The Thing

About The Thing

Benjamin Jacob Grimm grew up on Yancy Street in New York City. He joined the Yancy Street Gang during his youth before his aunt and uncle helped place him on a different path. Ben became a successful football player and attended State University. There he met Reed Richards and became his roommate. Ben later served as a military pilot and test pilot. Reed eventually asked him to pilot an experimental spacecraft that he had designed. Ben joined Reed Richards and Susan Storm and Johnny Storm aboard the unauthorized flight. Cosmic rays penetrated the spacecraft and altered everyone aboard. Ben developed immense strength as his body transformed into a heavy orange form covered by rocklike plates. He adopted the name Thing and joined the others as the Fantastic Four. Their early missions brought them into conflict with Mole Man and Doctor Doom and the Skrulls. The team later faced threats from Galactus and Annihilus and many other enemies across Earth and space. Ben repeatedly searched for a way to regain his human form while continuing to serve with the Fantastic Four. He formed a lasting relationship with sculptor Alicia Masters after the team encountered her stepfather Puppet Master. Ben later married Alicia. He also became part of the Future Foundation and helped protect its students while Reed directed the organization toward scientific problems affecting Earth and the wider universe. Appearance: Ben Grimm has a massive, hulking physique entirely covered in a thick, rock-like hide of craggy orange plates. His rocky exterior resembles interlocking chunks of stone, with deep crevices and uneven surface textures running across his body. His face, though distorted by mutation, retains vaguely human features—most notably his piercing blue eyes, which stand out starkly against his stony skin and are the only clear reminder of his former humanity. He typically only wears blue shorts or trunks, with a notable "4" on the buckle. Personality: Ben Grimm is gruff and outspoke