At A Glance: Every book in Franklin Richards’ post-credit scene carries deep symbolic meaning about his cosmic destiny. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” represents Galactus’s endless hunger and Franklin’s metamorphosis into a cosmic being, “Origin of Species” hints at his evolution as an omega-level mutant, while “A Fly Went By” explores survival themes that mirror the multiversal crisis ahead.
When you’re dealing with a four-year-old who can literally reshape reality, even story time becomes loaded with cosmic significance. The post-credit scene in Fantastic Four: First Steps carefully chose each book that appears on screen, creating a literary roadmap that reveals Franklin Richards’ true destiny and the threats converging around him.
These aren’t just random children’s books – they’re a sophisticated exploration of hunger, evolution, quantum physics, and survival that perfectly captures the themes driving Franklin’s journey from super baby to potential cosmic savior.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar”: The Perfect Cosmic Metaphor
The scene opens with Sue reading “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle to four-year-old Franklin, and the book choice couldn’t be more perfect for exploring his connection to Galactus and the power cosmic.
The Story of Endless Hunger
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” operates on multiple thematic levels that directly parallel Franklin’s cosmic situation. On the surface, it’s a simple story about transformation and growth. But dig deeper, and you’ll find it’s fundamentally a story about insatiable hunger – with the recurring refrain throughout the tale being “and he was still hungry.”
That theme of unending hunger creates a direct thematic link to Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, whose cosmic responsibility requires him to consume entire planets to maintain universal balance. When Galactus looks at Franklin as his potential successor, he’s seeing someone who might inherit that same cosmic hunger – the need to constantly consume energy to sustain the universe.
Metamorphosis and Cosmic Transformation
The transformation from caterpillar to butterfly that concludes the book serves as a perfect metaphor for Franklin’s own metamorphosis from human child to cosmic entity. Sue and Franklin read the ending together: “He pushed his way out and… Butterfly!”
This metamorphosis isn’t just about growing up – it’s about evolving into something completely different, something that transcends the original form entirely. Franklin’s journey from baby with superpowers to reality-warping cosmic being mirrors this exact transformation process.
The Power of Change Through Consumption
The caterpillar’s growth through eating parallels how cosmic entities like Galactus grow stronger by consuming worlds. But there’s a crucial difference: the caterpillar’s consumption leads to beautiful transformation and the ability to fly freely. This could foreshadow that Franklin’s version of cosmic responsibility might involve transformation and liberation rather than endless destruction.
When Franklin eventually takes on cosmic duties, perhaps he’ll find ways to sustain the universe that don’t require the kind of devastating consumption that has trapped Galactus in his “miserable existence.”
“Origin of Species”: Evolution and Mutant Destiny
When Herby suggests “Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species,” the choice reveals deep connections to Franklin’s identity as an omega-level mutant and his role in the upcoming Mutant Saga.
Darwin’s Revolutionary Theory
Darwin developed his theory of evolution in the 19th century by observing finches and other wildlife on the Galapagos Islands, documenting how species adapt and change over time through natural selection. This scientific foundation becomes crucial when considering Franklin’s place in the broader Marvel universe.
Franklin as Evolutionary Leap
Franklin Richards represents something unprecedented in human evolution – a child born with cosmic-level abilities that transcend normal mutant classifications. While most mutants develop abilities that enhance human potential, Franklin’s reality-warping powers place him in an entirely different category.
The fact that this four-year-old gravitates toward reading about evolution suggests he’s already beginning to understand his own unique place in the developmental chain of life. He’s not just learning about how species change – he’s learning about how he himself represents the next stage of human evolution.
Setting Up the Mutant Saga
Franklin’s love for evolutionary theory also establishes his connection to the X-Men universe and the upcoming Mutant Saga planned for around 2028. His omega-level mutant status makes him a bridge between the cosmic MCU and the world of mutants that will soon be integrated into the main timeline.
When Franklin eventually uses his reality-warping abilities to help reshape the multiverse after Secret Wars, his understanding of evolution could be crucial to creating a new reality where mutants have always existed alongside humans.
“Understanding Schrödinger’s Cat”: Quantum Physics and Multiverse Theory
The most intriguing book on the shelf is “The Moon, Stars, and Planets: Understanding Schrödinger’s Cat” – a title that appears to be fictional and possibly written by Reed Richards himself.
The Quantum Physics Connection
Erwin Schrödinger’s famous thought experiment postulated that a cat could theoretically exist in a state of being both alive and dead simultaneously if hidden from observation within a box with potentially lethal elements. The observer’s act of looking determines the cat’s actual state.
This quantum physics principle suggests that for bodies and particles unable to be observed, their properties remain impossible to measure, allowing them to exist in multiple opposite states simultaneously. This forms part of the foundation of quantum physics and multiverse theory.
The Multiverse Implications
The book’s connection to multiverse theory becomes crucial when considering Franklin’s role in the coming Secret Wars event. His reality-warping abilities essentially allow him to collapse quantum possibilities into specific realities – much like how observing Schrödinger’s cat determines its state.
Franklin’s power to choose which version of reality becomes “real” makes him essential to navigating the multiverse crisis, where multiple versions of events and outcomes exist simultaneously across different universes.
Reed’s Scientific Exploration
The fact that this book might have been written by Reed Richards suggests he’s already deep into multiverse research. Reed’s TV show mentioned equations that “not only confirm alternate dimensions, but suggest parallel Earths exist on different dimensional planes.”
This scientific groundwork sets up Reed’s family to be uniquely prepared for the multiversal chaos ahead, with Franklin serving as both the theoretical understanding and practical application of quantum reality manipulation.
The Absurd Combination
There’s also intentional humor in the book’s title. Schrödinger’s thought experiment has very little to do with “the moon, stars, and planets,” which are typically observable celestial bodies. The title is essentially “roses, tulips, and daisies: understanding hot dogs” – deliberately combining unrelated concepts.
This absurdity might reflect how cosmic concepts that seem unrelated actually connect in unexpected ways, much like how Franklin’s human family dynamics intersect with universal-scale responsibilities.
“A Fly Went By”: Survival and the Cosmic Food Chain
Sue ultimately chooses “A Fly Went By” by Mike McClintock for their reading session, and this 1958 children’s book carries its own set of crucial thematic connections.
The Story of Cosmic Predators
“A Fly Went By” tells the story of various creatures – a fly, then a frog, then a cat, then a dog – all fleeing from predators higher up on the food chain. Each animal is running from something bigger and more dangerous, creating a chain of survival-based fear.
This theme directly parallels the cosmic threats surrounding Franklin. Just as the small creatures in the book flee from larger predators, Franklin represents someone who has cosmic entities like Galactus and now Dr. Doom pursuing him for his unique abilities.
Survival of the Fittest
The book serves as a middle ground between “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “Origin of Species” because it combines themes of hunger with evolutionary survival. It’s about creatures trying to avoid being consumed while navigating a world where bigger, more powerful beings constantly threaten smaller ones.
This perfectly captures Franklin’s situation – he’s simultaneously the most powerful being in his universe and a vulnerable child who needs protection from cosmic forces seeking to use his abilities.
The Food Chain Metaphor
The story’s exploration of predator-prey relationships reflects the cosmic hierarchy Franklin must navigate. Galactus sees Franklin as his successor, Dr. Doom wants to use his reality-warping powers, and other cosmic entities will likely pursue him as well.
But unlike the helpless creatures in the children’s story, Franklin possesses abilities that could potentially flip the entire cosmic food chain. His reality-warping powers make him capable of protecting himself and others from even the most powerful cosmic predators.
The Strategic Book Selection
The progression from “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to the suggested alternatives reveals a deliberate escalation in complexity and cosmic significance.
Age-Appropriate Cosmic Themes
Each book operates on multiple levels – simple enough for a four-year-old to enjoy, but complex enough to carry deep thematic meaning about Franklin’s cosmic destiny. This reflects how Franklin himself exists at the intersection of childhood innocence and cosmic responsibility.
Sue’s instinct to choose “something a bit more fun” when rejecting the heavy scientific texts shows her desire to preserve Franklin’s childhood while he’s developing abilities that could reshape reality itself.
Foreshadowing Future Challenges
The books collectively foreshadow the major challenges Franklin will face:
- Hunger and consumption from cosmic entities seeking his power
- Evolution and mutation as he grows into his omega-level abilities
- Quantum uncertainty as he navigates multiverse complexities
- Survival threats from beings higher on the cosmic food chain
The Irony of Choice
There’s dramatic irony in Sue trying to find Franklin “something a bit more fun” when his reality already involves cosmic entities, reality manipulation, and multiversal threats. No matter which book she chooses, the themes somehow connect to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding their family.
How This Connects to Franklin’s Character Development
The book scene serves as more than just character building – it establishes Franklin’s intellectual curiosity and his natural gravitation toward concepts that will become central to his cosmic role.
Precocious Understanding
Franklin’s willingness to engage with heavy scientific texts like “Origin of Species” suggests he’s already developing the intellectual capacity to understand his unique place in the universe. This isn’t just a super-smart kid showing off – it’s a future cosmic entity beginning to comprehend the scope of his responsibilities.
The Balance of Innocence and Power
The scene beautifully captures the tension between Franklin’s human childhood and his cosmic abilities. He can literally reshape reality, but he’s still young enough to need story time with his mother. This balance becomes crucial to understanding why he represents hope for a better cosmic order.
Literary Preparation for Cosmic Responsibility
In a meta sense, these books serve as Franklin’s unconscious preparation for the cosmic challenges ahead. By engaging with themes of hunger, evolution, quantum physics, and survival, he’s developing the conceptual framework he’ll need to navigate multiversal crises.
The Timing: Why These Books Matter Now
The fact that this scene takes place four years after Franklin’s birth, making him old enough for complex literature, sets up his readiness for the cosmic events of Avengers Doomsday.
Intellectual Development Timeline
Franklin’s progression from super baby to intellectually curious four-year-old shows he’s developing the mental capacity to understand the choices he’ll soon face regarding his cosmic abilities. He’s no longer just a powerful infant – he’s becoming someone capable of making informed decisions about reality-warping.
Dr. Doom’s Timing
Doom’s arrival during this literary scene isn’t coincidental. He appears just as Franklin is exploring themes of transformation, evolution, and survival – exactly the concepts Doom will use to justify his multiversal plan. Franklin’s intellectual engagement with these ideas makes him more receptive to Doom’s cosmic arguments.
The Bridge to Cosmic Understanding
These books serve as Franklin’s bridge from human childhood to cosmic awareness. By the time he encounters Dr. Doom, he’s already been thinking about hunger, change, and survival on both personal and universal scales.
When Doom explains the coming multiversal crisis and Franklin’s potential role in saving reality, the child will have a conceptual framework for understanding these cosmic responsibilities – thanks to his literary foundation.
What This Means for the MCU’s Future
The careful selection of books in Franklin’s scene establishes themes that will likely drive major MCU storylines through Secret Wars and beyond.
The Next Generation of Heroes
Franklin represents the next generation of Marvel heroes – beings who combine cosmic power with human understanding. His literary interests suggest he’ll approach cosmic responsibilities with both intellectual rigor and emotional intelligence.
Themes for the Multiverse Saga
The books establish the central themes for the remaining Multiverse Saga:
- Transformation as heroes and realities evolve beyond recognition
- Survival as multiple universes face extinction through incursions
- Evolution as the MCU adapts and grows through cosmic challenges
- Choice as characters decide how to use ultimate power responsibly
Hope for Better Solutions
Most importantly, Franklin’s engagement with these literary themes suggests he might find better solutions to cosmic problems than previous generations. His combination of reality-warping power and human empathy, informed by deep thinking about fundamental concepts, positions him to break cycles of cosmic destruction and create genuinely better realities.
When Dr. Doom arrives to recruit Franklin for his multiversal plan, he’s not just approaching a powerful child – he’s encountering someone who has been unconsciously preparing for cosmic responsibility through literature that explores the very themes he’ll need to navigate as a reality-shaping force.
The books in Franklin Richards’ scene aren’t just story time – they’re a masterclass in cosmic philosophy disguised as children’s literature.
