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: April 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.
Nick Fury – After serving in World War II, Sergeant Nicholas Fury was promoted to the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. (the world’s peace-keeping organization). Essentially, he’s Marvel’s greatest super-spy/war hero.
WHAT happens?
Nick Fury contacts the Thing to warn him that he’s the target of both Mentallo and the Fixer. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have enough information to fill the Thing in on why they’re after him. While Fury and Grimm talk it over, Mentallo and the Fixer break into the Helicarrier, S.H.I.E.L.D.’s flying headquarters!
Using his servo-pods, the Fixer gains control of a squad of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and sends them after Nick Fury and the Thing. Our heroes find it hard to fight these mind-controlled agents, so they’re taken down and then knocked out with gas. The Fixer and Mentallo attach jet disks to the Thing and fly him to their ultimate goal, which lies within the Baxter Building. Once they arrive, they attach amplified servo-units to the Thing, ensuring their control over him. The Thing is then able to gain them entry into the Baxter Building, the Fantastic Four’s headquarters, which houses their target: Doctor Doom’s time machine!
Just as the villains arrive at the time machine, Nick Fury bursts through the window. Acting quickly, the villains set the mind-controlled Thing on the S.H.I.E.L.D. leader. In their battle, Fury manages to remove the servo-units, remove the Fixer’s control from the Thing. But, as the heroes turn their attention toward the Fixer and Mentallo, they discover that the time machine has already been used … to bring them the ultimate weapon: Deathlok the Demolisher!
WHERE does the story take place?
The two major settings of this store are aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier and then later, within the Baxter Building (located in Manhattan, NY).
WHEN do the villains next appear?
Since this story is to be continued, the Fixer and Mentallo show up next issue!
WHY is Nick Fury the guest-lead?
Nick Fury’s first self-titled ongoing series ended in 1971. His second series was a reprint title that ended in 1973. In December 1976, he was given the solo lead of one issue of Marvel Spotlight (#31) and he guest-starred in the next issue which debuted Spider-Woman (and led in to the first issue of her solo series). With all that said, I don’t see much of a marketing reason to have Fury appear here so, this is one of those rare instances where he appears just for the sake of the story.
HOW was it?
Marv Wolfman’s second issue was quite a bit more interesting than the second. This time around the villains pitted against our heroes are worthy adversaries. The story also bears some larger significance as it brings Deathlok into the mainstream Marvel Universe.
Note: This issue’s letters column features commentary on Marvel Two-In-One #23.
On Ebay: Marvel Two-In-One | the Thing | Nick Fury
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