Nathaniel Richards is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. He is often associated with the character Kang the Conqueror, a time-traveling villain. Nathaniel is depicted as a 31st-century scholar and a descendant of Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic from the Fantastic Four. His knowledge of time travel and advanced technology allows him to manipulate events across different timelines. In various storylines, Nathaniel Richards has taken on different identities, including Iron Lad, where he attempts to prevent his future self, Kang, from becoming a tyrant. His character explores themes of destiny, choice, and the consequences of time travel within the Marvel multiverse.