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: November 1975
Cover Price: 25¢
Writer: Bill Mantlo
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.

Iron Man – Tony Stark devised a powered suit of armor to stop a life-threatening injury and to escape captivity from terrorists. But, let’s be honest, if you’re reading this, there’s almost no way that you don’t know who Iron Man is.

WHAT happens?

Tony Stark has hired the Thing to test-pilot his latest rocketship dubbed Pattycake One – after all, if something goes wrong, he’s sure to survive the crash. And, something does go wrong! Instead of launching into space, Pattycake is sent down into the ground. When the Thing emerges from the wreck, he discovers an underground cave and, strangely enough, a bright light. He follows the light to discover …. (just wait, we’ll get there) …

Meanwhile, Tony Stark puts his Iron Man armor on and follows after his friend into the underground cave where he discovers the Thing has been laid low by … Prester John! Yes, the centuries old explorer who once served as a knight of Richard the Lionheart. Assuming Iron Man and the Thing are demons, he defeats both of them using his Stone of Power. Then, as any true, misunderstood man-out-of-time should: he tells the subdued heroes his story. He recounts his previous encounter with the Human Torch and Wyatt Wingfoot (see Fantastic Four #54) and later, how he became the leader of the Bedouin tribe that possessed the Stone. Mad with the Stone’s power, Prester John turned on his tribe and whipped up a whirlwind that accidentally caused the ground to give way beneath his feet. He had been trapped this entire time – until Pattycake’s crash into the ground re-opened this underground cave. Now that he’s been freed, he returns to the surface where he intends to rule the world – for he believes it rightfully belongs to him.

A short while later, Iron Man and the Thing recuperate and decide that the way to end Prester John’s madness is to separate him from the Stone of Power. They catch up to the madman and engage him in a length battle. At the end, Iron Man distracts Prester John long enough for the Thing to snatch the Stone of Power from his neck. He launches the Stone as high into the air as he can – and the madness leaves John quickly. Somehow, the stone disappears in a bright rainbow-colored flash of light – the world is safe from its madness-causing effects … for now.

WHERE does the story take place?

The launch site for Pattycake One is Israel’s Negev Desert.

WHEN does the villain next appear?

Prester John next appears in Marvel Fanfare #54 (cover date: December 1990), although it is a flashback tale that takes place during the Crusades. He’s also seen in Thor Annual #17 (cover date: 1992) – a time-travel storyline involving Kang.

WHY is Iron Man the guest-lead?

Bill Mantlo had recently been the writer on a fill-in issue of Iron Man (#84 – cover date: September 1975) so perhaps he enjoyed writing the character and wanted to continue to do so. There’s also an interesting symmetry to his appearance here. Iron Man was the co-lead in Marvel Feature #12 (essentially MTIO #0) – and this book is twelve issues later. Twelve is an anniversary issue in comics – it signifies a full year of monthly publishing (or, in this case, two years on a bi-monthly schedule).

HOW was it?

I suppose labeling Prester John a villain isn’t quite appropriate. He’s truly out of his element (and you thought Captain America came from a different time … this guy comes from the Crusades!) and, in this story, driven mad with power. When he’s freed of the Stone’s madness, he seems like a decent guy – although, a bit high on himself … or maybe that’s just his “fancy” way of talking (similar to Thor’s).

The story was fun and featured some big battle pages – including a nifty double page spread! The way the heroes got together made sense and wasn’t overly coincidental. I’m sure fellow Marvel Zombies, like myself, will think it was nice to see the return of a Lee/Kirby character (albeit one of their lesser-known ones).

Note: This issue’s letters column features commentary on Marvel Two-In-One #10 (one of the letters is from writer, Robert Rodi). Additionally, this comic includes Marvel Value Stamp #45 (Mantis).

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