Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #63

Happy Wednesday, folks!

Today's topic is the sixty-third issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing, Moondragon, and Starhawk gathered around the gravesite of Adam Warlock, as a hand lifted up from the ground underneath. The tale was titled "Suffer Not a Warlock To Live!" The issue had a cover date of May 1980.

The story started aboard the artificial satellite of Counter-Earth, both spheres which were created by the High Evolutionary. He and his passengers Ben Grimm, Alicia Masters, Moondragon, Her, and Starhawk/Aleta were following whoever took the duplicate Earth out of its traditional place in space. The purloined planet had finally been located, with a series of gravitational poles orbiting the artificial world.

Starhawk changed places with his wife Aleta before announcing that the satellite in the northern gravitational pole was the abductors' command center. Starhawk, Her, and Moondragon were soon teleported to that orb, where they soon faced and engaged in battle with tall aliens. Ben and Alicia stayed behind with the High Evolutionary on his satellite. Grimm felt the need to protect Masters, but the trio was soon transported to the site where all the action was currently unfolding.

They were greeted by a being named Sphinxor, who had learned English through American sitcoms. He felt that there was a misunderstanding, and the battle soon ended after the High Evolutionary called for a cessation of hostilities. Sphinxor explained that he and his colleagues had been hired by a group called the Beyonders to move the planet. They started observing the world as Counter-Earth was being constructed. 

In doing so, more was shared about the late Adam Warlock. Sphinxor and his associates saw him as a potential threat. Their illusion of Counter Earth's destruction made Warlock lash out at his mentor, thinking that the High Evolutionary was behind that act. After his departure shortly thereafter, the movers added the statis rings and started towing away the artificial planet. 

The Beyonders didn't tell their hired hands what they wanted with Counter Earth. The High Evolutionary pointed out that the world's inner core was unstable and was destined to implode. He allowed Sphinxor and his crew to make off with the planet provided that they let him join their quest to meet their employers, and that his friends could handle a certain matter on that world right away. 

The only issue was the temporary shut-off of the stasis field, a question that Ben fought for and won. He and his associates were transported to Counter-Earth's surface. They soon stood before Warlock's memorial marker. It was flanked by similar headstones for his allies Pip and Gamora. Her used a mystic bolt to send Warlock back to the surface.

She rejoiced, until realizing that Warlock's soul had left his mortal form. His soul had been contained in the Soul Gem Adam had worn on his forehead, a jewel that was now in the possession of the being known as the Gardner. Her returned the body to its resting place, disappointed, before she flew off on her own. Ben, Alicia, Moondragon, and Starhawk were left to ponder their quest and the ideal type of love that Her had been searching for. 

I remember reading this comic for the first time several years ago. I didn't know much about any of the characters, but was tantalized by the story and artwork. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see if the High Evolutionary met the Beyonders, or know if the Beyonders were connected to the Beyonder from the Secret Wars limited series. The message about true love was important, especially for the main character and his longtime girlfriend. I'm glad that I now have a greater understanding of the characters and their storytellers.

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the fifth Marvel Two-In-One Annual. The Thing pairs up with his rival from the very first team-up tale to help some of their loved ones overcome an affliction in a quest that involves squaring off against some incredibly powerful beings from beyond this world. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #62

Happy Tuesday, peeps!

It's time for me to talk about the sixty-second issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing battling Moondragon, as Ben Grimm's girlfriend, Alicia Masters, sat behind them. The tale was titled "The Taking of Counter Earth!" The issue had a publication date of April 1980.

The story started in New York, with Grimm helping the taxed Starhawk to the Baxter Building. The Thing chose to save the warrior from the future when the being known as Her departed with Masters in Moondragon's ship, on a quest to find the late Adam Warlock on Counter Earth (as shown last issue). The duo went to the hangar and entered a ship that the Fantastic Four had acquired from the Skrulls (in issue #2 of their own mag).

Ben piloted the ship while Starhawk gave directions. Meanwhile, on Moondragon's vessel, the trio rounded Earth's sun before nearing Counter Earth, a duplicate of our own planet that was created by the High Evolutionary. The duplicate planet was not there, but its moon still existed, which is where the ship landed. She gave Masters a space suit so that the three of them could safely venture outside the starship Sensia together.

Entering the planet wasn't going to be easy. Her used her abilities to break through the outer shell. The femaless soon found themselves in the docking bay. They approached the main controls and found the High Evolutionary lying unconscious on the floor. Moondragon could not detect any brainwaves emanating from the lithe body.

They had just made their discovery when Ben and Starhawk entered the room. Starhawk squared off against Her, while the Thing battled Moondragon (whom he'd met in MTIO Annual #2). Starhawk continued to fight his foe, even as his wife Aleta took over and continued the conflict. The fighting ceased only when Alicia spoke up and explained to Ben that she'd gone along on the voyage willingly. 

After things had calmed down, Moondragon ascertained that the High Evolutionary's brain was not in his body. She did sense a strange energy from his form, and worked with Her to return the disembodied spirit of Counter Earth's creator to his human form. The High Evolutionary thanked them for their efforts, noting that he feared the disconnection would have been permanent were it not for them.

Their host then explained how he'd been watching Warlock approach his base, shortly before the late hero accused him of deception. He claimed that Counter Earth had been destroyed, when the High Evolutionary could clearly see from the porthole that it was very much where it had always been in space. Warlock attacked his former mentor in anger. The ensuing melee caused the High Evolutionary's mind to leave his mortal shell. Warlock mourned the loss, thinking that it was a sign fortelling his own demise.

Her explained how she could return the High Evolutionary to his body. She hoped to do the same for Adam Warlock, who had recently fallen in battle against Thanos (both rivals succumbed in the second Marvel Two-In-One Annual). However, this time, it did appear that Counter Earth was missing. 

It soon became apparent that the High Evolutionary was not behind the planet's disappearance. He ran to his controls, and was able to detect some of the radiation that he'd used to develop that world. It would hopefully lead them right to whoever had absconded with Counter Earth. His guests could only stand there and watch as the artificial moon plotted a course that might unravel the mystery.

Starhawk and Moondragon were still relatively new characters to me. I didn't know until reading this storyline that Starhawk shared corporeal existence with his wife. He's one of the members of the first Guardians of the Galaxy team that I don't think received enough attention. It would have been nice to see him in a solo story or short limited series. I was never a big fan of Moondragon, especially during her time as a core member of the New Defenders, because she could be a bit distant and standoffish. She seemed to have a chip on her shoulder at times, and could sometimes be a hero or a villain. This was still an interesting issue, one that kept me reading to the very last panel.

Tomorrow, I'll cover the sixty-third issue of Marvel Two-In-One. This final part of the plot will reveal who was behind Counter Earth's theft. We'll also see if Her was able to find Warlock's grave, and if her goal of reviving her soulmate came to pass. Until then, have a great week and don't forge to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #61

Happy Monday, peeps!

I'm starting the week by talking about the sixty-first issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing and Starhawk standing before a strange, large glowing cocoon. The story was called "The Coming of Her!" The issue had a cover date of March 1980.

The cocoon in question was being fished out of the East River by three men as the issue began. They managed to get the cumbersome object onto the pier before it went on fire and a strange being emerged from it. The trio ran for safety, not bothering to look back.

The being flew across town before landing on the rooftop of a New York restaurant, an establishment where Ben Grimm and Alicia Masters were enjoying a formal dinner date. Moments later, the room's brightness intensified as the female who landed near the skylight burst into the restaurant. Grimm was ready for clobbering time, but was swiftly knocked down by a blast emitted by the stranger.

She pointed to Masters, declaring that the blind sculptress was her target. The intruder asked Alicia to help find the one she'd been looking for while Ben recovered from her attack. He had no sooner gotten up when the Thing was blasted through the wall. 

By the time Grimm crawled up the side of the apartment building, the stranger had left with Alicia. The two females landed in a park not far away. There, the mystery woman explained to Masters that she was a genetically created being. She once broke out of her cocoon in male form, as the being called Paragon (as told in the Incredible Hulk Annual #6). She had been used against the Hulk and Doctor Strange, but after their confrontation, she returned to her cocoon underwater to begin her metamorphosis. She now sought the one called Him to mate with and form the perfect race.

Masters had met the being called Him (back in the sixty-sixth issue of the Fantastic Four), but had no idea how to reach him. Meanwhile, Ben returned to the Baxter Building. He called Avengers Mansion, but their faithful butler Jarvis informed Grimm that no active members were around. Ben turned around and saw the alien named Starhawk standing before him.

Starhawk was a member of the first iteration of the Guardians of the Galaxy. He was searching for something that disrupted the fabric of space itself. Ben had an idea who might have caused that.

As the one known as Her sat on a park bench with Alicia, they were approached by a third female: the former Avenger (and future Defender) Moondragon. Moondragon was attacked by Her, but explained that she'd sought her arrival. Moondragon informed the newcomer that Him, who we know as Adam Warlock, had recently lost his life at the hands of his rival, Thanos (in MTIO Annual #2), and had been buried on the counter-Earth that he once called home.

Her still wished to find Warlock's body. Alicia volunteered to join the quest. A few minutes later, Starhawk and the Thing caught up with the three women. Her lashed out at the men as she headed towards Moondragon's submerged spaceship. Ben saw his sweetheart leave with Her and was torn between following them and saving Starhawk after he'd been tossed into the waters by Her.

Grimm opted to help Starhawk as the ship took off. He revived the 31st Century warrior, who was grateful for his assistance. Ben was still determined to get Alicia back, no matter what the cost may be.

This was my first time seeing Starhawk and Her. They're very complex characters who are rather underrated in several aspects. Her was created by the Enclave, a sinister group of scientists who pop up from time to time. Jerry Bingham's pencil work was very well done in this issue, and it was inked nicely by Gene Day, whom I've talked about in my articles about Master of Kung Fu and the original Star Wars title.  

Tomorrow, I'll tackle the sixty-second issue of Marvel Two-In-One. We'll see if the Thing and Starhawk catch up to the females. There will also be an appearance by the one who was responsible for counter-Earth's creation- someone longtime Marvelites will probably already know who I'm talking about. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #60

Good afternoon,

I'm winding up the weekend with a summary of the sixtieth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed Ben Grimm, the Impossible Man, and Alicia Masters in an art gallery, as statues of Blastaar, Doctor Doom, and Diablo appeared to be lunging at them from behind. The tale was titled "Happiness is a Warm Alien!" The issue had a cover date of February 1980.

The story started with the Thing holding his own against a heavy weight that was bearing down on him from the ceiling of the Baxter Building's exercise facility. His teammate, Reed Richards (aka Mister Fantastic) reminded his old college roommate of Alicia's gallery exhibit later that evening. Grimm smashed the obstacle and headed to his quarters for a shower and change of clothes.

Ben was thinking about his relationship with Masters when his reverie was interrupted by the arrival of the Impossible Man. The alien from the planet Poppup was bored again, as usual, and eventually convinced Ben to let him tag along, in disguise as Grimm's top hat. The two went to Alicia's apartment and made their way to the gallery, a path that led them across Yancy Street.

Several Yancy Streeters tried their usual tricks, but the Impossible Man deflected all attacks, leaving the Thing unaware of their mischief. The exhibit featured many of Alicia's sculptures of some of the Fantastic Four's many foes. Besides some of this issue's creators, the room included a trio of criminals: "Handsome" Harry Phillips, "Bull" Brogin, and Yogi Dakor. All three wanted revenge on the Thing, and saw the event as an opportunity to do just that. 

Master's stepfather Phillip (the criminal known as the Puppet Master) was also at the gala. He'd received special permission from the prison warden to attend. Moments later, the statue of Doom lunged at the Thing. That was followed by an attack from the Blastaar statue. Dakor was manipulating the stone statues, but it was initially assumed that such actions were the work of the Puppet Master once more.

Alicia told her love that her creations were much less important than Ben's life. He then smashed both statues together, leaving Brogin and Phillips unconscious afterward, since they had been controlling the artificial opponents. Dakor was in charge of the Diablo statue, which the Impossible Man noticed and caused the villain to lose his concentration.

Grimm recognized Dakor (from an old Strange Tales story) and put him out of commission. Afterward, the Impossible Man drifted off. He was still feeling lonely until he used his abilities to create a female Poppuppian. They then floated off as balloons, which Ben noticed, knowing that the excitement was probably only just beginning. 

The Impossible Man and his mate would return to bother Ben and the rest of the Fantastic Four in their own magazine. Impy would also appear from time to time in other Marvel titles. He's a bit of a nuisance but has been known to save the day on occasion. This was a nice, lighter story after a six-part storyline that just ended two issues prior. 

That's it for me today. I'll begin the workweek with a recap of the sixty-first issue of Marvel Two-In-One. A new storyline begins as Ben meets a couple of new characters right in the middle of date night. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #59

Good morning, peeps,

Welcome to a discussion of the fifty-ninth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted the Thing carrying a couple of people while holding onto the exterior of a burning building, as the Human Torch flew to their aid. The story was called "Trial and Error!" The issue had a publication date of January 1980. 

Ben Grimm was relaxing with a stogie and the Sunday funnies when his Fantastic Four teammate Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) flew into the room. He invited Ben to go for a ride with him in the Corvette that he'd just finished tuning up. Grimm politely declined, remembering the problems that happened last time.

The two engaged in another one of their friendly scuffles before deciding to go out to eat. On the way, a man on horseback rode past. His unexpected appearance distracted a driver enough to cause them to hit a fire hydrant. Ben rushed to the driver's side, while Johnny pursued the rider.

While Grimm was cleaning up the mess and providing local children with a little fun, Storm caught up with the man on horseback. He picked up the rider and corralled the horse with a flaming circle. A few moments later, the rider, who was named Normal Dunsell, had a woman running toward him. His girlfriend was scolding Norman, who explained that he had a list of things that he wanted to do before he turned thirty. 

He walked off while the woman tried to convince the superheroes to dissuade him. There wasn't much they could do in that regard. A short while later, Dunsell was on the back of a fire engine that was racing to put out a fire. In the chaos, he was mistaken for an actual firefighter and climbed up a ladder nervously.

Storm had arrived at the fire's location and was already working to free people. The Thing was climbing up the building to do the same thing, and wound up catching Dunsell and the two citizens he'd been trying to save. The Human Torch swooped in just as Ben started to fall, preventing anyone from being hurt.

Dunsell's girlfriend Deena was there to scold him once more, but Norman was still determined to cross each item off his list. They devoted their time to helping the firefighters and victims. Later that evening, Norman arrived at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. He'd learned of a robbery there and stepped in to play hero.

He borrowed a pistol from a guard who'd been tied up by the crooks, but Norman soon proved to be in over his head. Fortunately, the robbery was reported via radio at a police cruiser that Deena, Ben, and Johnny happened to be next to. The Human Torch and The Thing stepped in and took care of the thieves.

By the time authorities entered, things were under control. Ben and Johnny were about to depart when they found the list that Norman had dropped when he walked off with Deena. He apparently wasn't worried about accomplishing the last item on his list. The two superheroes agreed that item, becoming a husband, was probably one of the most difficult of them all.

This was kind of a nice gap between storylines. It may have seemed like a filler issue, but the message was very clear. One of the rare stories where the good guys didn't face galactic threats or supervillains. Just a guy trying to live out his dreams, even though most of them involved putting his life at risk. 

That's it for this morning. Later today, I'll cover the sixtieth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. Ben finally gets some quiet time with his girlfriend, Alicia Masters, at a gallery exhibition. As we all know, even events like that are never just what they seem. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #58

Happy Saturday, folks!

Hope everyone's having a great weekend. Today's topic is the fifty-eighth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing, Giant-Man, Thundra, and Aquarian (formerly known as Wundarr) tumbling around the air with a large figure's shadow in the background. The tale was titled "The Pegasus Project Part Six: To The Nth Power!" The issue had a cover date of December 1979.

The issue began with the villain Klaw pointing his sonic weapon at the head of an unconscious Ben Grimm. He was about to deliver the death blow when some kind of interference in the air caused his body to vibrate so much that his physical form disappeared once more and was sucked into the sonic claw itself. As Ben awoke, he saw his former protege standing before him, although he looked quite different and seemed much more aware and intelligent.

The man-child once called Wundarr now had a new costume and a new name: Aquarian. He held the claw as he helped Ben to his feet. Aquarian recalled how he'd been brought to Project Pegasus so that his energy-absorbing abilities could be examined. That's why he was connected to a Cosmic Cube. The power surge from that process overwhelmed his mind so much at the time that it caused him to lapse into a lengthy coma.

Energies from the Cosmic Cube had enhanced his abilities to the point that Aquarian neutralized the energy of any room that he entered. He was drawn to the Cube once more after accidentally freeing Solarr from his cell. He entered the Cube and emerged completely transformed. He essentially became the living son of that item, and gave himself a new name to honor the star system from his homeworld.

Aquarian's null field was now a part of him. He strove to bring peace to this planet, and helped Ben bring Giant-Man to the infirmary, along with Quasar and Solarr. Afterward, Aquarian informed Ben that he'd noticed a spatial distortion within the complex. Things were being drawn toward what appeared to be the outline of a man. 

That man was the former Thomas Lightner. He was once the villain known as Blackstar, who faced off against the Thing and the Human Torch. After his defeat, Lightner had been saved by Dr. Don Blake (the mighty Thor's alias). Lightner was recused of all wrongdoing and was soon contacted by the Nth Command.

He infiltrated Project Pegasus and soon set his employers' plans in motion. It began with the cyborg Deathlok setting a component for the Nth device in the compound. More parts would be placed by Thundra's fellow female wrestlers for the projector. Lightner had now gained the Nth power which he planned to use to destroy the complex. 

Ben threw nearby machines at their foe, but they were swiftly destroyed as Lightner's power continued to increase. It was now up to Aquarian. He expanded his own null-field, and in so doing, knocked out most of the station's power. That included the power that kept Thundra caged. 

By then, Quasar was still weakened, but determined to join the fray. He and Giant-Man rushed to Ben and Aquarian's side, and soon found themselves hanging on for dear life. Thundra entered the corridor a few moments later, and helped them get Quasar to safety after the project's security chief expended his remaining energy expelling quantum blasts at their foe.

Giant-Man (Bill Foster) was willing to sacrifice himself, after admitting that he'd contracted radiation poisoning after battling the Atom Smasher. He'd arrived at the center trying to find a cure for his affliction. Bill leapt at the ever-expanding Lightner and seemed to vanish inside the mysterious being. 

The remaining allies held on to each other's hands to prevent themselves from being sucked into the vortex. Aquarian ventured into the void, with his friends still grasping onto him. He rescued Foster from certain madness, and retrieved him before the vortex erupted.

All traces of Lightner were now gone. Quasar took charge, and ensure that everything was back to normal before long. Ben prepared to depart the project a short while later, and Aquarian opted to go out on his own, to help people find the same type of peace that he'd just found. All charges against Thundra were dropped because of her assistance. She stayed behind for a while, wanting to know more about her unknown employers. 

Elsewhere in a shadowed boardroom, executives conferred about hte Nth project's failure. There were some losses, but they remained undeterred in their goal to get rid of government or private competition that stood in their way of forming a global energy monopoly. The very last panel showed that the men were part of the Roxxon Corporation.

This wouldn't be the last time we'd see Roxxon's plans in this series. Their actions also impacted other Marvel titles at the time. Lightner wound up in an alternate universe and later squared off against that world's Squadron Supreme. That would happen a few decades after this saga was published. 

That's all I have for you today. I'll begin Sunday with a recap of the fifty-ninth issue of this title. The Thing will pair up with one of his FF teammates to help a few more people in need. Until then, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #57

Happy Friday, peeps!

I'm ending my birthday month with a recap of the fifty-seventh issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted the Thing lifting a heavy piece of machinery to save his friends Giant-Man and Quasar with an inset of Wundarr. The story was called "The Pegasus Project Part V: When Walks Wundarr!" The issue had a cover date of November 1979.

Inside a domed security section of Project Pegasus, Ben Grimm, Giant-Man (Bill Foster), Quasar (Wendell Vaughn), and other project staffers huddled around a table to discuss the recent attacks by Deathlok, Nuklo, and a quintet of female wrestlers, led by Ben's former nemesis/ally, Thundra. They discussed how their security could be infiltrated so easily and the motives for the intruders.

The compound was still on blue alert after the huddle. Grimm understood how seriously Quasar took his role as head of security, but thought that he might be worrying a bit too much for his own good. Ben then went to talk to Thundra, who had surrendered (last issue) and was placed in a cell. She said that she was sworn to secrecy and that she knew nothing of Deathlok. Grimm wasn't able to extract any useful information from her.

Meanwhile, Wundarr was now fully alert and roaming the halls of the complex. He passed by the quarters occupied by the villain known as Solarr, and his powers inadvertently freed him. Solarr tried to attack Wundarr, but found that his own abilities were ineffective against the stranger. He even tried leaping at Wundarr, but the man-child from another planet's protective screen prevented any harm.

Solarr then decided to explore his surroundings. He came to a cell that was holding Max Dillon, the supervillain known as Electro. Dillon was lying in a hospital bed after having suffered injuries sustained from overdosing on electricity and having a building collapse on him (as shown in the Amazing Spider-Man #187). The compound started to shake, and Grimm eventually figured out that it might have something to do with Thomas Lightner.

Nuklo's room was empty, so Solarr opened the cell that contained Klaw. He only found  Klaw's sonic device and angrily tossed it at the nearest wall. It clattered to the ground and emitted a humming sound. Seconds later, Klaw's body solidified. He had been battling his old nemesis, the Black Panther (in issue #15 of the Avenger's solo mag) when his body was absorbed into the claw.

Klaw held onto Solarr for support as they started to plan their escape. Lightner was now preparing to use his Nth Device to project the compound into another dimension, but only after using the machine to restore the abilities he had as Blacksun (last shown in issue #21 of this series). He pressed a button on the control stick and was instantly bathed in energies that were not quite what he was expecting.

By then, Solarr and Klaw had taken command of a shuttle car, until Quasar blocked their path. He was looking for Lightner and was blinded by the villains' burst of brilliant light. Quasar recovered by the time Grimm and Foster arrived. The Thing was itching for revenge against Klaw and the trio pursued the escaping bad guys on another tram.

Solarr used his powers to break the railway, and the heroes' car crashed. Grimm lifted the vehicle off of his companions before playing a good old fashioned game of crack the whip with their opponents. He grabbed onto each end of the track and pulled until it was enough to yank Solarr and Klaw's tram from its mooring. 

As Quasar got vengeance against Solarr, Wundarr made his way to the room that held the Cosmic Cube. The guards outside did nothing to stop the lad from nearing the strange object that started to glow as he approached it. Klaw was now able to join the fray, and erected a sonic barrier between him and his quarry.

Grimm reached out and was able to break through the barrier, laying one of his trademark punches at his old rival. Foster tossed their railcar at Klaw, who was down, but definitely not out. He emerged from the rubble and let loose a powerful blast that knocked the trio to their feet. He readied his weapon once more as he pointed it at the Thing's head.

Although the cover was a bit misleading, as Wundarr played a relatively minor role in the script, this story was another exciting action-packed part of the story. I haven't seen much of Solarr, so it was good to see him taking on a few heroes. I'd first read about Klaw in the first Secret War limited series, and I prefer this version who had his wits about him. 

I'll begin the weekend with a synopsis of the fifty-eighth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. Wundarr will play a larger role in the last chapter of this saga. We'll see just what Lightner managed to accomplish and what happened to Ben and company after the final page of this issue. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.