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

Happy Friday, peeps!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #56

Happy Thursday, peeps!

Today's topic is the fifty-sixth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover, drawn by Uncanny X-Men artists John Byrne (who penciled the previous three issues of this series) and inker Terry Austin, showed the powerhouse Thundra punching the injured Thing through a wall. The tale was titled "The Pegasus Project Part IV: The Deadlier of the Species!" The issue had a cover date of October 1979.

The story started with Thundra and her fellow wrestlers Letha, Screaming Mimi, Poundcakes, and Titania huddled before an outside entrance to Project Pegasus. Thundra opened the hatch, and as she and her comrades slid down the opening on ropes attached to the surface, the female warrior from an alternate timeline thought back to how she'd arrived there in the first place.

After being defeated by Titania (who drugged her opponent in the ring last issue), Thundra awoke before a stranger who told her why that had just happened. He needed someone strong enough to break into the compound and place a machine at a certain spot in the complex. She made the journey with her comrades and attacked the staff on site, even though she was still doubting the reasons why they were there.

While the female wrestlers were making their way to the designated area, Ben Grimm was standing near the lithe form of Wundarr, the boy trapped in an adult body from another world who he'd watched over for a while. Grimm felt responsible for the boy's state and walked away after apologizing, not knowing that Wundarr woke and said in a low voice that he understood.

Ben turned a corner and ran into his sometime sparring partner, Thundra. She lashed out at the Thing and a brawl began, just as Giant-Man (Bill Foster) and Quasar (Wendell Foster) were picking up the pieces from previous confrontations. They dropped what they were doing when another alarm sounded, running toward the source of that problem. 

Vaughn soon found Letha and Screaming Mimi up to no good. Mimi's sonic screams scattered Quasar's senses for a time until he was able to concentrate and bring his golden bracelets together, sending energy waves toward his opponents that knocked them down for the count.

Foster encountered Poundcakes and Titania in the thermal research area. He was knocked into a vapor tube, but managed to escape and capture his attackers with each hand. Meanwhile, the struggle between the Thing and Thundra raged on. Both titans were rather evenly matched, and the struggle continued until the sight of Quasar, Giant-Man, and several security guards holding Thundra's companions was enough for them to cease hostilities.

Thundra still wasn't quite sure what the commotion accomplished, but in all the chaos, Thomas Lightner had been forgotten. He was continuing to assemble his machine, adding components from the container that was left for him by the female grapplers. He was finally about to complete the Nth Projector, a weapon that he was certain would spell doom for Project Pegasus.

George Perez replaced Byrne on pencils on this issue, and except for a few slight continuity areas, the story continued rather seamlessly. Thundra is one of those characters, like the Sub-Mariner who sometimes alternates between hero and villain. She's been a thorn in Grimm's side for years, and was briefly a member of the Frightful Four. She's also been a staunch ally of the Fantastic Four and has helped them on more than one occasion. I don't think she's ever had her own solo story, but I think that it would be interesting to know a bit more about her background and motivations.

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll close out the month with a discussion of the fifty-seventh issue of Marvel Two-In-One. Wundarr will play a more prominent role in the fifth part of this saga, and two more foes enter the fray. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #55

Happy Wednesday, peeps,

We're halfway through the week. Time for me to talk about the fifty-fifth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing and Giant-Man squaring off against the menace known as Nuklo. The story was called "The Pegasus Project Part III: Giants in the Earth." The issue had a publication date of September 1979.

An injured Ben Grimm (who was shot at by the cyborg Deathlok last issue), Quasar, Ben Foster, and other members of Project Pegasus were in the middle of a poker game when alarms sounded. They ran to find the source of the problem. Quasar noticed two areas of interest on the facility map. He went to check out the nuclear module, while Bill and Ben went to address the other concern.

The two friends hopped on a lift that stopped suddenly. The villain named Nuklo was underneath the mechanism, using his mighty strength in an effort to prevent the elevator from descending further. The Thing took matters into his own hands by holding the ceiling, as Foster transformed into Giant Man. Grimm had met him before when the superhero was known as Black Goliath (the two interacted in issue #24 of this title), but he hadn't known that he was really Foster until just then.

Together, the Thing and Giant-Man worked to prevent the ceiling from falling down on them before Nuklo moved on to his next objective. As the platform continued its normal path, Foster explained to Grimm how he'd gained his abilities. Ben suggested that he use the name Giant Man, which Foster agreed with.

By the time they reached their intended destination, security forces were already on the scene. Nuklo had been freed, and the guards were off to try to recollect and contain him. As Ben and Bill pursued them, Quasar was making his way across the compound's nuclear reactor controls. He soon learned that the fail-safe controls had been tampered with and that the control rods wouldn't move. Quasar (Wendell Vaughn) then realized that he could use his powers to create a nuclear reaction that would hopefully be enough to serve as a substitute for the faulty system.

Meanwhile, at New York's legendary Madison Square Garden, fans were clamoring for a highly-touted wrestling match between FF ally Thundra and her opponent, Titania. The two were pretty evenly matched at first. Titania was looking for a rematch after her previous defeat at Thundra's hands (as shown in the previous issue) and pricked her opponent with a needle that had been dipped in a toxin that was strong enouogh to fell the mighty woman from an alternate timeline. 

As Thundra's manager, Herkimer J. Oglethorpe, was pondering his future after Thundra's loss, Giant-Man and the Thing were still looking for Nuklo. At one point, Ben tore some protective shielding and wrapped it around his comrade's hands for good measure. They eventually caught up with the escaped man-child who was just starting to understand what he'd done after being scolded by his mentor, Henri. 

Foster dove at their target, seeming very eager to try and prove himself. He pounded away at his opponent until Grimm got a few licks in, and eventually moved Nuklo toward an antigravity chamber that would hold him. His appointed guardian, Henri Sorel, was most displeased with the heroes' resorting to violence. He felt that he had just been getting through to his charge before they intervened.

Ben thought about his actions, and how Nuklo was somewhat similar to Wundarr in that regard. Both had tremendous power with the mind of a child in an adult body. Wundarr had scarcely moved after being moved to his current room at Project Pegasus, but just then, the being from another world awoke after a strange voice seemed to guide him. 

This was another exciting part of this storyline. The revelation of Foster's secret identity helped to forge a long-time friendship with Grimm. I liked his character, and felt that after his short-lived series ended and a brief association with the Champions before that team disbanded, that he needed a good place to fit in. Unfortunately, he wasn't placed in another team, but did go on several adventures with the Thing and company over the years. 

Tomorrow, I'll cover the fifty-sixth issue of this series. We'll learn what happened to Thundra after her loss in the ring, and how she became involved in the main storyline of this saga. We'll also see just what else Dr. Lightner is up to. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #54

Hello there,

It's time for me to talk about the fifty-fourth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover had Deathlok, a cyborg warrior from the 30th century, standing over an injured Ben Grimm, with shadowed images of Quasar, a stranger standing before the man-child Wundarr, and Herkimer J. Oglethorpe watching Titania battle a mystery opponent in a boxing ring in the background. The tale was titled "The Pegasus Project Part II: Blood and Bionics." The issue had a cover date of August 1979.

The Thing was walking down an empty corridor of the Project Pegasus compound, not knowing that Deathlok was waiting around the next corner. He fired at the Fantastic Four strongman, and his laser was actually powerful enough to wound Grimm. Ben pulverized the weapon and the hand that had held it. Deathlok defended himself, and eventually fled after Quasar and other security staff arrived on the scene.

Quasar helped Ben to his feet as Deathlok ventured further into the complex. He finally found the location he'd been looking for and started assembling a strange device. Quasar was hot on the intruder's trail and confronted him. The Thing had been patched up and assisted his new ally. Deathlok blasted Grimm once more and was eventually reduced to a pile of smoldering ash by Quasar's powers and the laser rifles that were fired by security guards.

While the heroes were pondering the reasons for the strange attack, the female powerhouse known as Titania was at a gym in Manhattan's Lower East Side. She was preparing to face off in the ring against a female wrestler. Titania bested her opponent easily, but the opponent's manager summoned his employees Leta, Titania, and Mimi to attack.

The titan from an alternate timeline quickly tossed all subsequent attackers from the ring. She then jumped out and talked to Oglethorpe. The diminutive manager soon realized that he'd have more things to consider if he wanted Titania to be his marquee attraction. Meanwhile, Tom Lightner was continuing to proceed carefully toward the machine that Deathlok had constructed. His superior from Nth Command reminded Lightner that it was essential that the Nth projector not be discovered by anyone else.

At the same time, Quasar and Ben were four levels above, talking with lab assistant Bill Foster (who we also know as Giant Man). While Grimm was having his ear bent by Foster, Lightner inched closer to Nuklo's quarters. He entered the room and freed the powerful being, who, like Wundarr, was also a powerful adult with the mind of a child. 

After reading this issue for the first time, I wondered if this Deathlok was the same as the one who appeared earlier in this series' run. It's possible that, similar to Thundra, this cyborg emerged from an alternate reality. It also made me anticipate a possible showdown between Wundarr and Nuklo. The art team of John Byrne and Joe Sinnott really meshed well with writers Ralph Macchio and Mark Gruenwald. This was a cleverly laid out storyline that left plenty of readers in suspense after each chapter's end. 

Well, that's it for today. Tomorrow, I'll chronicle the third part of this saga with a recap of the fifty-fifth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. We'll see Foster's alter-ego come to the project's defense. We'll also learn more about Thundra's new career and find out what happened to Wundarr. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #53

Happy Monday, folks!

I'm kicking off a new week with a discussion of the fifty-third issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted the Thing squaring off against the character known as Quasar, with an inset drawing that promised an update on Ben Grimm's old friend, Wundarr. The story was called "The Pegasus Project Part One: The Inner War!"

The tale began with Grimm flying a plane, heading for Project Pegasus. Ben was concerned about his old friend Wundarr, who was at the facility. After landing the Pogo Plane, the Thing was greeted by a staffer who walked him through their security procedures. 

After being cleared, Ben was about to be introduced to the new security chief, who Grimm mistook for the Crusader (who fought the Fantastic Four in issues #163 and 164 of their own mag). His rival defended himself, and eventually caged the FFer temporarily before stating that he was not the same person who Ben had fought before. 

He did wear the same energy bands as the former Marvel Boy who battled the Fantastic Four and presumably blew up during the aforementioned confrontation. Wendell Vaughn was given those baubles after they'd been examined by his father Gilbert. Wendell soon learned that he couldn't remove the bracelets and later paired up with other super-agents at SHIELD (Supreme Headquarters International Espionage and Law Enforcement Division). 

After that role ended, Wendell was recommended for his current role at Project Pegasus. He then gave Ben a tour of the facility. Along the way, Grimm ran into Tom Lightner (last seen in Marvel Two-In-One #42). Afterward, Ligthner retreated to his quarters to transmit a message to his superior at Nth Command.

At the same time, the female warrior from another universe known as Titania was walking the streets of Manhattan. She broke up a robbery, and the victim was so impressed by her acts of heroism that he offered her a job. Titania walked with Herkimer J. Oglethorpe toward his place of business.

Wendell (known in his superhero identity as Quasar) led Ben past the cells for known super-villains like Nuklo and Solarr before approaching the entrance to Wundarr's quarters. The boy trapped in a man's body was curled up in the fetal position on his bed, with his therapist, Dr. Jeannine O'Connell, standing beside him. After being linked with a cosmic cube (in MTIO #42), Wundarr remained alive but unconscious after the connection was detached.

Wundarr continued to lie motionlessly, but as he did so, lights around him suddenly went out. It appeared that the cube had strengthened his own abilities to the point that anything powered by electricity that came within ten feet of the lad would cease functioning normally. 

Grimm tried lifting the bed, but not even his mighty strength could do much more than budge it. Quasar was confident that the doctor could help the troubled youth. Afterward, he showed Ben to his quarters on the base. 

Ben was settling in when Lightner used his neural jammer on a pair of guards. As he did so, another figure cloaked in shadows roamed the rooftops of Project Pegasus until he found a way inside the complex. Grimm was restless, and after a while, decided to take a walk to see if anyone was interested in a friendly game of poker. With each step, he grew nearer to the shadowed figure from before, which we soon saw to be the futuristic cyborg known as Deathlok. 

The last content page of this issue was a diagram of the Project Pegasus compound. Regular readers know I love a good comic that was illustrated by John Byrne, and this one was no exception. It was a good start to a multi-part storyline, and one of the longest scripts this series had. It was good to see both Wundarr and Deathlok again, and we all know that Lightner was probably up to nothing good. 

Quasar is one of those characters who was searching to find his own niche at the time. He'd guest-starred in the Incredible Hulk and Captain America before receiving his own title about a decade later. His costume has changed enough to really differentiate him from Marvel Boy and is now usually associated with some of the more cosmic characters in the Marvel Universe.

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the second part of this tale, which consists of the fifty-third issue of Marvel Two-In-One. Byrne and inker Joe Sinnott return to pair up with co-plotters Ralph Macchi and Mark Gruenwald to tell us more about why Deathlok is skulking around. We'll also see where Oglethorpe took Titania and see yet another familiar face right before Lightner launches the next phase of his plan. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

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

Good afternoon,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good morning, peeps!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Saturday, peeps!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Friday, peeps!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Thursday, peeps!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Wednesday, peeps!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Tuesday, folks!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hi there,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good afternoon, folks,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #45

Happy Sunday, folks!

Hope everyone's having a great weekend. Time for me to talk about the forty-fifth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted the Thing being fired upon by unknown assailants from a nearby car, as Captain Marvel flew over the vehicle. The tale was titled "The Andromeda Rub-Out!" The issue had a cover date of November 1978.

It all began on a rainy evening. A man in a trenchcoat trudged toward a local newsstand, where he purchased a newspaper and began reading about Ben Grimm. He swore the Thing's life would end. As he looked up, the stranger looked eerily similar to the Fantastic Four's powerhouse.

Meanwhile, just outside of Denver, Colorado, the man known as Captain Marvel (the Kree warrior Mar-Vell) was perusing a publication based on the flick Close Encounters of the Third Kind. He suddenly received a blast of energy, one that he soon figured was a threat to Grimm.

At a posh New York restaurant, Ben was enjoying a night out with his girlfriend, Alicia Masters. They were about to order dinner at a nice restaurant when a waiter informed Grimm that he had a phone call. The caller threatened to end Ben's life. The Thing crushed the phone receiver afterward and led Alicia outside right before a speeding car fired at him.

Ben's rocky exterior shielded him from damage, and he corralled a cab to follow the assassins. He eventually leapt from the cab to the car his attackers were driving, and held onto the back bumper for dear life as it dashed across a pier and flew into the air.

The car suddenly disappeared moments later, and Grimm plunged into the icy waters below. When he reached shore, Marvel and Masters were waiting for him. Captain Marvel informed his friend that his foe had to be hiding in a subspace dimension. Ben went to take Alicia home before reconvening with his friend.

The heroes holed up in a dwindling brownstone, waiting to see what would happen next. Grimm grew tired of waiting and went out for a walk. A short while later, Marvel was approached by someone who looked like the Thing but was obviously an impostor. He zapped the Kree warrior while Ben was enjoying a nice cigar.

His smoke break was interrupted by the arrival of Boss Barker, a Skrull soldier who was in the guise of a mob boss (whom the Fantastic Four first met in issue number 91 of their own title). Ben had been taken to their planet to serve as a competitor in their gladiator games. One of his rivals was the machine man known as Torgo, who led a rebellion against the Skrull subjugators. 

Barker was back for revenge and offered up the head of Torgo as a reminder to Ben that he wasn't playing around. Ben was hit by a laser beam and knocked out. A short while later, he revived and found himself cuffed to a brick wall, facing the members of Barker's firing squad.

The execution was prevented by Marvel, who crashed the party. His intervention gave Grimm enough time to break free from his bonds and join the melee. Barker pushed a button on his control box and brought his starship crashing onto the scene.

Before any more damage could be done, Torgo's disembodied head came to life and blasted his foe with deadly eye beams. The Skrull reverted to his original form one last time before expiring. Marvel and Grimm noted how life seemed to be a game to their opponent, and that Barker died how he'd lived.

I felt like this was a good issue for long-time fans of the Fantastic Four and Captain Marvel. It provided a bit of closure for that old FF yarn. I'm really surprised that, with all of the character resurrections in recent years, Mar-Vell hasn't been brought back for good yet. I prefer him over the current Captain Marvel. Nothing against Carol Danvers as a character, but I don't think that she stands the test of time like Mar-Vell did. 

That's it for this morning. Later today, I'll recap the third Marvel Two-In-One annual. Another alien menace arrives on our world, and it's up to the Thing and another hero who was relatively new in the late 1970s to address the threat. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #44

Good morning!

Today's focus is on the forty-fourth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed the Thing and Hercules being tossed aside by a towering Minotaur. The story was called "October 1978." The issue had a publication date of October 1978.

The story started in the meeting room of Camp Run-A-Mok, a summer camp full of rambunctious children who were swarming around Ben Grimm, as he sat on a recliner and tried to tell a story. It was all about one of his recent exploits, which began with another prank played upon him by his teammate, the Human Torch, while Ben was trying to exercise at the Baxter Building. 

The Torch (real name: Johnny Storm) melted one of Grimm's barbells that he'd thrown at his agitator, leaving Ben pretty peeved. He went outside to clear his head on a walk when he saw the mighty Hercules flying past, riding a chariot that was powered by a white-winged horse. The hero reached out for Ben's hand as they soared toward the legendary Olympus.

Hercules had returned home days before after his superteam, the Champions, broke up, and was stunned to find his father, Zeus, missing. They entered the palace and were greeted by large green flying pythons (none of them named Monty, as far as we know). Ben tossed one aside, while Hercules drew a gate down upon the other.

They ventured further into the building, but then a large crimson tiger leapt at the duo. Hercules was strong enough to vault the cat up and over his body. Ben remarked at the large table that stood before them, just before a large Minotaur lashed out at the intruders. He flung a large berry at Ben and Hercules turned the table over to allow them to escape.

Hercules' winged steed was waiting, and the pair climbed aboard the chariot mere moments before the Minotaur jumped toward them, only to fall several stories as the trio flew away. Their next destination would be the sun tower, an edifice that usually meant death to all, Olympians included. They ascended the stairs and found Zeus tied to a post, as flames from the pit that the post had emerged from continued to rise.

Ben jumped to the wooden frame and snapped it in two. It fell toward the tower floor, forming a bridge that Zeus and Grimm could safely traverse. However, a large creature called Manduu the Merciless now blocked their escape. While the creature swung at the Thing with his club, Hercules used part of the wooden pole that his father had been attached to to strike at their foe's feet.

The heroes were eventually able to force their opponent to lose his balance and plunge into the fiery pit. The trio escaped on the flying chariot and made their way to the Watergate (not the one in Washington, D.C., as Ben pointed out when narrating to the children). There, one final test remained: a bird-like being called Krokarr the Cruel stood in their way.

The creature aimed a burst of water at the chariot, knocking its occupants from the sky. By then, the camp attendees were riveted to Grimm's story, waiting with bated breath to know what happened next. Ben smiled and said that they fell back into the chariot, and Zeus used his power supreme to encase their opponent in a large block of ice. This thrilled the children, who were eager to hear the next story when Ben returned.

If you thought that this issue felt like a fill-in, you're probably not alone. Team-up books like this one usually had a revolving door of writers and artists, which explains why many of its issues were single-issue sagas. This one was entertaining. It was good to see Hercules and Zeus again after the Champions title was cancelled. I don't know much about the villains from this tale, but I wouldn't mind seeing them appear again in other Marvel mags.

Well, that's all I have for you today. I'm going to be off shortly for a belated birthday celebration with the folks, and then take the rest of the day off. Tomorrow, I'll return with a discussion of the forty-fifth issue of Marvel Team-Up. Ben joins forces with a now-late, lamented member of the Marvel Universe as they encounter someone from the Fantastic Four's past. Until then, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #43

Happy Friday, folks!

It's time for me to talk about the forty-third issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted the villain known as Victorius grasping Captain America by the neck with one hand while holding a Cosmic Cube in his other hand, with Man-Thing in the background and the Thing in the foreground. The tale was titled "The Day the World Winds Down." The issue had a cover date of September 1978.

The story started with Victorius and his disciples standing before Captain America and Ben Grimm. The Cosmic Cube was part of their opponent's plan for entropy to rule. The bauble had just been stolen from Project Pegasus, and Ben and Cap were determined to return it to its rightful place. Victorius was also responsible for the harm caused to the heroes' friend Wundarr.

Their foe said that he'd once been a researcher who was trying to duplicate the formula that created Captain America (aka Steve Rogers). His research was eventually halted by his superiors, who claimed that the project had ended. Victorius had his doubts and continued his cause while working for Advanced Idea Mechanics (AIM), a division of Hydra. He'd just made a breakthrough when a rogue SHIELD (Supreme Headquarters Intelligence and Law Enforcement Division) agent broke into the lab in an attempt to destroy the formula.

Victorius had consumed the elixir that he'd concocted before the laboratory went up in a spectacular ball of flame from an explosion. He found that the serum had given him super-strength, and he went up against Ka-Zar in his efforts to reunite AIM. He fell during the conflict and was presumably left behind by his former employer. 

After several months of wandering the country by himself, Victorius happened upon a tome at a bookstore written by the cult of entropists. He agreed with their viewpoints and reformed their group (as shown in Giant-Size Man-Thing #1). Victorius later learned about the Cosmic Cube, which he figured had to be the key for fulfilling their mission of universal decay. He used the cube to transform the remains of the cult's former leader Yagzan into a being known as Jude, the Entropic Man.

The revived entity obeyed Victorius' commands and soon found a pair of lovers and enthralled them. Jude raised a hand and turned the couple to dust. Ben was enraged by this tale and lunged at his foe. He was knocked out, but Cap rose to defend him. Victorius floated the Cosmic Cube in the air above him before tossing off his robe to take on the legendary Avenger.

Their conflict was observed by the man who was once Ted Sallis and was now the Man-Thing. As the battle continued, the Man-Thing's curiosity grew, and he lumbered toward the hovering cube. Jude and his associates saw the creature's approach and knew he had to be stopped. 

By the time the Thing woke up, the Man-Thing was examining the Cosmic Cube that he now held in one hand. Victorius had stopped fighting Captain America long enough for Jude to hypnotize Rogers. Grimm ran to his friend and eventually caught up with and tossed Cap from the Entropic Man's path. 

The Thing was swallowed up by Jude's body and emerged moments later as Ben Grimm. He cursed out Jude right before he was struck from behind by Victorius. Cap returned to renew the fight, but Victorius broke free and wrestled for control of the cube with the Man-Thing. 

Before long, Victorius expressed fear as he was torn between fighting for the cube and the Entropic Man's grasp. As long-time Marvelites know, whosoever knows fear burns at the Man-Thing's touch. The villain and his revived former cult leader were later frozen in place, leaving the trio of heroes alone.

Steve grabbed the cube from the muck, which was now seemingly nothing more than a typical paperweight. He pocketed the device and walked back to the plane with Grimm. The Man-Thing had reformed itself and reached out to touch the radiant crystal that had once been entropists. Doing so returned that hand back to its normal, original shape and size, a feat that the being pondered briefly before wandering off alone once more. 

This was one of the first issues of Marvel Two-In-One that I ever read. I picked it up from the discount box at my local comic book shop, and I believe it was my introduction to John Byrne's artwork. He's remained one of my favorite illustrators, and I enjoyed how well his drawings moved the story along. The Man-Thing is an underrated character, and I don't think we really know enough about his human identity. This was his first appearance in this series since MTIO's debut issue. Victorius was later revived, but he hasn't appeared in much of anything since this storyline. It's a pity, because if he had been revived sooner, he could have returned to appear in other Marvel mags and be introduced to other prominent characters of the time. 

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll kick off the weekend with a summary of the forty-fourth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. This one's a bit of a flashback, as Ben regales several adoring children with a tale of one of his more recent exploits that involved the cooperation of someone who's been both a Champion and an Avenger. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #42

Happy Thursday, peeps!

Today's topic is the forty-second issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover showed a palm holding a Cosmic Cube. The top showed the Thing and Captain America wrecking machines. One side showed a person struggling in pain while being attached to a strange machine, and another side showed a person holding such a cube. The story was called "Entropy, Entropy..." The issue had a cover date of August 1978.

The tale began with Ben Grimm bursting into Project Pegasus and being immediately met with soldiers who tried to stop him. Only Captain America's arrival and his placing Grimm in a stasis field until he could explain would end the hostilities. Grimm had arrived to check on the status of Wundarr, a man with the mind of a child who'd been left in the project's care several months before.

SHIELD (Supreme Headquarters Intelligence and Law Enforcement Division) chief Nick Fury had asked Cap to check on the program's security issues. As the old friends walked and talked, Ben accidentally ran into Tom Lightner (last seen in MTIO issue #21). He'd been improving since Dr. Don Blake (Thor's human identity) had helped him, but the smile on Lightner's face didn't sit quite well with Grimm.

The duo finally reached an observation deck, where they could see Wundarr, who'd been placed in restraints. The man-child quickly broke free from his bonds, and Ben leapt to his side. Wundarr recognized "Unca Benjy" and ran to his arms. Ben comforted the youth and allowed him to be placed in the care of Project Pegasus scientists.

Wundarr was soon hooked up to different apparatus as he sat in a chair. A familiar-looking cube was connected to some of the machinery. One of the men pulled a switch that caused Wundarr to scream in pain. Captain America rushed to the culprit, who was more powerful than expected.

While Grimm was working to free Wundarr, the villain grabbed several power lines and disappeared from sight. He moved thousands of miles away to rejoin his fellow entropists. The man tore off his mask and confirmed that he was their leader, Victorius. The leader was holding the cube he'd just stolen in one hand. 

Meanwhile, Wundarr was being led away on a stretcher. Fortunately, the suit that Reed Richards had designed for the youth (in MTIO #5) prevented any significant damage. Ben started blaming himself for the incident, although Captain America (real name: Steve Rogers) tried to remind him that what had happened wasn't his fault. 

He then joined the Thing on a plane voyage to find the source of the disruption. Grimm piloted the craft, which took them to the swamplands of Florida. Cap's detector soon brought them to its source, right before the device was demolished by the one called the Entropic Man.

I always enjoy a good Sal Buscema comic, and it fits right in with the issues of Captain America that our pal Sal was drawing at the time. He also illustrated Cap's first appearances in this series. It was good to see Wundarr again, because it almost felt like he'd been forgotten for a while. I didn't know much about the Entropic Man, but I wasn't surprised to see him purloin the Cosmic Cube. It's an item that multiple evil-doers in the Marvel Universe have coveted at one time or another.

Tomorrow, I'll cap off the work week with a synopsis of the forty-third issue of Marvel Two-In-One. We'll find out what happened to Cap and Grimm, who are aided by someone who hasn't appeared in this title since its humble beginnings. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #41

Hello folks,

Today is my birthday, but my present to you is a synopsis of Marvel Two-In-One #41. The cover showed Ben Grimm and Brother Voodoo trying to pursue a plane. The story was called "Voodoo and Valor!" The issue had a cover date of July 1978.

The tale began with Grimm returning to his rented apartment, where he'd been staying after the Fantastic Four broke up. He opened the door and was stunned to see a stranger rummaging through his personal belongings. Ben went to fight the intruder until he revealed that he was Brother Voodoo and that he'd arrived in peace.

Voodoo had heard about the recent kidnappings of prominent black members of the local community. When he arrived, T'Challa (aka the Black Panther) had disappeared, but he'd left behind a telegram from the Daily Bugle that contained a list of the people who were being targeted. He and Grimm left to find the next woman on the list.

At Slifer Field (a reference to Marvel contributor Roger Slifer), that very woman, a Mrs. Marley, was being ordered to open the gate by the man who'd apprehended the Black Panther and the others on his list. The villain's vampire eventually lifted the gate to let them inside. 

As the group approached a nearby Lear jet, the woman's young son was being asked about her disappearance. The child claimed that a creature had taken her. His description seemed similar to the being t that Ben and T'Challa had encountered earlier (in the last issue). Voodoo transported himself and Grimm to Long Island, right outside the ruined fence.

They made a mad dash for the jet just as it was taking off. The Thing wound the fence into a large ball and was about to toss it at the plane, until Voodoo reminded him that it might accidentally hurt the ones they were trying to save. Ben set the ball down in disgust.

Some time later, the jet reached its intended destination. The African leader met with a man named W'Sulli and was complimented. The former witch doctor once led the small city until his son took over and killed his fellow townspeople (as illustrated in Marvel Preview #12). Having a vampire under their command would make it easier for them to achieve their objectives. 

He came to know the man called Dr. Obatu when the former Doctor Spectrum fled a firing squad in his native land. He'd wandered aimlessly until falling into W'Sulli's hut. He saw the zuvembie before him and knew he could be a great asset. The conspirators wheeled their captives into the town square not long before Ben and Voodoo arrived by plane.

The craft was shot down, but Grimm emerged unscathed, carrying his friend to the place where T'Challa and the others had been taken. Voodoo sent the astral form of his brother Daniel (Brother Voodoo was comprised of two brothers at the time) to join in the attack not long before the Black Panther was finally freed.

The villains' plot gradually fell apart. The zombie turned on the witch doctor, and Obatu fell to his fate from a high balcony. Afterward, the three heroes led the other captives to safety, heading toward a plane that would take them to freedom.

This was a fun three-part series. I didn't know much about Brother Voodoo before reading this issue. He's played a larger role in the Strange Academy series lately. I always enjoy seeing T'Challa in Marvel comics, and I'm glad that he and his compatriots were unhurt. It's too bad he wasn't featured more often during the time that this story was initially published. 

Well, that's all I have for you today. Time to read a bit of The Origins of Marvel Comics before bed. Tomorrow, I'll tackle the forty-second issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The Thing pairs with a character who was featured in the Tales of Suspense title before getting their own mag to take on something called Project Pegasus, a story that also involves someone who we haven't seen in this series in several issues. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Marvel Two-In-One #40

Happy Tuesday, peeps!

It's time for me to talk about the fortieth issue of Marvel Two-In-One. The cover depicted the Thing preparing to attack an unknown man who was restraining the Black Panther. The tale was titled "Conjure Night!" The issue had a cover date of June 1978.

The story started with Ben Grimm preparing a large pizza, as his friends Matt Murdock and the young boy Grimm had been imprisoned with (during the last storyline) were waiting and playing a friendly game of craps. Murdock won the contest before the food was ready. The Avenger Yellowjacket (Hank Pym) joined them for the meal, which proved to be quite filling.

A while later, Ben, Hank, and the boy flew from Murdock's apartment to a local elementary school, where the child named Eugene rejoined his classmates. Grimm recognized one of the instructors as his old friend T'Challa (who we also know as the Black Panther from Wakanda). He taught there under the identity of Luke Charles and invited Grimm to sit in on his next class.

The kids engaged in a bit of mischief after their instructor left the room for a while. One of them even went so far as to pour glue on the Thing's hands that were behind his back. When he woke from his nap, Ben struggled to free himself. The guilty culprit was reprimanded by Charles just before the bell rang.

Ben was unharmed. He even laughed about the incident afterward, because it reminded him of similar pranks played during his younger years. Meanwhile, in another part of town, the disappearance of another prominent black member of the community was being investigated by local officials. The dwelling had been ransacked. All that was left behind was a strange, old odor, one that would be more in line with a garage, sewer, or possibly a cemetery.

As the detectives examined the crime scene, a hand rose from a grave not far away. Not long afterward, Ben and T'Challa were catching up. Ben informed his friend of the Fantastic Four's breakup, which saddened his host. He suggested that his friend consider Avengers membership, but Grimm wasn't ready to join another group just yet.

T'Challa then donned his Black Panther costume, noting the rash of disappearances. At the same time, Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson was berating the assistant who was handling the paper's microfilm library in the wake of his missing supervisor. Minutes later, the assistant took a call from T'Challa and provided him and Ben with some valuable clues about the people who'd recently gone missing.

Two people on the list had not disappeared yet. T'Challa went to check on the musician C.L. Wadsworth, while Ben paid a visit to the millionaire industrialist, Edward B. Nelson. When Grimm arrived, he saw that something had burst through the front door. He entered to find a rash of destruction. Ben also found the businessman's wife, who later told him about a horrible being that took her husband.

Meanwhile, Wadsworth was performing a free show. His audience applauded, and the performer took one final bow before a large bat swooped down from the rafters at him. The animal slowly transformed into a vampire. However, before he could harm Wadsworth, the Black Panther stepped in his path. 

The two engaged in a battle while the Thing waited for a subway train. It arrived and let Grimm off at his destination in time for him to intervene right as things looked most dire for T'Challa. The vampire was clearly being controlled by someone else. It appeared to have met its demise after being stabbed from behind by the musician's bow. 

Wadsworth left the concert hall with the heroes a short time later. None of them witnessed the glowing eyes that commanded its slave to rise. Ben saw T'Challa to his flat. There, the Wakanda native opened a telegram from the Bugle right before his foe returned, placing him in a chokehold as Grimm slowly disappeared from sight. 

Most Marvelites know that the Black Panther debuted in the first Fantastic Four series. He was later added to the Avengers' roster and had several solo stories from time to time. He returned to popularity with his addition to recent Marvel movies, but I think he's still been underutilized, especially in the years immediately after his first appearance was published. 

The young boy that folowed Ben as he burst out of jail in the last storyline was another wasted opportunity. They talked about his special powers of prognostication, but to the best of my knowledge, I don't think he's appeared in another Marvel comic after this one. At first, I thought he was an imitation of Jim Wilson, the boy who befriended the Hulk and acted as a sort of substitute for Rick Jones when he went off on adventures with the Avengers, Captain America, and Captain Marvel. Wilson also disappeared after a while, only to return years later when they announced that his character was dying from AIDS.

That's all for now, folks. My birthday post tomorrow will be dedicated to discussing the forty-first issue of Marvel Two-In-One. We'll dig a little deeper into just where the vampire came from, and Ben meets another hero whose assistance is important in saving T'Challa's life. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.