The Best - Thing (Ben Grimm) Comic Covers
These are no question, no doubt the coolest looking comic covers featuring the strongest member of the Fantastic Four . . . the ever lovin' blue-eyed Thing!
List items
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The Thing has never looked better than he did in this Rich Buckler FF cover. Ben leads the charge of the FF & Inhumans in all of his rock-hewn, two-fisted glory! I first saw this one as a reproduction printed on some Mead paper products in the mid-70's.
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This cover features one of the ultimate hero-vs-hero match-ups and is, imo, the ultimate face-off cover! Drawn by one of the all-time greats, John Buscema, this cover has never been matched in terms of anticipation, iconic characters, posing and simplicity.
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The Thing; enslaved! Chained and prodded like a beast by a bunch of old-time gangster-types! This cover shows Ben, despite his size and strength, in an unusual predicament, Bound, yet still defiant. The Thing's original designer, Jack Kirby, drew this one.
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The Thing battling Power Man high above the sky's of New York City with Alicia Masters in peril. This cover exploded off the rack with action and drama. Drawn by the artist who drew the Thing better than any other; George Perez.
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The Thing vs the Silver Surfer in the sky's and on the roof tops of New York City. The Thing's rock-textured skin and powerful frame is shown taking a cosmic blast from the once and future Herald of Galactus. This one is a Jack Kirby masterpiece.
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The Thing and the Hulk, Marvels best known heroic behemoths, side by side, trapped by the Stranger. This cover kind of served as a comparative picture by which to gauge the physical similarities and differences between these two characters.
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Most of Marvel's heavy-hitters standing behind the Thing, in full boxing gear, as he stands ready to face the CHAMPION! Ben's toughness and determination is undeniable here. By Ron Wilson.
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Old foes, Thing and Sandman, bellied up to the bar in a pub and having a cold one. Beautiful detail and color. This one is cool and classic. By Ron Wilson and Chic Stone.
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The Thing and the savage Sub-Mariner (now more commonly known as "Namor") standing toe-to-toe under the sea and exchanging punches! This cover promises fight-filled action and the interior delivers! By former DC master and Marvel 70's cover guru Gil Kane.
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The Thing grapples the Hulk in this all-time classic cover which was eventually (2007?, 2008?) made into a collectible toy to commemorate it. This cover is as great today as is was back then.
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The Thing is decked out & slicked up in a tuxedo and about to get triple teamed by statues of three FF foes statues come to life. I loved it when I bought it as a kid and I love it still. This cover is by the incomparable George Perez.
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The Thing in his first ever on-going solo series! Ben looks large and in charge standing fists-up in rubble and wreckage. Art by John Byrne at his best!
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This is not only one of the best-ever Thing covers, it's one of the best-ever covers of all-time! That's despite the fact the Thing is shown in defeat. I absolutely love this cover. This is John Byrne's best FF cover, imo.
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This cover commemorates the FF's 20th anniversary and artist John Byrne drew a cover with enough characters to give George Perez a run for his money. The layout is superb with the Thing front and center showing his rocky size and his true kindness equally.
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Big Ben is ready to rumble on this cover by Andrea DiVito. Simple idea used to great effect as Marvel's original tough-guy strikes an iconic pose for a memorable cover.
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The only Mike Wieringo cover to make this list, this cover features the entire FF with Ben standing behind them and still appearing larger than all of them combined; a head taller and noticeably wider. The Thing drawn at his proper size!
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On this cover Ben is shown participating in one of his famous superhero poker tournaments. Even with the many, varied and even more popular other heroes around him, it's the Thing who stands out. The theme and art of this Andrea DiVito cover was so good it was made into a t-shirt.
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The Thing vs Hercules! This cover has two of Marvel's strongest heroes going toe-to-toe with Hercules even wearing his fable Lion-skin. Very nice, indeed. Art by Andrea DiVito.
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Though he is much better known for his epic, iconic work on Spider-Man, artist John Romita, Sr. shows with his work on this cover that he can draw the Thing as well as anyone. Ben rarely (maybe never!) looked better than he does here as he charges towrd the reader.
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Goofy and fun, this Andrea DiVito cover has Ben and fellow smart-mouth New Yorker, Spider-Man, literally hanging out together though Ben's web looks like it's used to lighter loads. Great, fun, cover!
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This is, to many people, the Thing's most iconic cover and it definitely is one of his best. Artist Jack Kirby really conveys the "Thing's" emotional struggle as he grapples with a life-changing choice.
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What an awesome roundhouse punch! The Thing swings for the fences here on this cover by Stuart Immonen. The power Ben has is thoroughly conveyed by this awesome punch! Love it!
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The Thing's size, texture, arms and fists really come through on this cover. His mean downcast stare is great, too. Another great cover by Stuart Immonen.
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The Thing's size, stance and expression are all perfect on this Stuart Immonen cover. Simple but good.
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Another Thing vs Hulk battle. This is a John Romita, Sr. cover to a book collecting/reprinting many of Marvel's best superhero vs superhero battles (up til that point in time). I always wanted this one but still haven't acquired it. I still love this cover, though.
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The Thing's face and fist are drawn perfectly on this cover. George Perez had no equal when it came to drawing the Thing and this is a great example of it.
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When this comic came out it was the closest thing to a "Thing vs Superman" battle ever. I read, re-read and re-read this comic many times. I still love it.
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