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Reed Richards developed a flexible, elastic body
and became Mr. Fantastic, but remained a brilliant
and aloof scientist, more at home with his work
than with people. Sue Storm, transformed into The Invisible Girl (later Woman), maintained the air of
a middle-class matron. These two rather restrained
character were the symbolic parents of the group,
while the adolescent Johnny, an updated version of The Human Torch (from 1939), functioned as their
spoiled son. Ben Grimm, who turned into the hideous
but powerful Thing, appeared to be the family's
gruff but lovable uncel, who came from a distinctly
less privileged background.
In the original synopsis that writer-editor Stan
Lee gave artist Jack Kirby, Lee proposed making
The Thing into "the heavy". Deformed, under-
privileged and argumentative, Ben actually became
the most lovable group member: honest, direct and
free of pretension.