No, The Fantastic Four Did Not Defeat Galactus Too Easily

Fantastic Four: First Steps is making it's mark on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, introducing Marvel's first family to the MCU for the first time, including Reed Richards and Sue Storm's young but powerful son, Franklin, who will likely play a vital role in upcoming films. The film also marked the MCU debut of Galactus, a cosmically-powered devourer of worlds.

For the most part, First Steps has earned positive reviews from fans and critics. However, one common complaint among some members of the fandom is that the Fantastic Four defeated Galactus too easily in the film's final act.

This is not at all the case. Let's look at the reasons why.

Sue Storm died fighting Galactus

One of the most praised elements of Fantastic Four: First Steps is that it finally makes proper use of Sue Storm and her powers, giving her her due as possibly the most powerful member of the team. Despite this show of strength, Sue still over exerts herself when using her force fields to drive Galactus towards the portal opened by the teleporter, so much so that her heart gives out. This is no 'Thank goodness, she's just unconscious' moment. Sue is actually dead.

Yes, Sue's son Franklin awakens his cosmic powers to revive her, but this does not change the fact that she did truly die. It is hard to claim that any victory resulting in the death of a team member, even a temporary death, was a victory too easily won.

A Cosmic Being Intervened On The Four's Behalf

Another well-reviewed aspect of Fantastic Four: First Steps is how it takes Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, beyond his somewhat shallow, quippy playboy characterisation from previous adaptations. While Johnny doesn't have the brain power to match his brother-in-law, Reed, he is still highly intelligent, which he proves when he forms an unlikely connection with the Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal, after taking the time to learn her language. His efforts bear massive fruit in the final battle.

For a moment, even with Sue's sacrifice, it appears Galactus may escape the teleport portal. Johnny is willing to make his own heroic sacrifice to ensure Galactus is banished, but at the last moment, Shalla-Bal shoves Johnny aside, and pushes Galactus through the portal herself, even if it means going with him. Johnny had no idea if his own attempted sacrifice would work. Shalla-Bal's did because she had her own portion of the Power Cosmic with which to oppose her former master.

A plan that required the intervention of a cosmic being to pull off cannot be said to be an easy one.

The Fantastic Four do not actually stop Galactus

One of the core conflicts of Fantastic Four: First Steps is the team's refusal to hand over Reed and Sue's baby son, Franklin, to Galactus in exchange for his not consuming planet Earth. While it's true that Galactus does not eat the Earth, or sucessfully take Franklin, the Fantastic Four did not necessarily stop Galactus's plans.

Galactus was not killed or destroyed, but merely relocated. Even without his ship, Galactus can still move across the universe, albeit more slowly. He has not been stopped, only delayed. He can make his way back to Earth. It will take a long time, but he can. Considering the fact that some comics strongly hint that Franklin's cosmic powers render him immortal, how long it takes Galactus to return for him may be irrelevant. By then, Franklin may even be ready to take Galactus's place as devourer of worlds.

For this reason, far from being handed an easy defeat, some argue that the Fantastic Four did not defeat Galactus at all. We'll have to wait and see if the Devourer returns to haunt the team in future films.