Nov 1, 1961 CE
First Appearance in Fantastic Four #1
Ben Grimm debuts as the Thing, a member of the Fantastic Four, after exposure to cosmic rays during a space flight. #marvel #comics )
Chronological Storyline (44 Milestones)
Mar 1, 1962 CE
First Use of 'Clobberin' Time!'
Ben Grimm first utters his iconic battle cry 'Clobberin' Time!' in Fantastic Four #15. #marvel #comics )
May 1, 1963 CE
Alicia Masters Introduced
Alicia Masters, a blind sculptor, is introduced as Ben Grimm's love interest in Fantastic Four #8. #marvel #comics
Sep 1, 1964 CE
Thing vs. Hulk First Fight
Ben Grimm battles the Hulk for the first time in Fantastic Four #12. #marvel #comics )
Apr 1, 1965 CE
Yancy Street Gang Backstory Revealed
Ben's childhood as a member of the Yancy Street Gang is explored in Fantastic Four #26. #marvel #comics
Jul 1, 1966 CE
Thing Temporarily Turns Human
Ben Grimm briefly regains human form in Fantastic Four #38, but later reverts. #marvel #comics )
Jan 1, 1967 CE
First Solo Story in Strange Tales
Ben Grimm stars in a solo adventure in Strange Tales #134. #marvel #comics )
Oct 1, 1968 CE
Thing Joins the Avengers Temporarily
Ben Grimm becomes a reserve Avenger in Avengers #66. #marvel #comics )
Mar 1, 1970 CE
Marriage Proposal to Alicia
Ben proposes to Alicia Masters in Fantastic Four #100. #marvel #comics
Aug 1, 1971 CE
Thing vs. The Thing (Puppet Master)
The Puppet Master creates a duplicate Thing in Fantastic Four #110. #marvel #comics )
May 1, 1973 CE
Thing Leaves the Fantastic Four
Ben Grimm temporarily leaves the team in Fantastic Four #130. #marvel #comics )
Jan 1, 1975 CE
First Ongoing Solo Series: Marvel Two-in-One
Ben Grimm stars in Marvel Two-in-One, a team-up series. #marvel #comics
Sep 1, 1977 CE
Thing vs. Champion of the Universe
Ben Grimm fights the Champion of the Universe in Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2. #marvel #comics )
Apr 1, 1980 CE
Thing's Origin Retold in Fantastic Four #236
The origin of the Thing is revisited with new details. #marvel #comics )
Nov 1, 1983 CE
Thing Becomes a Gladiator on Battleworld
Ben Grimm is transported to Battleworld and becomes a gladiator in Secret Wars #1. #marvel #comics
Jun 1, 1985 CE
Thing Marries Alicia Masters
Ben Grimm and Alicia Masters marry in Fantastic Four #300. #marvel #comics
Sep 1, 1987 CE
Thing's Solo Series Launches
Ben Grimm gets his first solo ongoing series, simply titled The Thing. #marvel #comics )
Feb 1, 1990 CE
Thing vs. The Hulk: The Rematch
A classic rematch between Thing and Hulk in Incredible Hulk #350. #marvel #comics )
Aug 1, 1991 CE
Thing's Human Form Restored Temporarily
Ben Grimm becomes human again in Fantastic Four #350. #marvel #comics )
May 1, 1994 CE
Thing Joins the West Coast Avengers
Ben Grimm becomes a member of the West Coast Avengers. #marvel #comics
Nov 1, 1996 CE
Thing in Heroes Reborn
Ben Grimm appears in the Heroes Reborn universe in Fantastic Four vol. 2 #1. #marvel #comics )
Jul 1, 1998 CE
Thing's Role in Onslaught Saga
Ben Grimm is involved in the Onslaught crossover event. #marvel #comics )
Jan 1, 2000 CE
Thing Returns to Fantastic Four
Ben Grimm rejoins the Fantastic Four in Fantastic Four vol. 3 #1. #marvel #comics )
Sep 1, 2002 CE
Thing's Solo Series: The Thing (2002)
A new solo series titled The Thing launches, written by Geoff Johns. #marvel #comics )
Jun 1, 2004 CE
Thing in Marvel Knights 4
Ben Grimm stars in the Marvel Knights 4 series. #marvel #comics
Jul 1, 2005 CE
Thing's Role in House of M
Ben Grimm appears in the House of M crossover. #marvel #comics
Nov 1, 2006 CE
Thing in Civil War
Ben Grimm sides with Captain America in the Civil War event. #marvel #comics )
Apr 1, 2007 CE
Thing's Marriage Ends
Ben and Alicia's marriage is annulled due to Skrull impersonation in Fantastic Four #546. #marvel #comics
Sep 1, 2008 CE
Thing in Secret Invasion
Ben Grimm fights Skrulls in the Secret Invasion storyline. #marvel #comics
Mar 1, 2010 CE
Thing's Role in Siege
Ben Grimm participates in the Siege of Asgard. #marvel #comics )
Aug 1, 2011 CE
Thing in Fear Itself
Ben Grimm is transformed into a monster by the Serpent's hammer in Fear Itself. #marvel #comics )
May 1, 2012 CE
Thing's New Solo Series: The Thing (2012)
A new solo series launches as part of Marvel NOW!. #marvel #comics )
Nov 1, 2013 CE
Thing in Infinity
Ben Grimm battles the Builders in the Infinity crossover. #marvel #comics )
Jul 1, 2014 CE
Thing in Original Sin
Ben Grimm investigates the Watcher's murder in Original Sin. #marvel #comics )
May 1, 2015 CE
Thing in Secret Wars (2015)
Ben Grimm plays a key role in the Secret Wars event, including a stint as a sheriff on Battleworld. #marvel #comics )
Jan 1, 2016 CE
Thing Joins the Guardians of the Galaxy
Ben Grimm becomes a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 4 #1. #marvel #comics )
Sep 1, 2017 CE
Thing's Role in Secret Empire
Ben Grimm opposes Hydra's takeover in Secret Empire. #marvel #comics )
Aug 1, 2018 CE
Thing in Fantastic Four: The Wedding Special
Ben Grimm attends Reed and Sue's wedding renewal. #marvel #comics )
Apr 1, 2019 CE
Thing's Role in War of the Realms
Ben Grimm fights Malekith in the War of the Realms. #marvel #comics
Mar 1, 2020 CE
Thing in Empyre
Ben Grimm battles the Cotati in the Empyre crossover. #marvel #comics
Jul 1, 2021 CE
Thing's Role in King in Black
Ben Grimm fights Knull in the King in Black event. #marvel #comics
Jan 1, 2022 CE
Thing in Fantastic Four: Reckoning War
Ben Grimm participates in the Reckoning War storyline. #marvel #comics )
May 1, 2023 CE
Thing's 60th Anniversary
Marvel celebrates the Thing's 60th anniversary with special issues. #marvel #comics )
Sep 1, 2024 CE
Thing in Fall of X
Ben Grimm appears in the Fall of X crossover. #marvel #comics