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Greg Kirkman
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 May 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 15775
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| Posted: 12 January 2014 at 12:00pm | IP Logged | 1
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That original, first-issue Thing is just plain... scary! He looked different,
he talked different, so much more intimidating than what came later.
Nothing fuzzy or "Fozzie" about him.
+++++++++
I have a particular fondness for the early Thing of the first two issues,
where he truly looked freakish and deformed. I think the character looks
best when his body structure and proportions aren't quite human.
During the "Fozzie Thing" years, he too often looked like a bodybuilder
with orange scales glued to his skin.
Whenever I watch THE CURSE OF THE FLY (1965), Dill (the big guy
who was victim of a failed teleportation experiment) reminds me of the
early Thing--a bulky, deformed freak in street clothes--both scary and
tragic!
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John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132644
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| Posted: 12 January 2014 at 12:09pm | IP Logged | 2
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During the "Fozzie Thing" years, he too often looked like a bodybuilder with orange scales glued to his skin.•• A fellow artist asked me once how to draw the Thing. "Basically, he's a starfish," I said. "Nah," said the guy. "He's a gorilla!" "No," I said, if you draw him as a gorilla, you will end up with a gorilla in a Thing suit." Which is what he drew. Raising the question, "Why even ASK?"
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Peter Hicks
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 30 April 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 1912
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| Posted: 12 January 2014 at 12:19pm | IP Logged | 3
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When I became a teenager, I sold off my comics....except for FF. I now collect silver and bronze age comics in NM condition, and I try to extend continuous runs of titles. For FF, I now have #51 to 163. So my next purchases are FF48-50, and man, those are pricey!
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John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132644
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| Posted: 12 January 2014 at 12:25pm | IP Logged | 4
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Incidentally, there was an episode of VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA that accidentally did a pretty good on-the-cheap version of the Thing,TRAILER
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Greg Kirkman
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 May 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 15775
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| Posted: 12 January 2014 at 12:45pm | IP Logged | 5
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Also, I tend to get a bit miffed when live-action and/or cartoon versions
of the Thing have a "monster" voice.
FF # 8 (which I just reread last night) clearly established that Ben's
voice didn't change when he was transformed.
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Robert Bradley
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 20 September 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 4834
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| Posted: 12 January 2014 at 1:48pm | IP Logged | 6
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This version of the Thing certainly isn't more monstrous than the version from FF #1!
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Perry Haslem
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 26 May 2013
Posts: 86
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| Posted: 12 January 2014 at 5:47pm | IP Logged | 7
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As much as I like the original FF line-up, I really enjoy story-lines in which it changes.Especially when Medusa replaced Sue, and She-Hulk replaced Ben. They didn't look like being permanent, so they were a fun diversion at the time.
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Benny Hasa
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 January 2011
Posts: 724
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| Posted: 12 January 2014 at 8:13pm | IP Logged | 8
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The Fantastic Four are easily the group of characters with the most depth that Marvel has ever had. It's a shame that is lost to most current comic fans. There have really been only two amazing runs on this book: Stan Lee/Jack Kirby and of course John Byrne. Mark Waid almost got there, but not quite. (At least at the level of the previous mentions) They also have the best villain EVER. Issue 247 and 258 are the best written Dr.Doom portrayals that have ever graced the comic world and I hightly doubt they will be topped. Around January 2011 right when I discovered this forum I pretty much did what you're doing. I reread the entire run. It's an awesome ride. Sure there are plenty of bumps, but overall it's an enjoyable one. I love coming here and seeing the Fantastic Four commissions because I feel like the characters I love are back. Sure there are other close calls, but so many misses. Overall, have a fun and safe read Greg. I hope to jump aboard that train again in a few years. Now where are the Fantastic Four commissions people? We haven't had one in awhile.
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Greg Kirkman
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 May 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 15775
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| Posted: 12 January 2014 at 9:38pm | IP Logged | 9
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Forgot to mention--I'm also listening to the FANTASTICAST (co-hosted
by Andy Leyland, of the excellent HEY, KIDS, COMICS! Podcast).
http://ffcast.libsyn.com
Edited by Greg Kirkman on 12 January 2014 at 10:03pm
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Pete Carrubba
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 22 June 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 2767
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| Posted: 13 January 2014 at 1:41am | IP Logged | 10
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I may give the Lee-Kirby run a whirl someday, but I have to say that anyone who reads JB's run not only will get to know the FF well, but they will also get to know the whole, real Marvel Universe as well.
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Jack Bohn
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 13 July 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 747
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| Posted: 13 January 2014 at 7:26am | IP Logged | 11
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On the evolution of the Thing: around about #300 he was changing into something even more monstrous... well, theoretically. He just became more spiky. Our chief even drew him in that form once, in the She-Hulk preview in MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS.
Any opinions on the advisability of continuing mutations? On Ben returning to this "advanced case" in any future bouncing along the spectrum of man and monster?
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John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132644
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| Posted: 13 January 2014 at 9:11am | IP Logged | 12
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On the evolution of the Thing: around about #300 he was changing into something even more monstrous... well, theoretically. He just became more spiky. Our chief even drew him in that form once, in the She-Hulk preview in MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS.•• Pine-Cone Man!
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Topic Closed)
