THE CHILDREN OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR
The Fantastic Four have always been Marvel's First Family, but that family grew when Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman had their children, Franklin and Valeria Richards. From birth to adolescence, here's everything you need to know about the immensely powerful Richards children, as well as their extended family in the Future Foundation.
Completing Marvel's First Family
The Birth of Franklin Richards
In Fantastic Four Annual (1963) #6
It's a boy! Sue Storm Richards gives birth to Franklin despite a few tense moments during her pregnancy in this action-packed annual issue, which also involves Annihilus and a trip to the Negative Zone.
In Fantastic Four (1961) #141
Another encounter with Annihilus leads Franklin to manifest his immense, reality-warping powers too early, forcing Mister Fantastic to make a desperate move to save his son.
In Fantastic Four (1961) #376
After aging himself into adulthood, Franklin spent some time training in the future with his time-traveling grandfather, Nathaniel Richards. In this issue, he returns to the present day as the teenage Psi-Lord—but his adolescence is only temporary.
In Onslaught: Marvel Universe (1996) #1
To save his family from Onslaught, Franklin whisks them away to a pocket universe he created with his incredible powers.
In Fantastic Four (1998) #15
During Sue's troubled pregnancy, Franklin subconsciously uses his powers to send his unborn little sister to another reality, where she grows up with that world’s Susan Storm and a heroic Doctor Doom. She debuts as a teenage hero called Marvel Girl in this issue.
In Fantastic Four (1998) #54
After she extinguishes her energy powers to save Galactus, Valeria returns to her embryonic state in her mother’s womb. Ultimately, Sue gives birth to Val, who is delivered with mystical help from Doctor Doom. In this issue, Doom names her and develops a connection with her that endures to this day.
In Fantastic Four (1998) #578
Despite her age, Valeria quickly grew more intelligent than Reed, which earns her a place in the Fantastic Four's Future Foundation in this issue.
In Fantastic Four (1998) #600
After his older self reawakens his powers, Franklin begins to test them out. In this issue, he creates a baby universe where he and his friend Leech can escape from the sadness of the real world.
In FF (2011) #2
Val establishes herself as an early leader in the Future Foundation, making such calls as inviting Doctor Doom into the fold to prepare for future existential crises.
In Secret Wars (2015) #1
After Incrusions destroy the Multiverse, Mister Fantastic plays a critical role in overthrowing Doctor Doom and restoring it with his family and a group of young geniuses called the Future Foundation. Franklin spends years traveling and creating new realities to restore the Multiverse.
In Fantastic Four (2018) #2
A battle against the Griever at the End of All Things takes a serious toll on Franklin's powers. Additionally, Val claims a codename.
In Empyre: Fantastic Four (2020)
Shortly after their wedding, the Thing and Alicia Masters adopt two young alien children: the shape-shifting Skrull N’Kalla and the Kree Jo-Venn.
In Fantastic Four (2022) #16
Reunited with their families after a tragic accident, Franklin, Val, N'Kalla, and Jo-Venn move to the Fantastic Farmhouse in Benson, Arizona, where they start over at a new school.
In Fantastic Four (2022) #18
In this issue, Franklin makes a surprising revelation about his powers.