Warning: Contains potential spoilers forFantastic Four #30!
AsDoctor Doomtakes over the Marvel Universe in 2025’s major crossover event,The Fantastic Fourwill suffer a devastating blow that totally eliminates one beloved member of the team. The Thingwill undergo another shocking transformation whileDoom’s reign as Sorcerer Supremecontinues to unfold, leaving the iconic superhero family reeling, as their super-strong powerhouse and the heart of the team is de-powered and defeated.
As announced by Marvel,Fantastic Four#30 – written by Ryan North with art by Cory Smith –teases the “Fantastic Three,” as Ben Grimm is depicted reverting to his human form. With Ben struggling to deal with the loss of his identity as the Thing at the worst possible time, he and Alicia Masters will take the spotlight while Reed, Sue, and Johnny continue to fight Doom.
FANTASTIC FOUR #30 (2025)
Cover Artist:
Joshua Cassara
FANTASTIC THREE! After Ben Grimm has suffered a terrible (and very public) defeat at the hands of Doom, he’s left lost, adrift – and more vulnerable than he has been in years. And when a trip to New York goes wrong and his fate suddenly turns from bad to worse, Ben has never been more vulnerable – and soon takes a shocking shortcut he won’t be able to undo! This is one Thing and Alicia story you won’t soon forget!
Whilethe upcomingOne World Under Doomeventsees the legendary supervillain completely dominating the Marvel Universe, his attack on The Thing is a jaw-dropping development that promises major consequences for the series.
Clobberin’ Time Is Over: The Thing Loses His Powers, Turning The Fantastic Four Into A Trio During Doom’s Takeover
Fantastic Four#30 – Written By Ryan North; Art By Cory Smith; Main Cover By Joshua Cassara; Variant Cover by Rod Reis
Doom’s actions against the Thing could also be seen asa sign of respect from the villain, but Marvel seems to be teasing that this is a truly brutal and sad defeat for the gruff but lovable hero. The Thing has both been reverted to his human form and taken time off from the Fantastic Four before, but his loss when Emperor Doom takes over the Marvel Universe makes things more complicated. When Ben’s needed most to defend the world against the villain he and his team know best,his sudden powerlessness puts everyone but Doom at a major disadvantage.
“Doom Has Taken Over The World Overnight”: Marvel’s New ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM Era Begins with a Genuinely Tantalizing Mystery
How has Doctor Doom, Marvel’s biggest supervillain, managed to convince every government in the world to go along with his global domination?
Though Ben Grimm struggled with his rocky formin many previousFantastic Fourcomics, the contemporary iteration of the character has totally embraced his status as the Thing, meaning there’s really no upside to his human form returning. Since the initial description even teases that he’ll take a “shocking shortcut,” there’s no telling what lengths Ben will go to be less vulnerable in the fight against Doom.With his loving wife – an honorary member of the team herself – Alicia, the Thing will be forced to find a new way to support his family, as his brute strength is taken from him.
One World Under Doom’s Shocking Fantastic Four Development Highlights Ben Grimm’s Importance In The Marvel Universe
The Thing Has A Busy Year Ahead
Ahead of their debut in the MCU inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, both the team andtheir most well-associated villain, Doctor Doom, are being highlighted throughout Marvel Comics. Ben Grimm will be getting the biggest push from the publisher, with many upcoming variant covers dedicated to the character’s design and history, as well asa new solo comic book series,The Thing. Though he will be suffering a remarkable defeat in the pages ofFantastic Four,the devastation his de-powering causes will further emphasize how integral The Thing is to both his team and the Marvel Universe at large.
The Thing’s defeat at the hands ofDoctor Doomis set to have major consequences for theFantastic Four, and the fallout could be truly groundbreaking.
With his classic orange rocks in a pile around Ben Grimm’s human body on Joshua Cassara’s cover forFantastic Four#30, the iconic character experiences a major setback just as his biggest threat gains more power. With Grimm unexpectedly taken off the board, it remains to be seen how his three fellow heroes will fare as a trio during the villain’s takeover. The Thing’s defeat at the hands ofDoctor Doomis set to have major consequences for theFantastic Four,and the fallout could be truly groundbreaking for Marvel lore.
Fantastic Four
TheFantastic Fouris a superhero franchise centered on Marvel Comics' first family of superheroes. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the team made its comic book debut in 1961 and quickly became a cornerstone of Marvel’s success. The franchise follows four astronauts—Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm—who gain superpowers after being exposed to cosmic radiation. Over the years,Fantastic Fourhas been adapted into several live-action films, animated series, and video games. The films have seen multiple reboots, with varying levels of success, and are now set to be integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with a new film slated for release in 2025.
