Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #22

Happy Wednesday, folks!

We've finally reached the conclusion of the Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger storyline. The cover of the twenty-second issue of The Thing showed Ben Grimm cradling Tarianna carefully in his arms on a deserted planet. The tale was titled "To All Things An Ending." The issue had a cover date of April 1985.

The story started with Ben running to his girlfriend's doorstep with a box of candy and a bouquet of flowers. However, Alicia Masters quickly rejected her boyfriend and began swinging her fists at him, even after he changed into the Thing. When Grimm opened his eyes, he found himself inside a large arena.

Ben was now staring directly at the enemy who had tormented him for much of his time after the Secret Wars. He told his rival that he'd created a psychological block that prevented him from becoming human, because he felt that Alicia had preferred his superhero self. The stranger let down his hood to reveal that he was Ben Grimm. 

He explained how he was created, so that Ben could examine the lives of his human and superhero identities. This version of Ben's self was determined to keep his human form, which he felt less and less of every time Ben changed into the Thing. He started hatching a plot after finding Ultron's head. 

The evil android was not needed to destroy the Thing. Ben's doppelganger leapt at his twin, He lacked the hero's fighting ability, but still pressed on nonetheless. In the meantime, Tarianna was breaking free of her bonds, eager to return to Grimm's side.

As for Ultron, he had been revived (as shown last issue) and had assembled a machine army ready to take over the patchwork planet. Both battles raged on simultaneously. Tarianna eventually leapt to her love's side, and lodged her sword deep into her captor's side. He cried out not in pain but in anger. 

The action caused the stadium to collapse, and Ultron's forces to disappear. Ben was now left with Tarianna dying in his arms. After she passed on, he walked alone. Now there was nothing keeping him on that world any longer. He realized that killing the human side of him was his idea all along. He grabbed Ultron's head that was lying nearby and pressed the remote control that his teammmate Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) had left him. Moments after the Thing left Battleworld, the planet began to collapse in on itself before finally exploding, its debris left to orbit endlessly in space. 

This was the conclusion of this storyline and Battleworld, but the implications would carry over into the next issue. The revelation and final struggle in this particular story would stay with Ben for some time, but I really feel like this should have been revisited. It reminded me of the identity crisis that Bruce Banner had at about the same time. 

You'll probably see what I mean tomorrow, when I cover the twenty-third issue of the Thing. Ben is back on Earth, but he definitely isn't home. Tune in on Thursday to find out what happens to Grimm once he tries to reconnect with people that he's known for years. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #21

Happy Tuesday, folks!

Time for me to talk about the twenty-first issue of the Thing. The cover showed the titular character surrounded by green fist-wielding arms. The eleventh chapter of Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger was named "Revelations!" The issue had a publication date of March 1985.

The story started in a secret lair, where a man who looked identical to Ben Grimm was basking in an apparent victory over the star of this series, with Ben's love, Tarianna, still at his side as a captive. He then turned his attention to the monitor on the other side of him and listened to his doppelganger's words.

Grimm knew that the events that had unfurled after he chose to remain on Battleworld were largely his doing. His foe seemed to indicate that his enemy was more right than he knew, and that such influence had also been exerted by the participants of the first Secret Wars. The villain claimed to be the inner Ben Grimm, an assertion that the now-alert Tarianna seemed to doubt.

She then called her kidnapper a monster, and was slapped immediately after uttering that declaration. He lashed out at her, and she doubled over in pain. While his opponent basked in victory, Grimm found that he could change into the Thing again after all, a feat that his rival thought to be impossible. His ranting gave Tarianna enough time to try and figure out how to free herself.

Meanwhile, Ben was outside the duplicate Baxter Building, wondering how to enter. He realized that if he wanted an entrance, he'd have to create one. Thinking about an entry button caused one to appear alongside the front doors. He pressed it and was met by the Fantastic Four's guard, Houlihan.

This was not the same man that Grimm knew back on Earth. The guard questioned the stranger and fired a shot from his pistol before Ben took him out with one punch. He set the man down gently and opened the elevator doors, thinking he'd have to climb up to his destination. As he began, the wall that had been shot started to buckle as if it had been injured.

Elsewhere on Battleworld, the girl known as Llrllllnnllyyrrl began whipping her subjects into shape. The reason for their slave labor was soon revealed, as the girl entered a chamber to place Ultron's head back upon its body. Moments later, the android revived. It thanked the girl by obliterating her. Ultron then began making plans of his own.

As Ben continued to climb the empty elevator shaft, his duplicate started taking on the Thing's rocky appearance as he continued to torment his captive. Tarianna watched in shock, knowing that the villain was as of yet unaware of his transformation. He finally figured it out and controlled the change.

At the same time, Ben finally changed into the Thing for the first time in a while. His newfound strength enabled him to leap to the top and tear through the elevator doors. Ben found himself in an empty chamber that was soon filled with large green fists that seemed to spawn from the very walls around the Thing.

The artificial appendages started to grab at Grimm, intending to toss him into an open maw. Ben used his reasoning to make the apparitions disappear. He was now back in the elevator shaft. This time, the Thing fell into his foe's lair. Unconscious, he was unaware that his tormentor was stepping closer to him, promising the end. 

This chapter revealed some of what longtime readers already suspected. It's all leading up to the final chapter of this storyline, which I'll summarize tomorrow. It's something that will have a major impact on Grimm's life, but for some reason isn't really explored much afterward. 

The final part of the Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger, will be discussed tomorrow with my article on the twenty-second issue of the Thing. Ben will finally face off against and learn all there is to know about his rival. We'll also see what happens to Tarianna, and what role Ultron will play in this drama. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #20

Happy Monday, peeps!

Today's focus will be on the twentieth issue of the Thing. The cover showed Tarianna trying to free herself from the Thing's grip. The tenth installment of the Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger storyline was called "The Way Things Were!" The issue had a cover date of February 1985.

The tale began with Tarianna walking alone through what appeared to be a theatrical set. As the overhead spotlight shone on her, the female warrior walked across the stage until she came across a ruined plane. Act One, the Fantastic Four began with Tarianna narrowly avoiding the arm swing by Ben Grimm, who had recently changed into the Thing for the very first time. 

His next blow tossed Tarianna across a range of trees. She leapt to her feet, grabbed the sword from her belt, and assumed a defensive stance. She swung at the monster before it grabbed hold of her and tossed Tarianna high into the air. She came down, aiming her blade at the creature's back. As her weapon found its mark, the real Ben Grimm, walking not far away, suddenly cried out in pain. 

We then saw that what Tarianna had experienced was only going on in her mind. She was still chained to a table and being observed by Ben's nemesis. He gloated about the heroes' suffering, proclaiming that Tarianna would be used to destroy Grimm. 

Back in Tarianna's mind, she was narrowly avoiding the Thing's blows. She struck him with her sword once more, causing the real Ben Grimm to cry out in pain. He wondered what had caused it, thinking that part of what had been going on was caused directly by him.

When Grimm tried to change into the Thing, he found that he could not. Ben was amazed by that reality. Back on Earth, he yearned to be human like the rest of his teammates. Now he worried that he could never become the Thing again.

Tarianna presumed to have defeated the first incarnation of the Thing. The creature lay unresponsive at her feet. Now she stood up and seemed to be back in Ben's old stomping grounds on his homeworld.

Meanwhile, the girl known as Llrrllllnnllyyrrl was still waiting for the raiders who had stolen her dowry to return. One of them arrived on a winged mount with another item. She removed the cloth covering it, and was pleased to finally have her valuable returned to her, which was the head of the robot Ultron.

Ben continued to ponder his predicament, while his adversary watched, fuming at the fact that Grimm still hadn't figured it all out yet. In Tarianna's mind, she walked across Yancy Street until she came across a tenement. She climbed its misshapen steps to find a young boy, sad that his toy had broken, which appeared to be a Thing action figure.

Realizing that she'd come across a younger version of her paramour, she threw her sword in anger, fighting her captor's vision enhancer in the process. The machine started to fume before the kidnapper removed it from her head. Tarianna woke and stared at him, her eyes growing wide as the figure removed his hood and revealed his true identity to her.

Grimm struggled against the inclement weather outside. He knew that he could always use the remote Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) had left him following the events that occurred during the recent Secret Wars, but he was still determined to see the situation through to the end. After enduring the storms, Ben came across a duplicate of the Baxter Building. As he pounded on the doors, demanding to be let in, his rival laughed as he watched from a view screen. On the last page, we saw that his foe appeared to be Ben Grimm. 

If you've been reading along, things are slowly starting to make more sense, especially when you consider how much of the goings-on around Grimm were because Ben directly or indirectly wanted them to. Not everything has been revealed just yet, but there are only a couple more chapters left to go. The conclusion of this saga is very much within sight. 

Tomorrow, I'll cover the twenty-first issue of the Thing. We'll learn more about the villain, the girl whose dowry was the head of the evil robot Ultron, whether or not Ben can ever change back into the Thing, and more. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #19

Good afternoon, folks,

I'm winding down the weekend with a summary of the nineteenth issue of the Thing. The cover depicted a carriage driven by a mystery driver approaching the Thing. The ninth part of the Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger saga was called Monster Mash. The issue had a cover date of January 1985.

The story started in a foggy forest, as Ben Grimm wandered alone. He was nearly run over by a horse-drawn carriage. After rolling to safety, Ben approached the driver, who was more than willing to let him ride inside the coffin he was hauling. Grimm ran further into the woods as the stranger remained behind, laughing loudly. 

Ben eventually made his way to a castle. He made a leap across the bridge after seeing the carriage bearing down on him. Grimm managed to jump to the doorway just before the bridge he had crossed collapsed behind him. Ben was about to fall when a hand from the lord of the manor reached out to help.

Grimm was brought inside to face a rather nefarious-looking count. He offered him comfort. Ben followed along, not knowing that he was being watched by the same villain who had been tormenting him (in the last several issues). He was the one who had captured Tarianna yet again. She was chained to a table mere feet from the mystery foe, a being who claimed to know Ben Grimm better than anyone else.

The cloaked stranger peered in on at Ben at the head of a long dinner table before turning his attention to the girl known as Llrrllllnnlyrrl. The native raiders had stolen her dowry, and some of them had just returned bearing a large package. However, as she removed the sheet that covered it, she exclaimed the item was not her dowry, much to the consternation of the fiend in his secret lair.

Ben sat alone at the table before moving to watch a growing storm starting outside. As he sat, Ben turned into the Thing. His new form displeased his host, who had arrived bearing food before lunging at his guest. Grimm dodged the maneuver and was surprised to see the count change into a large green winged beast. As they fought, Ben was slashed by his opponent and actually started to bleed.

Their struggle ended at the set of a long flight of stairs. Grimm tumbled down them as his attacker circled around. Ben grabbed a nearby stake, which he impaled into the creature's chest, killing it instantly. Ben continued exploring his new surroundings until he entered a chamber behind him, where he found a living mummy (not the same one Ben met in an earlier issue of Marvel Two-In-One). 

This mummy was very unfriendly. It lashed out at the Thing and emitted a series of deadly eye beams at his prey. After bringing down a part of the ceiling on his quarry, the undead being thought he had triumphed. He clearly wasn't ready for the clobbering time that resulted.

After seeing that opponent fade into smoke, Grimm was now face to face with his tormentor. He admitted that he was behind every evil that Ben had faced so far, and that he was someone who hated Grimm. Ben reached out, but all he grabbed was an empty cloak. He fell through a trapdoor in the floor and looked up to see what appeared to be Frankenstein's monster towering over him.

If you're a fan of Marvel's monster mags from the 1970s, this issue should be very nostalgic for you. I was a nice nod to those publications and the many classic monster movies from the past. This story concluded in issue #274 of the Fantastic Four.

Tomorrow, I'll cover the twentieth issue of the Fantastic Four. This time, the focus is on Tarianna, as she explores more of the dangers that Battleworld has in store. We'll also see the true face of the mystery villain. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #18

Good morning, peeps,

Time for me to talk about the eighteenth issue of the Thing. The cover showed Ben Grimm fussing over an infant, as Tarianna tried to warn him about a pair of intruders riding winged creatures who were flying toward them. The eighth installment of the Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger series was titled "Family Man." The issue had a publication date of December 1984.

The story started, just like all the others in this storyline, on the patchwork planet known as Battleworld. Grimm was lost in thought after being forced to fight Tarianna, thanks to his mystery opponent making him believe that he was battling one of his minions. He also thought about life back on Earth before Tarianna turned to him to offer her hand.

They ventured on before finding an elderly woman struggling to keep a young boy safe from a pair of green-skinned aliens astride winged creatures who were about to attack. The heroes eventually prepared, and the villains retreated.

The woman was thankful for their assistance, and barely had time to instruct them to deliver the child to the far-off city of Muab before passing on. The child was now affectionately known as Junior (or Juneyar, as Tabitha would proclaim). The journey would be long, and they had to find a way to cross the strange world safely.

Grimm rounded up several unicorn-looking creatures after spotting them in a field. The beasts began a stampede, which stopped after one of them gazed into the boy's eyes. They settled down, and two of them carried the trio of adventurers toward Muab.

Ben's nemesis was observing their progress from afar. He wasn't about to let them proceed peacefully. The boy began exploring and almost fell from a tree that had served as a bridge until Ben grabbed him. Later that evening, Grimm was visited by a vision of his foe, who was ready to claim the child as his own.

Moments later, a tree that Ben and Tarianna had rested against came to life. It sprouted arms and grabbed for the boy's protectors. Only Ben's strength as the Thing allowed them to prevail. Meanwhile, the raiders who had stolen the dowry from the girl named Llrrlllnnllyrrl were still searching for that item among their many treasures. Thus far, they were still unsuccessful. They had just presented to her what they thought was the purloined item when an image of a beautiful woman stood before them. She asked if they had seen a caravan that included a young child. They were unaware of such travelers, which saddened the woman before she disappeared from sight. The small aliens assumed that such a question posed concern for the lady and possible difficult days ahead.

Ben, Tarianna, and Junior finally reached Muab, which looked similar to the fabled land of Oz. Before they could enter, a swarm of flying foes, who looked almost identical to the Negative Zone inhabitant Annihilus, filled the skies. The Thing fought off as many of them as he could before they flew away.

More green-skinned opponents then flew into view. Ben avoided them long enough to reach the jade gates of the city. He knocked on the doors angrily, right before they vanished. The lady we saw earlier greeted him and led the Earthling up to a balcony.

Once there, she opened her cloak slightly. The woman known as Muab forbade the invaders from entering her land. The face of Ben's foe appeared once more. He swore revenge on Grimm, noting that he had already taken Tarianna from him again.

A celebration was held for "Juneyar" afterward. Grimm didn't feel much like celebrating. He left the boy in Mara's capable hands before setting off to find Tarianna and hopefully retaliate against her captor.

I guess this issue was sort of the 1980's family sitcom of the saga. The story definitely had some of the core elements that many half-hour network shows at the time had. There was enough humor to provide some breaks during the more serious parts of its content. I'm still trying to figure out how they had safety pins for the boy's diaper on an alien world.

I'll be back later today to recap the nineteenth issue of the Thing. Ben's search for Tarianna takes him into territory that's right out of some of the classic monster movies of the past. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #17

Good afternoon, folks,

Hope all's well with everyone. I'm taking some time on this rainy Saturday to write about the seventeenth issue of the Thing. The cover depicts Ben Grimm shielding his eyes from the light emitted by a mace waved at him by a mystery opponent. The seventh chapter of Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger, was called "Blind Ambition!"

It began with Grimm alone in a tunnel somewhere on Battleworld. He was standing in the midst of a cavern lined with skeletal bones spread across the ground, with Tarianna's sword lying at his feet. Ben was despondent over Tarianna's disappearance and blamed himself for her predicament.

Grimm also blamed himself for anything wrong that happened to his girlfriend back on Earth, Alicia Masters. He was shaken from his despair by an eerie laugh coming from one of the caverns. The sound started to reverberate around him until a ghostly vision appeared before Grimm.

It belonged to the one responsible for Tarianna's kidnapping. He assured the Earthling that she was safe and merely asked him to find the girl. Ben was tempted to use the device that Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) had left him to return to Earth, but he wasn't ready to do that just yet. 

Ben lashed out at the apparition as it was starting to fade, only hurting his hands in the process. Grimm kept slugging away, transforming into the Thing as he did so. Ben had finally smashed through the wall after the change was complete. The mystery foe then asked Grimm if he was done. Ben turned to face his opponent's lackey, the Reckoner. The tall purple-skinned humanoid carried a mace in one hand and a set of scales in the other. 

Grimm was itching for a fight, but didn't expect to be blinded during the battle. The loss of sight only made Ben more determined to triumph. He charged through rock before emerging on the surface. He changed back to his human form and found a stick that would guide him along the way from there.

Still sightless, Ben traversed a variety of environmental conditions before running across his foe. Not knowing the stranger was his enemy, Grimm asked for directions. He was then led toward a path that led to more dangers, including a rematch with the Reckoner.

The villain's underling loosed his dogs on Grimm. Ben turned back into the Thing as he renewed his assault. Hearing Tarianna's voice somewhere in the background gave Ben enough willpower to press on. However, after defeating the Reckoner once more, his cloaked rival returned Grimm's sight in time for him to see Tarianna lying unconscious at his feet. Apparently, she was the one Ben had been fighting.

This was an unexpected twist for those who have been following along. It deepens the mystery of who the unknown opponent was, but still lets us believe that Ben's psyche is being toyed with. The Reckoner came across to me initially as a combination of Thor's evil half-brother Loki and Kraven the Hunter, one of Spider-Man's longtime rivals. As far as I know, the Thing had yet to meet either of those villains by the time this story was published.

That's all I have for you today. I'll start Sunday with a summary of the eighteenth issue of the Thing. The halfway point for this series takes on a lighter side, as Ben and Tarianna work to save an abandoned child from more of the strange creatures that only Battleworld has brought forth. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #16

Happy Friday, folks!

Today's topic is the sixteenth issue of the Thing. The cover showed Ben Grimm surrounded by an army of Things. The story was called "One Thing Leads to Another!" The issue had a cover date of October 1984.

The sixth section of this saga began with Ben and Tarianna climbing a large mountain on Battleworld. After reaching the top, the two had time for a brief embrace before the ground opened up underneath Grimm, and he was swiftly swallowed up. Tarianna was left alone to ponder his sudden disappearance. 

Ben kept falling down a long cavern. Turning into the Thing protected his body from the impact when he reached the bottom. He slowly crawled out of the hole and proceeded on foot toward a tunnel in the near distance. As he did so, Grimm thought back to recent events, including his thoughts of Tarianna and his girlfriend Alicia Masters, who was back on Earth. 

Speaking of Tarianna, she grabbed the sword that was attached to her belt and used it to cut into the ground in the hopes of rescuing Ben. Grimm was pleased at how independent Tarianna was, and soon found himself facing multiple tunnels. He reached into his belt and brought out the remote control that he could use to return to Earth. His Fantastic Four teammate, Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) had left it with Ben to return whenever he wanted. Ben decided that now wasn't the time to use it.

Grimm ventured into one path while Tarianna battled with a snake-like monster that had emerged from an opening in the rocky surface. She slew the creature before entering the cavern from whence it came. Ben continued along his current path until he was distracted by a torch that was thrown at him from behind.

He turned to find several humanoids who looked very similar to his super-powered alter ego, many of them brandishing torches as they moved closer to Grimm. One of them grabbed Ben and called him revolting before taking him away. A short while later, Tarianna came across several skeletons. She was hoping that Ben's corpse was not among them. Before she could ponder much further, the undead corpses started to attack.

The aliens took Ben to their underground lair. One of them grabbed the remote from Ben's belt and he ran after them, hoping not to lose it, for it was his only way back home. Eventually, the strangers chased after Ben. He lost them after ducking inside a cavern, which was not deserted.

A woman with a rocky orange face started back at Ben. She called herself Lorra Gudma and seemed to find a kindred soul within Ben. She stepped out momentarily to throw Grimm's pursuers off his path, before advising him to leave. Afterward, the old woman laughed before her appearance changed to something a bit more sinister. 

Meanwhile, Tarianna's battle with the undead was just about over. She emerged from it victorious right as Ben was donning a makeshift disguise to get past his pursuers. A rockslide interrupted the goings on, which Grimm learned had been caused by a green-hued being in a blue cloak. He leapt for the mystery person right before the antagonist vanished into thin air.

Grimm crashed into a wall and was soon surrounded. Tarianna had no idea that the green-skinned villain was right behind her. He wrapped Tarianna up in his cloak and whisked her away to points unknown. At the same time, Ben was helped to his feet by the rock people. They apologized for their hasty judgment based on his outward appearance, and returned the remote control to him. 

Ben thanked the group before departing. He went down another tunnel, and tried to turn into the Thing. This time he was successful, when before he wasn't able to change. As he proceeded along the path, his thoughts turned to finding Tarianna. Ben stopped in his tracks when he saw Tarianna's sword lying in the pile of bones.

This story finally starts to pick up the action. The previous chapters of Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger, proceeded rather slowly by comparison. Every issue gave us a look into Ben's inner thoughts, and they will all make sense in the end.

Stick with me tomorrow, gentle readers, as I dive into a discussion of the seventeenth issue of the Thing. Ben continues his search for Tarianna, and encounters more danger along the way. He'll also learn that not everything is what it appears to be. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #15

Happy Thursday, folks!

Today's topic is the fifteenth issue of the Thing. The cover depicted the Thing and Tarianna walking through a neighborhood that looked oddly familiar to Ben Grimm's old stomping grounds on Earth. The tale was titled "It Started on (Alien Characters) Street!" The issue had a publication date of September 1984.

Ben and Tarianna had taken off in the ship they'd gotten off the ground (last issue) to explore more of Battleworld when the vessel started malfunctioning. It took all of Grimm's piloting skills just to maneuver the craft enough to avoid most obstacles and land safely. It came to a stop right before another similar vessel, which it only lightly scratched upon impact.

Afterward, the Thing and Tarianna explored their new surroundings before entering a local watering hole. While Ben was trying to sort out his romantic feelings, the raiders from the start of this storyline were still wading through their vast collection to find the dowry that they had stolen. One of them managed to find a rather impressive weapon.

Meanwhile, back at the bar, another alien tried to stake a claim on Tarianna. Grimm defended her honor and actually defeated his rival while still in human form. For his bravery, he was given a drink, which he soon learned was in a dribble glass. That made Ben think back to the troublemakers on Yancy Street back on Earth, as it was a type of prank that they would usually pull.

As Ben and Tarianna left the tavern, the raiders returned to Llrrlllnnyrrl with the purloined weapon. She was just thinking about how it could be used to defeat the Thing when the gun vanished from sight. The Tantalorian P-Z Lanta weapon wound up in the hands of Ben's opponent. He smiled at his good fortune and set off after the Earthling. 

The alien had Ben lined up in his sights until Grimm ducked to follow a wallet tied to a string and unknowingly evaded the blast fired from the cannon. Ben found himself in a dead end, remembering that the gag was also typical of Yancy Streeters. He caught up with Tarianna and walked along with her, until Ben was pelted with eggs from above.

As Grimm's temper began to flare, his foe fired more shells at him. This time, the alien named Gruhl was also unlucky, as the humans evaded them. When another round launched, the smoke cleared in time to see that Ben had changed into the Thing. 

Now it was clobbering time. Ben and Gruhl fought for a while. Grimm had chased his adversary into a building and was tripped up by the same group of hooligans as he left the domicile. Tarianna eventually learned that the aliens were behind the pranks that were set up as retaliation for Ben accidentally scratching their vehicle when they first arrived in the town.

Gruhl and Grimm managed to cause more damage to the alien craft before the gun they were fighting over disappeared once more. The small aliens ran off afterward, and the Thing felt like he had just gone through another encounter with the Yancy Street Gang, albeit one from Battleworld.

This was a humorous tome that harkened back to Ben's friendly rivals, and I've no doubt that such an escapade was pulled from Grimm's memory. It explained a lot of the plot and its conclusion. A lighter issue after several more serious stories was appreciated during this series' run.

That's it for today. Tomorrow, I'll wrap up the work week with an analysis of the sixteenth issue of the Thing. Ben and Tarianna go adventuring again, and meet some beings who look very similar to the Thing. The pair also meet an opponent who would prove to be their strongest challenger on the patchwork planet. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #14

Well, we're halfway through the week, folks!

Today's topic is the fourteenth issue of the Thing. The cover depicted Ben Grimm atop an alien flyer, tearing it apart as other ships sailed nearby. The story was called "Wild Blue Yonder." The fourth chapter of Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger had a publication date of August 1984.

The story started once again on Battleworld, where Grimm had opted to stay behind after the events in the first Secret Wars. Ben and Tarianna came across an alien ship that had apparently been landlocked for some time, even though the planet itself was relatively new. Grimm turned into the Thing and lifted the vessel from the ground.

He ushered Tarianna inside the craft moments after an invading fleet opened fire. The Thing tried to get the ship aloft, but it wasn't until he turned to Ben Grimm that he figured it out. Grimm had the vessel up in the air just in time to help other similar landlocked ships nearby, right as fighters like the ones who had just attacked Ben and Tarianna strafed them.

Grimm's defensive maneuvers caused the invaders to eventually flee, much to the delight of the aliens on the ground. They introduced themselves after the conflict as members of the Turek. Their enemies were known as the Silbens. Ben agreed to help them, although it took some time to train the pilots and ensure that their ships were ready to fly. Tarianna also helped out, and even donned one of the Turek's flight suits as a show of solidarity. 

Ben led the assault on the Silben craft and became the Thing once more while he piloted. He led his new allies to victory, which was hopefully a deciding factor in the war between both races that had gone on for longer than most people on either side could remember. Following the campaign, Ben and Tarianna walked off together, toward whatever new adventures lay in store for them. 

Grimm was a top-notch test pilot in the military before his fateful flight into space, so it made sense that he'd become involved in an aerial dogfight. He took charge as expected, and the good guys won as usual. 

If you're starting to think that many of the events in this Battleworld saga were derived from Grimm's inner thoughts, you're on the right track. We'll talk about more of them tomorrow when I discuss the fifteenth issue of the Thing. Grimm and Tarianna travel to new places and run into some familiar threats as the search for the little girl's dowry continues. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #13

Happy Thursday, peeps!

Today's topic is the thirteenth issue of the Thing. The cover showed Ben Grimm and Tatianna surrounded by a horde of alien creatures. The tale was titled "In All The Gathering Gloom." The issue had a publication date of July 1984.

The third part of the Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger storyline started with Ben and Tatianna on horseback, with Hanark walking alongside them to the town where Tatianna and Hanark lived. The small village looked very similar to the Latverian land that Grimm's longtime rival, Doctor Doom, ruled back on Earth. 

The trio headed to the town hall, where Ben hoped he could get more answers. There they met with the leader named Taymar. He greeted his colleagues and guests, and listened briefly to their tale before inviting the trio inside for a feast. Ranark looked like a broken man after having witnessed Grimm's superior strength in action (last issue).

Tarianna recounted their encounter with Ben's old nemesis at the dinner table. Taymar told his guest of the wizards who had begun a war centuries ago. The sky riders called Starnaris and the villagers known as Kirithiril had been engaged in conflict just outside their land. The villagers lived peacefully for generations before their recent troubles. 

They now had an ally to finally counter the danger they faced. Tarianna began to trust Ben more as they conversed that evening and the next morning. She and Ben started to cross a bridge one by one before they disappeared from sight. Hanark mustered up enough courage to follow them, and he too seemed to vanish.

Ben found himself inside a massive castle and continued to explore. Tarianna did the same, until she was captured by Hanark. Meanwhile, in another part of Battleworld, the girl known as Llrrlllnnyrrl was approached by raiders who still had yet to find the dowry they had stolen from her. 

Tarianna confessed that the newcomer had won her heart before troubles increased for them and Grimm. Ben braved the menacing monsters and the appearance of Doctor Doom once more before smashing through into nothingness. He realized that everything, including the town, were apparitions. Only Tarianna was real. He explained to her Doom's machinations on Battleworld and how she'd lived on because Grimm must have wanted her to survive. 

This script set future events in motion across the rest of this storyline, and it made more of what had happened before make sense. The attacks had no rhyme or reason to them, so, logically, the villains would have sprung forth from Ben's mind. 

That's it for today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the fourteenth issue of the Thing. Grimm becomes involved in an aerial assault between warring factions, and we'll see which side emerges victorious. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #12

Happy Monday, folks!

Today's topic is the twelfth issue of the Thing. The cover depicted Ben Grimm squaring off against a female riding a purple horse with the spectre of Doctor Doom in the background. The second part of the Rocky Grimm Space Ranger saga was titled "Doom!" The issue had a cover date of June 1984.

The story started on Battleworld, where Ben Grimm had chosen to stay behind in the aftermath of the Secret Wars because he could change back and forth from the Thing to his human form at will. He was staring at an alien city before walking toward it.

However, the scenery changed quite dramatically once Ben approached the town. It soon turned into an Earthlike paradise. Grimm had just started to explore his new surroundings when a man on horseback rode past him. He muttered an insult at the person who had almost knocked him down, which was apparently heard by the stranger, who came charging at him.

Only turning into the Thing saved Ben from a gruesome fate. He grabbed the rider from his saddle and set him down before a female on horseback arrived. Grimm grabbed her from the purple stallion and set her down to talk. She was hesitant until Ben changed back to his human form. 

Having earned the female warrior's trust, Ben learned that she was named Tatianna, and that she and her heart-mate Hanrak were from a land called Leenn. They were on a quest to eliminate a wizard who had disrupted their people. 

During the discussion, Hanrak fled into the bushes. Tatianna and Grimm followed him and soon ran into a large version of Doctor Doom. The giant lashed out at and apparently injured the woman, causing Ben to instinctively turn back into the Thing and get set to clobber his old foe. He finally felled his rival and had time to check on Hanrak and Tatiannaaaa.

Hanrak used his energy lance to lash out at the stranger, and in doing so, knocked Ben into a legion of Dooms. Tatianna urged her love to aid the newcomer and grabbed hold of Hanrak's weapon. She flung it at Ben's opponents, and they disappeared upon impact.

Afterward, Ben picked up the unconscious Hanrak and joined Tatianna on the trek to her homeland. The journey was rather peaceful until they reached the village. Ben gasped, noticing how much it resembled Doom's home country of Latveria back on Earth.  

If you think there's more to this than meets the eye, stay tuned for my articles on the rest of this storyline, true believers. I thought that it was a bit odd that the Doctor Doom Ben and company fought wore the traditional garb that Ben and his FF teammates were accustomed to, instead of the newer version of his armor that Victor Von Doom wore for a time after acquiring the Beyonder's powers on Battleworld. I also remember that he changed back to the usual outfit he wore before being sent back at the conclusion of that miniseries. The mystery of how Doom could be on Battleworld after having presumably perished at the hands of Tyros the Terrible (Galactus' former herald Terrax) back on Earth would be explained in a later issue of the Fantastic Four's title.

The mystery deepens tomorrow in my summation of the thirteenth issue of the Thing. We'll see Ben venture into Hanrak and Tatianna's village, and learn more about their people. We'll also see how Doom plays into all this and the return of the alien girl looking for her dowry. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.  

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #11

Good afternoon, folks,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #10

Good morning, peeps!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #9

Happy Saturday, folks,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #8

Happy Friday, folks!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #7

Happy Thursday, folks,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #6

Happy Wednesday, folks!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #5

Hello there,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #4

Happy Monday, folks!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #3

Good afternoon all,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #2

Good morning, folks!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #1

Good morning, peeps!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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