First Appearance: Fantastic Four #1 (1961)
Affiliation: Founding member of the Fantastic Four
Powers: Superhuman strength, durability, and endurance as a result of his rocky, orange-hued hide
From the moment he emerges as the Thing in Fantastic Four #1, Ben Grimm is a figure defined by both immense physical power and profound personal struggle. Once a skilled test pilot and close friend to Reed Richards, Ben’s fate is sealed by the cosmic-ray exposure that transforms him into a towering, rock-skinned powerhouse. In these earliest adventures, his inner turmoil is as central as his superhuman might—he chafes under his monstrous appearance, wrestling with feelings of anger and insecurity even as he protects the world alongside his teammates.
Throughout the formative stories leading into the mid-1960s, Ben’s gruff humor, grumbling nature, and restless spirit stand in sharp contrast to Mr. Fantastic’s calm intellect, the Invisible Girl’s quiet resolve, and the Human Torch’s youthful energy. Clashes between Ben and Johnny are common but ultimately reveal the familial bonds at the team’s core. Whether battling subterranean armies, cosmic conquerors, or world-threatening menaces like Doctor Doom, the Thing’s unyielding bravery and raw resilience anchor the Fantastic Four, providing the team’s bedrock.
By this point in their saga, Ben Grimm—the Thing—has emerged as both its hardest-hitting member and its emotional heart, symbolizing the complex humanity beneath the most extraordinary of circumstances.
Fantastic Four #1 :First appearance, as well as his first mission and origin.
Fantastic Four #2 :Temporality becomes Ben Grim again upon returning to earth.
Fantastic Four #3 :Thing in full costume and helmet that is quickly abandoned.
Fantastic Four #4 :Transforms to human form for a short bit of the story on his own.
Fantastic Four #5 :While time traveling becomes the famous Blackbeard. Wants to stay in the past.
Fantastic Four #6 :The Yancy Street Gang is mentioned for the first time
Fantastic Four #7
Strange Tales #101
Fantastic Four #8 :Meet Alicia Masters for the first time and a bond is formed. Temporarily cured by potion made by reed.
Fantastic Four #9 :First signs of romance with Alicia.
Fantastic Four #10 :Alicia is established to be his girlfriend.
Strange Tales #105
Fantastic Four #11
Fantastic Four #11 :depth given to his college days as well as time in the service. Is human again for part of the story.
Strange Tales #106
Amazing Spider-Man #1
Fantastic Four #12 :Thing Vs. Hulk
Strange Tales #107
Fantastic Four #13
Fantastic Four #14
Strange Tales #109
Fantastic Four #15
Strange Tales #110
Fantastic Four Annual #1
Fantastic Four #16
Strange Tales #111
Fantastic Four #17
Avengers #1
Strange Tales #112
Fantastic Four #18
Amazing Spider-Man #5
Fantastic Four #19
Fantastic Four #20
Fantastic Four #21
Amazing Spider-Man #8
Strange Tales #116
Fantastic Four #22
Avengers #3
Strange Tales #117
Fantastic Four #23
Strange Tales #118
Fantastic Four #24
Strange Tales #119
Fantastic Four #25
Strange Tales #120
Fantastic Four #26
Strange Tales #121
Fantastic Four #27
Daredevil #2
Fantastic Four #28
Tales Of Suspense #56
Strange Tales #123
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1
Fantastic Four #29
Strange tales #124
Fantastic Four #30
Fantastic Four Annual #2
Strange Tales #125
Fantastic Four #31
Strange Tales #126
Fantastic Four #32
Amazing Spider-Man #18
Strange Tales #127
Fantastic Four #33
Strange Tales #128
Fantastic Four #34
Fantastic Four #35
Strange Tales #129
Avengers #13
Strange Tales #130
