The Fantastic Four are known as Marvel’s First Family, but all families grow. Over the decades, countless heroes have fought alongside Reed and Sue Richards, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm, to demonstrate that sometimes it takes more than the power of four to get the job done.
And of course, some of the FF’s allies have fitted in so well they almost feel like permanent members, even when they’re not. But if the Fantastic Four were to actually take on a fifth member on a permanent basis, who deserves the coveted fifth place?
While you weigh up your choices, here are some contenders who could take Marvel’s legendary team in an exciting new direction as the fifth member.
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She-Hulk
Having previously been a member of the Fantastic Four when she temporarily replaced the Thing following the events of Secret Wars, it almost seems like a done deal that She-Hulk should get the fifth spot. She has more than earned her position on the team, and has an instant rapport with all four members.
She-Hulk also brings the brains and the brawn, plus as her alter-ego, Jennifer Walters, the FF could benefit from Jen’s legal skills as a lawyer. This is something the team could utilise whenever the Thing starts clobberin’ something he shouldn’t – which is most days of the week.
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Spider-Man
Now, while She-Hulk might seem like a shoe-in for the fifth spot on the team, could it not be argued that Spider-Man is equally as worthy of the position? Spidey tried to join the team way back in The Amazing Spider-Man #1 in 1963, and in 1976 Marvel even published a What If? comic posing the question ‘What if Spider-Man joined the Fantastic Four?’.
Plus, Spidey gets on really well with the team, he lives close by, and he’s friends with the Human Torch. Oh, and of course, Peter Parker can spend endless hours talking science with Reed Richards, saving Sue from having to listen to constant chatter about protons, neutrons, or the Negative Zone.
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Alicia Masters
Placing She-Hulk or Spidey on the team certainly brings the super heroics, and it definitely feels like they’ve each earned their place, but hang on a moment, is it fair to overlook one of the FF’s oldest friends and allies? That friend and ally being Alicia Masters?
OK, so Alicia might not have the super powers to square off against Galactus, but she sure has the experience of being around all the major heroes and villains of the 616 and beyond! Plus, Alicia has been involved with the FF since Fantastic Four #8 back in 1962, so surely she is the true fifth member of the team anyway?
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Silver Surfer
Let’s move on to someone who has worked with the Fantastic Four multiple times, is immensely powerful, and would be great for space missions. It is of course the Silver Surfer.
The metallic skinned alien who wields the Power Cosmic, could be valuable asset to the team. Plus, he too has a long history with the FF, dating back to 1966’s Fantastic Four #48, where he worked with the team to defeat Galactus and save the Earth from destruction.
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H.E.R.B.I.E
Created in 1974 for the animated show, The New Fantastic Four (where he replaced the Human Torch as a member of the FF), H.E.R.B.I.E is a robot ally of the team who has gone on to appear in the comics and on film, making him a star in his own right. And a resourceful star at that.
With his technological know how, and a range of useful tools, H.E.R.B.I.E’s abilities to help out the rest of the team are nothing to be sniffed at. Plus, he’d happily do some of the menial jobs around the Baxter Building, such as getting the scorch marks out of Johnny’s undies.
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Black Panther
Onto the penultimate hero on this list, and let’s take a moment to consider King T’Challa, aka Black Panther. T’Challa is another character with a long association with the FF, having made his debut appearance in Fantastic Four #52 in 1966.
As ruler of the African nation of Wakanda, T’Challa has access to Vibranium (always handy), and has the resources of an entire nation at his disposal. Plus, he has previously been a stand in member of the team, and is more than capable of dealing with the squabbling that goes on between the Thing and the Human Torch.
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Namor
And finally, this next choice might seem a little unworkable, what with Namor being a notorious ass and all that, but let’s consider it for a moment. Namor has a thing for Sue; this in turn could lead to Namor, Sue, and Reed becoming a throuple; and then by default the ruler of Atlantis could become the fifth member of the Fantastic Four.
Yes? No? OK, maybe not.
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