Idol of Millions Ben Grimm The Thing Appreciation 2019

[K7P5V]

Maybe it will be so again as soon as the character makes his live-action debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

One can only hope. Fingers crossed.

[Hypestyle]

has Benjy Grimm Thing (the solo old cartoon show, teen version) shown up in an alternate world yet? It's probably time for 616 Ben to meet him and be (shocked? embarrassed? intrigued?) ..

[616MarvelYear is LeapYear]

Thing #16 Oct 1984
Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger: Part 6 of 12 - "One Thing Leads to Another!"
When a crevasse suddenly opens up and swallows him, Ben finds himself face-to-face with a race of "Things!"

Meanwhile, the she-warrior, Tarianna, will not give up the search for the strange Earthman that has captured her heart.


Story by Mike Carlin. Art by Ron Wilson and Joe Sinnott.

[Hypestyle]

Has there been any "Old Man Grimm" depictions yet? Could be interesting to see a story like that. part Earth, part space. or all in space.

[CaptCleghorn]

Has there been any "Old Man Grimm" depictions yet? Could be interesting to see a story like that. part Earth, part space. or all in space.

The closest was issue 605 where Ben's future life and his newly introduced long lifespan were covered.

[Crimz]

I may have issues with Slott's FF, but he definitely loves Ben. His characteriation of Ben is the strongest part of his run and the only thing I have no problem with. It's great to see Ben finally knock out one of the strongest versions of Hulk we've seen and recently take on 500 strong enemies by himself.

If this keeps up he may be considered one of the big guns again.

[K7P5V]

I may have issues with Slott's FF, but he definitely loves Ben. His characteriation of Ben is the strongest part of his run and the only thing I have no problem with. It's great to see Ben finally knock out one of the strongest versions of Hulk we've seen and recently take on 500 strong enemies by himself.

If this keeps up he may be considered one of the big guns again.

When and how was Ben no longer considered "one of the big guns"?

[Crimz]

When and how was Ben no longer considered "one of the big guns"?

I couldn't tell you when it started, but for a while now he's been considered on the "lower tier" of heroes who can lift 100 tons by comic fans. Sometimes I've even seen people claim that isn't a 100 tonner and that he has no business fighting the likes of the Hulk.
It also doesn't help that he's often considered "street level". Like the recent Contagion took out all the "big" superheroes and focused on the street level characters, Ben was apart of them.

[CaptCleghorn]

I couldn't tell you when it started, but for a while now he's been considered on the "lower tier" of heroes who can lift 100 tons by comic fans. Sometimes I've even seen people claim that isn't a 100 tonner and that he has no business fighting the likes of the Hulk.
It also doesn't help that he's often considered "street level". Like the recent Contagion took out all the "big" superheroes and focused on the street level characters, Ben was apart of them.

Ben's got a "street-level" attitude which some writers may confuse with him being a street level character. And Ben's been at the 90 ton range which takes him way out of street level power.

[JackDaw]

Ben's got a "street-level" attitude which some writers may confuse with him being a street level character. And Ben's been at the 90 ton range which takes him way out of street level power.

I don’t read current comics in “detail”, so I may well be wrong in what I’m about to suggest (it’s mainly based on reading the Lee/ Kirby, Byrne, and Hickman Fantastic Four runs a couple of years ago)...but I think it’s obvious that Ben’s relative power standings have moved progressively down over the years. (Both compared to other strengh based characters and his own team mates).

In the Hickman run..Ben was primarily important because of his personality (primarily his kindness and ability to get on with all kinds of people)...but really, really wasn’t that effective in the big fights. I can’t remember a single occasion in entire run where he was primarily responsible by his own actions in saving team, or turning course of a big fight.

[K7P5V]

I couldn't tell you when it started, but for a while now he's been considered on the "lower tier" of heroes who can lift 100 tons by comic fans. Sometimes I've even seen people claim that isn't a 100 tonner and that he has no business fighting the likes of the Hulk.
It also doesn't help that he's often considered "street level". Like the recent Contagion took out all the "big" superheroes and focused on the street level characters, Ben was apart of them.

Thanks for the information. I greatly appreciate your response, but feel sad that Ben is now looked-down upon by fandom at large. Nevertheless, I'll always remember his fight against the Champion with the fate of the world hanging in the balance from Marvel Two-In-One Annual #7 (even though he was totally outclassed, Ben never gave up and showed a lot of heart).

I don’t read current comics in “detail”, so I may well be wrong in what I’m about to suggest (it’s mainly based on reading the Lee/ Kirby, Byrne, and Hickman Fantastic Four runs a couple of years ago)...but I think it’s obvious that Ben’s relative power standings have moved progressively down over the years. (Both compared to other strengh based characters and his own team mates).

In the Hickman run..Ben was primarily important because of his personality (primarily his kindness and ability to get on with all kinds of people)...but really, really wasn’t that effective in the big fights. I can’t remember a single occasion in entire run where he was primarily responsible by his own actions in saving team, or turning course of a big fight.

Good point. I know it's not much, but I always thought it was clever how Ben approached his battles during DeFalco's run on Fantastic Four. In anticipation, Ben would allow his opponent to hit him first which would then help Ben measure the opponent's strength from that one punch.

[Ravin' Ray]

I couldn't tell you when it started, but for a while now he's been considered on the "lower tier" of heroes who can lift 100 tons by comic fans. Sometimes I've even seen people claim that isn't a 100 tonner and that he has no business fighting the likes of the Hulk.

As far as I know Ben, Jen and Bruce are all 7 on Marvel's official strength level so he is 100+ tons.

[CaptCleghorn]

This old Official Handbook page had Ben at 85 tons.

[616MarvelYear is LeapYear]

Thing #17 Nov 1984
Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger: Part 7 of 12 - "Blind Ambition!"
Tarianna is gone, captured by the sinister Sorcerer.

If Ben is going to find her he'll first have to face the ogre known as the Reckoner!

But, can even the mighty Thing hope to defeat this foe when his sight is taken from him?

Story by Mike Carlin. Art by Ron Wilson and Joe Sinnott.