Nathaniel Richards (Marvel Comics) Nathaniel Richards (Marvel Comics) Nathaniel Richards is a fictional time-traveling scientist appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the father of superhero and leader of the Fantastic Four, Reed Richards. Though there have been many versions of the character, either as the futuristic villain Kang the Conqueror or the young superhero Iron Lad, the original Nathaniel is more of an adventurer who has a genuine love for his son. Nathaniel Richards first appeared in "Fantastic Four" #272 and was created by John Byrne. Dr. Nathaniel Richards was a successful scientist who specialized in multiple fields. He
Superhero comics World War II and the end of the Great Depression. In comics format, superpowered and costumed heroes like Popeye and The Phantom had appeared in newspaper comic strips for several years prior to Superman. The masked detective The Clock first appeared in the comic book Funny Pages #6 (Nov. 1936). In the Great Depression and World War II era the first Superhero Comics appeared, the most popular being Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman and Captain America. After World War II superhero comic books gradually declined in popularity, their sales hindered in part by the publication of "Seduction of the