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.
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