Marvel Two-In-One launched in 1974, teaming the Thing with a different hero each month. This guide will tell you everything you wanted to know about the series – and more!

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: March 1975
Cover Price: 25¢
Writer: Steve Gerber
Artist: Sal Buscema

WHO stars in this issue?

the Thing – Benjamin J. Grimm was bombarded by cosmic rays in a space exploration flight, alongside three friends. The cosmic rays gave each of them different powers, and they formed the Fantastic Four. Ben underwent the most physical change of the foursome: his skin mutated into orange rock and, as a result, he gained super-strength.

Ghost Rider– Johnny Blaze is possessed by the Spirit of Vengeance that transforms him into a bike-riding skeleton with a flaming head.

WHAT happens?

On Christmas Eve, Ghost Rider comes across three kings (on camels!) following the signal of a bright new star, seeking the child of propechy. The Rider races ahead of them, his motorcycle can carry him to the portent much faster than their camels can.

Across the country, Mr. Fantastic has taken notice of the star, as well – and he enlists the Thing to help him assemble an enormous telescope to examine it. Ben leaves the enthralled Reed to join the rest of the family (Sue, Johnny Storm, Medusa, Alicia Masters, Franklin – even Namorita and Wundarr have come by) for their Christmas dinner and tree-lighting.

After the tree is lit, the story bounces back to Ghost Rider who has followed the star to find a Middle-Eastern city that looks like it was pulled right out of the Bible – but curiously, the inhabitants are all Native Americans. He goes to the inn, where an entranced Wyatt Wingfoot informs him that “the inn is full”. Hesitantly, the Rider checks the stable … and discovers a nativity scene! But, before he can join them, the Creator commands him to stop. He claims the child is his and that the Rider has no business among them. He summons a whirlwind that deposits Ghost Rider on a mountain ridge far outside of the city.

In the Baxter Building, Reed reveals that the star is pointing to Wyatt Wingfoot’s reservation – so the Thing volunteers to fly out their to investigate why a star is signaling above his friend. An hour later, the Fantastic Four’s Pogo Plane has reached Arizona – and the Thing follows a flare on a mountain ridge. It just so happens to be Ghost Rider’s flaming skull! The two compare notes and decide to investigate together.

Dressed as the wise men, the two of them approach the newborn babe and the Creator returns – his identity is revealed to be Miracle Man. Freed from his Cheemuzwa jailors (see Fantastic Four #139), he intended to set up a new modern day birth of Christ, setting himself up to be the Creator. As the one true God of humanity, he intended to rule the world but, our heroes interrupt his plan, defeat him and turn him back over to the Cheemuzwa.

WHERE does the story take place?

The bulk of the story takes place on the The Konohoti Reservation in the Arizona desert. It’s the home of Wyatt Wingfoot’s tribe. He’s a long-time friend of the Fantastic Four’s, who debuted in F.F. #50 (1966).

WHEN does Miracle Man next appear?

Miracle Man appearances are often few and far between. He debuted in Fantastic Four #3 (1962) and returned in #139 (1973). He’s next seen in the Defenders #120 (1983), where the Cheemuzwa have given him amnesia and released him from captivity.

WHY is Ghost Rider the guest-lead?

While Gerber never wrote the bronze-age Ghost Rider series, he was certainly a fan of the stranger elements of the Marvel Universe (the Defenders, the Man-Thing, Doctor Strange, and his own creation: Howard the Duck). And, with a story pitched as “the Most Off-Beat Holiday Extravaganza Of All!”, it was certainly fitting to have one of Marvel’s less straight-forward heroes as the guest-lead.

HOW was it?

The Christmas inspiration for this story was neat to see – although, don’t think about Miracle Man’s plan for too long, lest it begins to unravel. Bringing in Ghost Rider for such an off-beat story was a great match and it even raised some questions about the Rider’s current powers/storyline. We were also treated to some fun character moments at the Baxter Building as the Thing celebrated Christmas with his F.F. extended family (no mention of him being Jewish here – which was revealed decades later). Finally, it was great to see some “silver-age” Fantastic Four characters brought back: Wyatt Wingfoot and the even-more-obscure, Miracle Man (absolutely no relation to the much-more-famous Miracleman).

Note: no letters page this issue.

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