Marvel’s Ultimate Universe: Reed Richards as The Maker – A Tragic Villain’s Rise
Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe introduces fresh versions of classic characters, including Spider-Man, Black Panther, and the X-Men. This alternate universe emerges from the actions of Reed Richards, also known as The Maker, a villain who was once a celebrated superhero.
Reed Richards originated from Earth-1610 and became corrupted by the world’s challenges. Instead of using his intelligence for good, he embraced evil, evolving into one of Marvel’s most formidable villains.
This Reed Is More Focused on Science than Family
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In the Original Ultimate Universe, The Fantastic Four Disbanded Shortly After Forming
Unlike his Earth-616 counterpart, Reed Richards of Earth-1610 was fixated on science, neglecting his relationships. After forming the Fantastic Four with Susan Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, Reed remained detached. While the main universe Reed eventually balanced science with family, this Reed constantly made poor choices, leading to his villainous transformation.
After the Ultimate Fantastic Four disbanded, Reed realized a threat loomed over his universe. This obsession with saving it strained his ties with his team, and after a fight with the Human Torch resulted in a scarred face, it marked his fall from grace.
The Maker Formed a Group to Stop the World’s End
Reed Richards and the Children of Tomorrow Grow Further Detached from Humanity
Reed Richards adopted the title of The Maker, symbolizing his detachment from humanity and his focus on science. He formed the Children of Tomorrow, a group dedicated to his vision. Together, they constructed the Dome, an artificial space where time passed more slowly. This allowed The Maker years to advance his scientific endeavors.
During *Secret Wars*, The Maker was central to multiversal chaos. Acknowledging that his reality faced destruction, he sought to eliminate other realities that threatened his own. Unable to change fate, he built a multiversal life raft, escaping and entering the reformed mainline Marvel universe.
Maker Had Enough Power to Recreate a New Ultimate Universe
Utilizing Time Travel and His Own Super-Genius, Maker Created a New World in His Image
While Earth-616’s Reed Richards is a hero known for prioritizing his family, The Maker reflects a darker choice. He has become a significant adversary for Mister Fantastic and the broader Marvel universe, using his intelligence against heroes. He escaped to Earth-6160, where he reshaped the world, eliminating heroes’ paths.
The Complexity of Reed Richards Makes The Maker a Tragic Figure
Seeing What Reed Richards Could Become Makes His Evil Actions Harder to Cope With
Earth-616’s Reed Richards consistently proves to be a great hero. Despite occasional flaws, he remains a beacon of hope amid chaos. Jonathan Hickman’s *Fantastic Four* storyline highlights how a Council of Reeds made up of different versions of Reed Richards collaborates to solve challenges. However, Earth-616’s Reed refuses to join, choosing family over multiverse connections.
The Maker shares traits with Doctor Doom, enhancing the depth of his character. Both Reed and Doom have complicated relationships which leads to intriguing storytelling, adding layers to these well-known figures in comic history.
The Maker’s Future Is Bright
An Evil Version of The Fantastic Four’s Leader Is Sure To Be A Mainstay Villain
The Maker’s popularity among readers is rising. As he plays crucial roles in the current Ultimate comic series, expect more engaging storylines. With the Fantastic Four returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the presence of The Maker and his storylines will grow, promising exciting developments in the comics ahead.