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.
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