Fantastic Four: Will the Baxter Building Return?

The Superhero Show #639 Fantastic Four: Will the Baxter Building Return? The Superhero Show — Will the Baxter Building Return? This week, The Superhero Show takes another detour from the 1994 Fantastic Four animated series to dive into Ryan North’s Fantastic Four #14, “The Unforeseeable Future.” With the date of the Baxter Building’s expected return finally approaching, the hosts ask the big question: Will the Baxter Building Return? While Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny wait for their home to come back, they find themselves investigating a mysterious new app called Metamind. What begins as an investigation into an unusual piece of technology eventually becomes a story about controlling the future, artificial intelligence, and one very questionable decision by Reed Richards. The hosts break down the issue’s plot, discuss the ideas behind Metamind, and share their thoughts on an issue that may not reach the same heights as some of their favorite Ryan North stories—but still manages to deliver plenty of entertaining moments. Will the Baxter Building Return? Waiting for the Big Day The issue begins with the Fantastic Four approaching the date when the Baxter Building is supposed to return after its unexpected journey into the future. With their old home still missing, the team needs something to occupy their time. That leads them toward a mysterious new app called Metamind, created by inventor Dan Passi. The hosts discuss the anticipation surrounding the Baxter Building’s return and how interesting it is that the issue doesn't immediately make that the main event. Instead, the story uses the waiting period to introduce an entirely different mystery. Will the Baxter Building Return? What Is Metamind? The Fantastic Four begin investigating Metamind and the strange technology behind it. As they dig deeper, they discover that Dan Passi didn't create the app simply as another piece of technology. His goal is much bigger: he wants to influence and control the future he ultimately wants to live in. The hosts discuss the concept behind Metamind and how perfectly it fits into the world of the Fantastic Four, where seemingly impossible scientific ideas are just another Tuesday for Reed Richards. They also examine the question at the center of the story: if you had the ability to see and manipulate possible futures, how far would you go to make sure you got the future you wanted? Will the Baxter Building Return? Metamind Gets Out of Control Things become more complicated when Metamind is taken over by someone else. Suddenly, Dan Passi needs help figuring out who has taken control of his creation. He turns to Reed Richards, expecting Reed's scientific expertise to help solve the mystery. The hosts discuss how this creates an interesting conflict for Reed and whether he actually responds to Passi's request in the way you'd expect from one of the smartest people in the Marvel Universe. Will the Baxter Building Return? Reed Chooses Destruction Rather than helping Dan Passi uncover who has taken control of Metamind, Reed decides on a much more drastic solution. He destroys the app—and the data center running it. The hosts have plenty to say about Reed's decision, discussing whether destroying the technology was the right call and how hilarious it is to watch Reed Richards essentially decide that the best solution to a technological problem is to burn the whole thing down. And, naturally, the hosts aren't exactly upset about seeing a data center get destroyed. Will the Baxter Building Return? Controlling the Future Beyond the plot, the hosts discuss the larger ideas Ryan North explores in “The Unforeseeable Future.” The issue raises questions about whether the future should be something we attempt to control or something we allow to unfold naturally. Dan Passi's desire to create the future he wants puts him in an increasingly complicated situation, particularly once someone else gains control of his technology. The hosts also discuss how these high-concept scientific ideas fit into Ryan North's larger approach to Fantastic Four, where seemingly ridiculous concepts can quickly become opportunities to explore surprisingly big questions. Will the Baxter Building Return? A Fun, If Uneven, Issue The hosts are honest about where Fantastic Four #14 lands for them compared with the issues they've discussed previously. While they enjoyed “The Unforeseeable Future,” they don't consider it one of the standout issues of Ryan North's run so far. After stories involving alternate universes, dinosaurs, Doctor Doom, and some incredibly creative standalone adventures, this particular issue doesn't quite have the same impact. That doesn't mean there's nothing to enjoy, though. The hosts appreciate the creativity behind Metamind, the questions surrounding the future, and especially the sheer satisfaction of watching Reed Richards destroy an entire data center. Sometimes that's enough. Final Thoughts — Will the Baxter Building Return? By the end of the episode, The Superhero Show has spent plenty of time answering the question, Will the Baxter Building Return? while also exploring Metamind, Dan Passi's obsession with controlling the future, and Reed Richards' surprisingly destructive approach to solving the problem. While “The Unforeseeable Future” may not become one of the hosts' favorite Ryan North Fantastic Four issues, they still find plenty to enjoy in the story and its ideas. And after watching Reed destroy the Metamind app and its data center rather than simply helping solve the mystery, the hosts can at least agree on one thing: Sometimes the future is unpredictable—but a destroyed data center is forever. Are You a Research Nerd Who's Looking For More? Here are some links for all your research wants and needs! 1994 Fantastic Four Animated Series Ryan North's Fantastic Four Join the discussions online! 1994 Fantastic Four Animated Series, Ryan North's Fantastic Four Catch Up On Past Episodes! Missed any of our past episodes? Catch up here Read Along With Us! Want to watch read with us? Of course you do! Here's a link Ryan North's Fantastic Four (Purchase Necessary)