Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One Annual #4

Good afternoon,

I'm winding down the weekend with a recap of the fourth Marvel Two-In-One annual. The cover depicted the Thing and Black Bolt, leader of the Inhumans, taking on Graviton, although the version of this villain in this story is different than what most readers are likely accustomed to. The first part of this tale was titled "A Mission of Gravity!"

The 1979 annual began with Black Bolt, Medusa, and their faithful teleporter Lockjaw arriving at the Baxter Building in New York, headquarters of the Fantastic Four. The room they entered was empty, and it seemed that the superteam members were gone for the moment. Black Bolt took the elevator down until he used his powers to conjure an image of Ben Grimm's hand holding a picture of his beloved, Alicia Masters.

Black Bolt used a phone book to find Masters' address and left the building to find her. Medusa and Lockjaw had left to return to their home of Attillan to address the airquakes that threatened their populace and forced them to seek assistance from their friends in the first place. He made his way to Alicia's apartment, and she used her hand to identify the stranger.

Masters assumed that Black Bolt wanted to know about her boyfriend's whereabouts, and mentioned that Ben was going to renew his driver's license. Sure enough, Grimm was in line at the local DMV trying to do just that. He frightened a fellow person in line, who bolted past the Avengers' butler Jarvis and his friend Judy, who had been rescued from a recent encounter with the villain Graviton.

As the duo left the building, a stranger accosted them. He made off with Judy, leaving Jarvis stuck behind, feeling as if his feet weighed tons. Black Bolt and Alicia had taken a cab and left the vehicle after hearing about such commotion. By then, Ben had left the DMV. He saw the Inhuman (who was still in disguise) leading his girlfriend and immediately assumed the worst.

The Thing attacked Black Bolt, unaware that they were merely trying to save Judy. It didn't take him long to recognize his mistake, and the cries of the still-stuck Jarvis soon grabbed their attention. Judy's assailant had gotten away with her and revealed himself in a nearby alleyway to be Graviton himself. He'd lost his memory and was seeking answers.

He also knew very little about his powers, but he displayed them enough to bring the heroes running toward him. Graviton reacted defensively by instinct and continued to lash out while Judy told Grimm about the man who was once Frank Hall. Hall had worked with Judy until his accident, which let him control gravitational forces after he absorbed an experimental anti-gravity element by accident. Hall soon donned a new costume and the Graviton identity. He created his own floating island that was his base of operations for his attack against the Avengers (as shown in issue #159 of that title). 

Graviton faltered after seeing what he believed to be Judy's fall from that island to her own demise. Enraged, the villain destroyed his sky island and drew all of the mass from that island into a ball around his person. Graviton had, in effect, become a living black hole. After making that realization, Hall began to change and grow until he looked like a living, flaming brick wall. 

He asked for sanctuary from Black Bolt, but was angered by the refusal. Graviton lashed out and forced the heroes to protect themselves and those around them. Graviton shot bursts of energy that penetrated Earth's atmosphere on a course toward Atillan. He also summoned small black holes at his opponents.

The second part of this saga, entitled "Black Hole...Black Heart...Black Holocaust!" began with the Thing and Black Bolt facing that new danger. Black Bolt was able to control electrons enough to draw the projectiles away from his friend and up into the air where they couldn't harm anyone. The mad titan continued to tear through the city, as SHIELD (Supreme Headquarters International Espionage and Law Enforcement Division) agents grew concerned that the flare was headed right for their own space station.

As Black Bolt flew spaceward to extinguish that threat, Judy returned to Avengers Mansion as Jarvis and Alicia made it back to her apartment. Black Bolt returned in time to help Ben try to find a way to defeat their common enemy. He flashed a series of characters into the air. A physics professor named Charles Herkowitz explained to Grimm that they may be able to pull Graviton into the other universe that he claimed to be from. 

The task could be accomplished by throwing a large amount of antimatter at Graviton. There would be an explosion, and the villain would subsequently be pulled into the resulting dimensional rift. It was worth a try, at least. Black Bolt and the Thing worked on devising such a quantity of antimatter as Jarvis returned to his home to assist his friend and guest.

Graviton had continued to grow in size and menace. He was nearing the United Nations building when Ben and Black Bolt approached. Grimm hurled the projectile that was powered by Black Bolt, only to see it bounce harmlessly off of their foe. Graviton said that he failed to stop the weapon because he himself wanted to perish. 

Hall's body gradually began to dissipate into nothingness, leaving the heroes behind. They were in awe of what had happened, and Ben talked about the tortured soul. Graviton may have been a bad guy, but it seemed like he may have finally found a home of his own after all.

I'd seen Graviton in a few issues of the Avengers books, but I had to read this annual a few times before I fully understood him. As far as I know, he wasn't nearly this different in other Marvel comics. I was surprised by his transformation, and by how he redeemed himself in the end. If he had the right motivation, he could have been a powerful force for good. Time will only tell if that ever happens in the future, I guess.

That's all I have for you this weekend. Tomorrow, I'll begin a new week with a recap of the fifty-third issue of Marvel Two-In-One. John Byrne returns to pencil the start of a new storyline that has Ben headed back to Project Pegasus to meet a new ally and learn of a potential danger. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #52

Good morning, peeps!

Hope everyone's been having a great weekend. I'm starting the day with a discussion of the fifty-second issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing being fired upon as Moon Knight tossed projectiles at Ben Grimm's attackers, with the villain known as Crossfire looking on from a viewscreen behind them. The story was called "A Little Knight Music!" The issue had a publication date of June 1979.

The tale began at a lavish gala, where a Daily Bugle newspaper headline held by a man in the foreground announced that Fantastic Four leader Reed Richards had won an award, and that his teammate Ben Grimm was going to accept the honor on Reed's behalf. Ben was already being approached by many, not knowing that the man holding the paper was also a hero in his own right, namely the adventurer known as Moon Knight.

A few moments later, several gunmen in bright red and yellow costumes swarmed the area, grabbing one man and gunning down another right before the elder gentleman reached the Thing, asking for help in his final words. Ben retaliated against the attackers while Marc Spector took advantage of the confusion to change into his hero guise. Moon Knight swooped in and helped the Thing.

The dying man had given the Thing an address. Moon Knight asked about it before calling his trusty associate Frenchie for a lift via his specially modified helicopter. Spector left Grimm to deal with the local authorities while he changed to his Jake Lockley identity. Out on the street, Ben hailed a cab that was driven by Lockley.

Lockley took his passenger to the address the old man had given Ben, which appeared to be in a rundown part of town. Ben burst into the warehouse and found more of the same characters who'd invaded earlier. He fought them once more, again with Moon Knight's assistance after the cabbie had time to park and change again.

The brawl continued until every lackey was defeated. Afterward, the heroes learned that the scoundrel known as Crossfire was responsible for the attacks. His face appeared on a screen behind them right before nozzles on the bottom of the monitor started to emit a gas that was strong enough to knock Grimm and Spector out. 

A short while later, Moon Knight and the Thing awoke. Each of them had been chained up and was under gunpoint by more of Crossfire's hired goons. Crossfire was determined to eliminate all super-powered heroes in New York. Moon Knight knew a bit about their foe's history. William Cross had established a reputation as an impressive member of the CIA when Spector was freelancing for that organization. He knew how to manipulate people and acquire resources for his own sinister purposes.

Cross then showed his captives the sonic mind-warper that he intended to use to turn hero against hero. Grimm and Spector soon broke free from their bonds and raced toward the chamber where Crossfire was overseeing everything. A potent punch from the Thing gave him access, but Crossfire was still able to activate the machine.

The device temporarily weakened Grimm, but he still mustered up enough strength to grab the floor beneath him and pull it up to destroy the machinery. Moon Knight tussled with their foe until Crossfire escaped in a nearby elevator. He took out a canister of nerve gas, but it went off before he could toss it at the heroes.

The elevator was empty when it opened again, but Moon Knight and the Thing assumed that Crossfire had to have been affected by the gas. They were determined to defeat him again. Ben was concerned about getting a taxi to Manhattan at that time of night, but Moon Knight was confident he could find one. 

This issue introduced Moon Knight to the Thing. I've read the first dozen-plus issues of his first title, and watched the Disney+ show. Moon Knight is an interesting character who has grown in his individual identities more and more over the years. Crossfire is an intriguing villain who appears from time to time. I first heard about him in a confrontation with the Avenger Hawkeye. He reminds me a little of the DC comics character Deadshot, who's more well-known for his involvement in the Suicide Squad. 

That's it for this morning. Later today, I'll cover the fourth Marvel Two-In-One annual. The Thing pairs up with a member of the Inhumans to confront a menace who debuted in the pages of the first Avengers title. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

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.