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.
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