Fan Casting

Twelve years after their space mission, the Fantastic Four have become the world's most beloved heroes. Reed Richards' scientific breakthroughs have transformed civilization, Sue Storm leads the Future Foundation's humanitarian efforts, Ben Grimm dedicates his life to charities across New York, and Johnny Storm serves as a volunteer firefighter and community hero. But their legacy is threatened when an old enemy, Bentley Wittman, returns. Consumed by years of living in Reed's shadow, Bentley secretly assembles the Frightful Four, recruiting his longtime associates Ulysses Klaw, Thundra, and Flint Marko. Their goal isn't to kill the Fantastic Four—it's to destroy the world's faith in them. While Klaw seeks profit and Thundra follows Bentley out of loyalty, Flint believes Bentley is finally going to cure the condition that turned him into Sandman. As Reed investigates the attacks, he uncovers a forgotten connection between Bentley and Flint's past. Years earlier Reed tried to cure Flint but never discovered who created him. Comparing Bentley's history with Flint's, Reed realizes Bentley and A.I.M. engineered the accident themselves. Reed desperately tries convincing Flint that Bentley never cared about curing him, but Flint refuses to believe the only friend he has left betrayed him. As Bentley's plan unravels, Thundra abandons him, causing Bentley to finally reveal Flint was nothing more than a disposable experiment. Betrayed, Flint turns on the Frightful Four and helps the Fantastic Four stop Bentley and the others. When Flint attempts to kill Bentley, Reed is forced to stop him with a power-dampening round, refusing to let revenge define him. Bentley mysteriously vanishes after the battle, while Flint awakens in a super-hospital where he thanks Reed, admitting Reed is the only true friend he's ever had. Elsewhere, Victor Von Doom takes an interest in Bentley's research after learning of a mysterious force that had been communicating with him from beyond reality.