comic noize » the thing

It’s a Dog’s Life Here in the Blue Area of the Moon

pkindlon — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 20:19:27 +0000

To finish out “Canine Week” on Comic Noize, I was going to do a Lockjaw megapost. But look at what I’m confronted with. This cover of The Inhumans doesn’t feature Lockjaw at all. What the hell is that? Medusa is good enough to be devoured by a poorly designed Gobot but Lockjaw doesn’t even make the cover?

This is more like it. My man gets his own sculpture. It’s pretty handsome too. Pick this one up (it’s got a very reasonable Buy It Now price) and place it next to your The Thing bust on your desk and recreate their classic conversation.

Speaking of that unparalleled pairing, check this out while you’re at it.

My Hero is a Monster

pkindlon — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:01:38 +0000

Just caught up on Hickman’s Fantastic Four. I wasn’t as crazy about it as most people seemed to be, but I enjoyed the interplay between the adult characters and children. The Johnny Storm death issue felt truncated to me but I did manage to pull something from it, even if it’s not what Hickman intended: Ben Grimm rules. I know the issue was supposed to be about the Human Torch’s sacrifice and how it helps define an otherwise aimless character, but I didn’t care about that. I love The Thing. Before the Torch can make his stand, Ben steps up to the plate. He just assumes he’ll be the one to die in the Negative Zone. It’s his nature. It only took a panel. That panel said everything there is to say about Ben.

Celebrate The Thing with this horrible depiction of him from the late 70s. He looks like hell here, but it’s a nice addition to your Ben Grimm shrine. Going for cheap(ish) too. Good grab.

Hey Ben why so Grimm?

jnaidoo — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 21:36:34 +0000

My friend Ben is an interesting man. Growing up poor in New York City down on the L.E.S. he was able to overcome adversity. Ben was a highschool football star who excelled at science and math two things I was not good at. He earned a full scholarship to Empire State University where he met Reed Richards. I never really cared for Reed because he hooked up with Sue while I was dating her. Any way after his accident Ben changed. He became more depressed thinking he would not meet any chicks. Until I hooked him up with Alicia Masters. Yeah I know she’s blind but you know what? She is smoking hot, but then that prick Johnny had to go and take her from Ben. Ben got her back and guess what turns out Johnny was porking some shape shifter from Skrull. A few years ago Ben was lucky enough to be featured in a movie about his life with the Fantastic Four. I told him things are starting to look up for him and he should start to feel better about himself. I mean if I had movie about me and toys and clothing with my picture on it I’d be happy. I told him ladies are going to be lining up for a piece of that rock. Ben is in better spirits today he has come to terms with himself, and as long as he gets to say “Its Clobberin Time” all is good. So I say Ben why so Grimm?

Your Last Chance To Be the Superhero Known as “Santa”

pkindlon — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 03:48:56 +0000

Quick! Before this auction ends and Christmas ends, grab this weird-as-shit book up! It features the ever-lovin’ Thing working with a very strange-looking version of Ghost Rider to (apparently) bring peace to a very stereotypical rendition of the holy land. How can you beat that?! Check those white arabs and the tacked-on Middle Eastern architecture! Just too awesome for words! Act now!

Redesign gone wrong…

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:02:44 +0000

The new look for Wonder Woman has been a big topic. I without question agree with my fellow ‘Noizer and give this two thumbs down. It’s screaming 1994 in the worst way.

Speaking of… way back when Mrs. Richards aka Susan Storm aka the Invisible Woman had a pretty horrific makeover herself. To set the tone, Vampirella and Lady Death were hot and the “era of bad girl comics” was in full effect. So, someone with a great deal of originality and understanding of the character thought “Hey, why not?” and THIS was the result…

Hrm. Really? And the jacket wasn’t really a part of the outfit. So for better reference…

Yeah. Thigh highs and cleavage peek-a-boo. Classy. And what about The Thing? Why’s he got a iron mask over his face?? Well, he got scarred. Yes, the giant rock dude had half his face melted, and being the vein creature he is, saw the need to cover that up. Maybe they threw in a “needs to heal” side story, but I don’t remember.

If anyone is unaware of this era of the Fantastic Four… I recommend it for the morbidly curious. Its dark, convoluted and overall pretty crappy. Yuck.

Top 100 Summer Comics… #80

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:55:54 +0000

It’s always been a fun concept for writer’s to play with the powers of the Fantastic Four.

Recently (well, relatively) Mark Waid and Mike Weiringo did a nice job of a Human Torch / Invisible Woman power swap. Well done, worked in the context of the story really well.

But my favorite take on this happens to fall in the pages of the almighty WHAT IF…

#81 – What If… 11

In a nice mix of vignettes, these stories from tragic to upbeat and goofy. A fun read I would recommend to any comic fan with a passing interest in the character. It’s sad that the place in the world of hero comics for these kind of issues, focused on quick, fun, sharp writing has shrunk so much in the shuffle of things.

Cold Lampin’

pkindlon — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:26:45 +0000

After a month away, I returned to my apartment to face the awful truth that I live in a hovel suitable only for troglodytes and mole people. This is the sort of clarity you only get from stepping away from something long enough to take it in anew. The apartment isn’t beyond salvage though. I just need new rugs, a new shower curtain, and NEW LAMPS.

Batman is lameass and the Batcave looks like an adobe, but this might look nice on my desk.

We can get into how putting this in your livingroom ensures you’ll never be with a woman again, but why bother? This thing rules and who needs women when I have the son of Odin?

Wonder Woman lava lamp. Nuff Said.

I always felt that The Thing should have a self-illuminating head. Thank God someone took the time to craft my fantasy into a concrete reality.

3-D Man? 4-D Man? No…

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:00:16 +0000

Actually not even close.

Those aren’t even the Marvel characters he gets most often confused with.

Somewhere between a man of little intellect, Daredevil and Wolverine’s wardrobe, and a human ox lies… D-MAN.

I don’t really want to spoil it for you, but D-Man SUCKS. He sucks. As in “couldn’t-make-the-Great-Lakes-Avengers” SUCKS. But… in the most lovable way. Cap kind of hates him, which is part of the appeal, in a twisted way. As in “cap-likes-everybody-but-this-idiot-kind-of-gets-under-his-skin-hehe” kind of way. Anyways, this was his first appearance as D-Man, but Dennis Dunphy actually first appeared in The Thing ongoing series.

I’ll say this. A Thing solo series is a dubious way to make your debut.

So wait… Baseball cards come with gum…

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:00:56 +0000

But Gum comes with comic books?

And wait… then the 90′s hit, and comics came with baseball cards! THE CIRCLE IS COMPLETE!

I’ll say this. I knew at a young age NOT to eat the gum that came in packs of cards, but I’m still tempted to try this 30+ year old gum featuring Marvel heroes.

That’s Captain America on the gum you’re considering at the local 7-11. And behind? That ain’t no Johnny Storm. That’s gotta be the original Human Torch, the Timely Comics hero. So this gum you might – no MUST – buy is doubly patriotic. Both these fine comic gents fought fictional Nazis. And that’s pretty cool to me.

This is a pretty gnarly combo as well. The Thing, Yancy Street’s finest, teamed with the Norse thunderer Thor makes for one killer combo. My only complaint? No Mjolnir. What if… the gum was in the shape of Thor’s hammer?!?!

Man… the 70′s had everything.

Not him! It can’t be him!

morgado — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:03:50 +0000

Yeah, it’s definitely not him.

It IS however a 24 issue lot of Marvel Two In One comics, starring everyone’s favorite ever lovin’ blue eyed Thing. Basically it was just Marvel Team Up, with Benjy in the Spider Man role. Both books were always a fun time, with loads of second tier characters getting exposure.