Thing Tuesday: The Thing playing poker by George Perez

A classic commish by George Perez featuring old Ben Grimm...

Nuff Said!

Thing Tuesday: Fantastic Four 133 where The Thing meets Thundra!

Fantastic Four 133 was a wonderfully silly time capsule of the the burgeoning women's lib movement in the early 1970s! It featured the first appearance of Thundra, the Femizon who came to our world in order to challenge Ben Grimm The Thing!

Here is the original cover by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott. The Battle of the Century--any century!

Here is the original art to the cover.

Here is the new computer colored cover available on digital platforms - I've started noticing how vibrant and different these are from the originals.

This story is notable because it has one of the few Marvel art jobs done by Ramona Fradon, who was mainly a DC Comics artist. Supposedly she hated working in the Marvel method and only did a few stories. This tale is inked by Joe Sinnott who keeps all the characters looking consistent, only Thundra herself looks like a Fradon type of character.

The climax of the story is a fight between Thundra and the Thing while Alicia is held hostage by the Frightful Four. It takes place in a huge arena. The Thing doesn't want to fight a woman! He takes a pretty good licking and actually does get defeated because he just won't fight back too hard.

Thundra is great because she mocks the strength / superiority of men. In her world, men are the weaker sex and she constantly taunts Ben Grimm. Jeff Parker did a great story a while ago about the real reason for Thundra's visits to our world - she was seeking a mate (or frozen sperm / dna) because of the infertility on her world.

There is some historical context around this issue of the Fantastic Four. Bobby Riggs was a retired tennis player who challenged Billie Jean King to a "Battle of the Sexes". At first she declined, Riggs challenged another tennis player, Margaret Court, and won against her in May 1973. Billie Jean King then took up the challenge, played against Riggs and beat him in September 1973. These were big televised sports events and almost everybody who had a TV watched it. However, this issue of the Fantastic Four predated that by several months: with an April 1973 cover date, most likely this comic was sold three months earlier in Feb 1973. Even though it's not directly related, funny how this issue of the FF captures the "battle of the sexes" thing going on at the time. There will be an HBO movie made about the Riggs/King match starring Steve Carrell and Emma Stone.

There you go, true believers! A look back at classic FF and a moment from real pop culture history! Nuff Said.

Thing Tuesday: Marvel Two In One 61, Starhawk and Her!

This cover fits in with my recent article on Warlock the Complete Collection...

Marvel Two-In-One 61, The Thing and Starhawk by George Perez and Terry Austin! Warlock was known as HIM when he first appeared in the Fantastic Four, so naturally Mark Gruenwald had to create someone called...HER! But I don't recall whatever happened to this character. Nuff Said!

Thing Tuesday: This Man, This Monster! By Mike Deodato

Here's a little pinup I've seen on Facebook and Tumblr...

Mike Deodato's rendition of This Man This Monster splash page featuring Ben Grimm at his lowest!  Beautiful work.  Nuff Said!

Thing Tuesday: Clobberin Time! 77 Kirby cover

This cover by Jack Kirby & Joe Sinnott has a classic Ben Grimm pose!  Nuff Said.

Thing Tuesday: Waking up with Ben Grimm

Having a hard time waking up after the New Year?  You're not alone.

The Thing smashing his alarm clock, of which he has over a dozen.  This is from the Marvel Fanfare special by Barry Smith.

The original art to this splash page!  Nuff Said.

Thing Tuesday: The Thing and Valkyrie by Art Adams

How can someone so big sneak up on an Asgardian shield maiden?

Famous pulp quote:  He's a big man, but he moves like a cat!  Nuff Said.

Thing Tuesday: Teaming Up with Ghost Rider on Christmas Eve!

How did Marvel celebrate Christmas back in 1975?  By teaming up ol' Benjamin J Grimm with this Satan spawn…

...Ghost Rider from Marvel Two In One #8, cover by Gil Kane and Joe Sinnott.  Silent Night, Deadly Night!  Doesn't take place in Bethlehem but on an Indian reservation that Johnny Blaze happens to be cruzin' by lookin' for trouble.

Just remember, no matter what your religion, the world of comics has you covered, as witnessed by this little card by Michael Cho.  

I plan on having Daimon Hellstrom, Simon Garth and Jericho Drumm over on Christmas and eating Deviled Eggs.  Nuff Said!

Thing Tuesday: Thing versus Blastaar by John Byrne

A break from the Slurpee cups with some good old fashioned art featuring Benjamin J Grimm!

The Thing versus Blastaar by John Byrne. Rick Hannah colored this piece, check out his ComicArt page here!  Nuff Said.

Thing Tuesday: Cosmic Sky-blades by Jack Kirby

Someone reminded me of this fantastic pin-up from Fantastic Four Annual #5....

The Thing on some cosmic sky-blades designed by Reed Richards.  He balances on them just as well as any rookie on skates.  Nuff Said!

The Thing Splash Pages by Jack Kirby

How many splash pages of the Thing did Jack Kirby draw?  Quite a few, but here are some that will knock your socks off.

Fantastic Four 93, 1970.  The Thing versus Torgo, destroyer of men!



FF #73, 1968.  The Thing versus Thor!



Fantastic Four 95, 1970.  The Thing holding up a building and bantering some of Stan Lee's wittiest dialogue.



FF #80, the Thing dancing as he plans a weekend trip to Vegas. Nuff Said!

Thing Tuesday: A Football Charge of Marvel Heroes

I'm always on a scavenger hunt for artwork featuring Benjamin J Grimm.  A few months ago I came across this nifty illustration by John Buscema.

The Thing in a quarterback pose with a football tucked in his arm, leading a charge of Marvel's Greatest Heroes (and Doc Doom!) into battle.  Anyone know where this first appeared?  I am guessing it must have been used in some Treasury Edition as the back cover?  Nuff Said!

Update:  A fan named Isaiah wrote that he believes this image was from a promotion that Marvel did with the NFL back in 1971.

Feb 2013 Mighty Marvel Calendar Retro Style by Dusty Abell

Dusty Abell's 1970s retro inspired calendar take on January 2013 knocked my socks off!  He delivered February 2013 a while ago, but since it starts tomorrow, why not share it here?

A terrific pin-up of Ben Grimm adorns the top half by Mike McKone.  The bottom calendar features an array of art by Neal Adams, John Byrne, Michael Golden, Art Adams, and many more.  The birthdays are also cool, with celebrations for Rich Buckler, Ron Wilson, Curt Swan (even though he worked for the Direct Competition) and Doug Moench.  Print it out and stick it on your wall!  Check out Dusty's Facebook and DeviantArt pages for more good stuff, Nuff Said!

Thing Tuesday: Hulk vs Thing by Lee Weeks

A great illustration that brings to mind some of the past meetings between the monsters!

Nuff Said.

Thing Tuesday: Lee Weeks busts Ben Grimm

Here is a dynamic headshot of Ben Grimm by Lee Weeks.

The Thing's rocky head looks remarkable in this illustration with markers.  You can see more great drawings on Lee Weeks' Facebook page!  Nuff Said.

Ever Lovin' Blue Eyed Thing by Steve Rude

Are ya ready for some clobberin' time?  Today we have not one but two--count 'em, two--pinups of Bashful Benjamin J Grimm by Steve Rude!

Coming at ya!

A ponderous pose.  Nuff Said!

The Thing & Spider-Man vs Thanos by Jim Starlin

Here is a nifty little commission from Jim Starlin:

The Thing and Spider-Man versus Thanos!  This page would have fit right into the infamous Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2.   I found this on Starlin's Facebook page, follow him there for more action.  Nuff Said!

Thing Tuesdays: Clobberin' Time with Joe Sinnott Commissions

I found a couple of snazzy pinups by Joltin' Joe Sinnott featuring Aunt Petunia's favorite nephew!

This 1985 illustration is in full color and features a classic Thing opening up a can of whoop-ass with his favorite slogan.

Another 1996 illustration features a nice Thing head with a joke that I don't quite understand, but I appreciate the artwork nonetheless!  Nuff Said.

Thing Tuesday: Captain Marvel versus The Thing by Jim Starlin

Let's get a little cosmic this Tuesday, with the help of Mr. Jim Starlin!  No pharmaceuticals required.  :-)

This cover featuring Ben Grimm versus the Kree warrior was on The Life of Captain Marvel #2, a baxter reprint series featuring Jim Starlin's entire run on the character.  This story, you may recall, had the Thing losing his voice and fighting the good Captain, believing him to be the Super Skrull in disguise.

I came across this black and white illustration on Heritage Comics auction site, believing it to be the original art.  But looking closely, I detect quite a few differences.  The signature "GEMINI" (Jim and I, by Al Milgrom, his buddy and inker) is on the bottom here but in the first image it is on the side.  Captain Marvel's knee is higher towards the Thing's shoulder.  Did they alter the image for the final cover? 

Here is the 1973 issue of Captain Marvel that featured the original story (issue 26), a fine piece by Starlin early in his career.  Obviously a great way to bring new readers into his series, since the Thing was extremely popular back then.  Nuff Said!

Thing Tuesday: Cigar Chomping Ben Grimm by Walt Simonson

Walt Simonson draws a great rendition of the Thing in this piece...you have to love the cigar...which is not allowed in comics anymore!  Nuff Said.