Warning: Spoilers for Fantastic Four #28
Reed Richardsmay be theFantastic Four’s resident genius, but despite his numerous academic accolades, he still hasn’t managed to crack magic.Black Knighthas, however, and Mister Fantastic requires his insights as he faces a magical dilemma. Dane Whitman has demonstrated that he is capable of outsmarting Reed Richards, dethroning him as the greatest scientific mind in Marvel lore.
In the preview forFantastic Four#28 by Ryan North, Steven Cummings, Wayne Faucher, Jesus Aburtov, and Joe Caramagna,Doctor Doom’s Sorcerer Supreme upgradehas ascended him to a mystical level beyond Reed’s comprehension, so Sue decides to enlist the help of a fellow hero who is more familiar with magic: Black Knight.
Reed rejects the idea of relying on magic for a problem he deems scientific, but Sue reveals that Dane Whitman’s Black Knight studied physics prior to his magical endeavors. Therefore,Black Knight’s understanding of both science and magic proves that he is Reed Richards' intellectual superior.
Black Knight’s Mastery of Magic Makes Him Smarter Than Reed Richards
Mister Fantastic Can’t Crack Magic, Whereas Black Knight Is an Expert
Dane Whitman has a background in physics, much like Reed Richards, and even earned his Master’s degree in the subject.Not only is Dane a brilliant scientist, but he’s also learned to navigate the magical side of the Marvel Universe in a way that Reed has not.Since becoming the latest in a long line of Black Knights, he has obtained various magical artifacts to aid him in combat, including his Shield of Night and his signatureEbony Blade- the latter of which can slice through any energy fields. Sue even admits that it has penetrated her force fields, making it the perfect weapon to use against Doom’s dome.
Reed Richards' New Shapeshifting Powers Are a Huge Upgrade Ahead of His Official Debut in the MCU
Mister Fantastic has taken his powers to the next level with shocking new abilities, which prove his elasticity has no limits ahead of his MCU debut.
While Black Knight has successfully learned how to apply his physics experience to learn how magic functions, Mister Fantastic has notably failed to do so. As Sue puts it,“he’s another man of science, honey - and he’s got magic figured out!“Magic is Reed Richards' greatest weakness, as he tends to prefer the logical over the fantastical. Try as he might, he can’t wrap his head around the inner workings of spells due to their lack of an apparent scientific foundation. Reed’s inability to utilize magic suggests that Black Knight is more deserving of his status asMarvel’s smartest hero.
With Black Knight’s Help, Reed Richards Could Finally Understand Magic
Reed Richards Turns to Dane Whitman For Help Against Doctor Doom
Reed Richards has been bested by Doom’s magic before, and without Black Knight’s sword, he could very well be bested again. No amount of chemical innovation can make up for Mister Fantastic’s ignorance about the mystic arts, so Sue forces him to seek help from an expert in the field. Having similar foundations in physics could potentially allow Dane to teach Reed a thing or two about magic at long last, or at least deal with therise of Doom. Time is running out for theFantastic Fourto uncover Doctor Doom’s plot, andReed Richardswill needBlack Knight’s help to conquer his magic.
Fantastic Four#28is available January 22nd, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
Fantastic Four (2022)
“WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE FANTASTIC FOUR?” It’s the start of a new era for the Fantastic Four…and they’re already in a ton of trouble. Something has gone terribly wrong in New York, and the Thing and Alicia are traveling across America to escape it! But when they stop in a small town for the night and wake up the morning before they arrived, they find themselves caught in a time loop that’s been going on since before they were born… That’s been going on since before they were born…
