Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #51

Happy Saturday, peeps!

Today's topic is the fifty-first issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover, illustrated by George Perez and Joe Sinnott, showed the Thing leaping into action, with the issue's co-stars, the Beast, Ms. Marvel, Wonder Man, and Nick Fury, flanking him. The tale was titled "Full House..Dragons High!" The issue had a cover date of May 1979.

The story started with Ben Grimm being scanned by an automated security camera. After his identity was confirmed, a panel on the rooftop he was on started to lower. Grimm was met by SHIELD (Supreme Headquarters International Intelligence Law Enforcement Division) director Nick Fury, and the duo entered the kitchen where the Beast (Hank McCoy), Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), D.A. Tower, Wonder Man (Simon Williams), and the Avengers' butler Jarvis were waiting for the poker game to begin.

Meanwhile, at a local SHIELD arsenal, a shipment was being scrutinized by security guards right before the trucks' occupants made their move. After taking out the sentries, the intruders infiltrated the base. Moments later, a full-scale assault began.

Back at Avengers Mansion, the friendly contest continued. It was briefly interrupted by an alarm on Fury's wristwatch. It was alerting him to the danger that was now pervading the SHIELD arsenal, as the attackers continued on toward Hangar Alpha and broke through the heavy security doors. 

As the enemies' sky forces went into action, Ben conferred with Jarvis. He was upset about Danvers' addition to the game, mainly because she was winning. The break gave Fury time to catch up with "Dum Dum" Dugan and learn the extent of the danger his forces were in.

Nick called his friends to action, and the group sped toward the SHIELD helicarrier in the Fantasticar. There was a large ship known as the Sky Dragon, owned by the nefarious Yellow Claw, hovering nearby. Ms. Marvel, Wonder Man, and the Beast were the first ones to jump from the Fantasticar and join the fray. 

Ben and Nick joined the fracas after landing the vehicle. Nick recognized the instigator as a man named Pollock, someone he'd crossed paths with before during the Nuklo affair (chronicled in Avengers Annual #6). He was after the last part of the Yellow Claw's ultimate annihilator, which was housed at the helicarrier. 

Fortunately, the villain's plans never came to fruition. Nick, the Thing, and the Avengers who'd joined the cause helped to defeat Pollock and his men. Afterward, they returned to Avengers Mansion to finish the match. Wonder Man made some hot coffee, but by the time it was ready, everyone else at the table had already dozed off after a busy night.

Some collectors pursue this issue because it was drawn by future Daredevil artist/writer Frank Miller. It's a fun story that highlights one of Ben's legendary poker games with other fellow heroes. It showcased several prominent members of the Avengers at the time, and the foes were rather secondary to the plot. I liked this story because it was a lighter yarn after the seriousness of the fiftieth issue's story. 

That's all I have for you today. I'm off to do a little volunteering in a bit, and then making the most of a busy Saturday. I'll start Sunday with a recap of the fifty-second issue of this series. Ben pairs up with a character who was relatively new to the Marvel Universe at the time to take on an enemy who had rather grand plans for conquest. Until then, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #50

Happy Friday, peeps!

I'm finishing the work week with a synopsis of the fiftieth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing fighting an older, less rocky version of himself. The story was called "Remembrance of Things Past!" The issue had a publication date of April 1979.

It all began in the Baxter Building, headquarters of the Fantastic Four. Ben Grimm was attached to an apparatus that was being monitored by their team leader, Reed Richards (aka Mister Fantastic). Reed was conducting a series of tests to see how Ben's body had become accustomed to his rocky exterior. His appearance evolved over time, and he very rarely reverted back to his human form anymore. 

Richards guessed that Grimm was more comfortable as the Thing, and was doubtful that any serums he could compose would cure his friend of that affliction. Reed left the room thinking he'd have to try a new approach. Ben stayed behind until he got the idea to use Doctor Doom's time machine. He set the controls for a time just before the fabulous foursome went up in a rocket and received their powers from cosmic rays, and entered the platform.

Before he knew it, Ben was in the Baxter Building, which was still up for rent. He ducked into an elevator moments before the Reed from that era and the landlord could spot them. Grimm descended the elevator and got out at the first floor, not knowing that his counterpart from that era was not far away.

Ben went to help a woman who had fallen before him, and was struck by her husband before meeting the Thing from that time period. It was a less evolved version, but still quite as powerful as him. A battle began, one that spread across the street. Grimm tried to explain that he'd arrived from the future using Doom's time machine, forgetting that the Ben from that year had yet to meet the Latverian leader.

The titans tussled for some time, until the Ben we all know won out. He knelt beside his opposite and gave him a formula, which turned the Thing from that time back into his human self. A few minutes later, the time platform reappeared to take Ben home. After his disappearance, the Ben from that era awoke and was amazed to find himself to be human once more. He started to believe the stranger's words and wondered what happened to him. 

Reed was waiting for Ben when he returned to his own time. Grimm looked in a mirror and saw that he was his same rocky self. Richards postulated that his old friend's actions had created another reality. Ben was okay with the results and considered his looks to be an improvement over the version from his past. 

This was one of John Byrne's first Marvel comics as both writer and illustrator. It was an interesting tale, one that would be part of the background of part of his future runs on this title and its follow-up, The Thing, as well as his five-year run on the Fantastic Four title. This won't be the last that we'll see the alternate reality that Grimm created, either. 

Well, that's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the fifty-first issue of Marvel Two-In-One. Ben tries to have a friendly game of poker with some of his superhero friends. All goes well, until a bit of trouble pulls them away from their contest. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #49

Happy Thursday, peeps!

Today's topic is the forty-ninth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted the Thing and Doctor Strange battling baddies on the physical and metaphysical levels. The tale was titled "Curse of Crawlinswood." The issue had a cover date of March 1979.

The story started on a boat named Olive off the New England coast. Ben Grimm asked his guide Doyle to steer the boat back to shore, since he'd had no luck fishing that day. He was initially opposed to staying at the creepy-looking hotel up ahead until Ben noticed a woman parked in front of the inn who was having a bit of car trouble. Grimm offered his assistance, and as he did so, he saw someone very familiar enter the building.

Ben followed him inside after the job was done and secured lodging after talking to a rather suspicious couple at the front desk. Meanwhile, in his own room, Doctor Stephen Strange was thankful that Ben was there, although he didn't want to reveal himself just yet. At the moment, Grimm was in the tea room with his hosts and other guests, wondering what had happened to the young woman that he'd assisted earlier.

She was out for a walk. Moments later, her terrified screams sent Ben running through the room to rescue her. Her assailant turned out to be nothing but a pile of driftwood, but the woman swore that there was more to it than that. The old woman from the inn appeared behind them moments later and dismissed Jill's concerns as superstition, adding that she would bill Grimm for the damages to the property in the morning.

Meanwhile, Strange was afraid that things were set in motion. Mystic forces in that region began almost two centuries prior, when a ship that was carrying a necromancer was caught in a violent storm at sea. The wizard Ennis and his target Kemo both perished that evening, but the living spirit of that crewman had been retained by the magician. The legends were all but forgotten once the Crawlins family settled in the area and established roots there.

Stephen postulated that recent geologic activity could unearth the vessel and set the mage and his servant free after all those many years. He was afraid that he couldn't do much more than watch. As Jane Crawlins was tending to her pet cat, the long-dead crewman burst through her door. Ben was summoned to her side by Strange's astral form. 

The Thing was evenly matched against the intruder, and they soon became involved in a battle. Jane pitched in, hurling a vase at Ben's attacker. The constellations were finally in alignment to allow for the wizard Tremellyn's release, and Strange tended to that danger while the physical confrontation continued.

Jane was chased upstairs before Ben figured out that the ruby on his foe's neck might be the key to victory. He grabbed the gem, and the wizard and the mighty warrior vanished. Before the villains were vanquished, Kemo appeared briefly in his original form to thank his challenger for freeing his soul. Strange's astral form stayed behind Ben and Jane, noting that he'd hoped to guide Grimm along, but that the Thing had triumphed by following his own instincts instead. 

It was good to see Doctor Strange in this series again for the first time in more than three years, but the overall plot seemed a bit half-baked. We didn't learn a lot about the bad guys, and by the time we did, they were gone. I got the impression that this issue was facing the "dreaded deadline doom" and rushed to press. The artwork was fine, and things all worked out in the end of the yarn.

That's all I have for you today. I'll close the work week with a summary of the fiftieth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The Thing faces someone you'll probably never expect in a landmark story for this title. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #48

Happy Wednesday, peeps!

It's time for me to talk about the forty-eighth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted the Thing squaring off against the Jack of Hearts. The story was called "My Master, Machinesmith!" The issue had a publication date of February 1979.

The tale began at the private estate of Jack Hart. The costumed hero known as the Jack of Hearts was testing his abilities against a series of automated threats. He took out the missiles and projectiles with ease before the session ended. Jack then focused his attention on his assistant, who had a missive from the Corporation. It was an invitation to an event that he planned on attending.

Meanwhile, in an old warehouse, Ben Grimm was being held to a table before members of the Yancy Street Gang. The card they'd sent him tried to warn Ben, but he still insisted on investigating the matter (as shown last issue). The more strength he exerted to try and free himself, the more pain the captive Yancy Streeters experienced.

This was all part of a clever plan devised by the villain Machinesmith. He freed the Fantastic Four's strongman to place a receiver that transmitted powerful alpha waves to Ben's brain. Before long, Grimm was totally under Machinesmith's control.

Later that evening, the Jack of Hearts reached a boat that was manned by Machinesmith's mobsters and faceless androids. He defeated those foes, but was now about to go up against the Thing. While the two titans battled, Machinesmith and his lackeys enjoyed the entertainment from afar. However, the Yancy Street prisoners weren't about to give up just yet. 

One of them caught a fleeing mobster with his legs and managed to toss the villain into the machines that powered the restraints. The Yancy Streeters were free and rebelled against the mobsters while the heroes' battle continued. Jack spotted a seam in the middle of his opponent's forehead and blasted it. His foe was down for the count. 

The victory had been observed by Machinesmith right before the gang members came for him. They vanquished the villain right before Jack and Ben entered the room. Jack of Hearts had destroyed the device that Machinesmith had used to control him. He walked over to the Corporation's hired gun, as did Jack. 

Jack of Hearts moved their foe, only to find that it was just another robot. One of the Yancy Streeters offered Ben a cigar, which he accepted. The stogie blew up in his face, and Grimm knew he should know better than to trust those mischief makers.

As soon as I saw the Jack of Hearts on the cover, I figured that Bill Mantlo would be writing the script, which he did. Jack is another one of those characters that has great potential, but hasn't worked out to be a long-term hero. I've read some of his exploits in Iron Man, Marvel Premiere, Captain America, the Incredible Hulk, Marvel Team-Up, and ROM: Spaceknight, but aside from a brief 4-issue limited series and stints with the Avengers, he hasn't stuck around very long. He was most recently featured in the pages of the last She-Hulk title. I think that it would be interesting to have a few flashback stories involving Hart, as well as Machinesmith before his human body perished. 

That's it for today. Tomorrow's article will cover the forty-ninth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The Thing pairs up with a longtime Defender to take on a pair of mysterious menaces. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #47

Happy Tuesday, folks!

Today's issue recap is a little out of the ordinary. The cover depicted the Thing taking on several gray robots, while members of the Yancy Street Gang assist him. The story was called "Happy Deathday, Mister Grimm!" The issue had a publication date of January 1979.

It all started with several mobsters taking on members of the Yancy Street Gang. One of the bruisers found an envelope in a gang member's coat pocket that was addressed to Ben Grimm (aka the Thing of the Fantastic Four). He explained that they always send him something for his birthday. The lead mobster was convinced that this year would be different, not knowing that the letter was merely a bluff and that their real gift was already on its way.

Meanwhile, at the Baxter Building in New York City, the Thing was playing a game of hide and seek with his godson Franklin Richards and the other members of his superhero group, his girlfriend, Alicia Masters, and the boy's caretaker, Agatha Harkness. He'd been blindfolded and was trying to find the youth, a task that was made a bit more complicated by the abilities of his teammates.

Ben eventually ran smack dab into a wall before taking off his blindfold. Franklin revealed the special cake that was waiting for Grimm. He took a deep breath and blew out the candles. His mighty burst of air also blew part of the cake into the wall behind the table that it was resting on. 

Willie Lumpkin arrived shortly thereafter with a package for the Thing. Grimm was naturally suspicious of anything from the Yancy Street Gang and started to panic when he heard the box ticking. Sue Richards (aka the Invisible Girl) placed an invisible force bubble around the box until it exploded. A harmless birthday ribbon was inside, along with a card.

While the rest of the group got up to leave for a concert, Ben stayed behind. Something in the card made him want to check out his old stomping grounds. He took a sky cycle and headed toward Yancy Street, unaware that he was being watched. One of the mobsters observed his arrival and reported it to his superior, who already had the Thing under surveillance on his many monitors in the room. 

Grimm was surprised how quiet things were until several air-to-surface missiles took out his sky cycle. Grimm was mad and noticed a pair of trucks heading toward him just before the overhead lights went on at the building he faced. Fire hydrants on either side blasted a spray of water at the Thing, who held onto the ground until he was able to reach under the concrete and rupture the water line that fed them.

The broken pipe started to emit toxic gas, right before a trio of faceless androids bore down on our hero. Meanwhile, faithful members of the Yancy Street Gang fought for vengeance against the mobsters in a nearby warehouse. They'd been forced to build the same automotons that Grimm was making mincemeat out of at that very moment. 

The lead mobster's boss pointed a wand at a screen, sending a powerful electric charge that knocked Ben unconscious. The remaining robots were then left to face the Yancy Streeters. We then saw that the mastermind behind the evil plot was none other than Machinesmith.

I'd read Machinesmith's issues of Captain America (drawn by John Byrne) that were published not long after this issue was. I was interested in this character, but he's very underutilized. He appears here and there in different titles, but has never risen to be a consistent threat, in my opinion. That's a pity, because he has a real knack for understanding his opponents and devising ways to combat their strengths. I was a little surprised that mobsters were used to coerce the gang members into forced work, because the mob felt a bit outdated by then. 

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the forty-eighth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. Ben and the Yancy Street Gang fight for their freedom from Machinesmith, with a little help from a character who's never had their own ongoing title yet. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #46

Hi there,

I'm starting the week with a synopsis of the forty-sixth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing battling the Incredible Hulk in a Hollywood studio. The tale was titled "Battle in Burbank!" The issue had a cover date of December 1978.

The story started at the Baxter Building in New York City. Ben Grimm was sitting down to watch the live-action Hulk show. He grew angered the more that he watched, and eventually put his foot through the television set. The commotion brought Ben's Fantastic Four teammates running. Reed Richards (aka Mister Fantastic) was displeased with Ben's outburst. Grimm took the now-useless television set and let Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) blast it into smithereens.

Reed's wife Sue (the Invisible Girl) convinced Ben and Johnny to calm down. Reed suggested that his friend contact the show's producers. Grimm thought that was a good idea, and set out to visit them personally.

Meanwhile, in a dingy Hollywood apartment, three roommates were watching the same program, lamenting the loss of their jobs as stunt performers. One of them saw a newspaper headline which stated that Karen Page was offered $1 million to co-star in the show, and got the idea to kidnap the actress. His roommates were keen on the suggestion, and they started to make plans. 

Somewhere in Nevada, a tired Bruce Banner wandered across a sleepy town. He came across an appliance store that had one of its televisions tuned to the same show. It also irked Banner, who changed into his green alter-ego. After learning that the show had been produced in Hollywood, the irate Hulk leapt toward that destination.

The next day, Grimm arrived at the Miracle Pictures studios. He made his way onto the lot and came across a character called Uncle Waddles (who looked very similar to Howard the Duck). Ben was given directions to Mr. Jusko's office and met the producer moments before Page arrived at the studio.

A few minutes later, the Hulk landed on the Hollywood lot. A guard fired his pistol at him before realizing that bullets couldn't harm the beast. The Hulk then tore a swath of destruction, looking for the ones who created his TV program. He burst through a few other stages along the way, and the sounds of the devastation soon reached the ears of the Thing, who was still talking to the producer.

Page was still in the reception area, not knowing that the three former stuntmen who planned to kidnap her were inches away, wearing telephone repair uniforms. One of them finally pointed a gun at the secretary's forehead, which didn't faze Karen much. It didn't take the Hulk long to reach the offices where Grimm was sitting. The two old rivals engaged in another fistfight, one that led into a Western set.

The conflict continued into another production, one that looked like the days of ancient Rome. The heroes finally made up after part of the set collapsed. The villains had been trapped momentarily, and the receptionist and Karen were free. The Hulk leapt away after being assured that he wouldn't look "so stupid: on TV anymore.

Page had chosen a role on a soap opera, and had no need to talk to Jusko anymore. Ben still wanted a piece of the action, and was promised that something would be arranged. A week later, Willie Lumpkin, loyal mailman for the Baxter Building, arrived to drop off a package for Ben from Hollywood. Grimm opened it up and saw a script for a show titled "Thing in the Family." Grimm would have been cast as "the meathead," but he tore up the script, settling for the company of his Fantastic Four family.

The live-action Incredible Hulk show got me interested in reading more about the character in Marvel comics. I always felt bad for Doctor Banner, because he never knew what would happen when he turned into the gamma-spawned beast. Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno excelled in their respective roles, and the sad piano theme song still lingers in my head to this day. This issue was published during the show's run, so it was a very timely plot. The homage to "All in the Family" at the end was a nice touch, but once again, Ben was screwed over by Hollywood. It wasn't his first attempt to make it big in showbiz, nor would it be the last. The story was a bit similar to the Hulk's last appearance in this series in Marvel Feature #11.

That's all for today. Tomorrow, I'll tackle the forty-seventh issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The Thing runs into some old enemies, and it's up to some very unlikely characters to come to his aid. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One Annual #3

Good afternoon, folks,

Time for me to talk about the third Marvel Two-In-One annual. The cover depicted the Thing (Ben Grimm) under the foot of a large being known as a Monitor. The man called Nova was fighting that foe, while another Monitor was reaching for him with one hand. His other fist was clenching an unidentified female. The first part of this story was called "When Strike the Monitors!"

The tale began with Richard Rider (aka Nova) streaking through the skies in a good mood. He was feeling happy until he noticed a construction worker on a nearby building start to fall. He rushed to a hotel and tore the awning from its entrance before using it to cushion the worker's fall. He flew away after accomplishing his goal, but was soon blinded by a brilliant light in the sky.

The light was noticed by others as well, right before a large being emerged. It towered over the people, who started fleeing in panic. The alien was followed by a mechanical tripod that began drilling into the Earth's surface. Nova alone wasn't able to tackle this terror, and he soon sought assistance.

The Avengers were unavailable, so Nova made his way to the Baxter Building. The Thing was the only member of that super team at home, and after introductions were made, chapter 2, entitled "The Mystery Unfolds!" began. Grimm used a Fantasticar to arrive at the scene of the disruption. He landed the craft and lashed out at the intruder, only to find his blows were as ineffective as Nova's initial attacks were on the being. 

As a second saucer entered our atmosphere, a woman emerged from sleep in a ship that was circling the planet. She rose and went to a viewscreen to observe the commotion. She knew it was time to take action, and soon arrived by the heroes' side. She called herself Milandra and explained that the large beings known as Monitors were her foes. They'd arrived on Earth to determine its worth, and if the planet was not deemed worthy, it would surely be destroyed. 

Milandra had been the Monitors' prisoner. Her energies had powered their starship. She didn't know the reasons why she'd been freed, but was aware of the plight that her sisters on the other Monitors' ships faced. The heroes had less than ten Earth hours to prevent the destruction of their world. 

Nova and the Thing learned more about the predicament after Milandra transported them to her vessel. They had decided to join the cause right before another Monitor attacked them. Nova flew to meet the challenge and found himself flung into deep space. He witnessed the collapse of another planet and had to find his way back. Meanwhile, Grimm continued to fight their foe after Milandra's sister was free. He leapt at the towering alien before everything went black. The next thing he knew, Ben was free-falling toward the ground below. He pushed the emergency button on his belt buckle, which sent the Fantasticar soaring to his rescue.

In Chapter 3, which was named "As Tokyo Goes, So Goes the World!," Grimm piloted his ship back to the site of his initial encounter with the Monitors, as sisters Kallandra and Milandra attempted in vain to stop their captors' devices. The Monitors detected their activity and activated circuitry with but a thought to dispel the intruders. 

Ben was whisked to safety by Milandra a while later, as she explained more of the Monitors' history. They had begun long before modern civilization. Their society achieved what they believed to be perfection and sought to see if other worlds were up to those same standards. Their ships scoured the galaxies to inspect different worlds and destroy those found to be lacking. 

The Monitors needed power, which Milandra and her kind could provide. They were captured and placed in their star-spanning vessels, which extracted their powers until she woke up and freed herself. Meanwhile, Nova strove to return to his homeworld, not knowing that his friends were wondering about Rider's whereabouts. He soon returned to his allies' side and rejoined the struggle against the alien invaders.

While the Thing and Nova took on the direct threat, Milandra and Kallandra sought to free their sister Askare. The trio joined forces, but before they could confront their captors, a blast from one of the Monitor's hands destroyed the robot that had been Askare. She and her siblings were indeed mechanical, but had evolved over the millions of years they were enthralled. Their bodies housed the billions of souls lost over the many years to the Monitors' attacks.

The final chapter of this saga was called "Wrath of the Monitors!" The aliens continued to destroy Tokyo, but Ben and Richard weren't about to give up. Nova lured one of them into a volcano, while the Thing managed to make his opponent disappear after being struck by a subway car. 

The last Monitor was approached by the robotic sisters, who appealed to him. He agreed to return to his home planet with them and seemed eager to persuade his people to end their judgment of other worlds. The quartet vanished, leaving everything as it was before the invasion. The Thing and Nova stood there somewhat confused, after having been engaged in a conflict that really didn't seem like it was even necessary in the first place.

This was one of the first Marvel Two-In-One issues that I ever read as a child. I was drawn into the annual by Sal Buscema's distinctive artwork, but I had to read it a few times to make sure I understood the morals of this tale. Everything worked out in the end, and no one was seriously harmed. 

Nova had his own title for 25 issues at the time before it was cancelled. He also appeared in a crossover story with the Amazing Spider-Man. After his mag was axed, he was featured in a multi-part story in the Fantastic Four's comic and a storyline in ROM: Spaceknight that ended with Rider losing his Nova powers and returning to Earth. Rider would later regain those abilities and become a founding member of the New Warriors. As far as I know, the Monitors have not appeared in another Marvel comic since this annual was published.

That's all I have for you today. Time to work on putting one of the bookshelves that I received as a birthday gift together. Tomorrow, I'll cover the forty-sixth issue of this series. Ben goes to Hollywood, where he meets a character who had his own live-action TV series at the time. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.