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!Spoilers appear below – You’ve been warned!

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: May 1977
Cover Price: 30¢
Writer: Marv Wolfman
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.

Deathlok – in a post-apocalyptic future, the corpse of Colonel Luther Manning was reanimated using cyborg components. Last issue, he was brought to the present by the Fixer and Mentallo.

WHAT happens?

Utilizing more servo-units, the Fixer and Mentallo gain control over Deathlok and send him to shoot Jimmy Carter (with a servo-unit, naturally) as he’s being inaugurated as the President of the United States of America. But, while the villains control his body, they don’t control his mind or voice. So, he attempts the shot in a way that will allow the Fantastic Four and Nick Fury to stop him. Unfortunately for President Carter, they still can’t react fast enough to stop the shot from being fired.

Afterwards, the Fantastic Four and Nick Fury are able to defeat Deathlok and later, the Fixer and Mentallo. S.H.I.E.L.D. has agreed to figure out a way to remove their control from Deathlok and its revealed that the President wasn’t shot. It was actually the Impossible Man posing as the President (Mr. Fantastic called a mysterious guest early in the issue, asking for his help) all along!

WHERE does the story take place?

The majority of this story takes place at the White House in Washington, D.C.

WHEN do the villains next appear?

After being taken into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody in this issue, the Fixer and Mentallo are later freed by Hydra in the Micronauts #24 (cover date: December 1980).

WHY is Deathlok the guest-lead?

Deathlok debuted in Astonishing Tales #25 and he maintained the lead feature of that series until it was canceled with issue #36 (cover date: July 1976). From there, his story continued into Marvel Spotlight #33 (April 1977). The character’s existence in a post-apocalyptic future was problematic because he didn’t exist within the “proper” Marvel Universe. In order to have stories where he could interact with Marvel heroes, they had to time-travel to meet him (this was the case in Marvel Team-Up #46). But, the story that began last issue and continued into this one rectified that concern by bringing Deathlok to the present via Doctor Doom’s time-machine. Problem solved!

HOW was it?

This issue was a lot of fun! Not only did we get to see Deathlok in action within the Marvel Universe but we were also treated to a lot of characterization. Fun moments between the Thing and the Human Torch. Character introspection as Deathlok lamented his current situation (not only being mind-controlled … but having to live as a reanimated corpse). Add to that a Jack Kirby cover, an historical event and a mystery guest star (yeah, I know … I spoiled the mystery) and this was easily Marv Wolfman’s best issue of Marvel Two-In-One yet.

Note: This issue’s letters column features commentary on Marvel Two-In-One #24.

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