Reed Richards (Earth-616)/Quotes

'

The FF aren't a building, Johnny. Or matching outfits. Or even a team. We're a family. And that will never change.

'

I learned that the difference between living and dying is managing fear. Not being afraid so afraid of losing the things you love that you hold them too tight. I used to believe in universal contraction. Entropy and the end of all things. Well, I changed my mind. I'm letting go. Because now I believe in expansion. I believe we endure. Don't you see? Everything lives.

A single glimpse of this advanced technology -- combined with the seemingly infinite amount of it -- leaves no doubt of where we are, Superman. This is Galactus's ship!

It is the first time I have found it necessary to give the signal! I pray it will be the last!

Why must we always fight among ourselves? What's wrong with us?

The French have an expression called Infant terrible! It means a child who does dreadful things! But this child is so powerful, that anything he does could cause a catastrophe!

Benjamin, why don't you take up a hobby? Something that will keep you out of here while I'm working?

Stop sounding like a wife, Sue! I still make the decisions for this team!

But now, it's my turn to attack! And I've got powers you haven't even dreamed of!

His preoccupation with computers-- his detailed, seemingly foolproof plan-- his knowledge of scientific programming-- his complex, yet brilliantly executed moves-- It all adds up to one diabolically dangerous figure... The Mad Thinker!!

We're about to become-- the first human Micronauts!

And now, by the authority vested in me – by nobody in particular – I most warmly welcome you to the rollicking ranks of the fabulous free-wheeling Fantastic Four!

It's a strange paradoxical world we live in... a man can be arrested for illegal parking... but there's actually no law against trying to conquer the planet!

After all these years... All our adventures... We're still together... We're still a team! The Greatest Team Ever!

I have the power within my own body! The power to stretch -- to alter my shape! The reason they call me -- Mr. Fantastic!

You know... I wonder at times... is he right? Has man gone mad?

Safe? Medusa, that's a word I haven't understood in years.

We're not "in the black" anymore -- so I'm selling out!!

...having one afternoon to whip up a device to defrost an entire rampaging glacier isn't exactly my idea of child's play.

The Fantastic Four has never given up hope before ... We're not stopping now. If there's a way out of this, so help me - - I'll find it.

When the Skrull ray made us younger -- our powers somehow increased!

Oh what's the use? Just leave me alone! Go to bed and leave me alone!

... I think it's time for an outing to the library!

I'd lay down my own life before I'd let a villain like Scratch harm a hair on Franklin's head.

The decision to fight must always be the final option.

For once I am at a loss of words.

We've got to get to the bottom of his strange powers -- learn how to control them... After all, Sue, He's our only son.

... You and your fiery ally have seriously underestimated the Fantastic Four!

This time Doom, you've gone too far!

We may be calling our friends at Marvel Comics and telling them to start publishing Fantastic Five!'

You'll have to do better than that, Doom. You'll find Mr. Fantastic more than a match for you every time.

We are undeniably in dire straits. I beg you to keep a cool head until I can calculate some way of alleviating the situation.

How else can I plead but ... guilty!

I still need you to pilot my experimental star-drive rocket.

Marriage is not easy, John -- it takes more love, effort, and understanding than you may think you have. But making it work is an experience greater than you could imagine!

All my life I've explored the wonders of the universe, yet what could be more wondrous than life itself?

I think I hear my microchips calling, Sharon.

Hold it, Hulk! The only way you'll get to her is over my dead body!

I don't know how you managed to breach our defenses or mimic my powers -- but I swear that you will live to regret this attack!

And I'm afraid that as long as Mrs. Mason desires to remain in her present condition-- --even unconsciously-- --there is no way known to man that can reverse the situation!

Ugh!! The momentum of your fall yanked me off my feet! Are you sure you only weigh seven hundred pounds?!?

In the words of my dearest friend... It's Clobberin' Time!

Maybe not "never," Johnny... But not anytime too soon. And even though we can't see him -- -- or even detect him -- -- I'm not convinced he's not out there somewhere... watching.

The Red Ghost and the Super-Apes were exposed to the same cosmic radiation that gave us our incredible powers. If their genetic makeups have begun to merge -- -- both in terms of personalities as well as abilities -- -- is it possible that the Fantastic Four could suffer a similar fate?

I beat him, Ben. I didn't give up. I fought him real hard. I beat him real good.

Chief Anderson must have sacrificed herself to stop them. And by doing so, she may well have also saved her nation.

Knowing the Watcher as we do, there are devices in his collection which may make the Kree unbeatable. Which is why we have to stop him -- whatever the cost!

The only logical explanation is that we've moved in time -- either to the future, or some parallel dimension.

I don't believe it. I'm Richard Reed, leader of the Tetrad, the toughest criminal crew in Shadow City! That's a lie.

What's your game, Lockdown? Or is that it? That this entire reality is nothing more than a game? But for whose amusement? Are you just one of the pawns... ...or are you the player?

Whenever the Shadow Hunters roam... ...the Fantastic Four will ever wish them well!

You see, Franklin, our abilities are a gift. But with that gift comes responsibility -- -- to use our abilities to defend humanity and our world against harm.

He stripped Doom of his armor......and encased me in it. But if he thinks I'm trapped, he's in for a rude shock. Whatever it takes, I swear I'll find a way to beat him, and regain my freedom!

If he's as essential to the well-being of your world as you maintain, we need to find him, and restore the proper status quo between him and me.

Nothing is ever what it appears... it's the mysteries and the unknown that make life interesting.

You want to buy Pier Four with all the machinery, inventions and miscellaneous material it contains? That's your deal?

You represent the past, Diablo. The superstition of the dark ages. Won't you ever understand that this is the present, the time of science, of reason?

Don't ever be sorry, Robert. You were the first of us... And the best... and we're going to have to lose you again... You were the best man I ever knew...

-- The one great truth about the Fantastic Four -- -- is that we take care of our own!

It's just a guess, old friend, but if I'm right, we could be up against the greatest threat we've ever faced!

Doom is, simply put, the most dangerous man alive! To underestimate him -- it could be fatal!

Should Abraxas reach the Nullifier before we do -- -- he can obliterate all the combined realities of the Multiverse -- and there will be nothing we can do to stop him!

You have severely underestimated us, Annihilus! Our mortal bodies may seem frail and weak compared to yours-- --but the human spirit can never truly be conquered!

Well, Victor...I've been thinking.

Now Doom has it all! Now Doom can strike as never before! Now Doom's unspeakable ambitions can be fulfilled!

And let everyone sleep -- save Galactus and the Watcher. Let Doom be back in Latveria. And when the world awakes, let there be no memory of the horror that has ensued. That's all. There's nothing more -- I can do.

You saved the lives of the two most important women in the world to me. Don't forget that -- I never will. And that's why Sue and I want you to be Valeria's godfather.

They're not just mere distorted replications of your physical structure......they're manifesting garbled caricatures of your personality...!

Listen... you can't change back to your original, flesh-and-blood body anymore, Ben. That power is gone, now. I'm sorry...

Because maybe by turning his friends into celebrities... ...he could be forgiven for taking their normal lives away. Someday.

Thought of a couple more tests. All's well. Congratulations on your perfectly normal daughter...

I understand your longing, Modulus... but you will never know the love I have for my family. For my son.

He knows. That's why he put me in here. He knows. He knows that I can't understand any of this! Franklin... all of you... I'm sorry. I can't save you. I'm not smart enough.

You'll never rise above mediocrity. Never. Not until you admit that you answer to resources greater than yourself.

We're in charge because we're responsible. We have to undo Victor's damage. And I say that when he does rise again, he finds we've left him with nothing. Nothing.

...even though when it came to protecting our children from Victor, you were utterly useless. No... less than useless. Oh, well. At least they have a father they can count on.

We're being evicted, baby.

We traveled to the stars and flew through a storm of cosmic energy...we became something more than human, but we were still the same people. We still are.

And one of last things he said to me: "If you ever find yourself falling, Reed--and you will, life's one big free-fall--believe that somewhere, somehow......there will be someone there to catch you.

You may tell your boss that we're tremendously honored by his gracious gesture-- but we're not yet done exploring. What gives this family its purpose and its joy isn't the destination... it's the journey.

Susan's not helpless, Ben. If need be, she can take care of herself and the boys.

After all, the Wizard already visited us once......it's only right we return the favor.

I could count on you to protect yourself and the boys. To rescue me and others...I just...I knew.

As I was saying: the last thing we need to do is-- --open the skylight.

I've come to learn that, like any energy, the cosmic radiation inside us can't be created or destroyed. It can, however, be... reassigned.

We have to get to Johnny (A) before Galactus forces him into finding and condemning an inhabited world, or worse, (B)......before Johnny exhausts Galactus's patience.

Good thing I saved some unstable molecules for the towels.

In less than two years......we'll all be dead.

Where--and when--are we?

All four of us...! Our powers... They're gone... But......but gone where?

As long as you're with friends......there's no limit to the adventure out there.

Without our own dreams, we can't sleep properly. As the condition worsens, we'll become more irritable and less able to think clearly. It'll only be a matter of time before someone gets hurt, or hurts others--seriously, if not fatally.

It's nothing to do with destinies or desires, nothing supernatural about it. It's a random factor that no one could have anticipated... because it is almost beyond belief. The question now becomes... what do I do about it?

Peter, Ethan Edwards is a skrull. His father created the Super-Skrull......and his son is here to conquer the world!

Amazing...he must have used the cosmic rays as a carrier signal to teleport in... which requires a level of intelligence many orders of magnitude beyond our own--

Are you saying that we... you, and I... that our desire to understand... was the spark that lit the fire of creation?

What does Impossible Man know best? What is he most comfortable with?

Some things, it seems, are too big for the human mind to retain for very long. But I remember the moments. I remember the important things. And that's all that matters. The moments.

Susan Storm...will you marry me?

I've always worked hard to ensure that Ben would want for nothing. The different now is that he is controlling the purse strings.

A setup. Oh, God, we----we have been played.

My God! Monster Island isn't a volcano... It's a syringe!

Time and time again, your anger and power have threatened the entire planet. So when we learned that Fury sent you into space, we had to seize the opportunity. I have always thought of us as friends, Bruce, so I am truly, genuinely sorry. But for your sake and ours, we're sending you away. It's the only way we can be sure.

Absolutely, general. We've all realized this is much bigger than any one of us. Nothing is more important. We've put our personal lives on hold. Happily, I might add.

Odd. I'm not sure if it's organic, but...it doesn't appear to be entirely synthetic either. Fascinating.

Take away the law, and what are we? Savages, up to our necks in blood. The law is the law, Peter. I support it because I honestly believe we have to support it, no matter what.

Lack of understanding leads to fear. That fear is already there, festering. Without the law, what comes next is too horrible to -- the law is absolutely necessary.

Each one of us will have a gem. And never ever shall we use them. You will hide them from everything and everyone. We will be their protectors. None of us will know where the others have hidden them. It is the only way to keep them safe.

Let's go wage war in the Fifteenth Century. At least we know we'll have them outgunned.

You always said you wanted to be left alone. May you finally find peace.

Simply put, Plan #101 is "Fix everything." End hunger, poverty, disease and war. Increase freedom. Maximum potential, both individually and collectively. Create opportunities to challenge and enrich the human spirit.

I just want to know the truth. Idea #101, my plan. Does it really hurt humanity?

We're thirteen years in the past, honey. In fact, if you look outside that window you'll see us just about to bump into one another. Can you see yourself over there with the green umbrella? ...And here's me smoking that ridiculous pipe. A ringside view of the first time we laid eyes on one another as adults. I love you, Susan. More than anything in the world. Happy Anniversary, darling.

This man is innocent of your crimes. If you know anything about me, you know my answer. There's always another way. And we're going to teach you.

This was the world that I had created. I know what I have to do to fix it...to make things right. There's no problem that can't be solved.

What is the true cost of a man's mistakes? What is the purpose of my life? How can I save my world in these dark times? And the one that changed everything: Who else seeks the answers to these same questions?

I've weighed all the options and I think that I can do the most good with the council. So if you'll have me, I'd like to join... I believe I belong here.

Still... a man-made city raised from deep within the earth, run by super-genius devolved monsters... You don't see that every day.

It's simple, Johnny. You ask yourself a question... What is it you stand for? When you can answer that, then you'll know.

We'll say farewell under the eye of the sun, where he will now rest for all eternity. Some souls burn brighter than others. Sometimes with the power of a million exploding suns. But in the end, the sun sets for us all. It always sets for each and every one of us. But the sun always rises. And every time it does, Sentry... I will always think of you.

So we'll begin here... with you and me. With a new focus for your ongoing and never-ending education. Our curriculum wil start at survival and end at the edge of an eternal tommorrow. The rules are simple... I teach one class, and it's pass or fail. Welcome to the Future Foundation... Together, there is nothing we can't do.

You have cancer, Mr. Sykes. In your pancreas, lungs, stomach...it's spreading too rapidly for treatment. I believe you had it prior to the accident, but the poisons you ingested...it has mutated. It's just...it's like nothing I've seen. ... Hard to be sure [you have] one month [left]...maybe two.

I've encountered the most amazing things in many a universe. Wonders that people could never imagine in their wildest dreams. But for someone like you to love me never fails to astound me, Susan.

We took the Infinity Gems out of circulation. ... For safekeeping. Because every time someone tried to put them together -- to create the Infinity Gauntlet -- Earth, our existence, held on by a thread. We simply took that option off the table.

Daken was right. He does have impeccable timing. But what did he really want?

But they are also not me. They do not have families or friends. They only have each other and their cause. They push worlds around and rebuild suns... This is much, much worse than any of you could have ever imagined.

But if we're only gone a few minutes-- Then we will ensure the Earth has a Four to stand for it. A minute, a second, a lifetime-- we do not leave the Earth unprotected.

Everything dies. You, me. Everyone on this planet. Our sun. Our galaxy. And, eventually, the universe itself. This is simply how things are. It's inevitable. And I accept it.

You might have a few billion years on me and mine, sure... But I'm Reed Richards. Nobody's smarter than me.

I'm a scientist, son; there's no such thing as weird.

Don't make me use my dad voice. It's been a long day.

They exist to build hope so we can build the unthinkable.

The thing about endgames is this... it's really two strategies in one. First you show them what they guessed might have been coming. And then... you show them what they didn't.

Over the past months we have all paid. But while you were playing hero, we were playing God. Our costs were much, much higher.

You want to be called the Quiet Man? Fine. But I have a name too... I'm Mister Fantastic.

The problem with your plan, Quiet Man... You put our downfall togather like a scientist: Not with a plan but as a formula. Maybe because of what you lack mentally-- And by that I mean you're crazy-- But you didn't think to account for our personalities. The inner strength that my family has, that I've seen grow with us through the years. You forgot to include that in your calculus. If we're down, we rise. If we fail, we try again. If we lose the battle, we win the war. And that is what makes us... the Fantastic Four!

You spend your entire life looking for that one perfect someone, and when you find her, you think you'll never love anything more... Then you have chil dren, and realize what a fool you were to believe that. And now, I have lost everything. We have all lost everything. My entire life I believed in better days. I believed in tomorrow. I hid that belief in my heart--A stronghold against a world that devours hope. But now the walls have fallen. I have been overrun. And I hope... I believe... In nothing.

I learned that the difference between living and dying is managing fear. Not being afraid so afraid of losing the things you love that you hold them too tight. I used to believe in universal contraction. Entropy and the end of all things. Well, I changed my mind. I'm letting go. Because now I believe in expansion. I believe we endure. Don't you see? Everything lives.

Ben, if it's just you and Johnny left, I have a favor to ask you... explore. Don't stop. You may not think you need it, but you do. And Johnny certainly does. The Multiverse is grand and the four of us only scratched the surface.

I believe you, Victor. As long as I'm alive, you'll come after me.

The FF aren't a building, Johnny. Or matching outfits. Or even a team. We're a family. And that will never change.

Victor, you lured Galactus here! You've endangered Victorious! Latveria! The entire Earth!

We're trailblazers. This whole family. Now get out there and blaze that trail.

Well, I suppose for you then, the question is... is your faith in the interpreted word of God? Or is it in what God has taught you? The moral center he's given you?

Be on your guard, all of you. I don't need to tell you how dangerous this place is.

This man amplified that fateful cosmic storm... he weaponized it -- and attacked our ship! He created the Fantastic Four!

The FF! The Unparalleled! The Monster Mob! We must all work as one! There's no time to argue! Follow my lead!

Because of you, I have failed them -- everyone I love and care about.

The Kree/Skrull War is over. One side must have finally prevailed, or... No... They couldn't possibly be at peace, could they?

And, Valeria, there's something you should know. Logan and Spider-Man were summoned to complete the roster. No one else came because no one else was needed. The program recognized that two members of the FF were already on duty. Your adventure isn't over. That was round one, and all that mattters is that you get back up and try again. You're my son. My daughter. I have complete faith that you'll do your best, make me proud... and be nothing short of Fantastic!

I'm sorry, Ben...But there's a reason for that. He physically can't produce teardrops. As long he stays a Human Torch...Johnny Storm doesn't get to cry.

Conversations with Reed Richards (Earth-616)

Invisible Girl

You can't blame yourself, darling!

Silver Surfer (Norrin Radd)

Of course I can! As the leader of the F.F. I'm responsible for everything!

— Fantastic Four #41

Truly, there is a spark of divinity in all who live, and think... and strive!

Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards)

A spark that will one day ignite... and illuminate the universe!

The Thing (Benjamin Grimm)

Sheeesh! Billy Graham's got nothin' on you!

— Fantastic Four #72

Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards)

The Silver Surfer reached Galactus in time! Earth is saved!

The Thing (Ben Grimm)

Sheeesh! We may haveta start collectin' unemployment insurance!

— Fantastic Four #78

It's hopeless, Johnny!

Human Torch

Never thought you'd say that, Reed!

The Thing

You know Stretcho, kid... if he can't do somethin', he figgers nobody can!

— Fantastic Four #83

Mad Thinker

TOTAL VICTORY IS MINE!

NOT QUITE! You made one miscalculation!

— Fantastic Four #96

Johnny, There's only one thing to do -- !

Johnny Storm

Don't say it! I'm way ahead of you Boss Man! FLAME ON!

— Fantastic Four #98

Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards)

Johnny, we can use a smoke screen.

Johnny Storm

I dig you, Reed, FLAME ON!

— Fantastic Four #114

No Ben! You're no match for him!

Thing (Ben Grimm)

SHADDUP! Ya wanna give me a complex?

— Fantastic Four #121

Hurry! No telling how long the X-Men can hold out!

Yeah! Where's the rest of the alphabet when you need it?

— Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #9

Death's Head

I remember! Our deal was that you were supposed to send me home. You reneged. Bad business. Should kill you now, yes?

You admitted as you were leaving you were a killer.

Death's Head

It's all point of view. I prefer title of Freelance Peacekeeping Agent. But let bygones be bygones. You aren't of this time either. Why--?

— Fantastic Four #338

Right now, I could cheerfully wring that girl's neck!

I don't know. Her fearlessness reminds me of you.

Keep this up, I'll wring yours, too.

— Fantastic Four Vol 3 #23

I don't understand. What am I choosing?

Doctor Strange

How our universe will end.

— Sentry #3

Sentry

You betrayed me, Reed. You helped me design the Watchtower -- only you would've had the technical know-how to bypass Cloc and give him an order he thought was coming from me. Why did you do it - wasn't it enough to kill me? Did you have to destroy everything I was in the process?

No! I... I don't remember -- Robert, you were my best friend. I would never knowingly have hurt you... you have to believe me --

Sentry

No, I don't. You once told me you'd trust me with your life. You said I could expect the same from you. Always. How easily we forget, huh, Reed?

— Sentry #5

Johnny Storm

Ready to go home?

We're not going home.

— Fantastic Four #503

We're gonna be fine, Sue.

Sue

We're losing our home, Reed.

— 4 #2

Brock is in a holding cell on level six...I've been monitoring his condition and I've noticed that there is a small aberrant growth on his frontal lobe--

He's got cancer? Good.

— Venom #12

You've done a remarkable job keeping me out of the loop on this situation, Fury...do you happen to have a plan?

Yep.

I see...well, you have my number.

$#@* you, Reed.

— Venom #13

This diorama cost my foundation nearly ten thousand dollars, Richards.

Consider it the start of my tab, Namor.

— 4 #8

Johnny

Namor's not such a bad guy.

You're not such a bad guy.

— 4 #9

Real simple, Reed. See, now that we've all kissed and made up, the government is your friend again.

You could not have picked a worse time to have this conversation.

The audit. I know.

— Fantastic Four #527

Ben

Save the speech, big shot. We get it. We gotta use this power to help mankind, right...?

That's right, Ben.

— Fantastic Four: First Family #2

Invisible Girl

Ben! This creature could tear down the city! For god's sake, let's not make things worse if we can help it. From now on, we work as a team...! Remember, this is what we're here for......Right, Mr. Fantastic...?

Don't worry, hon. We'll take care of it.

— Fantastic Four: First Family #6

So what's the number? How few people do you need before you can change the world?

Four.

— Fantastic Four #553

Sue

Is that Lindsay Lohan?

Thank goodness she's on our side.

— Fantastic Four: True Story #4

Wasp

Dr. Richards?

Hank?

Wasp

It's on, bitch.

— Mighty Avengers #25

Galactus

The fate of your world lies in your survival, and you wish to risk your life and the lives of everyone on earth on a fool's errand?

I can't watch this and do nothing-- I have to try.

Galactus

Then do what you must......as will I.

— Fantastic Four #586

What have you been hiding from me?

Oh, Susan...

What's happened, Reed?

I've done something terrible.

— FF #5

Dr. Nemesis

I've isolated the coordinates for the dimensional gateway. This proved especially tricky as they exist at the crux of a spatial and temporal intersection. You'll let me know if I'm too fast for you.

I did discover unstable molecules.

Dr. Nemesis

Yeah. We're very impressed.

— X-Men Vol 3 #17

Where you need to be?

The door understands your desires. If you want to, it'll take you not just where you think you should be, but to where you need to be.

Can it take you back in time?

And erase your sins... Stop yourself from making the horrible mistakes we've all made?

Yes.

Nathaniel Richards

Only one way to find out.

— FF #9

It's the only time he ages. We need to go further.

Nathaniel Richards

Are you sure? I don't think you understand what it means to be ageless, son.

I'm sure.

— Fantastic Four #605

Sue

You have these doubts...Constant and unrelenting. Some large and some so very small. Am I being too strict? Am I too lenient? Do I praise too often or not enough...Being a parent, having children...it's a constant war between uncertainty and hope. So you live in fear...and there are these doubts...I want to know...was I...were we--

Did we do a good job, son?

Future Franklin

A perfect one. I love you guys.

— FF #23

Builder

Tell me human... do you possess the ability to destroy your own world?

Yes. Yes we do.

Builder

Then what are you waiting for?

— New Avengers Vol 3 #11

Maria Hill

I'd get prepared if I were you.

For what, exactly?

Maria Hill

Your day in court.

— Fantastic Four Vol 5 #4

"It matters." The way you people talk about your lives-- Like they mean something... "It matters."

I am the greatest man I know... But compared to this, I'm nothing. Just as you... are nothing. Am I the only man here with the courage of his convictions... Or am I the only one with conviction at all?

Namor... Don't... It's not worth it.

These lines you won't cross... These things you won't do... They shame you. How dare any of you put yourself--your damned morals--above the lives of every living thing? The truth is, you people aren't worth that... And neither am I. Our lives are a pittance. A petty, small nothing...

Black Panther

Namor! NOOOO!