‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’: Every Marvel Easter Egg

Please be aware, this post reveals Easter eggs related to Marvel in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Since it’s about hidden references, I thought it was necessary to mention that spoilers are included. However, I understand the need for caution now more than ever.

As a die-hard comic book fan, I can’t help but feel that no other characters hold such a pivotal position as the Fantastic Four within the vast Marvel Universe. The groundbreaking series, “The Fantastic Four,” penned by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, catapulted Marvel Comics into stardom. It was a game-changer in the ’60s comics scene, pioneering a new wave of sophisticated storylines tailored for an older audience.

Over time and through various years and decades, numerous creators joined and left, yet the Fantastic Four consistently remained central to the Marvel Universe’s events. They frequently appeared as guests in other publications and participated in most significant storylines and crossovers. (For a short while, they were even part of the Avengers team!)

Unlike any other Marvel comic, it boasts an extensive history and mythology that has yet to be fully adapted into films. However, due to complications regarding movie rights, Marvel Studios didn’t produce their own Fantastic Four until the 2025 film “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Once they obtained control over the property, Marvel quickly got to work; they packed the movie (featuring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Julia Garner) with a hefty dose of its history and mythology, as well as numerous Easter eggs characteristic of the Marvel universe.

In the following post, you’ll find everything we noticed during an initial glance. There must be more out there. (A nerd’s keen eye might miss some details without the luxury of rewinding.) However, this serves as a solid foundation for a more exhaustive catalog.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps: All the Coolest Marvel Easter Eggs

1. Earth-828

In the corner of the universe where “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” unfolds, it’s labeled as Earth-828. This is significant because in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the main timeline is referred to as Earth-199999. The numbers used were deliberately chosen, as they represent August 28 – the birthdate of Jack Kirby, one of the creators of the Fantastic Four. There are numerous homages to both Kirby and his co-creator Stan Lee scattered throughout “First Steps.

2. The Mole Man Has Bad Eyesight

In the initial episode of “The Fantastic Four”, the antagonist was the Mole Man, a small, agitated character residing under the earth who leads his subterranean race in a possible invasion of the surface world. Interestingly, the Mole Man from the Marvel Cinematic Universe also debuted as one of the Four’s early adversaries, though he later becomes an ally. Contrary to popular depictions, Paul Walter Hauser’s character in “First Steps” does not wear the typical Mole Man costume, but he does don a pair of the character’s signature blue glasses – a requirement for someone who lives underground as his eyes are unaccustomed to daylight. The script even includes a scene where the brightness of the Baxter Building is an issue for him.

3. The Fantastic Four Rogues Gallery

In the opening special episode of “First Steps”, a tribute marking the initial four years of the Fantastic Four, there’s a mention of their battles against various supervillains, among them being the Red Ghost and his Super-Apes. This character, one of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s iconic creations, is a Soviet astronaut who journeyed into space accompanied by three apes; after exposure to cosmic rays similar to those that bestowed powers upon the Fantastic Four, the Red Ghost developed his own superpowers. He could become intangible, while his apes turned super-powered. Initially, John Malkovich was cast as the Red Ghost for “First Steps”, but his scenes were ultimately removed from the film. However, you can still witness the Fantastic Four battling one of the Super-Apes in that opening sequence. If you stay until the end credits, you’ll catch a second, animated appearance of the Red Ghost and his ape crew.

The special TV episode at the start of “First Steps” shows battles with supervillains like the Red Ghost and his Super-Apes. The Red Ghost is a famous character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, who was an astronaut from Russia that went to space with apes. After encountering cosmic rays, he got powers similar to the Fantastic Four. He could turn invisible, while his apes became super-powered. John Malkovich was originally cast as the Red Ghost in “First Steps”, but his scenes were cut out of the film. However, you can still see the Fantastic Four fighting one of the Super-Apes at the start, and if you stay till the end credits, you’ll see a brief animated appearance of the Red Ghost and his apes again.

4. WHIH

In the TV series “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, a large portion of the broadcasts are either from ABC (a real network owned by The Walt Disney Company, Marvel’s parent corporation) or a fictional channel named WHIH. This is the same channel that Marvel created to produce news broadcasts for their viral marketing campaigns on YouTube in connection with their movies. Several of these videos feature Leslie Bibb as Christine Everhart, the character she portrayed in the original “Iron Man” film.

5. The Future Foundation

In the cinematic universe of ‘First Steps’, the Fantastic Four establish an organization called “The Future Foundation”, serving as a fictional counterpart to the United Nations. This multinational alliance convenes in a venue reminiscent of the actual UN Assembly Hall.

Originally conceived in Marvel Comics around the early 2010s, during a time when Johnny Storm was believed deceased and the name ‘Fantastic Four’ no longer fit the team composition, the Future Foundation concept was born. As a result, their comic series was renamed to ‘FF’, symbolizing the new organization created by Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards) for technological advancement. Later, Marvel Comics introduced a brief run of ‘Future Foundation’ comic books, featuring supporting characters from the Fantastic Four’s past history.

6. Latveria

In the sequences taking place at Future Foundation headquarters, there’s a chair reserved for a delegate from Latveria, a country famous among Marvel enthusiasts as Doctor Doom’s homeland. Interestingly, this chair remains unoccupied throughout these scenes, which is an amusing touch considering Reed Richards and his team’s strained relationship with Doom. However, the movie “First Steps” doesn’t explicitly confirm that the MCU’s Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., will be a native of Latveria. Yet, it sets up an intriguing possibility.

7. The Fantastic Four Cartoon

In the world of “First Steps”, the Fab Four from the Fantastic Four aren’t just superheroes; they are globally renowned celebrities. Consequently, they have their own animated television series, where we discover that this is where the Thing’s popular catchphrase, “It’s clobberin’ time!”, originated (although the actual Thing, portrayed by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, claims he would never use it). This cartoon series is a tribute to the original Fantastic Four television series that aired on ABC in 1967, only a few years after the first Fantastic Four comic was published. The film’s nod to the old show, produced by Hanna-Barbera, shares a striking resemblance in visual style. If you make it through the end of the closing credits, you’ll get a glimpse of the original show as well.

8. “Parallel Earths exist on different planes”

In the initial film of Phase Six in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, titled “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” we find ourselves embarking on a significant journey towards wrapping up the “Multiverse Saga.” It might be unexpected that this movie does not delve deeply into multiple timelines or realities, apart from establishing it as Earth-828. However, there are subtle hints suggesting a multiverse presence – one such example being a dialogue line indicating that “parallel Earths exist on different dimensions.

9. Yancy Street Is Full of Fantastic Four References

In the Marvel Comics universe, The Thing originates from Yancy Street, an unreal street located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. This infamous location is known for being home to the cruel Yancy Street Gang, who often torment Ben Grimm in the comics through mean-spirited pranks. However, in the film, The Thing is seen wandering around Yancy Street, amusing local children with displays of strength and flirting with a school teacher portrayed by Natasha Lyonne (more on her shortly). If you look carefully during these scenes, you’ll notice several references to Marvel history, such as signs for “King Dry Cleaners” – a tribute to Jack Kirby, who was affectionately called “The King” – and “Stanley’s Service Center,” reminiscent of Stan Lee’s service center.

10. Rachel Rozman

In the movie, Natasha Lyonne plays a character named Rachel Rozman who befriends the Thing. This character doesn’t seem to exist in Marvel Comics, but if you look into Jack Kirby’s biography, it becomes clear why she might be named this way. Jack Kirby’s wife was Rosalind, often called Roz for short. The Thing, being a Jewish character from the Lower East Side, is sometimes seen as a fictional representation of Jack Kirby himself. Therefore, the film “First Steps” gives him a love interest named Rachel Rozman, which pays homage to this connection. It’s a thoughtful tribute.

11. Stan and Jack’s “Cameo”

In the movie, Yancy Street isn’t the sole reference to Jack and Stan; at a certain point, director Matt Shakman subtly includes a scene featuring two middle-aged gentlemen gazing out an office window. Their workspace is adorned with a drafting table and comic book artwork, suggesting they are none other than comic book legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Known for inserting themselves into the early stories of the Fantastic Four (most notably attempting to crash Reed Richards and Sue Storm’s wedding, only to be kicked out by S.H.I.E.L.D.), it’s fitting that they appear in a cameo within First Steps.

“Oog Lives Again!”

One reason I’m convinced those men are Stan Lee and Jack Kirby is due to an artwork in their studio labeled “Oog Lives Again!”, which was also the title of a comic story they co-authored. Published in Tales of Suspense #27, this tale came out one month after The Fantastic Four #1 hit newsstands. In the narrative, Oog is an alien who crash lands in the Arctic and gets frozen for centuries before being discovered by scientists and brought to their lab, where he accidentally escapes.

Interestingly, the story of Oog resembles a twist on The Thing From Another World, as it’s revealed that Oog is generally peaceful and misunderstood. In contrast, the humans he encounters are the true monsters, and the theme of this comic isn’t about the dangers of unchecked science but rather intolerance and prejudice towards those who are different.

13. Shalla Bal

If you’ve ever come across an image of the Silver Surfer, you are familiar with the character usually being depicted as male. In his initial comic book backstory, an alien named Norrin Radd agrees to serve Galactus as his herald to prevent his homeworld from destruction. One of the reasons he makes this regrettable decision is to save the life of his beloved, Shalla-Bal.

However, in the Earth-828 timeline of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, it’s Shalla-Bal who takes on the role as Galactus’ herald and saves her planet from being consumed. It’s strange that we don’t see any mention of Norrin Radd in this scenario, so where is he, Norrin?

14. Excelsior

A significant portion of the second act in “First Steps” unfolds on the Fantastic Four’s spaceship, where they embark on a cosmic journey to encounter Galactus. The ship isn’t labeled anywhere, but if you pay attention to the conversations between Mission Control and the crew, you’ll notice they often refer to it as “Excelsior.” This is a tribute to the famous catchphrase that Stan Lee used for years in his letters, columns, and public appearances.

15. The Power Cosmic

In Marvel Comics, Galactus desires Reed and Sue’s child due to the belief that the child holds “The Cosmic Power,” a term used for the energy controlled by Galactus (and also the Silver Surfer). This power grants its users various superhuman capabilities, such as flight, energy projection, and telekinesis. Notably, it can even bring back the deceased, which is relevant before the storyline “First Steps” concludes.

16. A ‘5’ Uniform For Franklin

In the movie, after the Fantastic Four vanquish Galactus, the storyline leaps ahead several months for a climactic scene set on the fifth anniversary of the team’s formation. One worker at the TV special where the Four are present attempts to persuade Reed and Sue to dress their baby, Franklin, in a miniature replica of the Fantastic Four uniform – featuring a ‘5’ emblem, signifying he has now become the fifth member of the group.

In the comics, it is accurate that Franklin Richards occasionally donned his own version of the Fantastic Four jumpsuit with a ‘5’ instead of a ‘4’, reflecting his membership in the team. At other instances in the comics, he wore a modified suit with an ‘F’ on the chest emblem.

Every Marvel Multiverse Saga Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

14. Eternals (2021)

Initially, I wouldn’t have anticipated that a Marvel film directed by an Academy Award winner and centered on some of Jack Kirby’s most daring comics would result in one of the company’s least essential releases. Regrettably, the movie Eternals, despite being largely faithful to Kirby’s fundamental concepts, never quite coalesced. It introduces minor but rather irritating alterations, such as transforming the malevolent Deviants into nondescript monsters lacking objectives and motivations. The ensemble boasts commendable supporting roles from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, but the main characters – Gemma Chan portraying Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris – find it challenging to convey their supposed centuries-long romance. Their onscreen chemistry appears more akin to a first date gone awry than a relationship spanning millennia. The script occasionally delves into intriguing themes about the links between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to discard them for repetitive battle sequences featuring uninspiring creatures. It’s challenging to conceive of a more dull film revolving around immortal alien robots attempting to thwart impending doomsday than this one.

13. The Marvels (2023)

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I must admit that this movie isn’t the absolute worst in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it certainly has its flaws. Compared to some titles on this list, it’s undoubtedly ahead, but it’s also the most disorganized and heated. The trio of captivating Marvel heroes – Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau – are thrown together to thwart a Kree warlord with malicious intentions, but the plot, though thankfully short, is an utter whirlwind of odd decisions that make little sense. Despite the stars’ fantastic chemistry, the storyline leaves much to be desired.

12. Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

Incorrect setting, suitable character: This phrase could apply to several underwhelming Marvel films (such as The Marvels) but it’s particularly relevant to Captain America: Brave New World, which grants Anthony Mackie’s charming Sam Wilson a solo film only to burden him with a dull antagonist and a plot riddled with unnecessary references to The Incredible Hulk, leaving audiences pondering the fate of Betty Ross, a question that was hardly on anyone’s mind.

11. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

In the upcoming battle between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror, even Kang himself (played by Jonathan Majors) acknowledges that Scott Lang is out of his depth. This apparent mismatch symbolizes the film itself: The relatable, lighthearted universe of the Ant-Man series with its charming humor and authentic characters can’t compete with the grand, multiversal saga of Marvel Phase 5 on the big screen. As a Marvel cinematic experience, it’s satisfactory. However, as an extension of the Ant-Man franchise, it falls short. Unfortunately, if you were looking forward to Michael Peña’s Luis in this installment, you won’t find him here at all.

10. Black Widow (2021)

2021 saw Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo outing from the Avengers, where she primarily served as a straight character contrast for her wisecracking Russian superhero team, consisting of David Harbour’s narcissistic Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s captivating Yelena. Consequently, Black Widow may not have been the fitting farewell the character should have had. However, it remains another strong Marvel production, featuring thrilling stunt scenes and a formidable villain in Taskmaster, capable of replicating the fighting styles of any adversary encountered.

In 2021, Scarlett Johansson finally got her long-overdue solo adventure away from the Avengers, but ended up mainly playing a straight woman to other members of her quick-witted Russian superhero family, including David Harbour’s egotistical Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s attention-grabbing Yelena. As a result, Black Widow doesn’t quite give the character the proper sendoff it deserved. Nonetheless, it’s another impressive Marvel blockbuster, boasting some stunning stunt sequences and a truly cool villain in Taskmaster, who can mimic the fighting techniques of anyone he fights.)

9. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Experiencing Taika Waititi’s second Thor film, “Thor: Love and Thunder,” can somewhat resemble observing a magician performing the same trick twice in quick succession. The initial performance left you awestruck. However, while the second act is still captivating, it lacks the element of surprise. Christian Bale delivers a chilling portrayal of Gorr the God-Butcher, yet his intense and highly emotional villain character seems somewhat at odds with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his relentless humor. In essence, “Thor: Love and Thunder” retains all the ingredients of Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” but they don’t harmonize quite as smoothly this time around.

8. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

In this film, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s on-screen camaraderie is everything you could hope for. The surprise appearances are truly unexpected, even shocking. However, the story seems to push the limits of how much background information a movie can have without making sense. It feels like one character has been given more than enough tragic backstories – at least two! If you can manage to not think too deeply about what’s happening on screen, you might find yourself enjoying it reasonably well. Jackman and Reynolds certainly deliver the expected dynamic between Deadpool and Wolverine, despite their reluctant partnership aimed at saving the Fox X-Men universe. It’s just too bad that the writers – including Reynolds himself – didn’t quite meet the high expectations they set.

7. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Straight from the get-go, let me tell you that the climactic battle with dragons and monsters shrouded in a murky fog is a visually disappointing CGI spectacle. However, before we reach that point, Shang-Chi might just be Marvel’s finest action film to date, boasting several intense, intricate fight sequences. The one on the San Francisco bus is particularly enjoyable.

Simu Liu delivers a powerful leading performance in this Marvel production, with Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh offering rich supporting roles. Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina bring numerous moments of humor to the table. While Kingsley as Trevor Slattery, the former Mandarin, wasn’t the most beloved Marvel villain initially, Marvel has cleverly transformed him into a delightful secondary character.

6. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

In Ryan Coogler’s hands, crafting Wakanda Forever proved to be an incredibly tough task. Not only was he required to produce a sequel worthy of the original Black Panther, but he had to accomplish this without Chadwick Boseman, our captivating lead actor who tragically passed away during pre-production in the summer of 2020. The film shines most when it seamlessly blends Coogler and the cast’s grief for Boseman into the narrative of a grieving Wakanda. Unfortunately, the remainder of the movie can be a bit disorganized, featuring a multitude of intriguing concepts, an overabundance of characters, and a somewhat confused antagonist, King Namor.

5. The Fantastic Four: First Steps

In the Marvel’s Fantastic Four film titled “First Steps,” there’s no denying that it surpasses the four previous attempts by Roger Corman and 20th Century Fox to establish a successful big-screen FF franchise. Given the subpar quality of those earlier movies, this is hardly surprising. While “First Steps” boasts impressive visual aesthetics and an intriguing villain, it’s disappointing that the Fantastic Four characters themselves feel somewhat one-dimensional and lackluster.

Overall, “First Steps” is entertaining, but not as enjoyable as I had anticipated. Director Matt Shakman seems to have selected the four leads appropriately on paper. However, in practice, it’s questionable whether any of his actors fully grasped their roles as these characters yet. Perhaps the script failed to bring out the depth of the Fantastic Four, making it difficult for them to shine. To put it another way, “First Steps” is a promising start, but there’s still room for growth and improvement.

4. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

In Jon Watts’ third “Spider-Man” movie, we find similarities with Sam Raimi’s third “Spider-Man” film. Both are packed with numerous villains. However, on a positive note, this film effectively portrays and embodies the charm of Peter Parker as a character, a man who repeatedly falters but persistently strives to rectify his mistakes in future attempts. It also introduces the multiverse concept into MCU films significantly, marking an essential milestone in the ongoing saga.

3. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

After a 15-year absence, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe with an exhilaratingly chaotic tale that revolved around the struggle for the survival of the multiverse. Much like his previous Spider-Man movies, Raimi creatively incorporated his unique style and motifs – such as slapstick humor, deranged zombies, and startling surprises – into the conventional Marvel storyline. (Continue reading here.)

2. Thunderbolts* (2025)

Many Marvel productions after Endgame seem like they were pieced together haphazardly, using leftovers from various comics, movies, and lore. However, Thunderbolts* feels more like a standalone movie, with an engaging narrative and some intriguing characters, particularly Florence Pugh as the new Black Widow. She struggles with her life’s meaning and finds little fulfillment in her job, but discovers her purpose when she’s grouped with a gang of other disillusioned mercenaries, including Wyatt Russell’s arrogant U.S. Agent and Hannah John-Kamen’s mysterious Ghost. With entertaining action scenes and a powerful message about overcoming despair and finding camaraderie, Thunderbolts* serves as a reminder of the studio’s potential when it delivers high-quality storytelling at its best.

1. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

James Gunn masterfully concludes his “Guardians” trilogy with a movie that delivers the perfect blend of Marvel elements: Thrilling action scenes, quirky science fiction visuals, and deeply emotional characters we grow deeply attached to. (By the time you reach “Vol. 3”, Rocket Raccoon transforms from a C-list Marvel character into one of their most intriguing and heartbreaking heroes.) After a series of average films, Gunn makes it seem effortless. It’s unfortunate he is moving on to work with DC.

2025-07-25 01:30