Understanding Ben Grimm
So…since The Thing was added to marvel rivals I became more interested in his character and lord throughout the comics. He seems underrated—but from what I’ve seen so far in some comics I adore how he’s written.
So here’s my question, what are some good Ben Grimm comics that one should read if they want to understand him better? Or what are some good Fantastic Four comics where Ben plays a major role? (PS, I already know of the one where Ben gets very old and dies depressingly. But I barely know anything about the time he lied to Johnny about Reed and Sue still being alive. That one sounds extremely interesting. Lastly…HE HAS KIDS?! AND HES MARRIED?!)
(Last thing. Make sure all the comics you recommend are on the marvel comic app or link somewhere so I can find it.)
So here’s my question, what are some good Ben Grimm comics that one should read if they want to understand him better? Or what are some good Fantastic Four comics where Ben plays a major role? (PS, I already know of the one where Ben gets very old and dies depressingly. But I barely know anything about the time he lied to Johnny about Reed and Sue still being alive. That one sounds extremely interesting. Lastly…HE HAS KIDS?! AND HES MARRIED?!)
(Last thing. Make sure all the comics you recommend are on the marvel comic app or link somewhere so I can find it.)
Commentaires
* This Monster (FF #51) and the direct follow up FF Full Circle
* Marvel Two-In-One: He teams up with new hero every issue
* Marvel Fanfare #15 (1982)
* Byrne's Thing solo series 1983-85. 36 issues. Pretty good stuff.
* Hickman's FF #605 is a great story of a potential future for Ben, but I don't think it's very standalone.
>Lastly…HE HAS KIDS?! AND HES MARRIED?!
* He isn't married although he does have a gf- Alicia Masters who suffers from blindness
They are married - it was at the start of Dan Slott's run (2018).
>Hickman's FF #605 is a great story of a potential future for Ben, but I don't think it's very standalone.
This is definitely the one I was going to say. It's an absolutely beautiful issue and I think it would read well without the surrounding series.
Originally I thought the character of Ben Grimm hadn’t changed much—but holy cow is he an angry guy in the 70s. Makes since, the transformation for him is still fresh—nowadays he’s more mellowed out and mostly content with things.
I’m still interested in the comic where Johnny dies and where Ben lies to Johnny about Sue and Reed still being alive. I’m also aware of Johnny messing up Ben’s transformation from rock to human from Reed’s device—but I love what I’m reading so far. As always, massive thanks for your help and support and I’ll continue on my journey to understand this lovable piece of rock.
Dan Slott’s Thing solo series from the 2000s is also well regarded.
Issues #509-511 of Fantastic Four involve the FF going to heaven to bring Ben back to life. That arc is a pretty iconic for it’s ending, which I won’t spoil if you don’t already know.
I don’t want to attack anything too modern because I sorta want to track how Ben becomes more calm and collected the more his life goes on. How does he go from raging as badly as the hulk—with more reasoning—to being happy where he was and being content with who he is.
I also have a tiny question—Ben Grimm in Marvel rivals says he likes rock music when asked by Luna snow in one of their dialogue interactions…do we know the kind of Rock he’s into or was that just a joke?
I gotta re read it. I almost cried…I never knew that Ben had history with Gang violence. I can’t personally speak for on such things—but him holding his dead brother and saying that “Death felt real” I can’t help but say the same for my grandma.
She passed away a year ago—last week made it a year. It’s been rough…it’s just rough in general. Having someone so close to you, ripped away like that.
“One minute he was more alive than anyone I’ve know…then he was 142 pounds on the ground.” Fuck man…that hurts.
(Side note) Has marvel ever had him reference his brother? Or is it reckoned?