially knowing that the world has genuinely needed Viktor’s help more than once, proves that he doesn’t fit the classic hero archetype.
Mister Fantastic is no Superman, but he uses his unwavering sense of practicality to do right by the world and his greatest enemy.
Yet, it can be argued that Reed consistently choosing to do good makes him braver, since the alternative is so accessible. Despite rationally weighing all the possible options, he repeatedly decides to put himself and his family in danger for the sake of saving others and still grants his greatest enemy a full life. Following a feeling takes no thought or internal battle. Reed’s sense of logic forces him through both, and he doesn’t take the easy way out. Mister Fantastic is no Superman, but he uses his unwavering sense of practicality to do right by the world and his greatest enemy.
