Thing, The
Creation & Design
The Thing was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, debuting in 1961 as a member of the Fantastic Four. His design was inspired by the idea of a character who was both monstrous and heroic.Early Years
Initially portrayed as a gruff but lovable character, The Thing's early stories focused on his struggles with his monstrous appearance and his desire to be accepted by society.Character Development
Over the years, The Thing has evolved from a simple monster character to a complex hero, dealing with themes of acceptance, friendship, and the struggle between his human side and his monstrous form.Cultural Reception
The Thing has been well-received by fans and critics alike, often praised for his depth and relatability as a character who embodies the struggle of being different.Character Details
Real Name:
Benjamin Jacob Grimm
Aliases:
Ben Grimm, The Ever-Lovin' Blue-Eyed Thing
Species:
Mutated Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Fantastic Four, Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D.
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Durability, Stamina, Expert pilot
Weight:
450lbs
Height:
6' 0"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
orange
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Fantastic Four #1
Marvel
•
1961
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance and origin of the Fantastic Four: Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, The Thing
1st appearance of Mole Man
1st appearance of Giganto, a Deviant Mutate from Monster Isle
1st appearance of Tricephalous
Landmark issue that launched the Marvel Age of comics
💰 In April 2022, a 9.2 sold for $1.5 million
💰 In September 2024, a 9.6 sold for $2,040,000
1st team appearance and origin of the Fantastic Four: Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, The Thing
1st appearance of Mole Man
1st appearance of Giganto, a Deviant Mutate from Monster Isle
1st appearance of Tricephalous
Landmark issue that launched the Marvel Age of comics
💰 In April 2022, a 9.2 sold for $1.5 million
💰 In September 2024, a 9.6 sold for $2,040,000
Fantastic Four #12
Marvel
•
1963
•
Vol. 1
First battle of the Hulk and the Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four #22
Marvel
•
1964
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance of Mole Man
Invisible Woman gains new superpowers
The Thing first exclaims, 'It's Clobberin' Time'
2nd appearance of Mole Man
Invisible Woman gains new superpowers
The Thing first exclaims, 'It's Clobberin' Time'
Fantastic Four #25
Marvel
•
1964
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance of Captain America in the Silver Age
First solo battle of the Hulk versus the Thing, briefly fought in Fantastic Four #12
Cover appearance of the Hulk versus the Thing
2nd appearance of Captain America in the Silver Age
First solo battle of the Hulk versus the Thing, briefly fought in Fantastic Four #12
Cover appearance of the Hulk versus the Thing
Strange Tales #124
Marvel
•
1964
•
Vol. 1
Stories featuring the Thing and Human Torch begin
First mention of Cyttorak and Raggadorr, invoked by Doctor Strange
Stories featuring the Thing and Human Torch begin
First mention of Cyttorak and Raggadorr, invoked by Doctor Strange
Strange Tales #125
Marvel
•
1964
•
Vol. 1
Classic battle of the Human Torch and the Thing vs the Sub-Mariner
Classic battle of the Human Torch and the Thing vs the Sub-Mariner
Strange Tales #130
Marvel
•
1965
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Kaecilius, a disciple of Baron Mordo
3rd appearance of Dormammu
Parody of the Beatles by the Human Torch and The Thing
1st appearance of Kaecilius, a disciple of Baron Mordo
3rd appearance of Dormammu
Parody of the Beatles by the Human Torch and The Thing
Fantastic Four #55
Marvel
•
1966
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover featuring the Thing and Silver Surfer
First issue where Silver Surfer is illustrated with boxer briefs, a continued practice until the 1987 Silver Surfer series relaunch
Iconic cover featuring the Thing and Silver Surfer
First issue where Silver Surfer is illustrated with boxer briefs, a continued practice until the 1987 Silver Surfer series relaunch
Sub-Mariner #8
Marvel
•
1968
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover art by John Buscema
Classic battle Sub-Mariner vs The Thing
4th appearance of Vision
Iconic cover art by John Buscema
Classic battle Sub-Mariner vs The Thing
4th appearance of Vision
Fantastic Four #107
Marvel
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Janus the Nega-Man
2nd appearance of Annihilus
The Thing gains the ability to transform back to human form
1st appearance of Janus the Nega-Man
2nd appearance of Annihilus
The Thing gains the ability to transform back to human form
Fantastic Four #112
Marvel
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
Classic battle of the Hulk vs the Thing
Iconic cover art by John Buscema
Classic battle of the Hulk vs the Thing
Iconic cover art by John Buscema
Marvel Feature #11
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
First solo story featuring the Thing
Marvel Two-In-One #1
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
Series that teams up The Thing with different Marvel characters
Team-up of the Thing and Man-Thing
Series that teams up The Thing with different Marvel characters
Team-up of the Thing and Man-Thing
Giant-Size Super-Stars #1
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
Battle of the Hulk vs Thing
Additional content includes pin-ups and one page biographies of Fantastic Four villains
Retitled Giant-Size Fantastic Four with issue #2, published quarterly
Battle of the Hulk vs Thing
Additional content includes pin-ups and one page biographies of Fantastic Four villains
Retitled Giant-Size Fantastic Four with issue #2, published quarterly
Fantastic Four #166
Marvel
•
1976
•
Vol. 1
Classic battle of the Hulk vs the Thing
Fantastic Four #167
Marvel
•
1976
•
Vol. 1
Classic battle of the Fantastic Four vs the Hulk
Fantastic Four #238
Marvel
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Aunt Petunia, the Aunt of Ben Grimm whom he references often but her identity is not revealed until the next issue
Origin of Frankie Raye
1st appearance of Aunt Petunia, the Aunt of Ben Grimm whom he references often but her identity is not revealed until the next issue
Origin of Frankie Raye
The Thing #1
Marvel
•
1983
•
Vol. 1
First The Thing solo headlining series
Origin of Ben Grimm, The Thing in his younger years on Yancy Street
First The Thing solo headlining series
Origin of Ben Grimm, The Thing in his younger years on Yancy Street
Fantastic Four #265
Marvel
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
She-Hulk joins the Fantastic Four
The Thing quits the Fantastic Four
The Skrull, Lyja replaces Alicia Masters in this issue which is later revealed in Fantastic Four #357
She-Hulk joins the Fantastic Four
The Thing quits the Fantastic Four
The Skrull, Lyja replaces Alicia Masters in this issue which is later revealed in Fantastic Four #357
The Thing #24
Marvel
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Death of Miracle Man
Classic battle the Thing vs Rhino
Fantastic Four #326
Marvel
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
The Thing returns to human form which last until Fantastic Four #350
Hulk vs. The Thing #1
Marvel
•
1999
•
Vol. 1
Reprint of four classic stories featuring Hulk versus the Thing:
Fantastic Four #25, #26, #112 and Marvel Feature #11
Reprint of four classic stories featuring Hulk versus the Thing:
Fantastic Four #25, #26, #112 and Marvel Feature #11
Variant cover art by Gabriele Dell'Otto
Variant cover art by Artgerm
Variant cover art by Humberto Ramos
1st cover appearance of Griever
Fantastic Four #5
Marvel
•
2018
•
Vol. 6
Marriage of Ben Grimm and Alicia Masters
Anniversay of the Fantastic Four's 650th issue
Marriage of Ben Grimm and Alicia Masters
Anniversay of the Fantastic Four's 650th issue
Variant cover art by Jack Kirby
Remastered edition
Variant second printing cover art by Sean Izaakse
The Thing versus the Immortal Hulk
Copies ordered by retailers: 1,494
Variant second printing cover art by Sean Izaakse
The Thing versus the Immortal Hulk
Copies ordered by retailers: 1,494
Variant cover art by Chris Sotomayor
GameStop exclusive
Variant cover art by Ed McGuinness
Variant cover art by Ryan Stegman
‘Secret’ unannounced variant featuring The Thing in the center whereas the standard cover features the Hulk
Variant cover art by Ryan Stegman
‘Secret’ unannounced variant featuring The Thing in the center whereas the standard cover features the Hulk
Variant cover art by Superlog
Variant cover art by Alex Horley
Variant cover art by Frank Miller
Fantastic Four #11
Marvel
•
2023
•
Vol. 7
1st appearance of Princess Masters-Grimm, the Thing and Alicia Masters' dog
1st appearance of Princess Masters-Grimm, the Thing and Alicia Masters' dog
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