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scans_dailyI guess I'll be the first to say that my favorite Science super hero (after the Blue Beetle) is Reed Richards.
Gasp! But why?? you ask...well, I have my reasons.
Why? Quite easy.
-> He’s flawed. He’s not Mr. Perfect Superhero or Mr. Moral High Ground. He has negative traits and Issues with a capital I that makes him a round, interesting character. While he is absolutely magnificent in science and all things logic, he has shit social skills. This can make him come off as a dick whereas I think he’s just rather awkward. He’s a boy genius who went to several colleges. He was never a normal teenager. He was years ahead of everyone else in his classes. I find that this makes it hard for him to connect with people. Hell, it’s still hard for him to connect with the friends he has made, but they have the patience and understanding to see through Reed’s awkwardness and love him for the great man he can be.
-> He blames himself for everything. People often say Reed has one of the biggest egos in comics and though I agree he thinks highly of himself in science, he's also self-loathing. He takes it upon himself to try finding the solution to everyone's problems i.e. Earth and is the first to agree with Sue when she points out how awful he's been acting lately.
-> He’s a dork. Seriously, Reed is such a dork. When he DOES do romantic things, they’re so over-the-top and cheesy, I want to pinch his cheeks. He’s awkward like I said before and I find it absolutely endearing.
-> He’s handsome. YES, I THINK REED RICHARDS IS EFFING SEXY. Some draw him as a lanky, semi-muscular figure and I’m reminded of Sherlock Holmes. Others draw him more bulky and muscled and I think Indiana Jones! And hey, I love an older, seasoned man. /pinches ass
-> His powers. I love elastic powers. They just maximize hilarity potential.
-> His love of SCIENCE!! Even though I’m not big on science myself, I love Reed’s childlike enthusiasm for something he genuinely loves. Though he’s no Hank Pym, he definitely loves what he does and is always looking for the next thing to build or discover. That type of dedication to something is admirable to me.
One of the reasons a lot of people hate Reed is due to his relationship with Sue and how it can be misconstrued as downright abusive.
Whereas I ship them like burning.
Reed and Sue have been married for more than forty years. Forty years. They are, and correct me if I’m wrong, the longest married couple still fighting crime in comics right now. A lot of people don’t like the couple, because of Reed’s supposed apathy and abuse toward his wife. While it is true that in the Silver Age, misogyny was having fun and throwing punches at Sue (who was a milestone character in her own right, being one of the only female heroes headlining a comic book in the 60s), Reed does love his wife.
From a character study on Reed I wrote a few months back:
"Reed canonically tends to avoid his wife, but the minute Sue leaves, he goes apeshit. He completely falls apart without Sue to lift him up. Even as recent as Civil War, he was clearly at his end, submerging himself in his work, and sporting impressive stubble. The reason Reed’s relationship with Sue works is because she’s his anchor back to reality. She brings him back to family and home and reminds him when to eat, shave, bathe, etc. I know he’s been branded as a SCIENCE!! douchebag to a lot of Marvel fans, but I think he is a lot more dependent on his relationships than people would think and especially on Sue."
Now, in modern Fantastic Four, Sue and Reed are shown to have a partnership. They balance each other out. Reed gives Sue adventure, excitement, stability, trust, and space. Sue gives Reed her patience, understanding, care, and loyalty.
I really don’t ship Namor/Sue. I understand they have sexual tension, but I can never see them working out in a relationship. Namor is impulsive, quick-to-anger, and would constantly be waiting at Sue hand-and-foot. He isn’t a challenge. He isn’t going to show her anything new and I just don’t see the same earnest love that Reed has for Sue.
Reed respects Sue. He knows she can take him apart. He knows she can live on her own and support herself. He will never leave Sue, but Sue can surely leave him. But, she stays with him—her stretchy dork with fail social skills. She finds him endearing and yes, handsome.
My mom and dad say that marriage is a partnership. You can’t just count on sex and love alone. That’s what Reed and Sue have proven. They’re partners in every sense of the word.
Civil War was a very upsetting view on their relationship. I think it’s this point where people painted Reed Richards as the biggest dick on the planet. Meanwhile, I feel absolutely horrible for the guy. He’s thinking logically and only trying to do what he feels would be most beneficial for his family. He doesn’t understand the emotional aspect of it, because he has a hard time connecting like that. Instead of listening to Sue though, he stands his ground and it breaks them apart. What was upsetting most for me was to see Reed completely fall apart without Sue. In the issues following her leaving, he’s seen unshaven, distracted, and completely immersed in his work. He’s like a friggin’ emotionless robot. I’m glad they took time off after Civil War to sort their own issues out together.
And if anyone has the chance, you should definitely pick up their 40th anniversary issue. It’s filled with adorable snippets of their love life including before they’re transformed, Reed’s proposal, their honeymoon, their family, and anniversary. Reed is the biggest romantic dork and Sue positively radiates with happiness.
P.S. in my official head canon, Reed and Sue are swingers. Kyah.
Another reason to love Reed is his friendship with Ben.
Though in recent years their bromance has been overshadowed by Johnny and Ben shenanigans, Ben and Reed’s friendship will always hold a special place in my heart. Ben precedes Johnny and even Sue. Here you have two guys who can’t be more different than anything, but Ben reaches out to Reed when no one else would and gives him a friend to lean on and trust.
After the accident, Reed dedicates his life to finding a cure for Ben at whatever cost. For example, while the Fantastic Four’s powers are let loose on the city (jumping from person to person), Reed invents gloves that (at a touch) will let the power be zapped back into them. Reed constantly diverts Ben from getting back his power as he wants to zap it back into himself, but Ben figures out Reed’s plan and stops him. That is friendship.
The arc I constantly go back to Thereafter #509-512 with Waid and Wieringo on art. I’m going to scan some stuff up, but it’s basically about Reed’s reaction to Ben’s death and his determination to bring him back at all costs is amazing and bordering on dangerous and effing crazy. The Waid and Wieringo arc where Ben goes to Heaven and Reed follows really highlights their relationship and is my favorite Fantastic Four arc. ♥
People have already posted about Reed's explanation over his name and his One Perfect Moment. I suggest going back and reading those posts too for more insight on Reed. ♥
Gasp! But why?? you ask...well, I have my reasons.
Why? Quite easy.
-> He’s flawed. He’s not Mr. Perfect Superhero or Mr. Moral High Ground. He has negative traits and Issues with a capital I that makes him a round, interesting character. While he is absolutely magnificent in science and all things logic, he has shit social skills. This can make him come off as a dick whereas I think he’s just rather awkward. He’s a boy genius who went to several colleges. He was never a normal teenager. He was years ahead of everyone else in his classes. I find that this makes it hard for him to connect with people. Hell, it’s still hard for him to connect with the friends he has made, but they have the patience and understanding to see through Reed’s awkwardness and love him for the great man he can be.
-> He blames himself for everything. People often say Reed has one of the biggest egos in comics and though I agree he thinks highly of himself in science, he's also self-loathing. He takes it upon himself to try finding the solution to everyone's problems i.e. Earth and is the first to agree with Sue when she points out how awful he's been acting lately.
-> He’s a dork. Seriously, Reed is such a dork. When he DOES do romantic things, they’re so over-the-top and cheesy, I want to pinch his cheeks. He’s awkward like I said before and I find it absolutely endearing.
-> He’s handsome. YES, I THINK REED RICHARDS IS EFFING SEXY. Some draw him as a lanky, semi-muscular figure and I’m reminded of Sherlock Holmes. Others draw him more bulky and muscled and I think Indiana Jones! And hey, I love an older, seasoned man. /pinches ass
-> His powers. I love elastic powers. They just maximize hilarity potential.
-> His love of SCIENCE!! Even though I’m not big on science myself, I love Reed’s childlike enthusiasm for something he genuinely loves. Though he’s no Hank Pym, he definitely loves what he does and is always looking for the next thing to build or discover. That type of dedication to something is admirable to me.
One of the reasons a lot of people hate Reed is due to his relationship with Sue and how it can be misconstrued as downright abusive.
Whereas I ship them like burning.
Reed and Sue have been married for more than forty years. Forty years. They are, and correct me if I’m wrong, the longest married couple still fighting crime in comics right now. A lot of people don’t like the couple, because of Reed’s supposed apathy and abuse toward his wife. While it is true that in the Silver Age, misogyny was having fun and throwing punches at Sue (who was a milestone character in her own right, being one of the only female heroes headlining a comic book in the 60s), Reed does love his wife.
From a character study on Reed I wrote a few months back:
"Reed canonically tends to avoid his wife, but the minute Sue leaves, he goes apeshit. He completely falls apart without Sue to lift him up. Even as recent as Civil War, he was clearly at his end, submerging himself in his work, and sporting impressive stubble. The reason Reed’s relationship with Sue works is because she’s his anchor back to reality. She brings him back to family and home and reminds him when to eat, shave, bathe, etc. I know he’s been branded as a SCIENCE!! douchebag to a lot of Marvel fans, but I think he is a lot more dependent on his relationships than people would think and especially on Sue."
Now, in modern Fantastic Four, Sue and Reed are shown to have a partnership. They balance each other out. Reed gives Sue adventure, excitement, stability, trust, and space. Sue gives Reed her patience, understanding, care, and loyalty.
I really don’t ship Namor/Sue. I understand they have sexual tension, but I can never see them working out in a relationship. Namor is impulsive, quick-to-anger, and would constantly be waiting at Sue hand-and-foot. He isn’t a challenge. He isn’t going to show her anything new and I just don’t see the same earnest love that Reed has for Sue.
Reed respects Sue. He knows she can take him apart. He knows she can live on her own and support herself. He will never leave Sue, but Sue can surely leave him. But, she stays with him—her stretchy dork with fail social skills. She finds him endearing and yes, handsome.
My mom and dad say that marriage is a partnership. You can’t just count on sex and love alone. That’s what Reed and Sue have proven. They’re partners in every sense of the word.
Civil War was a very upsetting view on their relationship. I think it’s this point where people painted Reed Richards as the biggest dick on the planet. Meanwhile, I feel absolutely horrible for the guy. He’s thinking logically and only trying to do what he feels would be most beneficial for his family. He doesn’t understand the emotional aspect of it, because he has a hard time connecting like that. Instead of listening to Sue though, he stands his ground and it breaks them apart. What was upsetting most for me was to see Reed completely fall apart without Sue. In the issues following her leaving, he’s seen unshaven, distracted, and completely immersed in his work. He’s like a friggin’ emotionless robot. I’m glad they took time off after Civil War to sort their own issues out together.
And if anyone has the chance, you should definitely pick up their 40th anniversary issue. It’s filled with adorable snippets of their love life including before they’re transformed, Reed’s proposal, their honeymoon, their family, and anniversary. Reed is the biggest romantic dork and Sue positively radiates with happiness.
P.S. in my official head canon, Reed and Sue are swingers. Kyah.
Another reason to love Reed is his friendship with Ben.
Though in recent years their bromance has been overshadowed by Johnny and Ben shenanigans, Ben and Reed’s friendship will always hold a special place in my heart. Ben precedes Johnny and even Sue. Here you have two guys who can’t be more different than anything, but Ben reaches out to Reed when no one else would and gives him a friend to lean on and trust.
After the accident, Reed dedicates his life to finding a cure for Ben at whatever cost. For example, while the Fantastic Four’s powers are let loose on the city (jumping from person to person), Reed invents gloves that (at a touch) will let the power be zapped back into them. Reed constantly diverts Ben from getting back his power as he wants to zap it back into himself, but Ben figures out Reed’s plan and stops him. That is friendship.
The arc I constantly go back to Thereafter #509-512 with Waid and Wieringo on art. I’m going to scan some stuff up, but it’s basically about Reed’s reaction to Ben’s death and his determination to bring him back at all costs is amazing and bordering on dangerous and effing crazy. The Waid and Wieringo arc where Ben goes to Heaven and Reed follows really highlights their relationship and is my favorite Fantastic Four arc. ♥
People have already posted about Reed's explanation over his name and his One Perfect Moment. I suggest going back and reading those posts too for more insight on Reed. ♥
no subject
Date: 2010-12-16 08:10 pm (UTC)And while DOOM shall always have a place in my heart, RICHAAARDS has one, too. (Their eternal struggle is what keeps it beating!)
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Date: 2010-12-16 08:20 pm (UTC)... just another day at the FF.
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Date: 2010-12-16 08:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-17 04:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-16 08:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-16 11:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-16 09:12 pm (UTC)Reed is the biggest romantic dork and Sue positively radiates with happiness.
Agree! I think Reed is very dedicated and loving, just sort of introverted, and Sue is the most warm and caring person in 616.
I like having Namor crushing on Sue, I think. Definitely polar opposites for her to choose from, but she's Mrs. Susan Richards and family now. Well, as far as 616 is concerned... I didn't mind strain on their marriage, as long as it didn't break. It says a lot about Sue that she's not "stand by your man" under any circumstances, but the less said about Civil War the better, I think they took Reed and Tony on a serious divergence from whom they really are.
Like Reed and Ben's complex friendship a lot; the guilt doesn't get in the way, and I like to think that Reed's going to find a way for Ben to change back and forth at will (always some day in the next few years).
Glad someone thinks he's hot. Although he's got a beautiful direct gaze in that Kirby panel. It's been said a thousand times, but lanky or bulky? Take your pick. He can be whatever suits your mood today. :D
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Date: 2010-12-16 10:13 pm (UTC)Snicker, I love Ben.
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Date: 2010-12-16 11:18 pm (UTC)There's a scene in FF #336 (part of Acts of Vengeance) where Reed whips up a super-power detector, out of random parts in his briefcase... while testifying before a Congressional commitee.
And, of course, the classic exchange in FF 1234:
"While you've been locked away, I've been busy destroying the life and lives of your family forever, Richards. Tell me... what have you been doing?"
"Well, Victor... I've been thinking."
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Date: 2010-12-16 11:19 pm (UTC)Because they can speak on the same level and understand each other.
A lot of Reed's shortcomings stem from the fact he simply can't express himself to most people. Sue connects with him on an emotional level. But if Doom ever reformed, they would be joined at the hip.
Reed's actions during CW are the tragic outcome of his pure cold logic. Tragic because it's the natural extension of his way of doing things. He's close to Doom that way.
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Date: 2010-12-17 01:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-17 03:22 am (UTC)And "Guy Love" works perfectly for Iron Fist and Luke Cage.
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Date: 2010-12-17 01:05 am (UTC)With that intact he's one of my favorites.
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Date: 2010-12-17 01:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-17 02:27 am (UTC)My favorite Reed scene...
Date: 2010-12-17 01:57 am (UTC)I admit, it's kind of a creepy thing to tell someone, but I think in the context of Reed Richards, it may be the nicest thing he could say to Sue.
Re: My favorite Reed scene...
Date: 2010-12-17 04:03 am (UTC)Re: My favorite Reed scene...
Date: 2010-12-17 04:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-17 02:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-17 04:02 am (UTC)Reed is a difficult character to write though. He's much like Batman that way. It's easier to write him as a know it all dick (like in Civil War) instead of someone conflicted on what brain tells him is POSSIBLE and his heart tells him is NECCESSARY.
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Date: 2010-12-17 05:23 am (UTC)ALSO, THAT RING. I love Reed because at the times he's being a good husband, HE'S REALLY A GOOD HUSBAND.
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Date: 2010-12-17 05:23 am (UTC)Also, one of my theories about Ben is that, while he's never been portrayed as stupid, he is actually a good deal smarter than he lets on - he just tends to unconsciously play up the 'big tough wisecracking guy' routine when he's around Reed. That 'twenty-five words' panel is a good example - sure, Reed may have unconsciously kept his response down to twenty-five words, thus displaying his brilliance, but Ben immediately realized that he HAD kept it down to twenty-five words, which speaks well to HIS intelligence - I mean, if you heard that sentence, would you have immediately thought 'hey, that's twenty-five words'? I, for one, would have had to take a few moments to count.
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Date: 2010-12-17 06:13 am (UTC)That certainly makes sense with the Namor thing. I figure Reed has little problem with Sue and Namor, as long as she comes back to him; if anything, it gives him more angles to contemplate Sue from. After all, if she's the person he's studied the most, then more relationships equals better data.
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Date: 2010-12-18 03:04 pm (UTC)--LBD "Nytetrayn"
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Date: 2011-03-09 07:58 pm (UTC)