There was a time when Ben Grimm would have gladly given up being the ever-loving, blue-eyed Thing. And yet, the heart and soul of the Fantastic Four eventually found peace with his new form. That peace has been taken from him, along with his powers, following the events of One World Under Doom. This irony is highlighted by a new comic preview, showcasing how Ben Grimm still has problems even after being “cured” of being The Thing.
The Thing’s depowering came about during One World Under Doom #2. The Fantastic Four confronted Doctor Doom during a speech at the United Nations. It was their hope they could provoke Doom into revealing his true plans for world conquest hidden under a sheen of benevolent despotism.
(Image Source: Marvel / R.B Silva)
Doom failed to take the bait. Indeed, he took advantage of the situation to one-up his rival, Reed Richards, yet again. Reminding the public of Richards’ repeated failure to change Ben Grimm back to normal or give him some control of his transformation into The Thing, Doom easily accomplished this as a show of his benevolence. The comic immediately cut away from this scene, leaving the question of how the Fantastic Four would react unexplored.
Ben Grimm’s reactions to being normal again are explored in a three page preview of Fantastic Four #30. Surprisingly, it does not change his life much in most respects. He still has people stare at him in the streets. This time, however, it is in disbelief of who he used to be. He also has a hard time explaining things to his adopted children, who have never seen him in his non-Thing form. Even the peace of an ordinary date with his wife, Alicia, is ruined by a mugger who has no idea that he’s trying to rob a superhero.
It should be noted this is not the first time Ben Grimm has lost his powers in the comics, nor is this the first time Doctor Doom has depowered him. However, Fantastic Four #30 explores The Thing’s character like no earlier story with amazing economy. Within three simple pages, Ryan North, Cory Smith, and Oren Junior fully examine the conflicted feelings Ben Grimm has regarding his powers.
Fantastic Four #30 arrives in comic shops everywhere on March 26, 2025.