In the Marvel universe, the Fantastic Four are one of the most important superhero teams in comics, who will soon have a new movie. Their strong focus on a family dynamic sets them apart significantly from the Avengers. In 2018, DC attempted something similar.
Which DC group is it? In 1961, Marvel launched a new superhero team with The Fantastic Four No. 1, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Over time, the four heroes evolved into key figures in the Marvel universe, playing essential roles in many events.
In 2018, DC tried something similar. The character Mr. Terrific, whom you can see in the first trailer for the upcoming Superman film (via YouTube), formed his own team of four characters. The Terrifics even face a villain who resembles the main adversary of the Fantastic Four.
A genius and a rubber man unwillingly form a group
Who are the Terrifics? Michael Holt is known as the hero Mr. Terrific. Essentially, he does not have traditional superpowers, but he is a great genius proficient in many different fields, such as chemistry, medicine, and robotics. He also keeps his body fit and is trained in martial arts.
Through his knowledge, he developed technology that helps him in combat and other areas. His T-Mask renders him invisible to all forms of electronics and protects him from chemicals. His T-Spheres are flying orbs that can be used as cameras, decoys, and even as shields or weapons (DC Database).
After the major event Dark Nights: Metal and the battle against a nasty version of the Joker, Mr. Terrific discovers in The Terrifics No. 1 from 2018 that a company is trying to open a new portal to the Dark Multiverse. To prevent this, he seeks help from Plastic Man. He is more than just a rubber man, as he can change his molecular structure, making him suitable for the portal.
In the portal, they encounter Metamorpho, who becomes insane due to the energy of the Dark Multiverse and attacks Mr. Terrific and Plastic Man. During the battle, the three are pulled through the portal and find a monstrous sleeping entity that resembles Galactus, one of the most powerful beings from the Marvel universe.
They crash onto it and find Phantom Girl. She is an alien who has been trapped in this multiverse for years. They also find a device that Mr. Terrific wants to investigate. An explosion occurs, and the entity awakens. A portal opens, and the four escape before the monster could reach them.
As they try to separate, they realize it doesn’t work. If they get too far apart, they explode. Now they must work together to solve the problem. The Terrifics are formed.
- Mr. Terrific as the head of the group.
- Plastic Man possesses similar abilities to Mr. Fantastic, but because of his constant jokes, he is more comparable to Johnny Storm or Deadpool.
- Metamorpho most closely resembles The Thing, especially due to his non-human form. He can transform his body into any element (via DC Database).
- Phantom Girl is most similar to Invisible Woman. This modern version of the character comes from the planet Bgztl. She can pass through walls and fly, but she cannot physically manifest. After escaping from the Dark Multiverse, her touches can cause explosions (via DC Database).
Due to their fate, caused by an unwanted accident, the abilities, and team structure, the Terrifics strongly resemble the Fantastic Four. Especially the large monster in the Dark Multiverse is obviously inspired by Galactus. Throughout comic history, both Marvel and DC have inspired each other.
In the new Superman film, Mr. Terrific and Metamorpho will make their first screen appearance alongside other DC characters. Further films and series from DC are planned for the future, making it quite possible that we might see the Terrifics in a live-action format soon.
