Top 10 Things You Missed in Fantastic Four First Steps

#10: A New Marvel Logo

Since 2016, it’s become a tradition for MCU movies to open with the Marvel Studios logo encompassing familiar heroes and shots from past films set to Michael Giacchino’s fanfare. Giacchino returned to score “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” although the Marvel logo has undergone some significant changes. Not only is the music different, but there are no other heroes to be found in the retro credits. Despite being an MCU movie, the logo tells us upfront that this entry doesn’t require prior knowledge of Marvel films. It’s a standalone story that doesn’t connect to the larger MCU… until the mid-credits when Doctor Doom shows up. This scene is paired with a music cue entitled “Doom?” by Alan Silvestri, who’s also composing “Avengers: Doomsday.”

#9: A “Back to the Future” Nod

As the Hulk tells Ant-Man in “Avengers: Endgame,” time travel doesn’t work like it does in “Back to the Future.” Doc Brown might’ve been more accurate than Bruce Banner gave him credit, however. Trying to throw the Silver Surfer off their tail, the Fantastic Four require their ship to hit 0.88 the speed of light. This calls to mind Doc Brown’s DeLorean, which must reach 88mph to travel through time. It might not be time travel, but the Four are still using speed to leap from one point to another in a move that defies physics. As far as we’re concerned, “Back to the Future” isn’t BS. Hopefully, Reed Richards will explain this to Dr. Banner in the future.

#8: Mole Man & Other Villains

John Malkovich sadly didn’t make the theatrical cut, although Red Ghost does get a shout-out along with his Super-Apes. Red Ghost is still technically in the movie, albeit in animation. The “Fantastic Four” cartoon in the post-credits scene also includes The Mad Thinker, Puppet Master, and Mole Man, the latter of whom Paul Walter Hauser plays in live-action. All of these characters made their debuts in “Fantastic Four” comics, although Mole Man goes back the furthest. He was a main adversary in “The Fantastic Four #1” from November 1961. Mole Man wasn’t alone, as the Four also went up against the Deviant mutate Giganto. The green monster was prominently featured on the first issue’s cover, which is lovingly recreated in “First Steps.”

#7: Signs From the 60s

“First Steps” sets itself in a world that’s cutting-edge yet retro, almost like how people from the 60s envisoned the 2020s. As eye-popping as the production design is, it’s easy to overlook several Easter eggs. In this universe’s Times Square, a cineplex screens a movie entitled “Attack of the Fungus,” alluding to Pedro Pascal’s role in “The Last of Us.” Nextdoor is Westview Application Television, a reference to “WandaVision,” which Matt Shakman also directed. Speaking of TVs, one has a tag reading, “Kaplan’s,” most likely named after the film’s co-writer, Jeff Kaplan. In another shop window is a poster that says, “Oog Lives Again.” Created by Jack Kirby, this alien first appeared in “Tales of Suspense #27,” the main story being “Oog Lives Again!”

#6: Bigger Than The Beatles

In the 60s, there wasn’t a bigger foursome than the Beatles. We’re not sure if the Fab Four exist in this film’s alternate universe, but if they do, the Fantastic Four stole their thunder. On more than one occasion, our heroes are featured on “The Ted Gilbert Show.” Wait a minute… Gilbert, as in Gilbert and Sullivan… Sullivan… as in Ed Sullivan… as in “The Ed Sullivan Show,” which introduced the Beatles to U.S. TV viewers! Okay, we might be starting to sound like Jeff Goldblum in “Independence Day,” but look at the set for “The Ted Gilbert Show.” It’s almost identical to the one that the Beatles performed on in 1964 when they dropped by Ed Sullivan’s variety show.

#5: Shalla-Bal’s Backstory

Although Shalla-Bal wasn’t mentioned by name in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” she was alluded to when Norrin Radd said he serves Galactus to protect his world and the one he loves. In the comics, Radd becomes the Silver Surfer. In exchange, Galactus spares his planet, Zenn-La. Radd also saves Shalla-Bal, the world’s Empress and his lover. “First Steps” essentially merges Radd’s origin story with Shalla-Bal’s. In this iteration, it’s Shalla-Bal who offers her services to Galactus, ensuring her daughter’s safety. Shalla-Bal becoming the Silver Surfer isn’t unprecedented. In the “Earth X” limited series, Shalla-Bal and Norrin Radd are dual Silver Surfers, serving Franklin Richards, who has become the new Galactus. What remains unclear is whether Radd exists in the “First Steps” universe.

#4: The Significance of Yancy Street

Ben Grimm makes a couple of trips to his old stomping ground, Yancy Street. The comics often saw the Thing clash with the Yancy Street Gang. Ben gets more respect in the film’s continuity, being viewed as a hero of the block. Although Yancy Street is fictional, creator Jack Kirby based it on his neighborhood growing up. His parents were Austrian-Jewish, immigrating to New York where Kirby was born. Kirby saw much of himself in the Thing, both sharing a Jewish heritage. Stan Lee, who co-created the Fantastic Four with Kirby, came from a similar background, his parents being Romanian-Jewish immigrants who settled in New York. The film’s version of Yancy Street works in an excelsior easter egg with a business called Stanley Service Center.

#3: Timely Tributes

At one point, the Silver Surfer passes by Timely Comics, which was founded in 1939. In 1951, Timely was rebranded as Atlas Comics, a name that was ultimately short-lived. By 1961, though, it had adopted another name: Marvel Comics. In the movie, you can spot a couple of comic book artists who look an awful lot like Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This universe’s name is a tribute to Kirby. It’s dubbed Earth-828, mirroring Kirby’s birthday, August 28, 1917. This revelation is accompanied by a quote from Kirby: “If you look at my characters, you will find me.” Some might argue that Kirby didn’t get enough mainstream credit during his lifetime, especially compared to Lee. Yet, Kirby’s influence remains evident in these characters.

#2: Thank You, Fantastic 1994!

Although there aren’t any surprise appearances from other MCU heroes, the film works in a few blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameos. The little girl the Human Torch saves is Maisie Shakman, the director’s daughter. The film also salutes four actors who previously played the Fantastic Four. Not them. Not them either. Bingo! Perhaps you’ve heard of the ill-fated “Fantastic Four” movie that Roger Corman tried to produce in 1994. It starred Alex Hyde-White as Reed, Rebecca Staab as Sue, Jay Underwood as Johnny, and Michael Bailey Smith as Ben. While bootlegs exist, the film was never officially released. The four actors finally got to appear in a theatrical “Fantastic Four” movie, playing civilians who thank our heroes. Unfortunately, they forgot Carl Ciarfalio, who wore the Thing’s rubber suit.

#1: Latveria

While Doctor Doom doesn’t show his face, he does appear in the mid-credits, looking over young Franklin. This isn’t the film’s only reference to Doom, however. When the UN gathers to recognize the Future Foundation, representatives from virtually every country show up. There’s one notable empty seat, however: Latveria, the European country that Victor von Doom rules with an iron fist. In many iterations, Latveria is also Doom’s birthplace. As of now, we don’t know if the Fantastic Four have previously encountered Doom in this continuity. Based on Latveria’s presence, though, it’s safe to say that Doom has already acquired a small piece of the world that he seeks to dominate. Of course, even the world might not be enough.

Did you catch any fantastic easter eggs? Let us know in the comments.