Thing as seen on the variant cover of Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #1 (May 2009). Art by Marko Djurdjevic.
Publication information
Publisher
Marvel Comics
First appearance
The Fantastic Four #1 (Nov. 1961)
Created by
Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
Full name
Benjamin Jacob "Ben" Grimm
Species
Human mutate
Place of origin
New York City
Team affiliations
Fantastic Four Avengers Future Foundation UCWF West Coast Avengers Thunderiders Yancy Street Gang New Avengers Guardians of the Galaxy The Worthy
Notable aliases
Thing Blackbeard the Pirate Angrir: Breaker of Souls Dr. Josiah Verpoorteen El Morrito
Abilities
Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability
Enhanced lung capacity
Immortality
Skilled pilot, street fighter, and unarmed combatant
Benjamin Jacob "Ben" Grimm, also known as the Thing, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is a founding member of the Fantastic Four. The Thing was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and he first appeared in The Fantastic Four #1 (cover-dated Nov. 1961).
Known for his trademark rocky appearance, he has superhuman strength, a sense of humor, and the battle cry and catchphrase "It's clobberin' time!" Thing's speech patterns are loosely based on Jimmy Durante.[1] A key feature throughout his character arc has him struggling to accept his newfound powers, which often culminates in him returning to his old self before going back to his mutated form. Michael Bailey Smith played Ben Grimm in his human form, while Carl Ciarfalio played the Thing in The Fantastic Four film from 1994, Michael Chiklis portrayed the Thing in the 2005 film Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Jamie Bell portrayed The Thing in Fantastic Four (2015) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach will portray the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2025's The Fantastic Four.
^Stan's Soapbox, Bullpen Bulletins, September 1997
Benjamin Jacob "Ben" Grimm, also known as the Thing, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is a founding member...
This is particularly a point of tragedy in regards to his best friend, BenGrimm, who he has constantly tried to turn back into his human form but who...
around the adventures of teen genius: Reed Richards, his childhood friend: BenGrimm, and siblings: Susan and Johnny Storm, who get engulfed in a malfunctioned...
his leading roles as Tintin in The Adventures of Tintin (2011) and as BenGrimm / Thing in Fantastic Four (2015). Other notable performances include in...
with four main characters, known formally as Reed Richards, Susan Storm, BenGrimm, and Johnny Storm, and how they adapt to the superpowers they attain....
"Monstourage"; the skit involved Mackey accidentally switching places with BenGrimm. Since 2000, Chiklis has taken up a number of voice roles, voicing Chihiro's...
radiation. BenGrimm survives, but his intelligence is reduced. This inspires Doom to create the Fearsome Four, consisting of himself, the It(Grimm), the Invincible...
normal human form, for fear that Alicia would not love him as "plain BenGrimm." The physically vulnerable Masters was also frequently used as a damsel...
Uncle Ben appears in Spider-Man (2018) via photographs. Franklin Richards of the Fantastic Four often refers to Benjamin Grimm, the Thing, as "Uncle Ben" (Grimm...
Storm, his sensible brother-in-law, Reed Richards, and the grumbling BenGrimm. In the early 1960s, he starred in a series of solo adventures, published...
Grim (Jacob "Jake" Grimm, son of BenGrimm, stuck in a rock-like form like his father), and Rad (Alyce Grimm, daughter of BenGrimm, sister of Jacob, appears...
brother Johnny Storm, her brilliant husband Reed Richards, her close friend BenGrimm, and her children (Franklin and Valeria). She was also romantically attracted...
States Government. BenGrimm becomes involved with the dispute, being asked by police forces to talk with the Gang regulars. Ben meets with Cee, a young...
Franklin Richards, Psi-Lord - Son of Reed and Sue. Jacob Grimm, Grim - The son of BenGrimm and Sharon Ventura, he is similar in appearance to his father...
appeared in an unreleased Marvel Comics adaptation of The Fantastic Four as BenGrimm. Smith was also cast in Cyborg 3: The Recycler alongside Malcolm McDowell...
give the character an exaggerated super-hero sound. Cassidy also voiced BenGrimm ("The Thing") in The New Fantastic Four. Cassidy went on to perform the...
by cosmic rays and took on strength and appearance similar to that of BenGrimm, a.k.a. the Thing. Although she never officially retired her Ms. Marvel...
Global Information