The Fantastic Four’s Retro-Futuristic Home World Returns in a New ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Look at Ebbets Field
Marvel’s multiverse has always been a playground for production designers. Every new Earth comes with its own architecture, fashion and cultural quirks, and fans love comparing them frame by frame. That’s exactly what a new side-by-side image of the Fantastic Four’s world is inviting them to do.
The comparison pairs a shot from ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ with a new establishing view from ‘Avengers: Doomsday.’ It shows how the studio is carrying the look of that world into its biggest crossover yet, and it reveals just how much thought went into making the transition feel seamless.
The new ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ look at Earth-828 appears in the film’s World Series preview and begins with an aerial view of Ebbets Field, captioned ‘Earth: 828.’ The top half of the comparison shows the retro-futuristic New York of ‘First Steps,’ complete with a flying vehicle and sleek signage, while the bottom half shows the ballpark under a bright sky. A Dodgers ‘World Champs’ banner hangs over the stadium.
New look at Earth-828 in ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’. https://t.co/WaYRmzvM41
— Marvel Multiverse (@MarvelMultive) October 24, 2026
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ introduced a retro-futuristic alternate universe heavily influenced by 1960s aesthetics, a reality where the Avengers never existed. The film reveals in its opening that it takes place on Earth-828, a world distinct from the main MCU’s Earth-616. Variety notes that the number is a nod to legendary comics artist Jack Kirby.
That world has its own design language. One detail from ‘First Steps’ is that there’s no Avengers Tower in this version of New York, only the Fantastic Four’s Baxter Building. The new image suggests the filmmakers are keeping that visual identity intact.
Ebbets Field was torn down in 1960 in our world, but on Earth-828 the Brooklyn Dodgers’ old ballpark is still standing and packed with fans. That choice works as both worldbuilding and wish fulfillment for baseball lovers. It also fits the time period of ‘First Steps,’ with New York Giants players visible in the background.
Both Reed Richards and Ben Grimm wear Brooklyn caps in the scene, and fans in the stands wave a sign reading ‘Four Heroes, One Historic Field.’ MLB’s own coverage wondered whether this retro-future is a world where the Dodgers and Giants never left New York, and what that would mean for modern players like Freddie Freeman.
The establishing shot is part of a one-minute preview that aired on Fox during Game 1 of the World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers. It features Pedro Pascal’s Reed throwing the ceremonial first pitch with his elastic arm, while real players such as Freeman, Bryce Harper, Randy Arozarena, Junior Caminero and Jacob Misiorowski watch from the dugout rail.
The tone is deliberately light. One player jokes that ceremonial first pitches are getting bigger and bigger, and another asks whether Reed might drop the hammer like Thor. Then the mood shifts abruptly.
The preview doesn’t stay in the ballpark. Doctor Doom attacks from the sky, triggering a series of clips from the film. Those include new glimpses of Steve Rogers, Thor, Sam Wilson’s Avengers team, a hint of the returning X-Men and the Wakandans.
The contrast is part of the point. Marvel is using Earth-828 as an idyllic backdrop that makes the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.’s villain feel even more threatening. And footage shown at San Diego Comic-Con confirmed that Doom originates from Earth-828 rather than the main MCU timeline, so the world isn’t just a visual cameo but a direct connection to the antagonist.
New teaser for ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’. In theaters on December 18. https://t.co/gr47mK5Af7
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 24, 2026
Fans have been looking for clues connecting the 2 films since ‘First Steps’ arrived. Variety pointed out that a scene in that movie shows delegates from foreign countries, with the representative from Latveria conspicuously missing. That detail looks even more meaningful now that Doom’s home is confirmed to be Earth-828.
The new image shows the filmmakers want audiences to feel that continuity. By placing the Fantastic Four in a familiar setting, the Russos can show how far the characters have traveled into the wider MCU.
‘Avengers: Doomsday’ brings heroes from 3 distinct universes onto a deadly collision course, and the Fantastic Four’s world is clearly one of them. The film is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and arrives in theaters on December 18.
With less than 2 months to go, every glimpse of Earth-828 adds to the sense that this is more than a cameo. It may be the emotional anchor for a story about worlds colliding.
What are you most excited to see about Earth-828 in 'Avengers: Doomsday'?
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