Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #11

Good afternoon, folks,

Welcome to my eight hundredth blog post! This article will be dedicated to the eleventh issue of the Thing and the loving memory of my aunt Dorothy, who passed away on Monday. I'm taking some time afterwards to properly mourn her and remember other family members that we've lost over the years. Rest in peace, auntie. 

The cover showed Ben Grimm riding a flying lizard, with the image of the Thing's face in the background. The tale was titled "Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger." The issue had a cover date of May 1984.

The story started right after the events of the first Secret Wars. Ben had opted to stay behind on Battleworld, with She-Hulk taking his place on the Fantastic Four. Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) surmised that the planet's unique nature allowed Ben to change back and forth from the Thing at will, and left his old friend a control that he could use to return to Earth when he wanted to.

Ben tossed the remote in the air, only to have it snatched by an alien riding a large winged creature. Grimm set off after it, but saw it disappear into a large tower-like structure. Ben entered a local cantina and learned that his device was now the property of the takers. 

While he was trying to figure out how to gain access to the top of the tower, Grimm was approached by a young woman named Llrrllllnnllyrrl. She had hoped to retrieve an item that the takers had stolen from her, and had approached the tall human for assistance. Even though everything in his current surroundings seemed relatively new, he accepted the story that the girl's personal possession had been taken some sixteen years prior and agreed to help.

She led him to a lair housing one of the large flying beasts Ben had seen earlier. It took some time, but Grimm eventually managed to get the creature long enough to enable him to control it and soar towards the thieves. They floated through the tower and landed outside the villains' lair.

Ben ran on foot, changing into the Thing along the way. He burst through the doors and demanded the return of his remote control. The diminutive beings gladly offered it to him and promised to find the item that the young girl was desperately seeking. They admitted the search could take years, but weren't about to upset the stranger any further. Ben walked away, thinking how he'd changed to his rocky alter ego subconsciously and would have to rein that in moving forward.

I wasn't a big fan of this particular storyline at first, but it did give us a deeper look inside the characteristics that made Ben Grimm a noble hero. Some of the reasons why he was rarely able to revert back to his human form on Earth in the past were explored in this saga, but then were largely forgotten or treated as if this would never be a possibility again moving forward. Personally, I thought it would have been cool if Ben had control over the transformations, much like Bruce Banner could control the change to the Hulk at the same time before succumbing to Nightmare's occupation of his mind. 

Tomorrow, I'll cover the twelfth issue of the Thing. Another chapter of Ben's life on Battleworld unfolds then, as Grimm encounters a new foe and someone who he's very familiar with. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #10

Good morning, peeps!

Starting the day with a summary of the tenth issue of The Thing. The cover showed Ben Grimm, Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards), and the Human Torch (Johnny Storm) being hit by a blast from above. The story was called "Marking Time." The issue had a cover date of April 1984.

The tale began with Grimm and Alicia Masters enjoying a quiet walk together in New York's Central Park. Ben discussed his concerns about their relationship as they continued on, observed by several children who eventually followed their hero. Ben was a bit annoyed by their presence until Alicia reminded him that they weren't much older than his godson, Franklin Richards.

Grimm decided to give the boys an example of his powers, as they wanted. He grabbed a statue of a man on horseback and ground it into a sphere about the size of a bowling ball. The kids scattered, and Ben took Alicia back to the Baxter Building. 

Once inside, Ben was greeted by Johnny, Reed, and Susan Richards (the Invisible Woman). Reed was concerned about his wife's pregnancy, since the child was conceived during their trip to the Negative Zone. He was also preoccupied with energy spikes observed in the same area that Ben and Alicia had just returned from. 

The couple retreated to Ben's living quarters, where they sat together to talk more. Grimm told Masters about how soldiers viewed him after their rocket crash-landed on Earth. He, Reed, Johnny, and Sue had been bombarded with cosmic rays during the voyage that helped to foster their unique powers. One look at the rocky behemoth, and several soldiers opted to shoot first instead of asking questions. His teammates vouched for him, but that didn't make the helicopter ride back to base any less uneasy for those on board.

Grimm thought that the man inside died on that hill, and lamented the many failures Reed had experienced in trying to revert his friend back to his human form. It seemed like he wasn't even trying to help Ben in that regard anymore. Just then, Reed burst into the room, explaining the sudden surge of unidentified energy in Central Park.

Ben kissed Alicia farewell as he went off to board the Fantasticar with Reed and Johnny to investigate. Alicia sat with Sue before explaining to Mrs. Richards that she and Ben had decided to make a change in their relationship that was yet to be determined. Sue sat quietly and listened before moving to the window to see her loved ones fly away.

This time, the energy was visible enough to be seen from several miles away. Reed landed the craft outside a strange circular barrier that was now in Central Park. The trio walked in, finding the experience strangely satisfying. It was as if they were being lured into a trap, which they noticed moments before they were teleported worlds away.

As many longtime Marvelites knew, this was a precursor to the first Secret Wars limited series. It explained how 3/4 of the Fantastic Four were sent to Battleworld for Marvel's largest event across their heroic line. This issue also served as a fine transition between that and what would happen in the following months in the Fantastic Four's book and this title.

We'll see what happened to Ben in the next issue of the Thing. I'll cover the eleventh issue of this series later today, which has Grimm exploring strange new surroundings by himself for the first time. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #9

Happy Saturday, folks,

Hope all's well. The focus of today's article is the ninth issue of the Thing. The cover depicted Alicia Masters defending a newly evolved version of Ben Grimm. The tale was titled "What Price A Soul?" The issue had a publication date of March 1984.

The first part of the script showed Masters' journey through a decimated hospital. She'd been hospitalized for some time after being assaulted by the Fantastic Four's foe Annihilus (as chronicled in the FF's book) and now had to navigate around the carnage caused by Ben Grimm, who had recently been merged with the soul of an Egyptian warrior who passed on centuries ago (shown at the end of last issue).

The janitor who accomplished that task looked on as Alicia made her way to the elevators. She reached the main floor and continued walking outside, where even more damage to property and persons could be witnessed. Alicia made her way alone across ravaged streets until she met a policeman.

It didn't take long for the officer to realize that Alicia was blind, and he helped to take her to safety. Along the way, he described the destruction wrought by a savage attacker. Masters knew that the person responsible for the damage was her beloved.

Grimm's body was being controlled by an ancient Egyptian warrior that was set free by the old man we saw earlier (again, last issue). He continued on his path until he recognized the person who had set him loose in this timeframe. Meanwhile, Alicia was making her report to the officials at police headquarters.

She learned that Grimm was heading toward the United Nations building, which meant that a potential international crisis was about to unfold. Alicia asked to be taken there and arrived not long after Ben crashed a meeting between diplomats from multiple nations.

Masters appealed to the spirit that was controlling her boyfriend. She appealed to him by pointing out the pattern of wearing out host bodies. She asked that this particular host be saved from such a fate, which he agreed to. Moments later, the Thing was embracing his love once more. 

Now that I've read this series in its entirety, I have the impression that this two-party storyline was a bit of a filler before the climactic events in the next issue. It explained Alicia's recovery somewhat, and brought Grimm and Masters closer together, but unfortunately that wouldn't last very long.

To find out more of what I mean, tune in tomorrow morning. I'll discuss the tenth issue of the Thing. Ben and Alicia talk about their relationship, before some of the Fantastic Four is swept away in an adventure that will leave their team changed quite significantly. Until then, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #8

Happy Friday, folks!

Time for me to talk about the eighth issue of the Thing. The cover showed Ben Grimm standing before Alicia Masters in her hospital bed as a hand from an unknown character held a rectangular object and bands of energy coursed from the mystery person. The story was called "Ancient Evenings Ancient Pain!" The issue had a cover date of February 1984.

The tale began with Ben standing and staring out the window of his quarters in the Baxter Building on a nice day. Grimm was thinking about recent events, such as the cleanup from the encounter with Annihilus and Reed and Sue Richards' (Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman) decision to move out of their headquarters for concern over their family's safety. He dressed up and took a walk to clear his mind.

Grimm ran into the She-Hulk, not realizing that he'd walked that close to Avengers Mansion. Jennifer Walters asked her friend how things were going. The two sat down for a drink before trouble started. Ben and Jennifer stopped an armored car heist. The Thing was about to take his frustrations out on one of the crooks before She-Hulk reminded him that his punch might do more harm than good. 

Police rounded up the robbers, and Grimm walked on, in no better mood than he was before. He returned to Mercy General Hospital, where he convinced one of the attendants to let him visit Alicia after visiting hours were over. He returned to her side and talked once more about the possibility of leaving the Fantastic Four. 

The couple was unaware that they were being watched through the open door by a janitor, who held a pocket button in his hand, hopeful that a centuries-long promise would finally be fulfilled. The old man thought back to ancient Egypt, ruled by a powerful pharaoh. While the leader was off on a hunt, his wife summoned forth a lowly slave, who spurned her advances.

She requested that the slave be punished, and it was up to the old man, who served as the pharaoh's wizard at the time to devise a fitting penalty. One was created, but it was nothing near what the wife could ever conceive possible.

In the present, the elderly janitor took a test tube from his shirt pocket and consumed the liquid it contained. His memories continued as he left the pyramid after his leader's family had perished, and went out to live in the world for thousands of years. He then entered Alicia's hospital room, and thinking Ben to be the slave that he'd imprisoned so many years ago, held forth the small, smoldering box.

Grimm grabbed the device and crushed it. However, the energies within began to flow over his body, and the old man was pleased. He grabbed Alicia from her bed as the spirit of the long-dead warrior consumed Ben's form.

This was an interesting way to begin a multi-part story. It initially took me a few tries to understand the main plot. Ben's interaction with Jen and his thoughts about leaving the FF would be a bit of foreshadowing for the upcoming Secret Wars miniseries. 

Ben's fate will be revealed in the ninth issue of the Thing, which I'll cover tomorrow. We'll learn more about the old man's intentions and why Grimm seemed to be a perfect host for his faithful servant. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #7

Happy Thursday, folks,

Today's article is a bit out of the ordinary. I'll be covering the seventh issue of the Thing. The cover showed Ben Grimm being jumped on from behind by a mystery opponent during Marvel's assistant editor's month. The first story was called "Two-Fisted Feet!" The issue had a cover date of January 1984. 

Ben had arrived at the hospital again to visit his girlfriend, Alicia Masters, who was still recovering from her injuries at the hands of the Negative Zone native known as Annihilus (in the Fantastic Four's title). As Grimm talked with Masters, he started to doubt if his place was with that team anymore. He left a short while later to sort things out in his head. 

Grimm had toyed with the idea of settling down with Alicia and leaving the hero biz, especially now that their longtime rival, Doctor Doom, was supposedly dead. However, the day would still call upon the Thing's unique abilities.

As Ben rounded a corner, he saw a police barrier, and soon met a Katzenjammer Kid look-alike who called himself Goody Two Shoes. He kicked the hero into a wall before walking away with the money he'd just stolen from the bank. Grimm chased his foe all the way to the top of the Empire State Building before finally defeating the newcomer. He tossed the foreigner into another wall after grabbing his shoes and annoucing his victory to all in the vicinity.

The second tale, titled "What Th'?!" chronicled Ben's visit to Marvel Comics headquarters in New York.  He was most irate after reading the first story in this issue, and decided to set things right. He explained to the creative team how he easily knocked out Goody Two Shoes with a simple flick of the wrist, but the story that was printed made it seem like Ben had nearly lost the battle. 

John Byrne, Ron Wilson, and Ann Nocenti tried to explain the reasons for embellishing the yarn, before Ben decided to close the doors and settle things the only way he knew how. Afterward, Ben stepped out just as Roger Stern was walking by. He had no qualms with Stern, and left after advising Roger not to enter the room if he was looking for the aforementioned trio.

Assistant Editors' Month was rather infamous in Marvel lore. There were some great unique issues published, as well as some that have mostly been forgotten. This was an amusing issue, especially the Byrne-drawn second half that played on the character's interactions with the comic book staff who have occassionally appeared in Marvel mags from time to time. 

That's all for now. Tomorrow, I'll close out the week with a synopsis of the eighth issue of the Thing. Ben seeks advice from a new friend about his current situation and becomes involved in an unexpected adventure. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #6

Happy Wednesday, folks!

Time for me to talk about the sixth issue of the Thing. The cover showed Ben Grimm preparing to punch someone. The story was called "Mindscape." The issue had a cover date of December 1983.

The tale began in Ben's mind. He thought about how he'd just been forced into fighting his friends Wonder Man, She-Hulk, and Spider-Man (last issue). Grimm then pondered the person behind such attacks, who lashed out at him moments later. The Puppet Master, adorned in a shiny new costume, struck his old opponent, who in this reality was just ordinary Ben Grimm.

Alicia Masters' stepfather stood in front of his foe, feeling triumphant. He explained to his opponent what had happened since their last encounter. The Puppet Master had allied himself with Doctor Doom to subdue the Fantastic Four and place their minds in small puppets that were then added to a miniature town called Liddleville. The heroes believed that was their life, until they started to unravel the deception. 

The members of the Fantastic Four eventually regained their powers and control of their own bodies. They'd even tricked Doom into being thrown into suspended animation. Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) believed that it would be safe for them to transport Doom's body, not knowing at the time that his rival had transferred his mind to the body of his Liddleville puppet.

Doom found himself facing a revolt led by the Puppet Master. Before he could claim a final victory against the Latverian monarch, one of Doom's robot doppelgangers destroyed the tiny town and Masters' robot body. He had no physical form and became synthesized with this radioactive clay. The Puppet Master manipulated it into assuming the form he'd used to return to New York, just as he now controlled Grimm's body.

The emboldened Puppet Master lashed out at Ben repeatedly until Grimm changed into the Thing. Ben had usually held back a bit during their previous battles because of the Puppet Master's relationship with Alicia. This time, he had no such qualms. He pushed his foe out of that plane before finally breaking free of the blackness.

When Grimm stepped out, he saw the devastation that his battles had wrought across several city blocks. He was coming to terms with that reality when his rival, appearing as a white version of the Thing, stood before him. This time, Ben's words caused the hardened block of clay to crumble, once the Puppet Master knew that his longtime rival wasn't afraid of him. 

The Puppet Master has been one of the Fantastic Four's oldest foes. He's had a sort of love/hate relationship with the group over the years, primarily because of Alicia. This was one example of writer John Byrne trying to show readers how much of those struggles were mental, although there was a significant physical portion to this conflict as well. 

That's it for now. Next time, I'll sum up the seventh issue of the Thing. This issue was published during the infamous assistant editors' month, so expect some hijinks that are a bit out of the ordinary. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #5

Hello there,

Hope all's well. I'm not in the best of moods today after hearing that my aunt passed away yesterday, but I'm going to do the best I can. Today's topic is the fifth issue of the Thing. The titular character was being attacked on the issue's cover by She-Hulk and Wonder Man, as Spider-Man swung into view. The tale was titled "With Friends Like These..." The issue had a publication date of November 1983.

Ben Grimm was leaving the hospital on a nice day after visiting his girlfriend, Alicia Masters (who was still recovering from injuries suffered at the hands of Annihilus in the Fantastic Four's book). Ben took a cab back to the Baxter Building, where he was met at the building's elevator bank by Wonder Man (Simon Williams). Simon explained that he was there because of an urgent call he'd received from Ben.

Grimm replied that he'd made no such call. Wonder Man's face shifted, and he went silent before punching his old pal. Ben flew through the wall and out into the street. He was puzzled by the sudden attack, but barely had time to catch his breath before Simon continued the assault.

While the duo fought, She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters) was trying to make sense of one of Hank Pym's texts while on monitor duty at Avengers Mansion. She was interrupted by a phone call supposedly from Ben. The caller asked for her assistance at the Baxter Building. 

Jen brought up a map on the computer, which indicated that there were signs of distress in that area. She then told the butler, Jarvis, that she was going to investigate. Meanwhile, the conflict between the Thing and Wonder Man continued. 

Ben quickly realized that something was off with his opponent. It seemed like Wonder Man was not in control of his body. He had no sooner defeated Simon when the She-Hulk knocked him through a bus. As they battled, an observer noted that Walters were losing, and that maybe strength alone was not enough to stop Grimm. 

The Thing was surprised by this new confrontation, noting that this challengers was just as quiet as the last. That was most unlike the rather chatty She-Hulk. The mystery person reached out to another hero, who just happened to be the ever-amazing Spider-Man (Peter Parker). Spidey was zipping by on a webline when he felt the influence of another mind. He soon leapt toward Ben, knocking his surprised friend off his feet.

Ben went through a similar conflict with Spider-Man, paying attention to how his foe seemed unfamiliar with his own abilities. As this continued, the cloaked stranger split off into several smaller beings who departed the alley they'd been lurking in. 

A few moments later, several citizens made a rush toward the Thing. Ben had a good idea by then who was behind all of this, but didn't want to hurt innocent people. He fought them off easily, and then the smaller beings combined into a duplicate of the Thing. Ben stood for a short while surveying the aftermath of the day's events, before he too was enthralled by an entity that he was rather familiar with by then. 

I felt like this was an okay issue. Nothing spectacular, and the idea of having several allies influenced into attacking the Thing is not a new concept. It did remind me of someone the Fantastic Four have faced before. 

If you think you know who the mystery villain is, or even if you don't and want a better clue, tune in tomorrow for my summary of the sixth issue of the Thing. We'll find out what happened to Ben after his possession, and the mental conflict that he engages in before it's all over. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #4

Happy Monday, folks!

I'm starting a new week with a discussion of the fourth issue of the Thing. The cover showed Lockjaw and Ben Grimm, with a mysterious being behind them. The story was called "I, Monster!" The issue had a cover date of December 1983.

The tale began outside a small shack on a warm day. An old woman was tending to her crops before an angry mob began assembling near her domicile. She quickly ran indoors, concerned for the safety of her son, Lucas, a frightened young boy who doesn't appear to be quite human. She went outside to address the townspeople's concerns. They demanded the monster and began throwing whatever items they could get their hands on at Sarah Anne Jackson to force her to comply with their demand.

A few moments later, The Thing and Lockjaw arrived. The Inhuman had teleported them right into the midst of the confrontation. Ben was unhurt, but tried to squash the unrest before things got out of hand. He and Lockjaw stood their ground until the sheriff arrived.

The lawman had never seen anyone like Lockjaw before, but Grimm assured him he was okay. Meanwhile, many miles away, in what appeared to be a deserted castle, several lumps of clay sitting on a table began to move. They slowly coalesced until they formed a gray humanoid.

Back at the cabin, Ben was filling Ms. Jackson and the sheriff in on his return from Atillan. He said that Lockjaw didn't bring him to the Baxter Building because Lockjaw sometimes focused on the mental energies of people in need of help. Apparently, he thought the single mother and her child fit that description.

Grimm wasn't ready to head home just yet. He left Lockjaw with Sarah and her son Lucas, while he rode into town with the sheriff to make a phone call. Life for many in the village had started going downhill at around the same time as Lucas' birth, some twelve years earlier. 

Ben called the Baxter Building, but his friend Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) wasn't around. He had just hung up with their robotic receptionist, Roberta, when Lockjaw appeared beside him. The Inhuman fell over, and Grimm saw that he had been shot. The sheriff asked his deputy to find a medic while he and Ben sped off toward Sarah's cabin.

The angry mob had returned to encircle the small house. Ben waded through them, but was unable to prevent all of them from lashing out. One of them threw a rock that crashed through a window and struck Sarah in the forehead. It was the last thing she'd ever see.

Lucas stepped outside to find his mother lying lifeless on the front stoop. He looked out at the crowd and could feel their jumbled emotions. After a while, the people who'd arrived to harm him no longer felt like doing so. They walked away peacefully.

Afterward, Lucas and his new friends buried Sarah. Lockjaw teleported the orphan to Atillan. Ben realized that was one place the boy could be where he'd never be viewed as a monster.

This story reminded me of a tale in an issue of The Incredible Hulk that was plotted by Jim Starlin, where the titular character encountered a child who had been considered an outcast because of their unusual appearance and abilities. It's a theme that we often see in some of the X-titles and spread throughout other books from various publishers. We as humans often fear what we don't know, and sometimes that fear leads people to commit harm against those who are different. Maybe if we took the time to get to know others as the unique human beings that they are, we might be in a better place as a society.

That's all I have for now. Time to have dinner and think about the memories of my aunt, who just passed away earlier this morning. I'll return tomorrow with a recap of the fifth issue of the Thing. The strange being in the abandoned castle we saw earlier will take on a larger role in that script. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #3

Good afternoon all,

I'm wrapping up this weekend with a discussion of the third issue of the Thing. The cover showed Ben Grimm shackled to a wall, as members of the Inhumans entered a doorway behind him. The tale was titled "Turning Point." The issue had a cover date of September 1983.

The story began in a typical hospital, where patients with various maladies were being treated. However, none of those inside were prepared for the arrival of the two Inhumans, Crystal and Lockjaw. Grimm was not far away, taking some time to pick up a bouquet in the gift shop for his girlfriend, Alicia Masters, who had been recuperating at that same hospital from injuries suffered at the hands of Annihilus (a saga that was covered in the Fantastic Four's title). 

Ben left the shop and immediately met his old friends. Crystal leapt into his arms before tears started falling down her cheeks. Grimm carried her to a couch, went to the water cooler for a cup of water, and listened to the tale she was about to tell. Ben was horrified by what he'd heard, and immediately agreed to allow Lockjaw to transport him to the Inhumans' refuge of Attilan, which was in the blue area of the moon.

After ensuring that Crystal would be taken care of, the Thing and Lockjaw transported to the Inhumans' land, where Ben was brusquely told that those in charge could not be interrupted. Ben was on a mission to see Black Bolt and wasn't about to let anyone get in his way. A fight broke out, one that ended with Grimm being stunned by a weapon. He and his comrade Lockjaw woke up imprisoned.

Ben was on the verge of freeing himself when Black Bolt, Medusa, Karnak, Gorgon, and Triton entered the room. Crystal's child, Luna, was about to be exposed to the Terrigen mists that endowed unique abilities to each Inhuman. Grimm protested, noting that although Luna's father Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff) consented, Crystal argued against it, because their child was of both human and Inhuman origin.

Karnak asserted that it was the father's decision, something that Grimm countered when speaking to Crystal's sister, Medusa. She said nothing in response before she and her colleagues left the room. Ben and Lockjaw were finally able to free themselves after Ben produced a heart-shaped locket that he'd purchased for Alicia and used it to short-circuit the cell that had prevented Lockjaw from teleporting away. 

Moments later, the pair arrived right before Pietro, who was about to place his child in the Terrigen Mist chamber. Neither Ben nor Lockjaw was going to let Maximoff proceed with that plan. Lockjaw grabbed the child and teleported away, with Quicksilver running after him, leaving Ben to follow.

Ben was met by his old Inhuman allies and others who were determined to let the ceremony continue. Black Bolt flew toward the Thing, and the two engaged in another destructive conflict. The skirmish continued until Lockjaw reappeared with Crystal at his side, holding Luna in her arms. She appealed once more to her husband and fellow Inhumans.

It wasn't until Lockjaw spoke up that people finally started to change their minds about the situation. Ben was shocked, unaware that his old companion was capable of speech. A few hours later, Ben bid goodbye to his teammate Johnny Storm's (the Human Torch's) former love, as Lockjaw teleported him back. On the way, Lockjaw admitted that he'd never spoken to Ben before because he simply hadn't had anything to say. 

This was an interesting and enjoyable one-off issue. It was good to see the Inhumans again, including past and future FF members Medusa and Crystal. They will probably always be connected with the Fantastic Four, which isn't surprising, considering they debuted in that series during the Stan Lee-Jack Kirby days. I had no idea that Lockjaw could talk, and I was not expecting the Inhumans to assent to Crystal's position. 

If you want to find out where Ben and Lockjaw went after this story, tune in tomorrow for my recap of the fourth issue of The Thing. They don't return to the Baxter Building or the hospital just yet, and encounter a family in need of consideration for their unique settings. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one anothe. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #2

Good morning, folks!

Hope everyone's been enjoying the weekend. I'm starting the day with a synopsis of the second issue of The Thing. The cover showed a side view of the Thing's head, with images from Ben Grimm's college days superimposed on it. The tale was titled "For Beauty Passed Away." The issue had a publication date of August 1983.

The story started in the Baxter Building in New York City, where Grimm was picking through the wreckage that had been wrought by the Fantastic Four's foe Annihilus while the team was traversing the Negative Zone. As he was picking up, Ben found Annihilus' helmet. He crushed it with the rest of the garbage and tossed it into a nearby disposal chute.

Afterward, he got dressed and prepared to leave, heading for the hospital, where his girlfriend, Alicia Masters, and his godson, Franklin Richards, were recuperating from the villain's assault. On his way out the door, Grimm was intercepted by mailman Willie Lumpkin, who had a first-class priority envelope to hand him.

Ben opened the envelope during the taxi ride to the hospital. He noticed that it had been sent from Central City, California. Grimm froze after reading the message that was inside, but decided to set it aside once he arrived.

Ben's teammate Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) met him on the tenth floor. His son and Alicia's conditions had not changed. A few moments later, Reed's wife Sue (the Invisible Woman) and Ben's uncle, who was a doctor, entered the room. He informed the trio that recovery would take some time, but they were stable. 

Grimm headed for Alicia's room after promising to visit Franklin later on. The shock of seeing Alicia bandaged in her hospital bed was something that Ben was still getting used to. He worried about her, of course, but Alicia could tell that something else was on his mind. Grimm admitted that he had another concern and removed the letter from his pocket before starting his story.

Back in college at Empire State University, Ben and Reed were roommates. One evening, Grimm pried Richards from the laboratory to enjoy a night at the pub. Grimm's lady, Allyn Cambers, was waiting for them, along with a woman named Nan Freeman, whom the couple was trying to set Reed up with. Reed already had his eyes set on his landlady Mrs. Storm's niece Sue, but the quartet went out anyway.

A couple of weeks later, Ben was about to take the field with the rest of his football team when Allyn approached him. She embraced him fiercely before announcing that she had to leave, without explaining why. Reed caught up with her in the hallway, where she also exclaimed that she was leaving. Both Ben and Reed were puzzled, but continued on.

Richards cheered on his friend from the stands, but Grimm eventually noticed Allyn's absence, and it affected his performance on the field. His frustration carried over into the locker room after the game. Only his roommate was able to calm him down. The two friends talked hours later. Ben was convinced that he had to let Cambers know how he really felt about her.

Allyn had left the university, but had not moved away. It took three weeks for Ben to track her down, but they finally had a quiet afternoon together. As they walked, the couple came across a tree where Ben had once carved their initials. He reached into his pocket and produced his mother's ring. Grimm wanted to give it to Allyn, but she refused. She had dreams of becoming a movie star, and couldn't let anything get in the way of that dream. She walked away once more, presumably for good. Ben tossed the ring in the pond behind him moments later.

Ben and Alicia were quiet for some time after Grimm had finished telling his tale. Masters knew that Cambers had become a Hollywood starlet and was surprised that she was now reaching out to Grimm. Ben noted that Allyn had asked to meet her, and he was scared of seeing her again after all this time. Alicia's encouragement gave him the strength to see what she had to say. As he exited the room, Alicia softly wished that Ben would be careful.

Grimm waited alone in the Baxter Building for several hours before Allyn arrived. Her appearance was not what Ben expected. A recent stroke had paralyzed the right side of her body. It was something that she'd managed to keep out of the news thus far, but knew that she couldn't deal with it alone. She leaned on her old love for support.

The next day, Ben returned to the hospital. He conferred with Reed, Sue, and his uncle. Because of the attack on Alicia and Franklin, Reed was concerned for their safety. He announced that his family was moving out of the Baxter Building. Grimm was worried that this news might spell the end of the team.

This story was continued in issue #257 of the Fantastic Four. I remember first reading this issue as a kid, back in the days when you could get polybagged comics at the local shopping center or grocery store. It was a very human issue that Ben dealt with, one that made me wonder what happened to Allyn after reuniting with Ben. 

That's it for this morning. I'll be back later today with a recap of the third issue of the Thing. Ben will be called upon to assist some old allies in a single-issue story. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #1

Good morning, peeps!

I'm kicking off the weekend with a discussion of the first issue of the Thing, a series that began after Marvel Two-In-One ended. The John Byrne-drawn cover showed a triumphant Thing standing in the midst of wreckage all around him. The tale was titled "Lifelines." The issue had a cover date of July 1983.

The story started on Yancy Street, where Ben Grimm grew up. The Thing walked around his old neighborhood, realizing how much things had fallen into disarray since he'd left. He walked into a mostly deserted apartment building and wandered around until he heard noises coming from the basement.

Ben went down the steps and found nothing at first. He moved across the old superintendent's office until breaking down the door nearby. Inside the room was a gang of young teens, who threw everything they had within reach at the intruder. Grimm was unfazed and announced that he wanted to have a few words with the boys.

The leader of the gang came forward when called for and started for a long time at the Thing. Both men looked at one another for several long moments before Ben began a tale from his past. He used to play stickball with his friends, and grew up with his parents and his older brother Dan not far from where they were now. 

Dan led the gang at the time, a fact which often caused several arguments with his folks. Ben listened quietly until he saw his brother leave their shared bedroom one evening. The curious young lad followed his older sibling, and witnessed a violent rumble. He also saw the fatal stab that ended Dan's life. Ben ran to his brother's side, but he was already gone.

Ben was filled with rage, and did the only thing he could think to do at the time: he fought back. His parents were furious with him when they picked him up at the police station, but that night had changed things for Ben. In time, he supplanted his brother as leader of the gang. One day, he headed for home and found his uncle Jake standing before their brownstone.

Jake informed Ben that his parents had passed away. Grimm didn't want to believe the news at first, but finally relented. He agreed to move in with his uncle and his wife, Alyce. Ben wasn't accustomed to the higher standard of living that his aunt and uncle had, but he turned a new leaf after a while.

He began to appreciate all of their kindness, even when he was his cruelest to them. Ben figured out that high school wasn't all that bad, and he became a star football player. Being on the field helped Grimm cope with the loss of his parents. It also paved the way for an athletic scholarship. Ben met a young Victor Von Doom at the university before coming face to face with his new roommate, Reed Richards.

Richards and Grimm struck up a lasting friendship. Ben promised to fly the rocket that Reed promised to build, even though he didn't know at the time that he'd honor that promise. Grimm later joined the Air Force and became a skilled test pilot. Reed called upon those abilities once his rocket was finally complete. 

Reed, along with his girlfriend Sue Storm and her kid brother Johnny, had signed up for the trip. Grimm was a bit hesitant because of the cosmic rays. None of them were aware just then how much that would play a role in their excursion.

The quartet snuck onto the government base and boarded the rocket. Ben took the controls, and they flew off into space together. Each of them was affected by the cosmic rays and swore to use the abilities that they'd gained from them for good. 

The gang leader wasn't impressed with Ben's narrative. He pointed out that he hadn't been given the lucky breaks that Grimm did. That was true, but Grimm knew from experience that it also took a certain mindset to break out of unfavorable habits and conditions. 

Afterward, Ben left the building to confer with his friend who was waiting outside. He admitted that he'd shared more personal information with the gang members than he'd ever disclosed with Reed or Sue. The gang leader was his friend's son, and he hoped that his words would get through to him sooner or later. It was a favor Grimm was glad to repay his old pal, but he still wasn't certain that he got through to the boy. His father gave Ben credit for the attempt, which was probably more than most would even try to do. They walked off together to drown their sorrows with a couple of cold beers and talk more about the past. 

As you can probably tell, this book began in a different direction than its predecessor. Writer John Byrne, who was in the middle of his legendary run as writer/artist of the Fantastic Four title at the time as well, took a closer look at the man who is Ben Grimm. We saw what motivated him and how he turned from street punk to the ever-loving blue-eyed idol of millions. 

There would be more examination of Grimm in upcoming months, including the second issue that I'll recap tomorrow morning. Ben will be revisited by an old flame, and he'll find out that what he remembered from someone he was once very close with has changed drastically over the years that they spent apart. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #100

Happy Friday, folks!

I'm closing out the workweek with a recap of the one hundredth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing and Ben Grimm standing together in the midst of a wrecked city, with the Thing declaring it to be the end (which was the end of this series' run). The story was called "Aftermath." The issue had a cover date of June 1983.

The tale began with Grimm looking back to when he used Dr. Doom's time machine to go back to a period where he thought he could cure his younger self of becoming the Thing. He eventually ran into that version of Grimm, and the two Things battled before the one from our era administered a potion that reverted the younger version of Ben to his human form.

Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) was watching that playback on a video monitor at the Baxter Building with his old college pal, and told him that was when he found his friend in the timestream to retrieve him (as shown in issue #50 of this title). Ben wondered why Reed was bringing up the past. 

Richards reminded Grimm how his actions created an alternate reality. He then brought up a Daily Bugle newspaper headline that mentioned a nuclear explosion in New Amsterdam from that particular timeline. It seemed that Ben's interaction affected more than he initially knew. He was thinking that his other self might still be alive, just before Reed's wife Sue (the Invisible Girl) reminded him of his promise to take her out that evening. The happy couple left Grimm to his own thoughts, which inevitably drifted back to that alternate timeline.

He returned to the time machine, adjusted the controls, and set the timer for the day before yesterday before stepping onto the platform. Moments later, Ben emerged in a deserted Baxter Building in the bombed-out city of New Amsterdam. He slowly made his way down the elevator shaft before exiting the building and seeing for himself how devastated the city really was.

Grimm was approached by a violent mob that he dispatched with ease. He then found his counterpart from that timeline, who led him into an underground subway terminal where several had sought refuge. The Ben Grimm from that era then told his duplicate what had happened since their last encounter. His teammates were glad to see he'd returned to his human form. This Ben opened a tavern and was replaced on the Fantastic Four by Spider-Man. The team still battled threats from Earth and beyond, but finally met their match when Galactus arrived. The world devourer downed them one by one.

This reality had no Silver Surfer to confront Galactus. Other super-powered beings tried, but none of them proved to be worthy of such an ultimate challenge. Galactus built one of his machines atop the Baxter Building that consumed as much of the planet's resources as it could, leaving the Earth a mostly dead, dried-up world of little use to anyone. Its remaining inhabitants clung to life after his disappearance and tried to make things as normal as possible.

Grimm admired his double's efforts to help people after such decimation. However, before this Earth's Ben could finish his story, the Thing ran into intruders from the next threat: the Red Skull. The German monarch's minions quickly overpowered the Thing, who soon found himself shackled to a table in the villain's lair, which was in the remains of what once was the World Trade Center.

As Ben and his fellow survivors went to save their guest, the Thing listened to his captor, remembering that Namor of this Earth probably never found the ice-encased body of the Skull's rival, Captain America. The Red Skull continued to taunt his prisoner, while new hostages were herded inside his camp, including a blind woman named Alicia Masters.

Ben's group posed as soldiers and infiltrated the base. They entered the Skull's lair just after the Thing was being tortured by the Skull. The distraction allowed him to break free and join the fray. He learned about the Skull's Red Dust and blew it back at his foe, which soon ended the villain's life. 

Afterward, Ben returned to the Baxter Building with the Thing. He thanked his visitor for his assistance, thinking they probably wouldn't meet again. The time platform descended on the modern-day Ben Grimm, and he stood alone for several minutes once he was back in his old surroundings. He thought about both versions of himself before deciding that he'd choose himself in a heartbeat.

This was a rather appropriate ending to this title, and a nice resolution to the events that occurred in issue #50. The series, along with others like Spider-Woman, Master of Kung Fu, and Ghost Rider, was cancelled about the same time in 1983. However, unlike the others, the Thing would return in another title that was initially scripted, but not illustrated for the most part, by John Byrne. It wasn't a team-up book. Although there were several guest stars from time to time, this one was centered mainly around Ben Grimm's life both before and after he became the Thing. 

I'll start the weekend with a synopsis of the first issue of The Thing. Ben returns to his old stomping grounds on Yancy Street, where he tries to advise several youths in the neighborhood, a task that made him contemplate the old days and where his life had taken him since then. Until then, have a great week, and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #99

Happy Thursday, folks!

Today's article is one that I've been looking forward to writing for a while. The cover showed the Thing alongside ROM: Spaceknight. The tale did not have a title. The issue had a cover date of May 1983.

Ben Grimm was alone in the Baxter Building in New York on a rainy night, reading a book of ghost stories, when he heard a loud hissing sound from above. He went upstairs to investigate and opened the roof access. Shortly thereafter, a tall metallic body fell down the steps at him. Grimm recognized it as belonging to the Spaceknight called ROM.

The Thing placed the Galadorian on a table and turned on the sensor slab. The Spaceknight's armor slowly started functioning normally. ROM rose from the table to thank his friend. He explained that when they last met, the Spaceknight had borrowed a ship from the Fantastic Four to search for his homeworld of Galador. He later returned to Earth and flew above a castle not far away from where he was now.

He ventured inside and saw several of his mortal enemies, the Dire Wraiths, standing around the armor of his Spaceknight comrade, Firefall. The wraiths had once used that armor to house a human, but now the armor was vacant once more. They continued their incantations until the Firefall armor broke free of its bonds and started after ROM moments after the Galadorian made his presence known. 

The possessed Firefall armor flew at ROM, and the two continued their battle outside in the rain. Even though ROM knew that the armor no longer contained his friend Karas, he held himself back during the confrontation. The wraith-controlled armor had no such compunctions, and eventually unleashed a major blast at ROM, one which left him drifting helplessly down toward the roof of the Baxter Building.

The sizzling that Ben had heard earlier was ROM's armor steaming in the rain. Grimm agreed to join his armored friend in stopping the Dire Wraiths' plans. They went to the same castle where ROM had been earlier and were soon attacked by Firefall. Ben ripped up a stretch of ground to shield them while his alien counterpart flew to face the threat once more.

The flame hurled from the Firefall suit was living, although its most recent wearer was not. ROM and Firefall continued their aerial combat as Ben climbed the castle steps. Inside, he came face to face with wraiths for the first time. The Thing tried not to let his fear get the best of him, but pressed on as the unearthly spells were cast.

At one point, the Firefall armor lost direction and headed toward the storm's epicenter. ROM summoned his neutralizer and blasted the empty armor, sending it falling to the ground. He then flew to the castle to find Ben now under the influence of the Dire Wraiths. 

ROM then entered a struggle he didn't want to partake in, much like his first encounter with the Firefall armor earlier that evening. He defended himself against his hypnotized ally and tried to strike at his alien masters when he could. ROM finally fired his neutralizer at the Fantastic Four's strongman, who slowly turned back to his human form.

Ben was astonished by the unexpected change and was no longer hypnotized. He continued to fight back against the wraiths as the Galadorian neutralizer in ROM's hand sang its familiar song of banishment to the dimension known as limbo. Before long, the battle was over.

ROM tried to console Ben afterward, confessing that he was unaware that a man existed under the Thing's rocky exterior. However, the neutralizer's effect on Ben was only temporary, because as they talked, his cosmic ray-generated alter ego took hold. He was relieved and extended a hand to his friend from a galaxy far, far away. 

This was only the second time that the Spaceknight was primarily featured in a Marvel title other than his own. The first was a story that started in Power Man and Iron Fist and ended in ROM's mag. Longtime readers of this blog know that ROM and Marvel Two-In-One were my first non-Star Wars Marvel titles that I ever read, so this pairing was right up my alley, and of course it was scripted by ROM plotter Bill Mantlo. My only regret was that it would have been nice to have seen Karras, the Galadorian who was the first to don the Firefall armor, step inside the suit one more time. Oh well. By the way, Image Comics just released a new issue of ROM in the last few weeks, but that version is more similar to the one that had a short-lived IDW run a few years back than the Marvel title that spun off from the Parker Brothers robot toy. 

That's it for today. Tomorrow, I'll close out the week with a discussion of the one hundredth and final issue of Marvel Two-In-One's initial run. John Byrne returns to craft a tale involving Ben and someone from another landmark issue that he was involved with in this series. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #98

Happy Wednesday, folks!

Today's topic is the ninety-eighth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed Ben Grimm's face as he played a video game. The tale was titled "Vid Wars!" The issue had a publication date of April 1983.

The story started at a video arcade in New York, where the Thing stood next to his godson, Franklin Richards, who had just defeated him in the game Star-Fighter 15 times in a row. Afterward, Ben asked Franklin if he was interested in a game that was more in line with Grimm's physical abilities. Franklin politely declined, and the two headed back to the Baxter Building.

On the way, Ben asked his godson how he got to be so good at games like that. Franklin replied that he merely observed patterns in the game. At the entrance, they were met by the doorman and overheard a stranger trying to enter, who wanted to find a way to market his new video game. Ben's ears perked up upon hearing that, and he allowed the man inside.

He introduced himself as Dr. Giles Niven, and he was hoping to market a game he'd created called Space Saver. Niven was inspired by the odd sounds he'd been hearing from deep space. Once inside the Fantastic Four's headquarters, the good doctor brought out the console and loaded the game disk.

Ben took to the controller and started playing immediately. In a setup similar to the Pac-Man franchise, players moved their character around the screen to set up shields in the maze before them while trying to evade the enemy known as the Grungy Gobbler. Grimm had no sooner plugged in a set of controllers and pressed the interactive mode button on the computer when he, Franklin, and Giles disappeared.

They arrived on a plane named Krith, which was occupied by tall, green alien humanoids. One of them, called Sharilla, was the leader of their security forces. She had brought the humans to their world to assist them in getting rid of a large monster that looked very similar to the antagonist in Niven's video game. 

The doctor saw the correlations to the current threat and his game, and asked Sharilla if they had any vehicles capable of producing force fields. They did, and he, Ben, and Sharilla set off in one. Franklin tried to warn his uncle about the patterns from the game, but Grimm didn't make time to hear him out. 

It wasn't long before the trio found one of the monsters, which soon spewed smaller red gobblers from its maw, just like in the video game. Ben eventually found himself face to face with two of the red gobblers, who crashed into each other and were destroyed after Grimm ducked out of their paths. The smaller drones were surprisingly intelligent, but still beatable. 

Niven took the controls of the ship and launched a force field bomb at one of the drones, encasing it in a transparent bubble. Afterward, the flier landed to pick up Ben before returning to the base. Franklin continued talking to the Thing about the patterns, which Sharilla noted might be true after all. They discovered where the larger creature went to recharge, which was identical to the game.

The shuttle set out again in search of the gobbler, who had retreated to a large circular generator. It resumed its defense upon seeing its attackers, and while Ben led the forward charge, the doctor and Sharilla examined the structure. Giles and Sharilla figured out that if they sent the ship into the belly of the generator, it would explode.

After the detonation, the gobbler lost its primary power source, and soon disappeared into nothingness. K'rith had been saved. The doctor chose to stay behind on the planet to further aid its people. A while later, Franklin and Ben were having a rematch on a console back at the Baxter Building. Franklin's parents, Reed (Mr. Fantastic) and Sue (the Invisible Girl) were watching. Reed remarked that the game was selling well, and that they planned to use the proceeds to establish a grant in Giles' name. Franklin won again, leaving his uncle to wonder if they might have been better off playing checkers instead. 

This issue was billed as a team-up with Franklin Richards, although he didn't contribute as much to the plot as other guest stars have during this series' run. It was still in line with the video game craze of the Eighties, and a decent single-issue story before the title's cancellation. 

That's it for me today. Tomorrow, I'll talk about the ninety-ninth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The Thing pairs up with someone who was the subject of my first retro comic book series to take on a terror that most of us thought had been extinguished quite some time ago. Until then, have a great week, and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #97

Good morning, folks,

Happy Tuesday! I'm winding down the original Marvel Two-In-One run. Today's focus is on the ninety-seventh issue of that series. The cover depicted the Thing and Iron Man locked in a battle with several large dinosaurs. The story was called "Yesterdaze!" The issue had a cover date of March 1983.

The issue began with Ben Grimm staring at a contract from Silver Screen Productions, along with a $10,000 check made out to a children's hospital. Grimm had received the mailing, which offered him a starring role in an upcoming monster movie. He discussed the matter with his housemates, Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Sue Richards (the Invisible Girl), Franklin Richards, and Johnny Storm (the Human Torch), along with his girlfriend, Alicia Masters. 

Reed scanned the contract to make sure it was legitimate. After confirming that it appeared to be valid, Ben thought about how the money could help the children's hospital and started letting fame get to his head. At the Hollywood studio, producer Ted Silverberg was in the middle of filming his latest blockbuster. He wasn't too concerned about the actors' abilities, thinking he could still profit from the film. 

Silverberg's career had been promising until a recent venture was foiled by the Thing (and Wonder Man, in issue #78 of this title). Ted retreated to his trailer, where he talked with Professor Frankheimer. The European scientist had developed a three-dimensional movie camera that could take images from the past and present them as if they were real in the present. He demonstrated the device by showing Silverberg an ancient lizard on the screen. Frankheimer used the sophisticated camera to project a lifelike replica of the lizard that appeared on the table before them.

Ted was amazed by the invention and agreed to the professor's terms, which were a credit on each film that it was used in and $5,000 for the rights to the camera. The professor warned the director not to forget to turn the camera off, noting that the circuits could overheat if it was left on for prolonged periods of time. Ted was the one who had sent Ben the $10,000 check, figuring that the expenses would be worth it to see Grimm humiliated. He then left the trailer after turning the camera off. The lizard was no longer on the screen, but something knocked a soda can off the desk after the director and his associate had departed.

Ben arrived at the studio bright and early the next day, dressed for his part as a leading man. Meanwhile, Iron Man neared the studio. He landed, and Tony Stark changed into his businessman identity, where he was approached by a movie starlet. Before the two could converse much, Grimm entered the scene. He was about to star in a picture that Stark's accounting partners had him buy into. 

The two old friends walked off together toward the dressing room. Grimm received his first directions while still in the makeup chair. At the same time, Silverberg was using the new camera to grab images of three dinosaurs from the past. They were to be Ben's foes.

Grimm was obviously surprised to see his opponents disappear, but he charged on anyway until he realized that Silverberg's acts were designed to humiliate him. Stark tried to calm his comrade, but things changed once Ben kicked one of the dinosaurs and felt that it was solid, unlike the images that had disappeared before. 

It soon became quite obvious that the dinosaurs were real. Ben started battling the beasts while Stark retreated to the actress Bo Drip's trailer to change into Iron Man. The battle raged on across several sets on the lot. 

After using a freon capsule from an epaulet in his armor, Iron Man realized that cold was the key to stopping the creatures. He convinced Ben to join him at another set where they eventually used freon cannons to freeze the creatures in their tracks. Afterward, the beasts were hauled away via helicopter to the Savage Land.

Ben and Tony found Silverberg lamenting the loss of his equipment. Stark rationalized that Ted could take a tax write-off on the production if he handed over the film, which could embarrass the Thing. Silverberg gave up the film reel. As the heroes walked off, Ted wondered if Steven Spielberg ever had days like that.

This was a bit of a resolution regarding Silverberg. Not a bad single-issue story, especially for readers who were new to this book. It's a light-hearted plot that was a bit familiar to Ben's previous Hollywood affairs. For the fourth-to-last issue of this title, it wasn't bad. There were tongue-in-cheek nods to various big-budget blockbusters and celebrities at the time. The only thing I wondered after reading this issue for the first time was if the professor ever learned that his invention had been used to bring real dinosaurs from the past onto the Hollywood studio lot. 

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll talk about the ninety-eighth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. Ben has to deal with an intergalactic menace, with the assistance of someone he lived with at the Baxter Building, but probably not a person you'd initially guess. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #96

Happy Labor Day, folks!

Today's topic is the ninety-sixth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing recovering in a hospital bed, with flower bouquets from the Avengers and the Yancy Street Gang sitting on a table, as his nurse tried to shush the crowd again, which included Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Wolverine, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Colossus, and Cyclops, battling against the Mole Man, Mirage, the Melter, and several Mole Men. The tale was titled "Visiting Hours!" The issue had a publication date of February 1983.

The story started with Ben Grimm lying in a hospital bed after recent injuries sustained during battles with Gladiator (in issue #249 of the Fantastic Four) and the Champion (as I talked about in my coverage of the seventh Marvel Two-In-One annual). He was surrounded by his Fantastic Four teammates, Reed, Sue Richards (the Invisible Girl), and Johnny Storm (the Human Torch), as well as his girlfriend, Alicia Masters, and his comrades from the Avengers, Iron Man and Captain America, who promised to postpone their poker matches until Ben was fully recovered. 

Ben was even visited by his old pal Ben Foster (formerly Giant-Man) and his lady Celia. Bill was recovering from radiation poisoning and on the mend. Reed wanted Grimm to stay in the hospital to receive the best possible care, but worried that his old college roommate might be attacked by any of their numerous enemies.

One such foe was plotting in his hideout. The Mad Thinker was confident that at least one of Grimm's rivals would reach him while he was recuperating. Meanwhile, Spidey was purchasing a get-well bouquet for his old pal when a minor villain known as the Mecho-Marauder burst out of a van that was parked in front of the hospital where Ben was. It was easy enough for Spider-Man to clog the finger blasters in his opponent's costume, which caused the suit to overheat and explode. Afterward, Spidey scaled the building and jumped into the open window to offer his well wishes. 

Eventually, Ben's nurse ushered all of his guests out of the room once visiting hours were over. She also extinguished the cigar that Grimm had just lit. While Ben was lamenting the loss of his stogie, the villain known as Mirage entered the hospital lobby undetected until he was stopped by Daredevil. His keen radar senses allowed the hero to detect the real villain from his duplicates.

As Ben started to feel bored in his room, Dr. Don Blake was about to pay him a visit when his travel was interrupted by the arrival of the Mole Man and his minions in a vehicle that burst through the surface of the Earth. Blake quickly changed into his alter ego of the mighty Thor and took on his opponents. A lightning storm scared them back underground.

While Ben's nurse was taking his pulse, armed guards outside the hospital were knocked out by a gas round fired by Shellshock (last seen in MTIO #70). The villain had a new costume and upgraded weapon, but ran into a challenge in the form of the new Ant-Man (Scott Lang). Lang telepathically called to his legion of faithful ants, several of which infiltrated the villain's costume and sent him running away, itching as he did so. 

The next challengers to arrive on the scene were Letha, Titania, Poundcake, and Screaming Mimi. The female wrestlers wanted revenge against the Thing, but first they had to face Captain America, who dispatched the females one at a time.

Cap was then joined by the current iteration of the X-Men, moments before the Highwayman's newest vehicle bore down toward them. Thankfully, the car was halted by Iron Man's defensive efforts. All the while, Ben's boredom continued to grow, as he tossed paper airplanes at the wastebasket in his room.

News of Ben's hospitalization had even reached as far as Latveria, where the country's monarch, Doctor Doom, read of his condition in a newspaper. Although it would probably be quite easy for Doom to vanquish his foe, he opted not to take advantage of a rival who was in a weakened state. 

Meanwhile, the Torch flew down a hospital corridor toward his friends, who were gearing up for a large-scale assault by the villains who were marching there. The next few pages featured a grand battle between characters, including the Hulk, Sasquatch, the Fantastic Four, X-Men, Avengers, MODOK, the Mole Man, Whiplash, the Melter, Daredevil, Spider-Man, Namor, the Rhino, the Beetle, the female wrestlers that Captain America had just defeated, the Mecho-Marauder, Mole Man, and a few others.

The Mad Thinker was right in his prediction that an old enemy would reach Ben. His error was thinking that the person in particular was still a rival. As the conflict raged outside, Grimm was surprised to see the Sandman standing before him. He explained that he used his ability to sneak past the hospital staff to see him. He shared a six-pack with his new friend, and they started up a friendly conversation.

The plot to this issue reminded me a bit of the third Fantastic Four annual, where a bevy of heroes and villains arrived to try and interrupt Reed and Sue's wedding. It was a light-hearted story, and even though the final results of the climactic battle were not shown, I have to assume that the good guys won once more. It wasn't a traditional team-up issue with the Thing, but seeing as how the title was nearing its conclusion, I don't really think that many fans at the time minded. I think they were more concerned with Ben's well-being, and a good old-fashioned clash between several well-loved characters (and some whose names I didn't even know) was probably well appreciated and enjoyed. 

That's it from me. Taking off to enjoy the rest of this holiday. Make it a good one! Tomorrow, I'll return to summarize the ninety-seventh issue of Marvel Two-In-One. Ben is lured back to Hollywood again to engage in another production, but runs into the kind of trouble that an Avenger can help him to get out of. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One Annual #7

Good afternoon, folks,

Hope everyone's been enjoying the weekend. I'm winding down the day with a discussion of the seventh Marvel Two-In-One annual. The cover showed the Thing in boxing togs alongside Colossus, Sasquatch, Namor the Sub-Mariner, the Hulk, Wonder Man, and the mighty Thor. The title of the 1983 annual's story was "And They Shall Call Him...Champion!"

In Alicia Masters' sculptor studio, the Thing was about to lose what remained of his patience. He'd been standing in the same pose for quite some time to accommodate Masters' request to help her finish a new sculpture. She worked on that miniature before working on a likeness of the Avengers' arch-enemy, Ultron. Ben Grimm was distracted by a bright light that signaled the arrival of a four-armed alien named Proja. 

The stranger was a promoter who arrived to offer Ben an opportunity of multiple lifetimes. He proposed that Grimm join in a contest for the championship of the galaxy. Proja left his business card before disappearing the same way that he'd arrived. The alien would go on to offer the same proposition to Thor, the Hulk, Doc Samson, Colossus, Namor, Sasquatch, Wonder Man, and the Vision. He disqualified the Vision after learning that the Avenger was a snynthoid. The Scarlet Witch fired a hex bolt at him just as the intruder vanished from their room. 

The other heroes that Proja had approached were transported to an artificial world together. They were then introduced to their host, an otherworldly being who called himself the Champion. He wanted to battle Earth's strongest warriors to determine who was the best. They rushed at him before being dismissed. The Champion left the room, leaving the heroes behind to be trained by his lackeys.

Ben's disappearance from Alicia's studio apartment was eventually noticed by his Fantastic Four teammates Sue (the Invisible Girl) and Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic). Alicia explained to them what happened. Sue tried to console Ben's girlfriend, while Reed used one of the many machines he'd created over his lifetime to scan the room for any traces of energy left behind by Proja. Reed learned that the Thing had been taken by someone whose strength rivaled that of Galactus himself, but chose to keep that knowledge to himself for the time being.

While Colossus' teammates and mentor, Professor X, were trying to determine who was responsible for their friend's kidnapping, he and his fellow captors were going through their initial workouts under the tutelage of the Champion's assistants. Doc Samson was the first challenger to be eliminated, followed closely behind by Namor, who refused to partake in the training sessions. 

Colossus, Sasquatch, the Hulk, Wonder Man, and the Thing pressed on. Their match would be held at Madison Square Garden in New York, and news of the event spread across the globe. Tickets were sold, and final contracts were signed before the event was about to begin.

Thor was the first hero to be summoned to the ring, which was enclosed under a transparent dome in the center of the stadium floor. It was strong enough that Wolverine and Cyclops' attacks on it were ineffective. The Champion took his place in the ring and greeted his first challenger before the initial bell rang. Thor was disqualified for using his hammer Mjolnir, and the (now-intelligent) Hulk was chosen to replace him. Hulk became more savage with each passing second and was also eliminated, since the Champion preferred not to battle a savage combatant.

Sasquatch soon took his place. He stood his ground before finally falling to the Champion's mighty blows. Colossus was next, but was removed after being unable to defend himself from more volleys flung at him by the alien. Wonder Man was next, but he was disqualified for trying to tear the floor of the ring out from underneath them.

The Thing was the only hero left to face the Champion. He was ready, but it turned out to be one of the most brutal fights of his lifetime. Grimm had faced many powerful foes before, but this one was in a league above most of them. Ben outpaced the friends before him and actually lasted three rounds before giving out after the bell rang for the fourth round.

The Champion smiled and held his trophy belt high to the disbelief of the audience. Ben crawled to face him, ready for a rematch. The Champion would not grant him that opportunity, and he and his referee vanished from sight moments before Grimm collapsed to the floor. His friends propped him up and carried him off.

I think that the script for this issue was likely influenced by the popularity of the Rocky movies. We would later learn that the Champion was an Elder of the Universe. He has since battled similarly powered beings like Galactus, Thanos, and the Silver Surfer, but as far as I know, he has not gone up against Grimm or his comrades since. I'm kind of surprised that a person who could pose that much of an intergalactic threat hasn't taken on other teams like the FF, X-Men, or Avengers at least once. 

If you want to find out what happened to Ben on his road to recovery, tune in tomorrow for my recap of the ninety-sixth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. That story reminds me of a similar plot that was rolled out in an often-reprinted Marvel Annual. Until then, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #95

Good morning,

Hope all's well with everyone. I'm starting the day with a recap of the ninety-fifth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted Ben Grimm and the Living Mummy battling several large green snakes, with a trio of unidentified people behind them. The story was called "The Power to Live...The Power to Die!... The issue had a publication date of January 1983. 

The tale began at Alicia Masters' studio apartment in New York. Her boyfriend Grimm (aka the Thing) had intercepted a package delivery for her. As Alicia opened the box, Ben read the inscription on the included card. It mentioned becoming a new powerful Egyptian god. Inside the box was an ornate headdress. Once Masters donned it, she started to glow and seemed to be under the influence of the strange hat.

Alicia exclaimed that she was the new bride of Nephrus, and a beam emitted from the headpiece knocked Grimm across the room. She swore his death if he continued to intervene in the activities of immortals. Ben recovered, but by the time he left the apartment, Alicia was nowhere in sight. 

He decided to get a little insight on the situation by visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Thing arrived at the ancient Egyptian exhibit, where he was met by a curator named Lillian Temple-Worth. She initially rebuffed Ben, but changed her mind after showing him a picture of the headdress that Alicia now wore. Temple-Worth then showed Grimm a photo of Gamal Hassan, the man who had stolen that artifact from the museum. 

Ben had never seen the man before. Lillian replied that he'd been her superior before going off on his quest for a power stone that Hassan was certain had belonged to his Egyptian ancestors many years ago. By then, Alicia had arrived at the New York harbor and used the headdress's power to transform an ordinary-looking boat into a historic-looking skimmer that she flew off in as Ben was convincing Lillian that they needed to go to Egypt to address the threat.

In that very land, the figure known as the Living Mummy sat alone. He thought about some of his many adventures over the years. He'd survived for three thousand years and continued on to pursue power. He was determined to either live as a man once more or die so that his abnormal imitation of life would finally cease.

As he sat, the mummy noticed a caravan carrying a chariot that bore Alicia and Gamal. They were heading to a small dwelling nearby, one that Hassan was convinced contained within it the secret to immortality. They came across the building, which was supposedly constructed by Nephrus himself. Once they disembarked, Hassan bid Alicia to eliminate their servants, so they could continue on in peace.

While Hassan began his search with the aid of the purloined crown of Hathor that Alicia wore, Ben and Lillian were busy acquiring supplies in a local town. This included a pair of camels, who were initially a bit reluctant to obey the whims of their new owners. Ben fought off a few invaders before the duo rode off into the desert. 

At the same time, Alicia and Gamal entered the temple to find the spirit gem of Nephrus. Hassan stood guard while Masters searched and dispatched defenses upon seeing the pair of camel riders. The cannons were somewhat effective against Ben and Lillian, but he hadn't counted on the Living Mummy's intervention. 

The mummy entered the room where Hassan was watching the heroes and demanded that Nephrus make him human. Gamal fled, leaving the Living Mummy to look for the same power source that Masters and Hassan were searching for. Alicia eventually uncovered the stone, which Gamal grabbed and brought toward his chest.

As Ben and Lillian were wandering the tents surrounding the small domicile, the mummy emerged from one of them moments before the newly powered Gamal and Alicia burst into view. Grimm threw the first stone before Hassan, with the spirit of Nephrus inhabiting him, relished the thought of facing his old enemy N'Kantu (the Living Mummy) again after many long years. 

Hassan was about to fire a beam at the Thing before Temple-Worth jumped forward holding a mirror, which reflected the bolt back at the villain. He was temporarily incapacitated, and the Living Mummy moved closer to him. Lillian tossed an electrical cable at Alicia, which severed her link with the helmet.

Masters was back to her old self again. Temple-Worth brought her to Ben, right before the mummy and his longtime rival renewed their centuries-old rivalry. Ben interfered, tearing down a stone pillar that he hurled at Hassan. His foe used his supernatural abilities to transmute arrows into large snakes at the mummy. Lillian advised Alicia to use the crown she wore against their common foe. She used it to fire a beam at Hassan, which cleaved the jewel from his chest.

Gamal fell to the sand below, and the gem landed in one of Ben's mighty palms. Hassan pleaded for its return, but soon disintegrated into dust after Ben crushed the jewel in his hand. Grimm held Masters close to him, as Lillian looked on and the Living Mummy wandered off on his own, knowing that part of his past was permanently over. 

I don't know much about the Living Mummy, but I have read a few of Marvel's other monster titles from the 1970s. I guess this was a bit of closure for that character. He would return again from time to time, but this was a satisfying single-issue story that ended a threat before it could have had far-reaching repercussions across the entire world.

That's it for now. Later today, I'll discuss the seventh and final Marvel Two-In-One annual for this series' run. The Thing joins several other similarly strong adventurers in a battle royale against an intergalactic menace. Until then, have a great Sunday and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #94

Good afternoon,

Hope everyone's been enjoying the holiday weekend. Time for me to talk about the ninety-fourth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover was illustrated as a video arcade game, with a player activating the controls as the Thing, Power Man, and Iron Fist battled on screen. The tale was titled "The Power Trap!" The issue had a cover date of December 1982.

The story started on a street in a seedy part of New York. Alicia Masters was making her way alone from the Baxter Building to her apartment, where her boyfriend, Ben Grimm (the Thing), was going to pick up a block of Italian marble to transport to her home. Several gang members watched the pretty blind girl stroll by before deciding to step in her way.

They rummaged through her purse, bringing out the face moldings she'd carved. One of them pushed Alicia down before some of the others opted for more drastic measures. However, before any harm could befall Masters, someone started throwing rocks from a nearby entryway at the young punks, who quickly fled the scene.

A few moments later, Alicia's savior stepped out from the shadows. He helped her to her feet and assisted Masters in gathering her belongings. The two started talking on the way to Alicia's studio apartment. Once inside, the stranger was amazed by the lifelike qualities of her works. He sat down, talking about his struggles while Alicia used her hands to scan his face. Within minutes, she had sculpted a remarkable likeness of the man.

When they heard Ben's footsteps ascending the stairway, the stranger started to panic. He was ducking out of a window when Grimm entered the room. Ben automatically assumed the worst and insinuated that his love had abandoned him for someone else. Alicia explained what had happened and gestured toward her newest work of art. Ben recognized the visage as the missing billionaire, Jeff Mann. He went AWOL some time before, and his company had been searching for any clues about his whereabouts. 

While Ben and Alicia were silently wishing Mann well, the heroes for hire known as Power Man and Iron Fist were conversing in a local video arcade. Luke Cage (Power Man) was playing a new game called "X-Factor." Just when he thought he'd mastered the game, its namesake X-Factor opened a trap that his onscreen icon fell into.

Cage was about to take his frustrations out on the inanimate machine until a boy's question made him rethink that. He put the console down and let Danny Rand (Iron Fist) take a turn at it. Rand was mystified by the complexity, and he experienced the same kind of loss that Cage had minutes earlier. They stopped playing the game when their colleague Benny gave them information about the missing industrialist Mann. 

Rand and Cage took the corporate route to try to track down the businessman, while Grimm returned to the Baxter Building and had its computer banks print out all available information on Jeff. It indicated a connection with Ben's old friend from Yancy Street, Jeff Dean. He ran to his old stomping grounds immediately.

Meanwhile, Rand was playing racquetball at an exclusive athletic club with Mann's former baseball teammate and business rival Kurt Samael. After Kurt won the match, the two of them retreated to the cafe, where Samael disclosed that Mann had lost interest in his pitching career and retired early, and that he'd served as Mann's real estate broker for all of his transactions, except that he wouldn't let him close the sale of an abandoned Yancy Street property. 

Cage was in the Village at the time and ran across a newsstand owner who he learned had a working arrangement with Mann. Jeff could be contacted at an abandoned building on Yancy Street. Things were starting to fall in piece for all three of this issue's stars.

Luke was the first one to reach the deserted tenement. He found Jeff sitting by himself in an upstairs room. Cage cornered the billionaire, who freely admitted that he hated how rapidly his business empire had grown. It started to feel like they were in control of everything in Jeff's life. 

Cage empathized with Mann, but also knew that a contract was a contract. They exited the building together, where the Thing caught up with them. The two former teammates (Cage briefly replaced Grimm on the Fantastic Four when Ben temporarily lost his powers) argued over who should take Mann. That gave Mann time to flee, but he wound up in the arms of Iron Fist. 

Rand walked on with Mann, while Ben and Luke engaged in a confrontation, one that resulted in the destruction of the very building that Cage and Mann had just occupied. Iron Fist brought Mann back to his company, but wasn't about to be paid until both he and Power Man were present. Danny went to bring his friend back, as the corporate executives prepared to continue with their plans. 

A short while later, Danny confronted the Thing, and Cage and Rand entered Mann's company together. They stood above its emblem on the floor, which opened up as a trapdoor, sending the heroes into a narrow pit that led to several obstacles. Grimm was waiting outside for ten minutes before barging in. 

The Thing found himself standing on the same trapdoor moments later and joined his comrades in battling the automated traps. The Thing's mighty punch opened a hole in the wall and allowed Rand to use his unique ability to prevent the evildoers' car from fleeing the scene. 

Mann thanked the heroes for their intervention, noting that he'd designed the X-Factor game as a way of dealing with the frustrations he'd experienced. One of those consoles was just a few feet away, and Ben was soon just as obsessed with it as Rand and Cage had been in the video arcade. The story ended before we knew whether or not Ben was able to beat the game.

Video arcades were wildly popular during the time when this story was written. Video games would also be part of another upcoming MTIO plot. There were no supervillains in this saga, but it was still a fun standalone issue nonetheless. Nothing great, but not terrible, either. 

That's all I have for you today. I'll start Sunday with a synopsis of the ninety-fifth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. Ben and Alicia become involved with a character who once had its own series of stories back when Marvel had their monster mags. Until then, have a great weekend, and don't forget to be kind to one another.