The Fantastic Four vs The Thing! | This Man... This Monster!

"This man...this monster!" You can't call yourself a fan of Ben Grimm, the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing, if you haven't read this issue. 40 years later and it's still one of the greatest Thing stories ever created. Never miss an episode by subscribing today! bit.ly/2WYvgkt #fantasticfour
Other places to find ComicPop:
Patreon - / comicpop
Discord - / discord
Twitch - / comicpop
TikTok - / comicpoppa
Instagram - / comicpopofficial
Facebook - / comicpop
Drop us a line c/o ComicPop
PO Box 1157 Denville, NJ 07834
(NOTE: Do NOT send anything you might want returned.)
Check out the official ComicPop trade paperback library (updated daily)! www.libib.com/u/comicpop
What is ComicPop?
ComicPop is a few friends talking about comic books. The ComicPop team brings a bunch of unique points of view to every single discussion about a comic book, graphic novel, character or story arc. You can find full conversations about your favorite titles from Marvel and DC Comics, plus a few pretty key independent comics. If you're looking for a long, funny conversation about Batman or a deep dive into why Spider-Man is so neurotic, check out the hours and hours of amusing, insightful and downright stupid conversations about some of your favorite comic books over the years. If you're a longtime comic book reader or just starting out, make sure to subscribe right now!
ComicPop
/ comicpop
ComicPop Returns
/ comicpopreturns
ComicPop Plays
/ @comicpopplays

[@comicpop]

Buy this collection here! amzn.to/42u7AqB

[@mikesetzer9379]

I really appreciate the link! This is why y’all are awesome! 😊

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

*Thing:* "Alicia left me for that silver guy, probably. My lover has left me! I'll never bang again!" *Ricardo Jones:* "Oh, don't you worry, Ben Grimm," *puts down binoculars* "I'll get your rocks off..."

[@ninja1man4u]

I guess Alicia and Ben's relationship was Rocky to say the least

[@rayvenkman2087]

@@ninja1man4u Knew she had a thing for The Rock. That unfaithful bitch.

[@jikorijo4516]

@@ninja1man4u *RIMSHOT*🥁

[@ghostwarrior3878]

Oh Lord... 🤦🤦🤣🤣🤣

[@chrisdaily2077]

*insert Ben Grimm is rock hard pun*

[@joshcowdrey7894]

“He’s not an alien, he’s just drawn by Jack Kirby” Top 5 funniest Back Issues episodes of all time

[@Omar-wq9dz]

I hope we get to see more Fantastic Four Back Issues from runs like Mark Waid and Jonathan Hickman

[@mightyasterisk8333]

I’m hoping for some more Hickman stuff as well!!

[@johnthai6188]

@@mightyasterisk8333 agreed, so that people know reed isn't a raging dick or sexist person.

[@MrZaku-rh4qt]

Hickman's would be amazing.

[@joshuanelson6795]

Yes, I would love if they covered the "Unthinkable" arc by Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo. One of Doctor Doom's best stories.

[@johnthai6188]

@@joshuanelson6795 i really like that story a lot, but dr. doom fans really hate that story.

[@SuperSlowmobile]

The Thing taking up skateboarding: "Here I 'yam, doin' ev'ry 'ting I can, holdin' on ta what I 'am, t'inkin' I'm a rocky maaaaaan..."

[@WhatIsItAboutThem]

The Essence of Ben Grimm Thingyness Thingitude Thingedness The law of man and rocks

[@chrisdaily2077]

His Aunt Petunia

[@anonomit8229]

@@chrisdaily2077yancy street

[@TheGreatDevlin]

It's so hard for me to wrap my head around this being *one* issue. This would be six months of story in modern Marvel.

[@augustarpg8035]

Thats Silver Age comics for ya. Full stories in 20 pages or less.

[@akiraeatsguitarpicks491]

If this was modern Marvel Alicia would’ve married Silver Surfer and Ben would’ve been ok with it

[@rosesske2551]

​@@akiraeatsguitarpicks491And they would have broken up 2 years later and acted like it never happened.

[@sergioruiz733]

​@@akiraeatsguitarpicks491In the Dematiess run of Silver Surfer post Onslaught that actually happens. Alicia actually dates the Silver Surfer and oddly enough Ben is really mature about it when he comes back via Heroes Return.

[@kiko1935]

The zoom in on Ethan and Ben when the FF don't recognize Ben before the change is so good. WHAT were they THINKING?

[@emperorg9910]

I love that his name is Ricardo Jones. You just don't expect it.

[@JLD22591]

A classic Fantastic Four story? This is a good day.

[@bensneb360]

Something about 60s Fantastic Four comics just age so well, as far as enjoyment and intriguing concepts, it’s like fine wine

[@johnthai6188]

there are somethings that hasn't aged well tho, like reed being sexist. because modern interpretation of reed isn't sexist.

[@DavidTSmith-jn5bs]

FF used to be the testing ground for new characters and alien worlds. That's where The Kree first appeared thru Ronan the accuser...

[@johnthai6188]

@@benparrish672 for one i'm not a feminist and two to say all of stan lee's fantastic four has aged like fine wine is a bit much. because the characterization of reed being sexist, isn't what he's like in modern interpretation.

[@theonlygamer2808]

@@johnthai6188 so you don’t believe women should be equal to men? Cause that’s what feminism is….

[@johnthai6188]

@@theonlygamer2808 well there are different kinds of feminisms like 1st wave, 2nd wave, 3rd wave or 4th wave. i believe in women and men should be equal but, i don't think saying that should pigeon hold me into being labeled as a "feminist." and more to the point of, i don't like the characterization of reed being a sexist character because in more modern times, he's not one. so whenever i see reed being sexist, i feel like it's out of character for him. what's more in character trait for him, is keeping secrets from the family.

[@catlawyerwilldefendfortrea6038]

Stan Lee F4 Back Issues are honestly my favourites. I've watched them multiple times and they always make me laugh so hard that I can't breathe

[@instantbadass]

Crazy to think in a single year, the Fantastic Four introduced the Inhumans, Silver Surfer and Galactus, did this story, and then the Black Panther.

[@Sicod79]

Wow. I just noticed (and I never knew this back when I was reading the story originally) that Coach Thorpe is probably named after Jim Thorpe, the Native American Gold Medal winning and All American football player as he tries to recruit Wyatt Wingfoot.

[@Kieransm09]

CONTEXT IS COMING

[@ZeusPrototypo]

The guys working through the science of Jack Kirby Caveman's Imaging Device is another all-time moment in ComicPop history

[@loganthomas2421]

The funny thing is that issues prior to this, Reed switched bodies with Dr Doom and Reed had to work to convince the FF that it was really him. So you’d think Reed would give Ben the benefit of the doubt but nope

[@jonathanshaw9704]

Instead of curing Ben, why doesn’t Reed find a way to alter Ben’s powers so he can turn his rocky body on and off? In the spirit of compromise.

[@ghostwarrior3878]

Exactly. That would certainly be a lot easier.

[@johnthai6188]

@@ghostwarrior3878 ok, you know by the hickman run, ben has kinda been cured. the problem was reed wanted to find ways to have ben be cured entirely of being the thing. so he didn't find solutions to have him be the thing once in awhile. because reed was so fixated on "I NEED TO CURE HIM ENTRELY". the reason for reed to want to cure the thing entirely because for the longest time, before hickman's run, ben been depressed about being the thing. in the hickman run, the future foundation kids found a way to have him change back for one week a year.

[@sergioruiz733]

He kinda does that a couple of times. I think once in Byrne's run and in Heroes Return, but again something happens to undo that switch. The only compromise is he gets one day a year to be human.

[@MegaDisguy]

He could use a thing ring!

[@leothebackgroundsheep3010]

He actually does end up doing that in the storyline "The End" By Alan Davis, which is set a few decades into the future(Reed has also figured out a way to make people immortal so most character looks the same age as in the main continuity). The funny thing is though, Ben then goes to live on Mars with the Inhumans and they only want to see him while he's his rocky self. He even quips about how ironic it is that so much time and effort was spent so that he's able to become Ben Grimm and now his neighbours only want the Thing.

[@ChristopherZubin]

I wasn't sure about this guy when he violated the laws of Man, but then he violated the laws of Rocks and Man, and I knew he was no good.

[@edwardosquidawardo]

YAAAAAY, I always love the FF representation on Back Issues. Always love everything you guys put out as well!!!!

[@thegreyinitiate3680]

The first minute and a half of this episode is pure gold 😂😂😂

[@thegreyinitiate3680]

@@benparrish672 you mean some white hot context all over your face and chest? 😂

[@Ka_Five]

The way my face lit up at "ridiculously circuitous scheme"

[@seankensing]

“Sue, we don’t have time for this. YOU HAVE TO MAKE DINNER.” Lol Ben 🤣

[@flywheelshyster]

This show is the best thing about youtube.

[@daelen.cclark]

You guys space out the well-know stories from the obscure stuff pretty well. Keeps it interesting, I think. “Wet Hot Context”, indeed.

[@randomman4628]

"white hot context" saving that so later

[@Cthuski]

Do Hickman's run. The whole thing. DO IT.

[@ItsOver9000Productions]

Nothing in comics warms my heart more than 60s era Marvel. Fun classic, digestible and sometimes important?

[@MrEnKaye]

Oh my god, this is the funniest episode of Back Issues in a while! You guys looked like you were having so much fun here 😂😂😂

[@dedbatt8869]

I love me some hot, steaming context from the Back Issues boys

[@sergioruiz733]

I really appreciate, looking over the last 6 months that you guys have done 3 FF episodes, as a hardcore FF fan, it made me so happy to see this in my notifications. You guys rock. Edit: My God I have never laughed so hard at an episode 🤣

[@priceyyeti4058]

This is actually perfect because I rewatched the Coming of Galactus episode yesterday. Always a good time talking about Stan & Jack books.

[@vitanpatel2061]

Holds so much better than i expected tbh?

[@dn22pkkdd476]

33:57 the return of the B.M.O.C. Only real ones know about the B.M.O.C.

[@TevyaSmolka]

I am so happy to see the fantastic four on back issues again which is really awesome and tons of fun.

[@nickyt.2157]

I need “White Hot Context” as a t-shirt! 😂

[@rayvenkman2087]

Single Issues huh? How about Transformers Spotlight: Mirage? Now that’s a trippy comic.

[@Grievousish]

Good lord the jokes this episode started at a 10 and never let off the gas!

[@JamesHaney]

Whattrevoltin’devopmentDISis!

[@dannydoo8717]

29:04 wasn't expecting the Family Guy crossover

[@willcrouch2359]

With all this context, you guys are gonna make me CONTEXT

[@michaeldickens6195]

"The mets baby it's all about the mets!"

[@sammysamiam5219]

No Susan you can’t. You need to get dinner ready by the time we come back….. it’s the only way

[@ryanisabox292]

This seems like some Monarch level of planning

[@AugustNerdinIron]

Love it when y'all cover the FF! Another great episode

[@ryanferriera1785]

Its gonna be one of those episodes huh?I love when I forget its wednesday and get surprised with new back issues. You guys are great.

[@Hulkzilla0]

Not two minutes in and already my ribs are hurting from laughter!

[@12000Werewolf]

I really want you guys to do some of the Aquaman stories from the mid 90s to early 2000s especially since the Cover Artist and Peniciller Martin Egeland is a good friend of mine and it would just be awesome to see!!

[@dedbatt8869]

1:17 Sal’s laugh is contagious 😂

[@landonny]

I say it everytime and I'll keep commenting it (if only for the algorithm lol) I love these back issues on classics!

[@accidentalmadness1708]

Ricardo Jones: “I want to take his face… off”

[@MrPonytron]

I always love Ben's reactions and commentary in these episodes. Lol 😆

[@sollyswolly1623]

Yeah! Back Issues Fantastic Four!

[@minwify]

When sal mentioned transparency paper I had a war flash back to third grade math class 😭

[@trevorghalt1881]

They're shooting hot steamy white context everywhere after Galactus came, that's hot and this story is great also Reed & Sue did not believe their friend was a human is sweet🤣😭

[@endlessvoid7952]

The Reed impressions are gold 😂 what a prick lol

[@Primaeros]

"Shoot context all over your face, neck and chest." SAL PLS there are people who are super into you 😳💦

[@cladladd]

sal a real one fr fr on juh

[@alexlawrence6440]

Love that you all keep going back to these old back issues, even though that’s implied by the shows name, but these old episodes are my favorite

[@forehandmei3857]

Really like listening to yinz do back issues. Thanks for this one = )

[@NovatheDestined]

I see a new ComicPop, I click on a new ComicPop, I watch a new ComicPop. This is the highlight of my Wednesdays.

[@KiramidHead]

I've been going through the old Lee/Kirby Fantastic Four lately, and it's almost comical how many times Ben Grimm is cured of being The Thing only for it to almost immediately fuck up and turn him back.

[@FeIixDragon]

29:00 When Ben goes back to the Fantastic Four he's dressed like Peter Griffin.

[@highlander1154]

The Kirby switching machine has many powers.

[@spiderdude99]

Sweet back issues on my bday

[@ShudderingSeagull]

Been loving the elseworlds and classic stories this year!

[@patkohler9695]

The Man whio would be Thing

[@_Flyerband]

Context is COMING!

[@AGuyWithTheFace]

As usual, y'all deliver!

[@Malcolm1294]

Love this channel so much dude lmaooo😂😂😂

[@bconwe6420]

ballertown, always good shit

[@vitanpatel2061]

Always much fun when we get this era!

[@jabezcreed]

Excellent comic and summary!

[@CptCrash21]

I'm not even 90 seconds in and I'm already in tears laughing!

[@burnoutmediaco]

Love it boys! Now do the Mark Waid run please. They fight a living math problem, there’s gold there.

[@aegis9109]

Always love it when the Crew covers old stories, since younger readers didn’t get the chance to ever read them. 🍿

[@cubedragon6500]

I had the actual issue when I was a kid. I tried to trade it for a few copies of Mcfarlane’s Spider-Man #1 that just came out. The nice comic store guy made me rethink my decision.

[@jeff2178]

I love when they do silver age stories

[@dirb1530]

Man I love these FF episodes

[@nathanchaffin6380]

Another great episode fellas. Love the weird ones.

[@blackdragon8577]

This was a fantastic episode.

[@roxtechs]

I love of the best issue of the Fantastic Four isn’t even about Fantastic Four. He paid full price and paid it like a man is words to live by.

[@zaengo]

this might be the funniest Back Issues you've done

[@pay7232]

Hey comicpop, please keep these classic silver age comics coming🫶 I love them all.

[@dablackwizards5312]

I miss the boob windows lol

[@PhoenixEnforcer101]

Big stories are cool but I'd love more discussions like this on single issues

[@fcm3d]

Sweet I love Ben stories!

[@retromanstv]

Can you guys do a back issues on the human torch vs sub-mariner from the 1940s?

[@sombrashadow0013]

1:07 mightve been the hardest Ive laughed so far

[@Depthcharge2030]

Yeah I wish Marvels epic collections would be in print longer. Or if they would reprint some of their books more often. It just reprint the Star Wars epics. That would be neat.

[@therealmanos]

I really enjoyed this.

[@michaellabonte6390]

Cool! Was just looking back jnto the F4. You guys always hit the maek Also Wyatt Wingfoot is a cool character 😎

[@jjh01harmon38]

Always fun to see the population cover classics

[@jamluci]

I hope you guys do the Malice story someday. Sue needs a win

[@YouCalledForTheDoc]

You know, I don’t think I’ve read the story where Sue’s pregnancy and birth happens.

[@playboicardigan]

This episode was hilarious!!

[@nigelflood7074]

Awesome 🎉

[@jabezcreed]

50:25 It's quantum entanglement!

[@mathewblaine1109]

Love the show was wondering if you guys will do clan destine or exiles one of these days

[@Runge_was_here]

I have so many things now that are only canon because i heard it in comic pop and completely agree. 😂