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.