Sue Storm just put the fate of the entire Multiverse in harm’s way, and all for what might be one last moment with another Fantastic Four icon.
The following contains major spoilers for Fantastic Four #44, available now from Marvel.
The Marvel Universe has been home to a plethora of powerhouse romances of the years. While the likes of T’Challa and Storm have left indelible marks on each other’s respective nations, others such as Wiccan and Hulkling are changing the face of the cosmos itself. Of course, no superpowered love has ever burned as bright or as long as the one between Sue Storm and Reed Richards. In fact, their relationship is so strong it has survived entire realities collapsing around it, and it is valuable enough to risk that happening all over again for just another moment of it.
Fantastic Four #44 (by Dan Slott, Andrea Di Vito, Davide Tinto, Rachael Stott, Jesus Aburtov, and VC’s Joe Caramagna) found it heroes reconnecting in the midst of the greatest battle of all time. While Sue, Nick Fury, and Uatu uncovered the secrets of the Watchers and the Reckoning as well, Reed and his team have finally caught up with them. As time was running out, Reed opened up to Sue about his impending death due to the Watchers’ powers. Although Sue was enraged and heartbroken by the development, she wasn’t willing to give in to those emotions when she could spend a few more minutes with the man she loves.
In stealing the Ultimate Nullifier away from Ben and Reed, Sue buys enough time to say a proper goodbye. This also gives the Reckoning an opportunity to turn the tables, but neither Reed nor Sue seem particularly concerned. Considering theirs is a relationship that has withstood both the test of time and near infinite crises, it is understandable that Sue would have enough faith to put them through one more at the end. The lengths Sue goes to isn’t just a testament of their love, but a beacon that even breaks through Reed’s newfound omnipotence.
After looking back at their time together, Reed can see that none of their adventures or advancements were ever more important than love. From saving the world, cosmos, or the entire Multiverse, to nearly losing one another all of those seemingly impactful experiences were mere foonotes to the real story at hand. No matter what or who stood in their way, Reed and Sue always managed to keep their family and their relationship together.
The Reckoning have proven themselves to be the ultimate force for destruction in the Marvel Universe, yet this is hardly the first time that Marvel’s First Family have stared down the end of all things. Sue’s dedication to her marriage, family, and home gives her an unwavering sense of duty that the Reckoning cannot comprehend. She hasn’t just put off ending the war for her husband, but because compared to losing Reed, they simply do not scare her.
It’s nothing besides devastating that Reed had to come to this moment to gain the clarity he has so recently found. Especially when he has spent so many decades at the helm of the most inspirational team of superheroes in the world, it’s hard to imagine how he ever could have missed the fact that being heroes wasn’t what made them that way. Being Marvel’s First Family was never just a moniker, but rather who they are at their absolute core. And, with any luck, it will be that same unconditional love for one another that sees them through what would otherwise be another end of the universe.
John Dodge has been an avid consumer of comic books and nerd culture for as long as he can remember. An expert on competitive gaming and obscure kids shows from the 80’s and 90’s, John has far too many opinions about Beetleborgs for someone in their thirties. You can find him occasionally discussing them over on Twitter at @JohnJDodge.
