Fantastic Four: Paul Walter Hauser’s MCU Character Gets First Look in Comic

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For a while now, it’s been common knowledge that actor and wrestler Paul Walter Hauser is part of the cast for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” The specific role he’ll be playing in the film, though, has been shrouded in mystery during promotions. Recently, the character Hauser will portray in the movie – a villain from the Marvel Cinematic Universe – was unveiled in the first comic tie-in to the film.

Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 – A Comic Book Published by Future Foundation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

This comic book is a promotional piece, mimicking the style of 1960s print comics. It features ads for a Human Torch fan club and a newsletter from Reed Richards aimed at young scientists. However, the majority of the comic recounts the initial adventure of the Fantastic Four within the MCU.

The narrative largely follows the format of the debut issue of Fantastic Four by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Following their emergence from quarantine, the team discovers they’ve gained their powers, and soon find themselves investigating chaos in Manhattan, which is ultimately orchestrated by a villain who bears a striking resemblance to Paul Walter Hauser.

What do we know about Paul Walter Hauser’s MCU character?

In this adaptation, it’s unveiled that Paul Walter Hauser’s character is Harvey Elder, also known as the Mole Man. Unlike his comic book counterpart, in this version, Elder is not a solitary scientist with a vendetta against those who scoffed at his theories of a hollow Earth. Instead, his motivations have been significantly altered. In the original comics, he sought revenge by creating a horde of monsters from the Subterranea realm. This horde consisted of both colossal beasts resembling kaiju and a race of humanoid moles, the Moloids, which Elder himself had created.

In a unique twist, Mole Man from The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not your typical leader. He can be seen as a former union organizer turned politician, despite his reign over giant monsters and Moloids. Interestingly, the majority of his followers are ordinary humans. They all aspire to realize Elder’s vision of a superior undergound life, forming an egalitarian community known as Subterranea. Regrettably, construction activities on the surface posed a threat to their lifestyle, prompting Mole Man to take action, defending his people against those endangering them.

Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on July 9, 2025.

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2025-07-08 18:40