Happy Wednesday, folks,
Today's topic is the thirtieth issue of the Thing. The Secret Wars II tie-in issue showed Ben Grimm apparently about to attack the Beyonder. The story was called "Above and Beyond." The issue had a publication date of December 1985.
The tale began in a bar in Brooklyn, as the being known as the Beyonder told his tale to the bartender. He started with how an opening in a rift in space exposed him to Earth. Curious, the Beyonder brought several of its super-powered humans to a patchwork planet called Battleworld. Afterward, he went to Earth in human form to try and learn more about our species.
He was apparently dissatisfied with what he'd uncovered thus far. Meanwhile, a trio of scrupulous-looking characters in the tavern had their eyes locked on the stranger. They approached him. The two lackeys were taken out with one swing by each of the Beyonder's arms. The man in the middle introduced himself to the alien as a representative of Thurm and Associates, who were looking for new muscle to join the Unlimited Class Wrestling Foundation.
Meanwhile, Ben was working out in advance of his next match. His travel companion, Vance Astrovik, praised his friend for his rise to the top wrestler in the UCWF. Grimm still felt miserable, commenting on how lousy he felt after staying behind on Battleworld and losing the women he cared for.
The man named Ethan convinced the Beyonder to attend a UCWF tryout. His strength was impressive, but Garner initially turned the new champion down. When Grimm learned of that, he was outraged. He'd been aching for a match against the Beyonder since he was first whisked away to the first Secret Wars by that enigmatic alien.
After a bit of negotiation, the Thing finally had his marquee match against the Beyonder. Ben was more than ready for the fight, but the Beyonder was much less enthusiastic. At one point, the omnipotent being allowed Grimm to have his way. Ben pummeled his foe until a familiar voice urged him to stop.
The voice belonged to Sharon Ventura, who had been in the crowd. She admitted that she'd been to every one of Ben's matches. Grimm was stunned by this revelation, thinking she was gone for good after he took her place temporarily on the Thunderiders (formerly Team America).
Astrovik had spotted Ventura in the crowd and asked for her assistance. Ben came to his senses after hearing her out. She told him that what she'd witnessed wasn't the real Ben Grimm. Ben slowly admitted that. A few days later, the Beyonder returned to the same watering hole. The barkeep Joe was happy to oblige, after he'd secured his perishables, remembering what happened the last time that customer was in his establishment.
I wasn't a big fan of the Secret Wars sequel, nor are many longtime Marvelites. When the Beyonder was absorbed into a Cosmic Cube, I thought that would be the last we'd hear of him. Several years later, he would return, probably for nostalgia's sake, if nothing else. This was the obligatory Secret Wars II tie-in, and it gave Ben a fight against the Beyonder, but it didn't accomplish much. The story itself was rather lackluster.
That's it for today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the thirty-first issue of the Thing. Ben follows Sharon to her movie shoot, which involves a character who debuted in a short-lived Jack Kirby Marvel series in the 1970s. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.
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