WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Fantastic Four: Antithesis #3 by Mark Waid, Neal Adams, Mark Farmer, Laura Martin, and Andrew Crossley, on sale now.
Fantastic Four: Antithesis is a new series that tells a story from the past, a previously untold story of a moment where the Fantastic Four and Galactus teamed up to battle a deadly force known as the Antithesis. And in a shocking turn of events, Mister Fantastic took the power of Galactus for himself.
In Fantastic Four: Antithesis #3, Galactus gave the Fantastic Four the Power Cosmic to attempt to defeat this horrific villain. However, what no one expected was for Reed Richards to betray him at the end and steal the power of Galactus for himself. Yet, that is exactly what happened.
The hints that something could happen came early in the issue. Reed felt he was missing something. He explained to Sue that there was so much on Galactus's ship that he didn't understand. It showed his insecurities, as he quickly spiraled out of control. He questioned his cognitive abilities and felt there was something wrong since he was forgetting things, and he knows that isn't normal. He then asked what he is if he isn't smart and asks how Sue could love someone who is "stupid."
The team then prepared to battle Antithesis, and Galactus and Reed worked together to give the entire team the Power Cosmic. While Sue, Johnny, and Ben all went out to fight with the Silver Surfer, Reed stayed with Galactus to help lead the attack's second wave. When Galactus mentioned offhandedly that this is a lot to ask of humans, Reed made a threatening comment that he shouldn't push him because the universe would be better without Galactus in it. When his teammates beat Antithesis, Reed was able to pull the power Antithesis stole from Galactus back, but he didn't give it back to Galan. He stole the power for himself.
Sue was shocked and asked what Reed had done as he stood above them all as the new Galactus. Earlier in the issue, Silver Surfer warned Sue about taking in the Power Cosmic, saying a person should never let it separate them from their base humanity. With Reed already believing he was the smartest man alive yet having his doubts, the Power Cosmic likely enhanced his already superior intelligence. If he felt he could do better as Galactus than Galan, it would explain why he did this. This is concerning for several reasons.
One only must look at the Ultimate Marvel Universe to see what happens when Reed Richards believes his ideas and beliefs are more important than common sense. In that universe, he took on a new superior role as The Maker and set out to change the world for, what he believed, was the better. When Reed learned the Earth would eventually end, he decided it was his job to save everyone and turned evil. He betrayed the Fantastic Four and starting a new group known as the Children of Tomorrow. It is a cautionary tale that shows what happens when Reed Richards loses control due to what he considers the greater good. Taking on the role of Galactus pushes Reed to that level, making him a very dangerous man.