While the "great responsibility" line only appears in a narration box in Spider-Man's debut comic, but it has been attributed to Uncle Ben so often that it's now considered a key canon part of Spider-Man's origin story.

In Fantastic Four #3 (2018), the Future Foundation's quest to repopulate the multiverse with new universes is cut short when the Griever at the End of All Things suddenly appears and destroys many of the realities Franklin designed. The Griever, who embodies entropy and chaos, kills Molecule Man and threatens to destroy the rest of the multiverse. After Reed Richards comes up with a plan to stop the Griever with the help of all former of the Fantastic Four, Franklin reveals he doubts his potential. Spider-Man drops Uncle Ben's iconic "great responsibility" aphorism on Franklin, but Ben Grimm stops him and gives Franklin a different piece of advice.

The Thing tells Franklin Richards not to listen to Spider-Man and reminds the boy that he isn't alone. Ben makes it clear to Franklin that facing the Griever is a matter of courage and resilience, not fear. Not long after his words of encouragement, the Thing and Franklin attack the Griever and her army of "Endlings" together, uttering the Thing's emblematic battle cry, "It's Clobberin' Time!".

The Thing's Advice To Franklin Richards Proves Uncle Ben's "Responsibility" Line Isn't Always Useful

Fantastic Four #3 (2018); Written By Dan Slott; Art By Nico Leon, Sara Pichelli, and Marte Gracia; Letters By Joe Caramagna

Rather than reinforcing the idea that Franklin is carrying a huge responsibility on his shoulders, Ben Grimm reminds his nephew that there's a much bigger chance of defeating the Griever than he thinks, and that everybody he loves will be there to make it happen. While Spider-Man's advice comes from a generous place, it isn't exactly the kind of lesson Franklin wants or needs to learn at the moment. The circumstances are totally different, after all. Uncle Ben's advice, coupled with his death, taught Peter Parker to be less conceited, whereas Franklin Richards struggles with self-confidence as he faces the Griever in Fantastic Four #3.

Spider-Man's "Great Responsibility" Lesson Is Riddled With Guilt

Spider-Man Learns More Than Responsibility From Uncle Ben's Death

Peter Parker learned the true weight of his powers after Uncle Ben's death taught him that "with great power there must also come great responsibility." But failing to save Uncle Ben didn't just establish Spider-Man's moral code. Uncle Ben's death embedded guilt into Peter Parker’s sense of duty, which made it something much more personal. The "great power must come with great responsibility" line is accompanied by a layer of guilt, and Spidey probably sees every superhero's duty in a similar light, to some degree.

Spider-Man's emotional projection becomes especially clear when Peter interacts with someone like Franklin Richards, who's only beginning to grasp his immense power and a burden as big as fighting a primordial entity and rebuilding the multiverse. Peter Parker probably sees a reflection of his younger self in Franklin, with the difference that Franklin still has his Uncle Ben's and his whole family's . Even if Spider-Man doesn't realize it, Franklin represents Peter's chance to guide a young hero before tragedy strikes.

The Marvel Multiverse Is Lucky Franklin Richards Has Great Mentors

The Fantastic Four Ensure Marvel's Most Powerful Hero Is Always Under Control

Without a doubt, Franklin Richards is one of Marvel's most powerful characters, and his power isn't restrained by any magical entity or concept, but by the sheer love of his family and friends. Franklin's own Uncle Ben advises him in his superhero duties, Franklin's uncle Johnny is like an older brother to him, his parents Reed and Sue provide him with genuine love and care, and friends like Spider-Man offer him their sincere . Franklin constantly receives advice that helps him grow into a responsible and courageous hero. If that kind of power lay in other people's hands, the multiverse would likely be doomed.

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  Spider-Man

  Alias

  Peter Parker, Ben Reilly, Otto Octavius, Yu Komori, Kaine Parker, Pavitr Prabhakar, William Braddock, Miles Morales, Kurt Wagner

  Created By

  Stan Lee, Steve Ditko

  Franchise

  Marvel, Spider-Man

  Race

  Human

  First Appearance

  Amazing Fantasy

  Alliance

  Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Secret Defenders, Future Foundation, Heroes for Hire, Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Web-Warriors

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  Fantastic Four

  Created by

  Stan Lee, Jack Kirby

  First Film

  The Fantastic Four

  Latest Film

  Fantastic Four

  Films

  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  First TV Show

  The Fantastic Four

  First Episode Air Date

  September 9, 1967

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