The ultimate scenes of Fantastic Four: First Steps might have arrange the following main villain throwing the MCU into chaos, however the movie additionally quietly destroyed one other villain who might have given Marvel’s most sensible minds their subsequent problem.
Audiences could be forgiven for lacking the key twist, because the film isn crammed with A-level Marvel supervillains: Galactus becoming a member of the MCU, the cosmic powers of Franklin Richards teased, and the mysterious Physician Doom on the horizon. However a single second in First Steps does not simply diminish an unbelievable villain, however ensures he is no menace for Earth-828.
Unbelievable 4: First Steps Turned Diablo Into A Throwaway Joke
The Marvel ‘Large Dangerous’ is Lumped in With Road-Degree Tricksters And Magicians
Simply previous to the arrival of the Silver Surfer to herald the dying of planet Earth, Reed reveals a number of plans coming to fruition with assist from the NYPD. Searching over the town from the Baxter Constructing balcony, Reed explains his makes an attempt to “baby-proof” the world itself:
“For the previous couple of months, I have been monitoring a small variety of prison organizations… 47 of them. Together with The Puppet Grasp in The Bowery, The Wizard in Gramercy Park, and Diablo in Washington Heights.”
To the uninitiated, these names will appear to be little greater than one other dose of Marvel Easter Eggs in Fantastic Four: First Steps, supposed as a nod to the comedian followers ‘within the know,’ versus any precise hints about related characters or impending appearances in future motion pictures.
That could be true for The Puppet Grasp, in a position to management people through dolls sculpted out of ‘radioactive clay,’ however the third within the trio is way extra vital. Make no mistake: this line of dialogue turns the possibly god-tier MCU villain Diablo right into a meaningless prison. And followers will likely be crushed to appreciate the chance Marvel Studios has handed up.
Diablo Is An Unmatched, Immortal, Scientific Mastermind in Marvel Canon
First Look: Unbelievable 4 #30 (1964) by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
Whereas his identify may need assured a lifetime of villainy was in story, Esteban Corazón de Ablo (“Di-ablo”) is far much less of a gimmick than his title, and First Steps, would possibly counsel. For starters, he was born in ninth century Spain, immediately making him one of many oldest dwelling people in Marvel’s Universe. One of many oldest and, most significantly, one of many wisest.
Some villains would possibly make a commerce with the Satan (or on this case, Mephisto) to defeat dying, immortality was merely a method to an finish for Esteban. Decided to pursue his scientific excellence and unlock the secrets and techniques of true alchemy, the genius managed to do precisely that. Not like those that wield magic, Diablo’s energy lies in hard-earned mastery of the alchemical arts.
The precise distinction between ‘magic’ within the Marvel Comics of the Sixties and alchemy may appear surface-level, nevertheless it distinguished Diablo as a better caliber of thinker than his fellow costumed rogues. Except for being immortal, Diablo can create matter, transmute parts, shapeshift, and even thoughts management or manipulate victims on a mobile stage. And that features cosmic villains, too.
Diablo unlocked his strongest kind within the pages of Iron Man/Thor (2011) by allying with, then turning towards the Excessive Evolutionary himself. Fusing his personal powers with the otherworldly would possibly of the Asgardian Destroyer, Diablo ascended to legitimately god-tier ranges of affect. All of which makes him an excellent candidate for adaptation to the MCU.
Why Diablo’s Remedy is A Worrying Signal For This Model of Unbelievable 4
A Villain of Esteban’s Standing Deserves Extra Than The Film Delivered
In apply, the allusion to the traditional supervillain is prone to slip by most members of the viewers. Even Marvel die-hards won’t instantly place Diablo on the drop of his identify, and for informal viewers, the title is suitably villainous to be dropped alongside the comedian book-y ‘Puppet Grasp’ and ‘Wizard.” However that does not imply the choice is not a disappointing one.
Disappointing and, for these pondering of the Unbelievable 4’s long run presence within the MCU, greater than slightly worrying. Particularly if Marvel Studios has any intention of giving Reed Richards and his workforce greater than a supporting position within the coming Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.
The list of great Fantastic Four villains could also be lengthy, however to see a main candidate tossed out of competition with little thought (and weren’t even referring to John Malkovich’s Red Ghost) should not be taken evenly.
Diablo Might’ve Made A Nice Future Unbelievable 4 Film Villain
The Record of Marvel Villains For The F4’s Future is Working Out
Do not get us mistaken: the Unbelievable 4 have a serious Doomsday position to play, as fairly probably the one Marvel heroes who even have any connection or consciousness of Victor Von Doom in any respect. And the post-credit appearance of Doctor Doom guarantees their drama will likely be private. However after Doomsday, and after Secret Wars, what’s subsequent?
To be honest, that query could also be tough to reply for even Marvel Studios at this level. If the Unbelievable 4 go away their actuality behind for the MCU, then it is anybody’s guess what story the following Unbelievable 4 appearances might ultimately inform. However no matter story it tells, a robust villain will likely be wanted.
Having crossed Galactus and Physician Doom off the record, an opponent like Diablo would have been extremely invaluable, matching the heroes with each knowledge and scientific brilliance. However there’s nonetheless one approach to undo this potential misstep, contemplating the Unbelievable 4 nonetheless have not joined the MCU.
The Diablo from the Earth-828 actuality of Unbelievable 4: First Steps was small-time sufficient to be arrested off-screen… however what concerning the 616 model of the character? Or for that matter, no matter future variations of Diablo that could be altered or created in the new sacred timeline, post-Secret Wars.
There’s cause to hope that, if there is a solo movie future for the Fantastic Four, an alternate model of Diablo might proper this mistaken. However solely time effectively inform.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
7/10
- Launch Date
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July 25, 2025
- Runtime
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115 minutes
- Director
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Matt Shakman
- Writers
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Jeff Kaplan, Josh Friedman, Ian Springer, Eric Pearson, Kat Wooden, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee
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Reed Richards / Mister Unbelievable
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Vanessa Kirby
Sue Storm / Invisible Lady
