Spoiler warning: This article contains spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness introduces Reed Richards, Mr. Fantastic, to the MCU at long last. This Reed Richards variant from Earth-838 suggests many more versions of the iconic superhero exist in live-action and ones may be based on the most powerful Reed Richards variants in Marvel Comics. So many exist they formed the Council of Reeds in Fantastic Four #570.
The Council of Reeds contains many powerful variants of Richards from across the multiverse. The most powerful variants wield Marvel Comics' most powerful weapons, like the Infinity Gauntlet. Others abandon the moral com of the 616 Reed to use their intelligence and inventiveness to explore dangerous ends. Many powerful Reed Richards variants stand to appear in the MCU as the franchise explores the multiverse.
Reed Richards (Earth-616)
Reed Richards ranks among the most intelligent people in the Marvel Universe. His genius generates endless inventions, including the Fantasticar and costumes fabricated from unstable molecules, allowing the wearer to slip back and forth between civilian and superhero clothes.
Reed's body gained superhuman elasticity from exposure to cosmic radiation, giving him the ability to thin enough to slip through the smallest cracks, coil around enemies, or stretch to enormous heights. With his
The Dark Raider
The Dark Raider reveals himself to be Reed Richards from an alternate reality in Fantastic Four #392. This powerful Reed Richards variant possesses all the abilities of his 616 counterpart but distinguishes himself in his unrelenting desperation to destroy all his variants.
The Dark Raider comes from a reality where Galactus, one of the most powerful Marvel cosmic beings, destroys the Earth in his original encounter. Reed's bitterness and hopelessness drive him on a mad quest through the multiverse that potentially inspires some aspect of the MCU.
Big Brain
Big Brain exists in the MC2 universe, a somewhat dark future Marvel Comics timeline where Reed Richards transfers his body into a powerful robot. Though he loses his malleability, he gains a virtually indestructible mechanical shell with vast power and ability.
Big Brain generates energy blasts and force fields and also can fly. This powerful Reed Richards variant essentially exists as one of his greatest inventions, unfettering his engineering genius in ways his other variants don't come close to.
The Brute
The Brute emerges from Counter-Earth, created by The High Evolutionary. Rather than gaining the power to stretch, this Reed Richards variant transforms into a purple monster called The Brute with a strength similar to The Incredible Hulk.
The Brute differs from most versions of the Hulk in the sense he retains all of his intelligence. He also absorbs thermal energy, increasing his strength and stamina and also giving him the power to generate energy blasts.
Earth-A
The Reed Richards from Earth-A didn't gain the ability to stretch as other variants did. Instead, he transformed into his universe's Thing. He gained the rocky exterior shell and extraordinary superhuman strength and durability Ben Grimm did in Earth-616.
He also maintained his intelligence, which he used to establish a different company than the Baxter Foundation. Reed Richards Robotics produced highly advanced androids and machines he sold to fund experiments largely devoted to finding a way to reverse his condition.
What If..?
What If..? #6 features an alternate universe where Reed Richards transforms into a giant floating brain during the incident that gives the Fantastic Four their powers. This Reed Richards variant becomes even more powerful when he transfers his mind into Doctor Doom.
Comic book fans know Doctor Doom possesses incredible intellect in his own right, as well as vast mystical ability. This instantly makes this Reed Richards variant a powerful sorcerer with unparalleled intellect and few moral scruples.
The Maker
Magneto's destruction of New York City and the death of so many superheroes in Ultimatum, one of the most important Marvel Comics events, strips away much of the Ultimate Reed Richards's morality. He becomes The Maker, using his considerable genius for evil.
The Maker acquired far more intellect and superhuman power than other Reed variants, even able to stretch his brain to increase his intelligence to unimaginable levels. He also splits into different versions of himself, making him extremely hard to defeat. The Maker's role in Secret Wars, the 2015 event that introduces the concept of Incursions, makes him a likely player in the MCU eventually.
Zombie Reed Richards
The Earth-2149 Reed Richards shares the power and genius of his variants but possesses a cold perspective that leads to him becoming even more powerful. He willingly infects himself with the zombie virus, making him immortal.
The Zombie Reed Richards views zombies as a higher form of being and attempts to infect the entire Marvel Universe. With zombies playing a role in What If..? and in their own Marvel Zombies animated series, this powerful Reed Richards variant likely appears in the MCU.
Alpha Reed Richards
Alpha Reed Richards possesses all the superhuman power and remarkable intellect of other Reed Richard variants. He also wields the Infinity Gauntlet. He founded the Council of Reeds, as revealed in 2009's Fantastic Four #570.
Several Reed Richards variants used the Infinity Gauntlet of their universes, but the determination and the cold cruelty of Alpha set him apart. He tried to take control of Earth in the 616 universe and nearly succeeded.
Doom
The most powerful Reed Richards variant replaced his eyes with Infinity Stones. The Earth-20208 variant goes by the name Doom and achieved extraordinary cosmic power. He drank the blood of Celestials, acquiring all of their powers and abilities as well.
This Reed Richards variant appeared in 2021's Timeless #1. He gained his powers by trying to save his Earth from destruction. His commitment to do so drove him to extremes and led to a violent confrontation with Kang The Conqueror, whose power threatened Doom.
