Imagine a villain so immensely powerful that he could potentially unravel reality itself with just a flick of his will—yet, shockingly, the Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn't brought him into the spotlight yet! This oversight is especially puzzling when you consider how integral he is to some of Marvel's most epic tales. But here's where it gets intriguing: with Robert Downey Jr. stepping in as Doctor Doom in upcoming films like 'Avengers: Doomsday' and 'Avengers: Secret Wars,' fans might expect a parade of classic foes to follow. One name that keeps popping up in whispers among comic book enthusiasts is Owen Reece, better known as the Molecule Man. Let's dive deep into why this character could shake up the MCU and why his absence feels like such a missed opportunity.
Now, Molecule Man isn't your typical blockbuster baddie like Doom, Magneto, or Thanos, who steal scenes with their charisma or sheer menace. Instead, his abilities revolve around mastering molecules—the tiny building blocks that make up everything around us. Picture this: from the air you breathe to the ground beneath your feet, almost all matter is composed of these microscopic units. In theory, his control over them could make him unstoppable, potentially overshadowing even the mightiest heroes. Originally, he wielded his powers through a magical wand, like some sort of sorcerer, but that quirky detail has largely faded into obscurity in later stories. And this is the part most people miss: his origin story isn't just about power; it's a cautionary tale about how ordinary people can become extraordinarily dangerous.
Back in 1963, in the pages of 'Fantastic Four' #20, crafted by the legendary duo Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Molecule Man burst onto the scene. He started as a nameless factory worker, transformed by a catastrophic nuclear accident that granted him godlike abilities. The narrative brilliantly highlights the stark contrast between his humble beginnings and his newfound, terrifying potential— so alarming that Uatu the Watcher, a cosmic being sworn to impartial observation, actually intervenes for the first time ever to aid the Fantastic Four. For beginners wondering what molecules really are, think of them as the fundamental Lego blocks of chemistry: organic ones form living things like plants and animals, while inorganic ones make up non-living materials like rocks and metals. This issue cleverly educates young readers, turning a superhero battle into a mini science lesson.
In that debut, Molecule Man dominates the Fantastic Four initially, but Reed Richards cleverly exploits a weakness—he can only manipulate inorganic molecules. Thanks to this smart strategy, the heroes prevail, and Uatu whisks the villain away into custody. Surprisingly, Lee and Kirby didn't bring him back for more 'Fantastic Four' adventures, and he's only resurfaced sporadically since. But fate smiled on him in 1984 with the groundbreaking 'Secret Wars' mini-series, penned by then-editor-in-chief Jim Shooter and illustrated by Bob Zeck and Howard Layton. This event whisked Earth's superheroes and villains to a bizarre realm called Battleworld, orchestrated by the enigmatic Beyonder—a being of near-limitless power.
Molecule Man's ties to the Beyonder catapulted him into a starring role in Jonathan Hickman's ambitious 'Avengers' and 'New Avengers' series from 2015, which essentially reimagined 'Secret Wars.' It's anyone's guess how the upcoming MCU film will adapt this—will it lean more toward Shooter's original or Hickman's twist? And crucially, will there be room for Molecule Man amidst the chaos? But here's where it gets controversial: some fans argue that introducing such a reality-bending character could overshadow the established MCU heavyweights, potentially disrupting the franchise's balance. Is it worth risking the status quo for a deep-cut villain?
Delving deeper, Molecule Man is absolutely essential to every iteration of Marvel's 'Secret Wars' saga. Just before the 1984 event, Jim Shooter featured him as the antagonist in a two-part 'Avengers' tale (issues #215-216), where we learn his full name, Owen Reece. The cover boldly proclaims him as 'infinitely powerful and totally mad,' and the story delivers: inspired by the Silver Surfer's harrowing accounts of the planet-devouring Galactus, Reece attempts to obliterate Earth itself. This might explain why Shooter, who often portrayed Molecule Man as a reluctant anti-hero rather than a full-blown maniac, chose him for 'Secret Wars.' In the original series, he even finds love with fellow villain Volcana and tries to build a normal life on Battleworld.
The sequel, 'Secret Wars II,' ramps it up—Molecule Man is the one who ultimately triumphs over the Beyonder, as he's the only entity capable of matching the god's might. Their clash reverberates through infinite dimensions, a spectacle captured vividly in art by Al Milgrom. Later, in 'Fantastic Four' #319, writer Steve Englehart retold his backstory, linking his powers to a dimensional rift that attracted the Beyonder. Hickman expanded on this, weaving Molecule Man into a multiversal plot involving 'Incursions'—cataclysmic events where parallel Earths collide and destroy each other. To halt one, someone must sacrifice an entire world before time expires. Forces like cosmic entropy or even armies of Beyonders prove insurmountable, so these alien deities engineer Molecule Man as their ultimate weapon to erase existence.
His powers aren't just impressive; they're downright universe-altering. For instance, alongside Doctor Doom, who has his own reasons for saving reality—like a ruler needing something to command—Molecule Man time-travels across dimensions. They uncover that he's the same consciousness echoed across realities, a single mind fragmented into countless bodies. This echoes in the MCU's 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,' where dreams represent alternate lives—a concept possibly inspired by these comics. The multiverse offers endless variations, like worlds where Doom is the hero and Reed Richards the villain, but Molecule Man remains identical because the Beyonders crafted him as a living bomb. When all versions of him explode simultaneously, the entire multiverse goes with them.
Doom and Molecule Man embark on a mission to assassinate these alternate selves preemptively, enlisting 'Black Swans'—survivors from doomed worlds—as allies. But this triggers the Incursions, a fail-safe by the Beyonders. Shifting tactics, Doom imprisons the Molecule Men instead, then unleashes the Beyonders' power against them. Ultimately, the prime Molecule Man absorbs this energy and bestows it on Doom, who forges a new Battleworld. Yet, when Doom falters in 'Secret Wars' #9, Molecule Man transfers the power to Reed Richards, who, with his family, restores the multiverse. Molecule Man once boasted he's 'the most powerful being who ever lived,' and subsequent tales prove it wasn't just villainous bravado. Will the MCU embrace this, or leave him in the shadows?
What do you think—does the MCU need Molecule Man to elevate its storytelling, or would he complicate things too much? And here's a controversial twist: perhaps portraying him as a tragic figure rather than a pure villain could add depth, challenging our views on power and redemption. Share your thoughts in the comments: agree, disagree, or suggest how he'd fit into the Avengers' world!
