Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #23

Hello there,

It's time for me to talk about the twenty-third issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the issue's stars, the Thing and Thor, squaring off against a giant green baddie. The story was called "Death on the Bridge to Heaven!" The issue had a publication date of January 1977.

The story began right where the previous issue left off. Ben Grimm and the mighty Thor were fending for their lives against a skeleton army that had been summoned from Heliopolis by the god Seth. After vanquishing the troops, their foe faded from view. Shortly afterward, Grimm and Thor felt themselves drifting off, presumably to follow their attacker.

They left the Human Torch (Johnny Storm) and Janice Lightner behind at the hospital where the duo had arrived with the Thing (last issue) to seek medical assistance for Janice's brother Tom (also known as the menacing Blacksun) from Doctor Don Blake (Thor's alter ego). Johnny continued to carry Tom as they walked on in search of help. 

By then, Thor and the Thing had arrived at the Golden Paths of the Gods. There, Seth proclaimed that the heroes would fight their final battle. The Asgardian had been there once before and had defeated the foe with the aid of Seth's brother. That same sibling was now hanging by his arms from atop the entrance to a nearby building. Not even Thor's Mjolnir could break the chains that bound him.

Ben was briefly hypnotized by Seth before breaking free of his control and lashing out at their captor. The villain then brought forth the Devourer, a giant green creature that burst through the doorway and grabbed Horus. Thor swung his mighty hammer at the beast, while Ben preferred a direct assault on their foe. The creature's tail eventually swung wildly, striking Seth at one point and knocking him to his feet.

Seth realized that his associate was now beyond his control. He took a few moments to ponder his options before freeing his brother. Horus was too weak to protect them, and the Devourer soon knocked Thor out of the fight. Ben wasn't about to give up the cause, and he swiftly grabbed Horus as he leaped from the walkway.

Thor recovered in time to hurl his Mjolnir toward his friend, who caught it in time to evade the Devourer, who plummeted into space. Ben and Horus returned safely. A while later, the Thing returned to the hospital and rejoined Johnny and Janice. He was flanked by Blake, who now had his attention directed toward the man also known as Blacksun. 

I felt that this was a fair conclusion to this two-parter. It would have been nice to have had just a bit more background for Seth and Heliopolis, but for a shorter tale, I guess this was okay. I also wondered if the Devourer met his demise, or if he returned in other Marvel mags. Thor was the second hero to guest-star in this title (and the first one to appear twice or more in Marvel Two-In-One, with Iron Man's debut in this series appearing in Marvel Feature #12). 

Next time, I'll cover the twenty-fourth issue of this title. Ben teams up with a character that was created in the 1970s and became a trusted friend that would appear semi-regularly throughout portions of this series' remaining run. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #22

Hello there,

Today's topic is the twenty-second issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing and the mighty Thor battling an army of skeleton warriors with an unidentified villain gloating in the background. The tale was titled "Touch Not the Hand of Seth!" The issue had a cover date of December 1976.

The story started with Ben, Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch), and Janice Lightner huddled together before the form of Janice's brother Thomas, who had engaged the Fantastic Four members and others in his identity of Blacksun in the previous issue. The unconscious form before them didn't move.

Although they'd just fought him not long before, Ben and Johnny knew they had to do something to help Thomas. Johnny used his flame powers to send bursts of concentrated heat at the body in front of him. They weren't sure if his efforts were effective, but thankfully, Johnny knew the name of a physician that the Avengers trusted.

That man was Doctor Don Blake, who was focused on an urgent surgical procedure at the moment. His presence was detected by a cloaked stranger, who stepped out of the hospital elevator and immediately demanded to see the doctor. She was scared enough to fall down. Her scream brought other medical personnel to the front desk, only to be accosted by the intruder.

The masked man then burst into the operating room, still insisting on seeing Blake. He encountered more resistance until he broke through the windows that overlooked the surgical chamber. Fortunately, Blake and his associates were able to wheel their patient to safety. Once he was finally alone, Blake took his walking stick and tapped it on the ground to transform into the Avenger Thor.

Thor's mighty Mjolnir whirled in the air, revealing that the stranger was the Egyptian god of death (last seen in issue numbers 240 and 241 of the Asgardian's own mag). Meanwhile, the Thing and the Torch were traveling with the Lightners via Fantasticar to the same hospital where Thor's confrontation was taking place. Ben landed the craft perfectly on the roof, and the trio walked in, carrying Thomas as they went. 

 None of them expected the chaos that they found inside the building. Grimm grabbed one of the fleeing employees, and learned that Blake had disappeared and that Thor had arrived minutes later. Thor was still locked in battle with his one-handed foe. Seth had his eyes set on revenge for the loss of his right hand (during combat with Thor's father Odin) and the imprisonment of his brother.

Once Thomas Lightner was secure with Johnny and Janice, Ben went to investigate the source of all the commotion. He burst through a wall and launched a few blows at Seth. The angered god soon opened a portal between Earth and his native Heliopolis, unleashing a horde of skeleton soldiers at his enemies. 

This was the first chapter of a two-part epic. I'm not a huge fan of Marvel's Thor, but I can appreciate and enjoy some of his tales obtained from a comic book store's discount bin. One of the earlier issues from my collection was part of Thor's earlier meeting with Seth, so of course I found this Bill Mantlo-penned script interesting. My only question was how or if Blacksun would be connected with all the goings on in this issue. 

Next time, I'll cover the conclusion of this saga, which was published in the twenty-third issue of Marvel Two-In-One. We'll see how the Avenger and FF members fared against the undead forces, and learn what other suprises the villain had in store for our heroes. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #21

Happy Sunday, peeps,

I started this article yesterday before running errands and going to a baseball game, but I'm back to complete my summary of the twenty-first issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing and Doc Savage bursting through a wall together. The story was called "Black Sun Lives!" The issue had a cover date of November 1976. 

The tale began in two different time periods: 1976 and 1936. In 1976, the Thing was at home in the Baxter Building in New York City when his teammate Johnny Storm (also known as the Human Torch) went to answer a request to use their private elevator. Their guest was a woman named Janice Lightner. She had no sooner entered when she fainted. 

Ben and Johnny placed her on a nearby couch. Johnny recognized her as the daughter of Raymond Lightner. She admitted that, adding that her twin brother Tom was now running the family estate since their father's passing, and was running the family and the estate into the ground. Tom Lightner was an engineer who was rather proud of his work and grew to resent others who were only trying to help him. Tom turned to alcohol to ease his pain, and soon wasted much of the family fortune on gambling and women. Soon, all that was left were the two siblings and the house itself.

During one of their arguments. Tom showed his sister the sky cannon he'd been working on. He had reconstructed it from their father's notes. It was designed to attract stellar energy that Tom intended to transfer into a human receptacle. He was planning his first test of the weapon that evening, using himself as the host. 

A brilliant light near where the Lightner manor stood illuminated the evening sky. It was enough to convince the trio to check out the source. They soon boarded the Fantasticar to follow their presumption. Tom was awaiting their arrival and used his weapon to strike at the intruding vessel. 

In 1936, the man known as Doc Savage and his companions were in their quarters in the 86th floor of the Empire State Building when a female caller arrived. She was let through security, and also collapsed soon after her entrance. She was Raymond Lightner's wife. Lifting the woman's veil revealed a bruised face. She explained that her husband had grown angry after learning that his wife was with child. 

Raymond lusted after power, which he believed he could achieve through the activation of his sky cannon that he'd been developing. The older Mr. Lightner later activated the weapon, and its flash was observed by Savage and his friends that night. They also flew to check out the source, and their aircraft was also fired upon by a beam that emanated from the same location.

The two incidents apparently seemed to bridge the two generations, as members of both vehicles suddenly found themselves staring at one another as they fell from the sky from their damaged planes. It also connected the Lightner father with his son. The two soon merged into a being called Blacksun.

Meanwhile, Doc Savage, the Thing, the Human Torch, and their retinue were occupied with ensuring everyone's safety. They had no sooner accomplished that goal when they found themselves under attack by Blacksun. The heroes shielded the younger female Lightner before engaging the enemy. Ben and Johnny's attacks were nullified by the hybrid villain.

Doc Savage led the second wave, and the Torch and the Thing later joined him. The trio tried to anchor their opponent, who was drawn toward the skies above. Blacksun reached a point where it could no longer breathe, and plummeted to the ground. The temporal field that had combined the timelines began to dissipate, and soon sent the adventurers from the 1930s back to their own era. Ben and Johnny were left to help Janice find medical assistance for her brother, Tom. Fortunately, they knew of a professional named Don Blake who just might be able to help.

Aside from a tale in a Giant-Size Spider-Man mag (that separated Spidey and his counterparts by their respective decades) and the Giant-Size Doc Savage Marvel comic (that reprinted several of his own title that only lasted eight issues), I didn't know much about Doc Savage and his allies before reading this issue. The good doctor and his crew have had some of their exploits published by various comic book companies over the years. I think that this tale was the first one that brought Savage and friends to the present day. It was a fun yarn that ended too soon, in my opinion. 

If you're wondering what happened to Blacksun, all you have to do is stay tuned for my next article, which covers the twenty-second issue of this series. Ben and Johnny deliver Lightner to Doctor Blake, and we'll see what happens when Blake's alter ego encounters the Thing once more. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #20

Happy Friday, folks,

We made it to the last Friday of the month! It's time for me to discuss the twentieth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted the Thing battling Master Man, U-Man/Merrano, and Skyshark, with images of the faces of the Liberty Legion's heroes the Whizzer, Miss America, Patriot, and Blue Diamond, above the combatants. The tale was titled "Showdown at Sea!" The issue had a cover date of October 1976.

The story picked up right where the first annual left off. Ben Grimm was in New York City in the year 1942, and had just used a flag pole to vault himself toward a flying swastika that was wrecking several buildings in the area. Ben finally managed to grab hold of the strange vehicle and pulled himself up, to find that it was being piloted by a disembodied brain encased in a glass case in the center of the structure.

Ben learned that his foe went by the moniker Brain Drain. It claimed to be the intelligence behind the Third Reich. When instructed to speak, Grimm recounted his journey to that time period and his recent encounter with the Liberty Legion. That included the attempts by Master Man and U-Man/Merrano to steal different aircraft components.

Grimm continued tashing the flying swastika until it landed atop the secret floating base. He was then confronted by Brain Drain's associates, Skyshark, U-Man/Merrano, and Master Man. Ben was briefly subdued by their combined attack, but his Thing exoskeleton (which he was wearing at the time after temporarily losing his cosmic ray-spawned powers) protected him and allowed Ben time to recharge and counter their blows.

Soon afterward, the Liberty Legion arrived on the scene. They helped to turn the tide of battle, but in the midst of the confrontation, Skyshark and Herr Slicer escaped via plane. Skyshark eventually jettisoned his passenger, but Miss America grabbed him as he fell. Skyshark got away, but his companions weren't as lucky.

Ben learned that the Legion had been alerted to his whereabouts by following the image of the Watcher. Grimm now had another container of vibranium that he took with him back to the present before bidding his allies in 1942 a fond farewell. When he returned, Ben gave the container to Reed Richards once the time lock door to his area had been reopened. He was no longer mad, and with the threat gone, was more concerned about his girlfriend, Alicia Masters. 

As I said in my previous article, this story was originally planned for a giant-sized issue, before that line of quarterly books was cancelled. That's why it was split into the first annual and this issue. If you're a fan of the Invaders or other books set in the WWII era, this tale is perfect. I love a good Sal Buscema issue, so I enjoyed it. I didn't know much about the Liberty Legion beforehand. They've been featured off and on over the years, including a short stint in Marvel Premiere. The Whizzer was once believed to be the father of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch, until it was later revealed that Magneto was their father. 

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll kick off the weekend with a synopsis of the twenty-first issue of this series. The Thing has a real encounter with a character that also predated him by several decades. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One Annual #1

Happy Thursday, peeps!

Today's focus is on the first Marvel Two-In-One annual. The cover showed the Thing breaking through a wall with four members of the Liberty Legion flanking him. The story was called "Their Name is Legion!" The annual was published in 1976.

The story started after the events in the eleventh Fantastic Four annual. Ben Grimm (in his Thing suit that he wore while he temporarily lost his cosmic radiation-spawned powers) asks the Watcher for a response that he knew he probably wouldn't receive. When diplomacy failed, Grimm resorted to violence, but he couldn't even dent the powerful otherworldly being. He eventually closed himself off from his Fantastic Four teammates and started talking about the team's recent exploits with the Invaders from the 1940s. They engaged in a battle with the Nazi regime, but returned with only half of the vibranium that they'd set out to retrieve.

The other half was still missing. As several familiar buildings from the New York City skyline began to fade from view, it became apparent that they were traveling back in time once more. Ben used the time platform and stood upon it after putting the half-full vibranium canister inside the machine that was connected to Doctor Doom's time-traveling platform. The scenery started to blur, and Ben faded from the current day, drifting back several years. The Thing made this trip by himself, after having shut out his friends to focus on his interactions with the Watcher. One of the first people Ben met on this journey was a young John Romita.

Ben saw a message for the Liberty Legion right before the city was attacked by a squadron of fighter planes. Red Raven, Blue Diamond, and Jack Frost soon arrived on the scene to assist. Another Liberty Legionnaire, known as the Thin Man, was boarding his own plane to combat the menace in the air. His teammate, Miss America, took to the skies to join him in the aerial battle. 

Grimm watched the action before deciding to get involved. He climbed a nearby building and was joined by the Whizzer and the Patriot. The trio watched as Jack Frost and the Blue Diamond released themselves from Red Raven's grasp and took on the enemy aircraft. The Red Raven picked them up after their targeted plane had been taken out. Their actions were observed by the Skyshark and his wingman. 

Afterward, Red Raven, Miss America, the Blue Diamond, and Jack Frost joined their counterparts on the roof where the Thing was. The Thin Man landed moments later, and Ben was soon recruited to join the cause. Further out to sea, the Skyshark's plane descended into a hidden base, covered by dense fog. 

As the Fourth Reich supporters were plotting their next moves, the Liberty Legion and Ben were trying to track down their opponents. A radio broadcast informed them that a giant had invaded New York (how's that for irony, if you're a sports fan). The team rushed to the scene and soon took on the menace known as Master Man. 

The powerful superhuman engaged his foes until he found the experimental cockpit that he'd been sent to retrieve. He took off with it, but the heroes had an idea of where the next target would be. At a local air base, the villain called Merrano or U-Man broke through a fence and located a prototype jet engine that he commandeered for his cause. Not even Red Raven or Jack Frost could prevent his escape.

The Patriot and the Thin Man were aloft once more and saw the Skyshark's plane making a strafing run on a man that they were originally supposed to capture because of his knowledge and research. Their alternative plan took the man out of action permanently, right before the Thin Man's plane returned fire on the Nazis. The German plane eventually eluded its pursuers in thick clouds.

Back in NYC, Ben was visited by the Watcher. The large being stood mute once more, as a flying swastika entered the city and began wreaking havoc. Grimm took it upon himself to leap to the enemy vessel to enact a long overdue dose of clobbering. 

I believe that this story was originally planned for a giant-sized issue, before that quarterly set of publications was cancelled. It was then broken up into this annual and the next regular issue of Marvel Two-In-One. If you like the Invaders series or other similar tales of costumed adventurers from that same era, this storyline should be right up your alley. I love Sal Buscema's artwork, so picking up this annual was a no-brainer for me. The Liberty Legion is interesting, and some of them have appeared in the modern Marvel timeline more than once. 

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll close out the workweek with a recap of the twentieth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. That one will once again feature the Thing and the Liberty Legion, as this tale concludes. We'll find out what happened to Ben after leaping toward the flying swastika, and learn just what the Fourth Reich's evil intentions were for 1942 America. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #19

Hello, peeps,

We're halfway through the week. Today's topic is the nineteenth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing strapped into a strange apparatus that seemed to be transferring some of his strength to an unnamed cat-like humanoid, as the hero Tigra leaped in to intercede. The story was called "Claws of the Cougar!" The issue had a publication date of September 1976.

The story started in Grimm's bedroom in the Baxter Building. The strongman was sleeping peacefully as a stranger entered through the window. He was finally roused by the mystery woman and started trouncing his bedsheets until he saw that the guest was the one named Tigra. She followed Ben to the building's gymnasium and observed Grimm's exercises before explaining herself.

Tigra was once a woman named Greer Grant. She was a typical American housewife until a scientist named Joanne Tumulo transformed her into the hero known as the Cat (whose first superhero costume was later donned by Patsy Walker in her persona as the Hellcat). Greer was later turned into a cat-person and assumed the identity of Tigra. She was at the Baxter Building because she'd learned that one of the cat people who had turned her into her current form was still a menace.

It was a man who wore nega-bands called the Cougar. Tigra had no sooner described him to Ben when a cadre of armed soldiers fired at the two heroes. Ben blamed their intrusion on his breaking of the building's security system, and he quickly tossed a weight he'd been carrying at their attackers. The gunmen's bullets did nothing but bounce off the Thing's rocky hide, and the battle was brief.

Afterward, Tigra picked up a device from one of the men that was tied to her body temperature. That was a sure sign that the Cougar had been tracking her. Ben used a key hidden in a floorboard to open a room that might contain a device that could be used to analyze the machine, after their foes had been safely locked up. Meanwhile, the people responsible for the attack were debating the reasons for the use of the thugs we saw a few pages earlier.

A short while later, the offices of Conklin Enterprises were visited by the Thing and Tigra. Curt was prepared and had set traps that set off gas fumes pointed at our heroes. When they awoke, each of them was bound to a nearby wall. Curt was strapped to a table, planning to use the energies he'd siphon from Grimm to enhance his own abilities as the Cougar. 

He transformed into his brutish alter-ego after the Thing had broken free and helped his companion do the same. The Cougar's energy blasts and athletic abilities were impressive, but not enough to bring the stars of this issue down. At one point, Curt held a positive charge annihilation device in his hand, but before he could use it, he was shot from behind by his business partner and fiancée, Sheila Conklin. She knew that Curt was a great scientist and was aware of his other persona. The company had been in trouble and had believed that Curt could bring them back from the brink. Both of them used each other to meet their needs. In the end, as she led Tigra and the Thing away from the Cougar's now unresponsive form, Sheila noted how people's desire for power can cause them to be eaten up by greed. 

This was another opportunity to showcase a character who'd had limited appearances in other Marvel magazines. I have all four issues of the Claws of the Cat, but I don't have the giant-sized issue where Greer became Tigra yet. Her solo stories in Marvel Chillers are worth reading, as are some of her stints in the Avengers and the West Coast Avengers. Tigra also guest-starred in a few Fantastic Four issues in the late 70s. She's now allied with Moon Knight and remains an interesting, if often underrated, superhero. 

It would have been nice to have learned a bit more about Curt and Sheila, but I still love a good Bill Mantlo/Sal Buscema pairing. I found this to be a fun single-issue story. I was also surprised by how quickly the Thing and Tigra found the trail to Conklin Enterprises. 

That's it for this article. Tomorrow, I'll kick off a discussion of a two-part Marvel Two-In-One storyline. It begins in the series's first annual, and concludes in the twentieth issue of the title. The opening chapters bring a few well-loved friends and foes into the forefront of this saga. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #18

Good morning,

Welcome to my seven hundredth blog post! The focus of this article is the eighteenth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing being attacked by someone who looked like his Fantastic Four teammate, the Human Torch, with the character called the Scarecrow bursting through a window to pounce on Ben Grimm's attacker. The tale was titled "Dark, Dark Demon Night!" The issue had a cover date of August 1976.

The story started at an art gallery. Grimm and his sculptress girlfriend, Alicia Masters, were hobnobbing with the party's host, Jess Duncan, and the art critic Harmony Maxwell. We could see a painting of a scary-looking scarecrow on the wall opposite them. Ben would have preferred to be at home watching Space: 1999 ( a British sci-fi series from the 70s), but was doing his best to mingle with the type of crowd that he was rather uncomfortable with.

The scarecrow painting had been purchased at auction by Duncan after a fierce bidding war. After unloading the piece, his bidding competitor, Rovik, and his allies burst into his gallery. They took Maxwell prisoner and were about to sacrifice her to their god Kalumai when the Scarecrow leapt down and defeated the cultists. He took Maxwell to safety afterward.

Grimm believed the story and thought he could still watch the second half of his television program. Alica was left to associate with the other fellow artists and patrons, including Jess' brother Dave. Ben bumped into a rather portly woman before accidentally bumping into and breaking an ashtray.

After the guests were ushered out for the evening, Dave stayed behind to stare at the scarecrow portrait. He wasn't particularly pleased with the image, but didn't know that someone was watching him from the opposite side. A man then struck him from behind, before leaping into the painting. An eerie laugh could be heard moments later. 

As Ben and Alicia were preparing to depart, the group was alerted to a scream. Everyone ran back inside to find a fiery being jump from the scarecrow painting. It fired bursts of flame from its hands, which burned Ben's suit but left him otherwise unharmed. 

A laugh from behind him made Grimm turn around. He saw the scarecrow from the painting standing before the open window. It engaged in battle with the stranger, with Ben jumping in after deciding what side he was on. The being known as Kalumai fought to enter our world for good, but was beaten by the Thing, before changing back to the man who had struck Dave earlier.

After the skirmish, the Scarecrow stared at the painting. He saw one of the cultists and leapt through the frame, before the painting vanished from the wall. The man Ben had defeated had no memory of his recent actions, but the greater concern was that Dave was missing. Harmony started to wonder if Jess' brother was the Scarecrow.

Unfortunately, that's a question that still has yet to be answered. The Scarecrow had debuted in the Dead of Night title, but did not return, probably because this was around the time when Marvel cancelled all of their monster series. This was one of the first issues of Marvel Two-In-One that I ever had, and I still wonder what happened to the character after this story. This Scarecrow is not the same as the DC villain who often opposed Batman, or the other Marvel Scarecrow that began its life of crime in Tales of Suspense, going against Iron Man. 

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll talk about the eighteenth issue of this series. Grimm joins an infrequent ally of the Fantastic Four and a sometime Avenger as they tackle another fierce foe. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #17

Hello there,

Today's topic is the seventeenth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed The Thing and Spider-Man in between the baddie known as the Basilisk. The story was called "This City..Afire!" The issue had a cover date of July 1976.

The tale began in New York, as Spider-Man descended from Doctor Doom's time platform to present-day surroundings. Peter Parker thought back to his recent exploits (detailed in Marvel Team-Up) as the platform disappeared from sight. While he was swinging home, the Thing was still in the Savage Land (where he'd landed last issue), climbing up a volcanic chasm. He'd arrived to search for the source of seismic interruptions, and wound up aiding Ka-Zar and Zabu.

Ben continued to climb, unaware that he was being watched from behind. He finally sought refuge in a nearby cave and was blinded by a burst of brilliant light, which had emanated from the Basilisk. Grimm was still strong enough to fight the foe, but the Basilisk's eye beams grew stronger, and he boasted about his power.

While all that was going on, young Parker was back at home, trying to concentrate on an essay and failing at the task miserably. His mind was still on his time-traveling adventures. An unexpected earthquake broke up his reverie. Mary Jane Watson called, concerned about her friend, because she'd heard that his area was the hardest hit. Peter looked out the window and was astonished by what he saw.

Parker dashed outside, after changing into his Spider-Man togs, leaving Mary Jane wondering what had happened on the other end of the line. The smoke he'd spotted earlier was coming from a volcano that was rising from the middle of the water. Spidey spun a circular web and used it as a coracle to cross over to the volcano, right before it erupted. 

From a safe vantage point, Peter could see a figure holding another figure above him. When he got a closer look, he learned that it was the Basilisk gloating as he held the unconscious form of the Thing in his hands. The villain tossed the strongest member of the Fantastic Four aside. After confirming that Ben was still breathing, Spider-Man went to seek vengeance against this new threat.

The story continued in Marvel Two-In-One #47. You can read the conclusion at your leisure. One fun fact about this storyline is that the creative teams switched books just for this crossover. Spidey encountered the Basilisk in a previous Marvel Team-Up tale, but after this storyline, he disappeared until rising up to try and tackle the Fantastic Four in their new headquarters before being exterminated by the Scourge. He would be resurrected years later by the Red Hood to take on the Punisher. The Basilisk (whose real name was Basil Elks) was a very underutilized opponent. I wish he'd been revived earlier and gone on to get into more trouble. It definitely would have made for some interesting stories. 

Tomorrow, I'll cover the eighteenth issue of this series. The Thing will meet a character that I'd never even heard of before reading this issue, as they combined forces to battle an otherworldly menace. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #16

Good afternoon, all,

I'm winding down the weekend with a recap of the sixteenth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted Ka-Zar and his loyal companion Zabu joining forces with the Thing in tackling a mighty dinosaur. The tale was titled "Into the Savage Land!" The issue had a cover date of June 1976.

The story started with Ben Grimm being dropped from a SHIELD (Supreme  Headquarters Intelligence Law Enforcement Division) plane into the Savage Land. As he fell toward land, Ben thought back to the circumstances that led him there. It began in the Baxter Building in New York, where Fantastic Four team leader Reed Richards had huddled Ben, his wife Susan, and brother-in-law Johnny Storm around a machine showing a significant increase in seismic activity in the Antarctic.

Reed was concerned because the rise in volcanic activity could set off a chain reaction that could impact most of the planet. Ensuing tidal waves, earthquakes, and hurricanes could potentially make life on our planet extinct. We know by now that Ben was selected to investigate the phenomena.

He was just about to deploy his parachute when Grimm saw a pteranodon approaching him. The winged dinosaur flew off for a few moments but returned just in time for the Thing to knock the beast into a wide canyon. He then fell through the hidden entrance to the Savage Land and was greeted by a hungry simian as his chute became stuck in the branches of a tall tree. 

Ben had just freed himself when a large green dinosaur crossed his path. The Thing was raring for action and swiftly knocked his opponent down, only to see him get back on his feet within moments. For the rematch, Grimm was aided by Ka-Zar and Zabu, who arrived just in the nick of time. 

Afterward, Ben explained the reason for his journey and learned that the scientific equipment he'd brought along had just been smashed by their foe. Ka-Zar was aware of the volcanic threat and led his friend just before one of the volcanoes erupted. The eruption scared much of the surrounding wildlife. Ben and Ka-Zar then discovered that the disturbance was man-made, as they noticed a large tank and its occupants.

The operation was headed by a man named Volcanus, or "V" for short. He fired his weapons at the heroes. A short while later, the Thing and Kazar found themselves in a cage suspended above one of the volcanoes. They were being lowered inside as Volcanus turned to leave. Ka-Zar was wise enough to encourage his companion to start swinging their cage, which soon crashed into part of the mountain, setting them free.

They then went to Zabu's side and prevented him from being terminated by one of the guards. After freeing the cat from a nete, Ben and Ka-Zar fought off the remaining guards before Volcanus returned. This time, a tug on the chain above Ben brought the villain down into the lava and his imminent demise below.

I always felt like Ka-Zar was Marvel's answer to Tarzan. His background and origin are similar to the Edgar Rice Burroughs character in several aspects. He's had his own series from time to time and was even killed off and later resurrected. Volcanus was another one-and-done opponent who could have been a thorn in the superheroes' side until his one and only appearance ended. It would be interesting to see if any of his soldiers ever decided to take up his mantle and resume the cause.

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the seventeenth issue of this title. Ben teams up with the one and only Spider-Man in a two-part tale that begins in that issue and concludes in Marvel Team-Up. The longtime friends face off against a character that was recently revived after being taken out by the Scourge several years ago. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #15

Good morning,

I hope that everyone has been having a nice, relaxing Father's Day weekend. It's time for me to talk about the fifteenth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing and Morbius, the living vampire, squaring off before the Living Eraser. The story was called "The Return of the Living Eraser!" The issue had a cover date of May 1976. 

The action started at Alicia Master's studio. The blind girlfriend of Ben Grimm was working on a face sculpt of her beloved, not knowing that she was being watched from the skylight window by the man called Morbius. He entered silently and was soon upon the young woman.

Meanwhile, Grimm was on his way to see his lady love when her screams of terror sent him crashing through Alicia's front door. He was familiar with the character from a tale that Morbius' fiancée Martinee had told the Fantastic Four (recounted in the third issue of Marvel Team-Up), and was more than willing to defend the sculptress. A battle ensued, one that ended with Morbius departing through a closed window.

Ben was still fuming for some time afterward. Alicia tried to calm him down after having sensed her intruder's internal turmoil. Her big heart was one of the endearing qualities that Ben admired. Down on the streets below, a man down on his luck in a nearby alley happened to witness the return of the Living Eraser.

However, he would not remain there long enough to tell others of what he'd observed, as the villain swept his arms and removed him from their plane of existence. The Living Eraser remembered how he'd been sent by the leader from his native Dimension Z to Earth to learn the secrets of the atom for his people. That quest brought him into contact with Hank Pym (also known as the first Ant-Man, Yellow Jacket, and Giant Man) and Janet Van Dyke (aka the Wasp). 

Pym was able to return the people that the Living Eraser had banished back to Earth and caused the villain to go against his people and supremor. The second person that he met upon his return was Morbius himself. The living vampire still thirsted and lunged at his next target shortly before Ben jumped down to intervene. 

The two tussled once more, but their conflict continued into Dimension Z after both combatants had been affected by the Living Eraser's power. They found themselves in a cell where the menace kept Dimension Z's former ruler and his subordinates imprisoned. It was child's play for the Thing to free them, and Morbius started the assault on the guards who waited outside.

Morbius and the Thing were then given a device that would allow them to return to Earth to face the Living Eraser, who had remained behind. Their teamwork was sufficient to subdue their foe. Shortly after his defeat, the new allies from Dimension Z. Their princess had become enamored with Morbius during the breakout, and asked him to return with them. He appreciated the offer, but faded out to deal with his current issues by himself. 

Morbius is another Marvel character who can go from friend to foe in the space of just a few issues. He debuted as a villain in the pages of the Amazing Spider-Man and had several solo stories and guest appearances in titles like this one and the Savage She-Hulk, among others. He disappeared from the limelight for a while before being given another title during the rise of the Midnight Sons line in the 1990s. He still pops up from time to time, but hasn't had much staying power for very long. I always thought that he was a kind of tortured soul, not unlike Bruce Banner.

The Living Eraser is a minor Marvel villain who has only appeared in different comics a handful of times. I would like to learn more about his people, but I don't think there's enough interest at this time to warrant a deeper dive into a character that most modern comic book readers don't even know about. I had to chuckle when I first read this issue, wondering if there would ever be a character called the Living Pencil.

Well, that's it for this article. Later today, I'll cover the sixteenth issue in this series. The Thing will travel to a mystical Marvel land and join forces with a character who first debuted in the pages of the first X-Men title. Until then, have a great Sunday and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #14

Good afternoon,

I hope everyone's been enjoying the wonderful weather this weekend. I'm wrapping up my writing today with a synopsis of the fourteenth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing and Daimon Hellstrom (aka the Son of Satan) preparing to do battle against a sword-wielding rider on horseback. The tale was titled "Ghost Town!" The issue had a publication date of March 1976.

The story started in the deserted desert town of Lawless, Arizona. Grimm appeared to be the only person occupying the village at the moment. It looked like something out of a Western television program or movie. The buildings were literally crumbling around our hero.

Ben thought back to an incident hours earlier, in the lab at the Baxter Building. His Fantastic Four teammate, Reed Richards, was working on a psych-detector, which seemed to indicate a powerful presence in the town that Ben now occupied. Grimm's girlfriend, Alicia Masters, apparently confirmed that suspicion when she felt compelled to place her hand over that section of the map below her, right before she was stunned herself by a similar burst of energy like the one that had just fired from Reed's machine minutes before.

Richards sent his former college roommate out to the quiet town to investigate. By then, he had come across an old saloon and found himself staring at the portrait of a rider that would undoubtedly strike fear in most people. Grimm's sentiment was then echoed by someone from behind him. He turned to see Hellstrom, in his Son of Satan guise, a few feet away.

Daimon had met the Human Torch before (in Marvel Team-Up #32). He explained to Ben that he'd been drawn to the location by the man in the picture hanging on the wall. He was once Jedediah Ravenstorm, a notorious criminal who had been hanged for his misdeeds. However, that didn't mean that his evil was over.

 A few moments later, a whirlwind prefaced Ravenstorm's return. He rode toward the superbeings and ordered them to leave his town, or else harm would befall them. Daimon wasn't about to depart until he'd rid the town of Ravenstorm's possession of its soul spirit. It wasn't an easy battle against someone already dead, but Ben and Daimon fought valiantly.

At one point, Hellstrom tossed his pitchfork at their foe, releasing him of his human shell and allowing their true opponent, Kthara, to take to the air. For a while, things appeared to be most dire. However, it wasn't long before the spirits of the townspeople that Ravenstorm had wronged began to fly toward the mystic villain, and apparently claimed their revenge before vanishing into thin air.

Hellstrom deduced that Kthara was no more, and he and Ben were safe. Grimm thanked his companion for his assistance before the duo made their separate ways. After returning home, Ben told Reed that he hadn't found anything of importance on his journey. Reed was a bit skeptical, but didn't press his friend on the matter, now that he was back home with the ones he loved. 

Before reading this issue, I didn't know a lot about Hellstrom, except for a few of his stories in Marvel Spotlight and some of his appearances in the Defenders before he married Patsy Walker (aka the Hellcat) and the couple left the team before the book had a new lineup and was christened the New Defenders in issue #125. Marvel did more of a deep dive on this character in the Hellstrom series that was released in the 1990s.

Ravenstorm was another one of those one-and-done villains that we'd see periodically throughout this series' initial run. Daimon had tussled with Kthara once before (in the pages of Marvel Spotlight), but there wasn't much time in this single-issue story to delve into his background. I would have liked to have learned a bit more about them, but I guess the tale was okay, especially for those who were just jumping onto this title or who were Bill Mantlo or Herb Trimpe fans. One problem with team-up books like this is that there usually aren't very many multi-part storylines, and the creative teams usually change fairly regularly, so there typically aren't very many opportunities in them to expand upon new or existing characters. 

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll begin the day with a recap of the fifteenth issue of this series. The Thing will meet a character who initially appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man as they go up against someone who was seeking retribution against one of the original Avengers. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #13

Good morning,

Hope all's well. It's time for me to recap the thirteenth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted the Thing and Power Man in the clutches of a tall green monster. The story was called "I Created Braggadoom! The Mountain That Walked Like A Man!" The issue had a cover date of January 1976.

The story started in the offices of Heroes for Hire, in the building that also housed the Gem Theater in New York City. Luke Cage was sitting at his desk, listening to a timid scientist who wanted to employ the costumed adventurer. He explained that he was a biological researcher at Krasner Bio-Systems Inc. 

The man had been working on a delicate experiment, and the cellular tissue he'd been using was accidentally combined with an unknown substance. This error caused the solution to bubble over and forced the scientist to drop the beaker. It crashed onto the floor, and a strange green glob emanated from it, growing continuously as it moved along. 

It was finally encased in a glass case, but one of the reporters at a press conference lifted the cover to poke at it, and the entity was consumed along with Krasner. The blob later assumed a humanoid form and kept growing until it broke out of the compound and moved across the city. When Cage asked why the man hadn't contacted the Avengers or the Fantastic Four, he learned that Ben Grimm was battling the beast at that very moment. He was the only one of the FF who had been home and answered the call.

Cage then led the scientist out into the street, heading toward the destruction wrought by the monster. They found Ben and the giant known as Braggadoom in Central Park. It took that name from the sound made after it tossed the Thing into a coliseum seating section. As it fought, its intelligence increased.

Ben and Luke battled the creature until they wound up fighting each other. By then, the monster had taken the scientist named Arnold Krank with him. They went to the Baxter Building and used a Pogo Plane to track the monster. 

Braggadoom was destroying a bridge. The battle resumed until the creature was left alone. It started to shrink until it was about the same size as an action figure. Braggadoom fit right in the palm of Krank's palm, and he carried his creation off, as Ben reminded Cage about the two people who were lost when the substance absorbed them. A short while later, we saw the scientist making an audio log as the beast sat in a playpen. Apparently, Krank took the role of father figure to this being quite literally. 

This was the first of many issues of this series that was pencilled by Ron Wilson. He would also go on to draw most issues of the follow-up book, The Thing, before its cancellation. He excelled at drawing Grimm's rocky alter ego and various monsters, but I always felt his skills were a bit lacking when it came to depicting other human characters. Braggadoom is another baddie that had some potential, but to the best of my knowledge, has never appeared again in any other Marvel comic books. That's too bad. I would have liked to have seen him face off against other characters at some point, especially if his higher-level intelligence returned as well.

That's it for this morning. Later today, I'll tackle the fourteenth issue of this title. Ben goes out West and encounters an unexpected menace alongside someone who you've probably seen in issues of the Defenders and his own solo stories. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #12

Happy Friday, peeps!

It's time for me to talk about the twelfth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed Iron Man (in his infamous nose suit of armor) and the Thing facing off against Prester John. The tale was titled "The Stalker in the Sands!" The issue had a publication date of September 1975.

The story started with Ben Grimm preparing to pilot an aircraft that was designed by Tony Stark (aka Iron Man). Stark and his crew were surprised when the craft didn't lift off as intended. Instead, the plane descended down the launch tube. Grimm walked away from the crash and headed toward a bright light in his vicinity. 

By the time Iron Man appeared to investigate, the Fantastic Four member had fallen before the feet of Prester John. He stood before a stone gate, and as the heroes knelt before him, the long-lived foe recounted his initial encounter with Grimm's team (back in FF #54). Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) had found the Evil Eye that John coveted. He flew off with it before Wyatt Wingfoot blasted the device from his hand.

The Evil Eye went missing for years. Prester searched for it and found many treasures in the meantime, but not the one that meant the most to him. One of his lackeys eventually presented him with a stone that allowed him to see events that spread across timelines. Prester took it to mean that he was the power of the universe, and only awoke after the cavern he'd been in for years was opened by the rocket malfunction.

The two stars of Marvel Feature #12 battled Prester John for control of the stone. The Thing was eventually able to grab it and toss it into the sky, where it soon shattered into multiple pieces. Once it was destroyed, Prester realized that the images were merely those of typical mortal desires, and not as prescient as he'd previously believed. He then asked the heroes to join him on a quest for nourishment.

Before reading this issue, the only other time I'd seen the villain of this tale was in part of the Avengers/ Defenders crossover event from the 1970s. He's another one of those characters who could either be a friend or a foe at any time. I thought he was better suited for an appearance in the Mighty Thor, and even though I usually love Bill Mantlo's scripts, I felt that this one was a bit lackluster. It did give him an excuse to include Tony Stark and his armored alter ego, though. 

Well, that's it from me for today. I'll start the weekend with a recounting of the thirteenth issue of this series. Ben embarks on an unusual battle, teaming up with someone who briefly took his place in the Fantastic Four. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #11

Hello,

Today's topic is the eleventh issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted Ben Grimm battling the entity known as the Golem. The story was called "The Thing Goes South!" The issue had a cover date of September 1975.

It all began in a busy concourse, with the Thing trying to scramble to help his girlfriend, Alicia Masters, navigate the bustling crowd so they could make their connection to Disney World. The couple was about to miss their train when Ben used his strength to delay the train long enough for them to board. His appearance was enough to make other passengers stop, stare, and decide to sit somewhere else.

Meanwhile, at San Pedro University in Florida, a trio of young adults stood before the Golem. One of them was certain that the living stone figure had moved. They engaged in a spirited debate about prior incidents, and there were definitely doubts about the Golem, even though it had been praised for vanquishing villains. The quartet was being watched from afar by one of the Golem's previous foes, who soon dispatched his minions to embark on a mission of revenge.

By then, Ben and Alicia's train had been moving along smoothly. A radio report informed passengers that a tidal wave had taken out a bridge that connected Saint Petersburg with San Pedro University. The Thing grabbed his lady and headed toward the college town. When they arrived, they found several residents running in panic. A television broadcast showed footage of the Golem smashing up the town. 

It seemed inevitable that the two titans would meet, and their confrontation happened a lot sooner than later. Even though the Golem seemed to be much stronger, the Thing still held his ground. He even created a bridge to separate them from the henchmen of the Golem's arch-rival, Kaballa. The foe eventually appeared on the scene, and things looked dire until Kaballa learned that his disciples had been taken care of.

After the demon disappeared, things quieted down. The Golem's associates thought that people might have a better understanding and tolerance of people who weren't quite like them. Ben knew from experience that it was usually easier said than done.

I understand the moral lesson that scripter Roy Thomas and writer Bill Mantlo were trying to impart upon their audience, but I think the problem was that not a lot of readers knew much about the Golem or his supporting characters before picking up this issue, myself included. I almost confused him with It, the Living Colossus at first. I may have to go back and read some of his previous exploits sometime. He seems like a character that has some decent potential, but wasn't quite popular enough to merit very many feature stories or even a mini-series or ongoing title. Books like this and its counterpart, Marvel Team-Up, were used at times to gauge interest in different guest stars, and this tale was a prime example of just that. A fair yarn, but none that merited a follow-up or garnered a large faithful following.

That's it for now. I'll end the work week with a recap of the twelfth issue of this title. The Thing rejoins an armored Avenger as they battle another lesser-known baddie. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #10

Hi there,

Well, we're halfway through the week. Time for me to talk about the tenth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Black Widow fighting off baddies while the Thing tried to drag a large bomb away from everyone. The story was called "Is This the Day the World Ends?" The issue had a publication date of July 1975. 

It all began with a high-speed auto chase down a busy thoroughfare. The Black Widow was driving her sports car away from another vehicle that was occupied by a trio of costumed gunmen. She tried to avoid their fire, but it wasn't an easy task. At the same time, Ben Grimm was having a leisurely walk with his blind girlfriend Alicia Masters, not far from the action.

Before long, the Widow's car headed right for the two lovebirds. Grimm sprang into action, pushing his woman to safety before trying to shield them from the impact of the inevitable collision. Both heroes were eventually whisked away by helicopter by the armed soldiers. Alicia was left all alone, wondering where Ben had gone.

Grimm awoke a while later and demanded answers. The person in charge advised him against brutality, showing that he'd had the Widow at gunpoint. They'd been taken to a floating base in the Atlantic Ocean, far away from land. The leader then brought them to the center of the compound, where a large bomb was being prepared for submersion. The thermonuclear device was intended to trigger tsunamis that would destroy most coastal cities. 

Grimm and Natasha Romanov (the Widow's true identity) were later imprisoned. Ben soon learned that their cell was electrified and that their jailer, Andrei Rostov, once had a personal relationship with the Widow many years ago. She asked for his help in removing a narrow sheet from her outfit that contained the components for a field disruptor rifle that she used to break them out of their cell.

Natasha set off to attack their captors, while Ben went for the bomb. He had to make sure that it didn't reach its designated depth. Grimm was finally able to pull the device up and used part of the cables to lash out at Rostov before he could prematurely end the young adventurer's life. 

After the villains had been detained, Ben and Natasha took control of the facility. Ben understood the gravity of the situation and the many lives they'd saved. He breathed a sigh of relief and allowed himself to celebrate with Natasha once she confirmed that SHIELD (Supreme Headquarters Intelligence and Law Enforcement Division) would arrive and that his girlfriend was fine. 

For a Chris Claremont script, this was kind of a cookie-cutter plot. I've enjoyed the Black Widow's appearances in the pages of the Avengers, the Champions, Daredevil, and Marvel Fanfare, but I don't think that the Thing is really the kind of James Bond-style counterpart that works very well with her. Not Chris' best effort, but I've read worse in my day. The villain wasn't much to write home about. Just another forgettable foe that wasn't affiliated with any major groups like Hydra or the Maggia. Klaus Janson's inks over Bob Brown's pencil work kept me reading this yarn.

That's it for today. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the eleventh issue of this series. The Thing will pair up with a lesser-known character who, before then, was best known for their appearances in Marvel's Strange Tales magazine. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #9

Happy Tuesday, peeps!

Today's focus will be on the ninth issue of Marvel's Two-In-One. The well-drawn cover showed the Thing squaring off against the mighty Thor, with the rest of the Fantastic Four lying helpless in the foreground and the Puppet Master smiling as he held puppets of the two combatants in his hands. The tale was titled "When a God Goes Mad!" The issue had a cover date of May 1975.

The story started with Ben Grimm knocking down Doctor Doom, with the encouragement of Sue Richards (aka the Invisible Girl), Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), and Johnny Storm (the Human Torch). On the second page, we learned that the action was all part of a children's matinee. The audience reacted strongly to the performance. 

Included in the audience were Namorita and her college roommate Ann Christopher, the alien Wundarr, and Ben Grimm himself. Ben was sulking until he noticed that one of the puppets bore a strange resemblance to one of his old enemies, the Puppet Master. When he stood up, the Thing was recognized by people in the crowd, who started to gather around him.

This gave the puppet enough time to slink into the shadows behind the curtains. Afterward, the foursome headed for the Fantasticar and headed home to the Baxter Building. On the way, they narrowly evaded the flying Avenger, Thor. The near collision had been observed by the Puppet Master and an associate who was wearing a radiation suit. 

The villain went to his workbench and picked up a model of the Asgardian. Within moments, the powerful hero was at his command. Thor stopped his flight in mid-air and crashed into the Baxter Building. He quickly took out the Torch, Mister Fantastic, and the Invisible Girl. Moments later, he realized what he'd just done and stamped his mighty Mjolnir to the ground to become his alter ego, Doctor Don Blake.

While the doctor quickly tended to his new patients, the Puppet Master and his ally realized their minion's failure. They tracked the Fantasticar's arrival. Ben saw the hole in the side of the building and was immediately concerned. He burst in to find the doctor caring for his teammates. 

As the doctor explained that the damage had been caused by Thor and listened to the Thing's suspicion that the Puppet Master was involved, the attention was then turned to the villains. We then saw that the Puppet Master's comrade was Radion, the Atomic Man. He helped to supply power to the clay figure of Thor. Blake had left the Thing's company and returned to his heroic form and was enraptured once more. 

Thor started to fight the Fantastic Four's strongest teammate. The Puppet Master brought out his puppets and used Radion's energies to control them. However, they stopped working after the atomic man came into contact with Wundarr. Radion eventually fled, leaving the old man in between his combatants. Wundarr struck to protect his "Unca Benjy" and took the villain out of the fight. Thor thanked Grimm for his assistance before taking off and leaving the group to themselves.

I wasn't a big fan of the art in this issue, but I was okay with the story. The Thing would encounter the Puppet Master several more times in this mag and in its follow-up, which was just named The Thing, both as friend and foe. Thor would also guest star again before this title's cancellation. Wundarr saved the day, although we still didn't know much about him at the time.

Questions about the man-child will have to wait for a while. He wasn't included in the tenth issue of this title, which I'll cover tomorrow. The Black Window is the featured guest star in that issue. She and Ben embark on a covert mission that has implications for the entire world. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #8

Good afternoon,

Hope everyone's weekend was grand. Today's topic is the eighth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing hanging on to the back of Ghost Rider's motorcycle for dear life, as the two heroes sped across a scene that appeared to be something from a centuries-old book. The tale was titled "Silent Night...Deadly Night!" The issue had a cover date of March 1975.

The story started on a lonely highway. Ghost Rider was speeding along when he came across a trio of wise men that Christmas Eve in 1974 (author's note: at the time, most comic books had cover dates that were usually 2-3 months in advance of when they arrived in stores). He slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting them and skidded across the desert sands.

One of the strangers approached him to make sure that he was unharmed. The Ghost Rider was fine, merely stunned by their sudden appearance from out of nowhere. The man explained that the three kings were following a bright star in the sky, hoping it would lead them to a child who had been mentioned in a prophecy. Ghost Rider turned down their invitation to join them and sped off on his way.

Meanwhile, at the Baxter Building in New York City, Ben Grimm was helping his Fantastic Four teammate Reed Richards assemble a new telescope. Ben thought that Reed should be spending more time with his family than staring off into space. After a while, Grimm left Reed alone and wandered off, finding his girlfriend, Alicia Masters, waiting for him,

She and Medusa, Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch), Sue Richards, Reed and Sue's young son Franklin, Wundarr, Namorita and her roommate, Annie Christopher, were gathered in a family room making preparations for the holiday season. At one point, the lights were turned off, and the Torch used his powers to light up the Christmas tree. It went up in a spectacle that was more appropriate for the Fourth of July, but it set Ben off laughing hysterically.

While Ben was trying to calm down, the Ghost Rider continued on until he saw a town appear that seemed to be right out of Biblical times. He rode through the village, noticing that many of the people appeared to be Native Americans. He stopped at one residence, only to be denied entry. The Ghost Rider then saw a couple huddled around a child lying in a manger. However, when he tried to investigate, he was warned not to proceed by a figure cloaked in shadows behind him. 

The figure raised his left hand and sent a whirlwind spinning after the hero. He narrowly escaped injury, as did his motorcycle. It was a strange mystery, one that the Ghost Rider was determined to solve. 

Back at the Baxter Building, Ben tried to get Reed to participate in the festivities. Richards was preoccupied with his observations, which were concentrated on the Konohoti Indian reservation in Arizona, where Wyatt Wingfoot, a friend and sometime aide to the Fantastic Four, and his tribe made their home. Reed ordered Ben to ready the Pogo plane, but Ben wasn't about to completely agree with his leader's plan.

He insisted that Reed join his family, offering to go to Arizona by himself. A short while later, the plane burst into the sky. Its arrival was noticed by Ghost Rider, who greeted the rocky member of the Fantastic Four. He then showed his guest a pair of sentries that had been following him. They overpowered the riders and took their guises to infiltrate the town.

The two heroes' presence was soon detected by the stranger, who we now learned was the Miracle Man (whom the FF first encountered in issue #3 of their own mag). His powers to summon large beasts to defend himself were impressive and a significant leap forward from his previously shown skills. The villain explained that he'd learned such abilities from the mystics of the Cheemuzwa tribe (whom he'd escaped from in Fantastic Four #139). He had gained the power to turn the small village into something completely different.

The Miracle Man swore revenge on the duo that had shattered his new reality. He began to battle the heroes, but was eventually knocked out by one of the Thing's famous "clobbering time" punches. As the villain drifted into unconsciousness, the facade lifted, and the town returned to normal. Spirits of the ancient Cheemuzwa Indians appeared briefly before Ben's eyes, before fading into nothingness. 

A short while later, Ghost Rider and the Thing convened with Wyatt and his friends. Ben pondered why the Miracle Man's flames were ineffective against his comrade as the Ghost Rider drove away. The rider knew what Ben was probably thinking, and figured that he'd been unaffected because of his recent interaction with someone who had helped him (in issue #9 of his own title). He still had plenty of questions about that day, but was thankful to be alive and able to appreciate this holiday, which he felt might have been one of the most important ever for mankind.

Aside from his appearances in the short-lived Champions series and a few odd issues of his solo book, I don't have a lot of comics that feature the Ghost Rider, so this was a welcome surprise, even though it was a bit of an offbeat tale. I was a bit taken aback by the fact that the Thing offered to go alone on Christmas, but this turned out to be a regular habit as this series went on. The Miracle Man is one of those superbaddies that doesn't get enough attention. I sometimes wonder what would happen if he teamed up with the mutant Mastermind from the X-Men comics. 

Well, that's all I've got for today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the ninth issue of this title. Ben has his first team-up with the God of Thunder as they try to prevent the rest of the FF from succumbing to one of their oldest opponents (with a little help from another guest star as well). Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

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

Good afternoon,

It's time for me to talk about the seventh issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing, being held by Skurge the Executioner, as the Valkyrie raised a gleaming sword, prepared to strike the ever-lovin' idol of millions. The story was called "Name that Doom!" The issue had a publication date of January 1975.

The story started in Central Park, as a man who looked to be a little down on his luck sat alone on a park bench. He then looked up right before he was grabbed by the Valkyrie, who was astride her winged mount. The trio took to the air before suddenly vanishing.

Meanwhile, the Thing and Doctor Strange were in the sorcerer's sanctum sanctorum in Greenwich Village trying to ascertain the whereabouts of Strange's Defenders teammate. The crystal of Agamotto revealed the town of Cobbler's Roost, Vermont, which apparently had some connection to the harmonica that the Valkyrie had stolen (in the previous issue). 

Strange explained the Valkyrie's development into a woman without a past by the Enchantress, who inhabited the body of a woman named Barbara Norris. The pair then decided to split up. Strange would pursue the old man called Alvin Denton, who had been accosted by the Valkyrie. The Thing took off in the Fantasticar en route to the sleepy Virginia town. 

A short while later, Ben Grimm landed the vehicle outside a small service station. He had no sooner entered the building to ask for directions when he was punched through the front window by the service station's attendant, who was Skurge the Executioner in disguise.

The Asgardian warrior was soon joined by the Enchantress, who used a spell to incapacitate the hero. She then levitated the Thing backward into the repair bay. She also had Denton and the harmonica. The Enchantress kept the musical instrument and used another spell to send her and Skurge away.

Ben and Alvin awoke sometime later. Strange's astral projection appeared before them and stressed that the two must return to New York immediately. Ben was ready to leave, but Denton insisted on returning to Vermont. He was concerned that his daughter was in peril.

During the journey, Denton disclosed that he'd once been a lawyer. His whole world changed after his wife died in an accident. His daughter stayed with him the following summer and helped him deal with the tragedy. She also met her fiancé, Jack, during that time. The couple became involved in a cult and left without warning one day. 

As the Fantasticar neared Cobblers Roost, Vermont, Alvin spied the Valkyrie and proclaimed that she was his long-lost daughter, Barbara. He ran to her as soon as the ship landed. Grimm wondered if the claim was true, and his question was soon answered by the Enchantress, who now stood before them with Skurge. The evil witch explained that the woman was indeed Barbara and removed the Valkyrie from her persona, leaving only a confused, frightened young woman in her stead.

She then summoned forth the harmonica, but before she could do anything further, Denton grabbed the instrument and began to play. As he did so, the Earth itself seemed to split. The human quintet was seemingly left to drift into space. 

At one point, the Enchantress returned the Valkyrie to Norris' form, and Skurge and the Thing were left to race for the harmonica. They soon engaged in a battle, one that the Valkyrie eventually entered to save Grimm. Ben then went up against the Enchantress until she was knocked down for the count. 

The Thing then blew the harmonica, and everyone was returned to Vermont. Valkyrie and the Executioner fought until Ben got his revenge on the mighty Norse warrior. With the villains vanquished, our heroes returned to Alvin, who had passed away. The Valkyrie wept, knowing that she had just lost a piece to the puzzle of her true identity. Ben stood by her, taking the distraught female in his arms to comfort her.

The story continued in the twentieth issue of the Defenders, where Grimm makes a guest appearance. You can read that issue and title at your own leisure, if you like. I have a few assorted issues and reprints of the entire run before it was renamed the New Defenders, and featured the Valkyrie and others after the original Defenders left the group. The Valkyrie's history is interesting, although it's largely forgotten and left untouched after roughly the second half of the title's initial run. I didn't know much about the Enchantress, except for her appearances in the first Secret Wars limited series, before reading this issue, but I knew that she and Skurge had locked horns with Thor from time to time. My only complaint is that we didn't learn very much about the harmonica's mystic background.

Tomorrow, I'll begin the week with a recap of the eighth issue of this series. The Thing meets the Ghost Rider in a tale that could be considered rather unworldly. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #6

Good morning, peeps,

Hope everyone's having a great weekend! I'm starting the day with a discussion of the sixth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted Doctor Strange and the Thing facing the visage of an unknown enemy. The tale was titled "Death-Song Destiny!" The issue had a cover date of November 1974.

The story started in a New York City subway terminal. Strange and his disciple (and future wife) Clea were standing around with several other city residents. A young girl was playing a harmonica, whose tones elicited different thoughts and emotions from the nearby citizens. One of them moved toward her after the performance ended, which caught Strange and Clea's attention.

The street tough took the instrument from the woman, and she fell into the path of an oncoming train. As the vehicle bore down toward her, the girl exclaimed that the harmonica was more important than her life. Strange grabbed the harmonica from the man, but when he turned to where the girl had been, there was only a shower of bright sparks in her place.

Sparks continued to cascade and shower the corridor, bathing everyone in their immediate vicinity. Neither Strange nor Clea understood just what had happened, but it was certain that the incident was worth investigating. The word "Celestia" had been inscribed on the harmonica. Strange and Clea soon left the station and headed toward their sanctum sanctorum in Greenwich Village.

Meanwhile, in the living quarters of the Baxter Building, the Thing had been fast asleep until he heard the ring of the telephone on his nightstand. Not many people knew Ben Grimm's private phone number, so he figured the caller had to be important. He answered and talked with Mrs. Coogan, one of his former neighbors on Yancy Street. She was calling because something had happened to her grandson (who happened to be the one who'd taken the harmonica from the girl in the subway station). 

Grimm boarded a flier and headed for his old homestead. He'd owed the woman a lot, noting that she helped him stay on the path toward moving out of the slums and pursuing higher education. She greeted him warmly before introducing Grimm to her grandson.

At the same time, Strange was using the Eye of Agamotto to learn more about the girl and the harmonica. An image of her face appeared shortly thereafter. Strange discovered that the girl was not human after all, and later knew that he had to confront the other witnesses of that evening's incident.

He began with the Goldenbergs. Sheldon was conducting his nightly routine when he ran from the bathroom in horror, with his face having suddenly disappeared. Strange's astral form arrived just in time to suggest that it was merely an apparition. The young man looked at the mirror and was relieved to see his face staring back at him again. He then told his wife that what had just happened was probably reflective of his work life, where he felt faceless. Sheldon decided that he'd start work on the book he'd been planning to write and leave the rat race behind.

By then, Grimm had heard Mrs. Coogan's grandson's recount of the evening's events. He found it hard to believe at first and suggested that the pair sleep on it. Grimm went outside for some fresh air, only to find his aero-car defaced by members of the infamous Yancy Street gang. He was angered by their defacing of his vehicle, but before he could do anything about it, Doctor Strange appeared behind him. 

The two old friends walked off together until a loud scream made them turn and look at a large rat that was now climbing up one of the old tenements. Ben grabbed the giant rodent by the tail before Strange attacked it with mystical force. The creature had grabbed Mrs. Coogan's grandson and brought him outside.

While Ben battled the beastie, Strange tried to convince the lad that the Fantastic Four's strongman needed his help. The youth was initially afraid, but eventually came out of his shell and encouraged the Thing, who continued to batter at the rat until it was no more. The crowd cheered, and Grimm and Strange headed toward Greenwich Village.

However, when they arrived, Clea and Wong had bad news to deliver. Clea said that the Valkyrie, Strange's teammate on the Defenders, had just arrived and taken the harmonica. She'd stated that Strange had sent her to obtain the item, which Clea willingly believed, not knowing that neither hero had heard from the Valkyrie that evening. Clea now knew that was a lie, and the heroes were left wondering why she would request or even know anything about the harmonica.

I don't have a lot of issues in my collection drawn by George Tuska, but I always felt that he was a bit of an underrated comic book artist during the 1970s. His art is simple and clean, for the most part. It can be great if it's inked well. This was kind of an offbeat issue, and I thought at first that the sparkle effects would have affected more of the people in the subway in different ways, but for a single issue, the story was fine. 

Later this afternoon, I'll cover the seventh issue of this series. We'll catch up with the Valkyrie and learn why she was interested in the musical instrument. We'll also see the Thing and Valkyrie pair up against a couple of foes who are commonly seen in the pages of The Mighty Thor. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #5

Good afternoon, folks,

Hope all's well. It's time for me to recap the fifth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed The Thing, Captain America, and the original Guardians of the Galaxy engaged in battle against the Badoon in the 31st century. The story was named "Seven Against the Empire!" The issue had a cover date of September 1974.

On our planet in the year 3014, Earth was ruled by an alien race called the Badoon. The Earthlings that remained were slaves to their alien masters. Cap, Ben Grimm, and Sharon Carter had recently arrived in that timeline to try and protect the people (after being alerted to the crisis by a time-traveling woman last issue), but fell in battle to the Badoon's forces. The defeated heroes were now being brought to the Badoon leader.

A memory device was placed on Captain America's head, so that the villain could learn from its memories how they came to be there. By the time the details had been discovered, Grimm had recovered and was ready to fight once more. He fended off the charge of the Badoon's Zom soldiers and gave Cap and Sharon enough time to awaken and join the fray.

The three warriors were more than ready to battle their foes from the future. They eventually escaped, not knowing that the lady named Tarin that they'd arrived to aid was convening with her associates and recounting her experience in the past. It was finally decided to contact the Guardians of the Galaxy for assistance.

Martinex, Yondu, Charlie-27, and Vance Astro received the transmission and watched the heroes from the past fighting for their lives on the viewscreen. Vance recognized the star-spangled Avenger immediately. He insisted that they set a course for Earth at once to aid them.

Meanwhile, The Thing, Cap, and Carter had finally been found by more Badoon soldiers. One of them swiftly fell after being struck by an arrow fired from Yondu's bow. He and the rest of the Guardians leapt into action, and the combined might of the seven heroes was enough to defeat them. 

Afterward, Astro introduced himself and his comrades and explained how he was originally from their time. He'd been sent to outer space in the first American rocket that was designed for such travel. He'd left the planet in 1988 and arrived on Alpha Centauri some 200 years later to find a colony of Earthlings welcoming him. He had aged during his journey, and his body would now be susceptible to disintegration without his protective spacesuit, which he now had to wear at all times to prevent that possibility. 

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Tarin and her associates. Ben led the charge, and the combined forces stormed into the Badoon headquarters. He and Charlie-27 helped Grimm to exact revenge on the mighty destroyer that had felled him before (at the end of issue #4). In the end, good triumphed over evil, and the Badoon leader was forced to surrender.

Tarin and her colleagues were finally hopeful for the first time in a long time. They joined the Guardians in celebrating and wishing their 20th-century counterparts a fond farewell. Moments later, Doctor Doom's time machine activated, and Ben, Steve Rogers, and Sharon were sent back to their own time.

This was a satisfying conclusion to the two-part storyline. I love a good Sal Buscema issue, and he had plenty of experience in drawing the Guardians and the Badoon in this series, as well as in the Defenders and the Guardians' own book. The Badoon remind me a little bit of the lizard aliens from the "V" franchise, minus their human disguises. I actually prefer the original Guardians of the Galaxy over the more modern team lineups, and have several of their appearances in my growing collection. 

Tomorrow, I'll discuss the sixth issue of this series. Ben will team up with Doctor Strange in an offbeat tale that involves some rather curious fates of several people who initially seem random until you discover their connection. There will also be a bit of mischief from the infamous Yancy Street gang. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

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

Good morning,

Hope everyone's enjoying their weekend. It's time for me to discuss the fourth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted the Thing and Captain America squaring off against a large robot and several human-sized aliens. The tale was titled "Doomsday 3014!" The issue had a publication date of May 1974.

The story began in the Central Park Zoo. Ben Grimm was leading Wundarr, the alien man with the mind of a child, past the exhibits. Wundarr pointed to a cotton candy stand and asked his "Uncle Ben-jee" for some. Grimm obliged, but while he was at the counter, chaos erupted around him.

A lion was released from his cage by the powerful youth, who didn't understand why the animal was caged in the first place. It was up to the Thing to ensure that the beast and other animals Wundarr had freed in a short time were rounded up and prevented from harming anyone else in the zoo. Some of its patrons included Sharon Carter and Steve Rogers, who we all know is Captain America.

The couple saw several patrons fleeing in terror, and the Avenger sprang into action moments later. He reached Ben, who had the animals mostly in control by that point. Steve noticed several crooks taking advantage of the situation to rob the merchant booths. As the heroes were occupied with their respective tasks, Namorita and her friend Annie were also wandering the park grounds.

Nita pointed out Wundarr to Annie, and she was recognized instantly by Wundarr (who met Namorita in issue #2). Ben returned shortly thereafter and was angered by the man-child's actions. Nita begged him not to judge Wundarr too harshly, since he didn't understand why what he'd done was wrong. She explained to Ben that she'd returned to the area to attend college and share a house with Ann. Namorita offered to take Wundarr off Ben's hands for a while, and Grimm was happy to oblige.

Cap and Sharon reached Ben after Wundarr had left with Nita and Annie. Ben explained what had just happened and why on the walk back to the Baxter Building. The trio walked in on Reed Richards conducting another experiment with Medusa (who was Sue Richards' temporary replacement in the Fantastic Four for a while). Reed and Medusa stopped what they were doing and went to welcome their guests. On the way out of the lab, the Thing's hand accidentally moved a power feed switch on the contraption Richards had been using.

The quintet relaxed and talked until a piercing scream filled the room. Everyone ran toward its source, which was a young woman who'd appeared in the lab. She was surprised that the people gathered around her spoke English and said that Captain America had died 1,000 years ago before fainting. Ben brought the woman to a couch. When she awoke, she mentioned the Badoon, whom she seemed to be deathly afraid of.

She said that the Badoon was an alien race that had enslaved her people, adding that the Guardians of the Galaxy had named their ship after Captain America. It was now evident that the stranger had arrived from the future using the time machine that was in the laboratory. 

Cap asked Reed if that machine could be used to send them to the time period of the woman named Tarin. A short while later, Captain America, the Thing, Carter, and Tarin stood on the time platform that once belonged to Doctor Doom. Reed and Medusa stood at the control panels and watched their friends fade from sight as the platform lifted from the floor.

The quartet soon found themselves in the 31st century. New York was quite different from what they were used to, and it was much more hostile. They were soon attacked by beings called Zoms. Their foes could not be harmed or knocked out, proving to be more than a typical challenge for our heroes. 

They fought well, but numbers were not on their side. Things escalated when the monster of Badoon, who looked more like a machine than a mortal being, entered the fray. Not even the Thing's most powerful blows could fell the beast. Cap, Sharon, and the Thing eventually fell to the futuristic warriors. They were then led off, as Tarin observed from nearby. She swore that the Badoon would not enjoy their victory for long. 

This was another fun issue. I always enjoy a good Sal Buscema comic book, and this issue showcased his distinctive art style and his versatility in depicting a wide variety of heroes and villains. It was nice to see Reed and Medusa, since I have most of the original Fantastic Four run, and Wundarr and Nita, even if that plot point was done for a while after the first part of this issue. 

That's it for this morning. Later today, I'll return to recap the fifth issue of this series. We'll find out what happened to Captain America, the Thing, and Sharon Carter. We'll also see the Badoon and their interactions with this issue's featured guest stars, the Guardians of the Galaxy (author's note: this is the original Guardians of the Galaxy who originated in the 30th century and are mostly different from the Guardians featured in the Marvel cinematic universe and Guardians of the Galaxy comics in recent years). Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another.