The Fantastic Four are the first family of the Marvel Universe, in more ways than one- they are a family but they were also the first Marvel superheroes of the Silver Age, kickstarting the entire Marvel Universe. Over the years, they've had their share of triumphs and tragedies but have always come out of the other side stronger than they were.
The Fantatsic Four has fought against some of the most dangerous threats in the Marvel Universe and have always triumphed over the odds. Whether it be supervillain or cosmic monstrosity, there have been some times when their victories had more to do with the villain's own failings than the heroes and their skill.
10 Should Be Able To Beat The Fantastic Four: Puppet Master
The Puppet Master was the father of Alicia Masters, the blind girlfriend of the Thing. Using special clay he found on Mount Wundagore, he was able to sculpt whoever he wished and take control of them, bending them to his will. He targeted the Fantastic Four because he wanted to keep his daughter away from them, not desiring to be alone in life.
Puppet Master's abilities should have made defeating the Fantastic Four child's play, as he could not only take control of the members of the team, but could do something like sculpt the Hulk and have him attack them or the Avengers or pretty much any superhero or villain around.
9 Why He Can't Beat The Fantastic Four: He Loves His Daughter
Puppet Master is motivated by his love for Alicia- wanting to protect her and keep her in his life. However that same love is the thing that keeps him from beating the FF. Alicia's blindness kept her from making a lot of friends and her friendship with the team stayed Puppet Master's hand on more than one occasion, keeping him from using his abilities to really hurt them.
In fact, over the years, he softened toward the team because of Alicia and how much the group cherished her. Ultimately, his love for her saved the Fantastic Four from him doing everything he could to destroy them completely.
8 Should Be Able To Defeat The Fantastic Four: Mole Man
The first villain the Fantastic Four ever faced, Mole Man hasn't been around in a long time but that doesn't mean he couldn't trounce the team if he came back. Driven underground because of his looks, Mole Man discovered the Moloids, a subterranean race, and took them over, gaining a powerful army. In the years to come, he would gain giant monsters, becoming ruler of Monster Island.
As good as the Fantastic Four is, a concerted attack by Mole Man and his forces would doom the team. His legions of Moloids and the massive beasts that he has at his control could lay waste to anything the team threw at him, cutting them off before they ever got started.
7 Why He Can't Beat The Fantastic Four: He's Kind Of Pathetic
Mole Man's biggest problem is his lack of self esteem. He was deemed ugly by the world and driven away. This gave him a huge chip on his shoulder, but it also hurt him immensely. In a lot of ways, the Fantastic Four is the only human interaction he actually gets and if he were to kill them, he would lose the closest things he has to friends.
Mole Man is a lonely, pathetic soul and if he were to destroy the Fantastic Four, he'd be stuck with his Moloids and his monster and that isn't exactly a life he desires. Some human interaction, even antagonistic, is better than none.
6 Should Be Able To Beat The Fantastic Four: Annihilus
Annihilus has long been one of the most dangerous beings in the Marvel Universe. Hailing from the Negative Zone, he used his Cosmic Control Rod to gain tremendous cosmic power and take control of everything he came across. He's only gotten more danger in the forthcoming years, becoming master of the Annihilation Wave and threatening the entire Marvel Universe.
With the Annihilation Wave with him, there should really be no way for the Fantastic Four to stop Annihilus on their own anymore. He has way too many things he can throw at the team and as good as they are, even they can't defeat millions upon millions of powerful monsters.
5 Why He Can't Beat The Fantastic Four: He's Not Very Smart
Annihilus's biggest problem in all of his battles against the Fantastic Four has been that he believes in his power first and foremost and doesn't really think things through. He's always been a powerful, destructive threat but he doesn't plan things out very well and that has cost him every time he comes up against the team.
The Fantastic Four wins their battles because they know their limits and can out think just about anyone they come across. Annihilus makes this very easy for them because he uses brute strength instead of his brain. If he thought his attacks out better, he could have destroyed them long ago.
4 Should Be Able To Beat The Fantastic Four: Galactus
Galactus is one of the most feared beings in the Marvel Universe. The World Devourer has cut a swath of destruction through the universe since the beginning of the time, destroying planets to power his cosmic might. Whenever Galactus shows up, it's a life or death struggle.
While he may not be the most powerful cosmic being, there are few beings out there who have caused as much destruction as Galactus has. Every time he shows up, the Fantastic Four have been able to turn him back, which is kind of ridiculous considering just how powerful he is.
3 Why He Can't Beat The Fantastic Four: They Get A Lot Of Help
The first time Galactus showed up, he pretty much had the Fantastic Four beat... until Uatu the Watcher gave them the Ultimate Nullifier. This allowed them to turn him back and pretty much every time after, when ever Galactus showed up, the Fantastic Four had help to stop him, whether it be their fellow heroes or other sources.
Without that help, there's no doubt that Galactus would have devoured the planet Earth the first time he showed up or even on one of the subsequent occasions. The Fantastic Four have proven themselves to be a formidable group but Galactus is just too much for them, even with all of their power, smarts, and resources.
2 Should Be Able To Beat The Fantastic Four: Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom is one of the greatest villains in comics and the Fantastic Four's number one antagonist. There are few villains out there who can compete with Doom- he's one of the most intelligent people on the planet, has powerful armor, is an accomplished sorcerer, and the leader of his own country. He has a time machine that he invented himself.
Doctor Doom has everything he needs to destroy the Fantastic Four. As good as they are, Doom is better- there's no way they would be able to defeat him if he went all out to destroy him, using his all of his resources against them.
1 Why He Can't Beat The Fantastic Four: He Wants To Prove He's Better Than Reed Richards
Doom may have everything that he needs to win but the one thing he doesn't have is a decisive victory over Reed Richards. Doctor Doom is obsessed with proving that he's better than Reed Richards and that's Doom biggest downfall. If he really applied himself and used his overwhelming resources and power, he could crush the Fantastic Four. However, that wouldn't be beating Richards personally.
Doom wants to do it himself, proving once and for all that he is better than Reed and that stops him from, say, going back in time and killing the team in their cribs or sending wave after wave of Doombots after them, overwhelming them. It's not enough that his plan beats Richards. He wants to beat him on his own.