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: September 1976
Cover Price: 30¢
Writer: Bill Mantlo
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.

Tigra – Greer Grant underwent an experimental process to gain superhuman strength. Soon after, she found herself dying from exposure to radiation. The Cat People offered her a chance at survival through a combination of science and sorcery. She was transformed into Tigra – a human/cat hybrid.

WHAT happens?

Tigra seeks out the Thing‘s help in defeating the Cougar – a villain who has gained control of the Null-Bands. But, before she can even fill him in on the details, they’re attacked by the Cougar’s goons. The Cougar is a renegade member of the Cat People – they’ve sent Tigra to hunt him down before he uses the bands to win domination over them. After they defeat the Cougar’s thugs, Tigra and the Thing find one of Reed Richards’ devices that allows them to home in on the energy released by the Null-Bands.

Tigra and the Thing track down the Cougar using Reed’s device but, he’s ready for them – he subdues them with knockout gas. When they come to, they discover that Tigra has been chained to the wall. Additionally, the Thing has been placed within some complicated machinery that will allow the Cougar to drain his power. But, before the transfer can take place, the Thing bursts free and releases Tigra, as well. In the ensuing battle, the two heroes find it difficult to defeat the villain since he’s armed with the Null-Bands. He is ultimately defeated but, not by the Thing or Tigra. Sheila Conklin (the fiancée of Curt Ranklin – the Cougar’s secret identity) shoots him when she discovers her villainous husband-to-be has gone mad with power.

WHERE does the story take place?

This story jumps around New York City from the Baxter Building to Conklin Industries’ lab.

WHEN does the villain next appear?

This is the Cougar‘s first … and last … appearance.

WHY is Tigra the guest-lead?

Tigra took over the lead feature of Marvel Chillers with issue #3 (cover date: March 1976). This issue of MTIO was probably intended to give her a boost in sales with a little added attention but it appears it was too late. Marvel Chillers was cancelled with issue #7, which was published just one month after this issue.

HOW was it?

This was a very straight-forward “recruit the Thing” for help team-up story. Lots of action but low on characterization. On the plus side, it tied into both heroes: the villain was one of the Cat People and the Null-Bands he used were taken from a Fantastic Four villain named Tomazooma. Keen eyes will notice that occasionally the Cougar slips up and refers to the Null-Bands as Nega-Bands. Man is he off! Marvel Zombies know the Nega-Bands allow Rick Jones to summon forth Captain Marvel.

Note: This issue’s letters column features commentary on Marvel Two-In-One #16.

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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: August 1976
Cover Price: 25¢
Writer: Bill Mantlo with Scott Edelman
Artist: Ron Wilson

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.

Scarecrow – The Scarecrow is a magical entity that resides with a painting of a laughing scarecrow owned by Jess Duncan. He is the guardian of an interdimensional doorway that materializes through the afore-mentioned painting. His main purpose is to keep the demon, Kalumai, from corporealizing on Earth through the doorway. The scarecrow seems impervious to all harm (except for fire) and is silent (aside from his haunting laughter). In later years, he’s become known as the Straw Man, in an effort to differentiate him from the villain named Scarecrow.

WHAT happens?

The Thing accompanies his girlfriend, Alicia Masters, to a gallery opening hosted by Jess Ducan. At the event, Jess and his girlfriend, Harmony Maxwell, attempt to convince the Thing that a heroic Scarecrow watches over them (events seen in Dead of Night #11 and Marvel Spotlight #26). Despite all he’s seen in his life as a super-powered adventurer, Ben Grimm doesn’t buy their story of a vigilant spirit that emerges from a painting.

He doesn’t buy it, that is, until the Scarecrow emerges to take on a spirit sent to Earth by Kalumai. And, while the Scarecrow takes on Kalumai’s minion, Jess Duncan reveals to the Thing that the Scarecrow is a guardian, keeping the demon Kalumai from coming to Earth. The Thing acts upon this new knowledge and joins the Scarecrow in defeating the golden-skinned minion.

WHERE does the story take place?

This story takes place within Jess Duncan’s art gallery in SoHo.

WHEN does the villain next appear?

Kalumai is destroyed by the Scarecrow in a flashback sequence from Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #31 & 32.

WHY is Scarecrow the guest-lead?

This Scarecrow debuted in the final issue of Dead of Night (#11; cover date: August 1975). His second appearance followed months later in Marvel Spotlight #26 (cover date: February 1976). These two stories were initially going to be issues #1 & 2 of a Scarecrow solo title that never got going. It seems that the character wasn’t popular enough to maintain his own feature so concluding his story in an issue of Marvel Two-In-One was an easy way for Marvel to finish his story and ensure that the book would sell.

HOW was it?

After a few lame issues, this one seems to put the title back on track. First off, we’re treated to several pages of the Thing being grumpy since he’s been dragged to an art exhibit. And, he only gets more ornery when Jess and Harmony try to convince him of the Scarecrow’s existence. I really like that even though he’s faced down many alien and scientific threats, the Thing still isn’t comfortable with supernatural entities or events. It kind of makes a strange bit of sense.

Seeing as how this issue serves to wrap up some loose plotlines from the previous two Scarecrow stories, I was impressed that the Thing’s involvement wasn’t minimalized. In fact, he got plenty of limelight in this issue. And, even better, it was “characterization” limelight – not just “clobberin’ time” limelight (which can be fun, too – don’t get me wrong). And, while it resolves some of the Scarecrow’s tale (which was left as “to be continued … someday” in Mavel Spotlight #26), it serves to advance it, as well. Unfortunately, the mysteries and questions raised of the Scarecrow mythos in this issue were never answered. BUT, that’s a problem for Scarecrow followers (of which there probably aren’t many anymore since the character has languished in obscurity) … not Marvel Two-In-One fans.

Note: This issue’s letters column features commentary on Marvel Two-In-One #15. Additionally, this comic includes Marvel Value Stamp [Series B] #3 (part of the Captain America puzzle).

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