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: February 1977
Cover Price: 30¢
Writer: Bill Mantlo with Jim Shooter
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.

Black Goliath – After acquiring Doctor Pym’s size-changing formula, Dr. William Foster usd the formula on himself to become a super-hero. Black Goliath can grow to a height of fifteen feet and his strength increases with his size.

WHAT happens?

The Thing is assisting Stark Industries West with an experiment led by their scientist, Dr. William Foster. Foster has devised an “atmosphere suit” that will protect future astronauts as they explore the atmospheres of other planets. With the experiment in progress, the scientists are ambushed by the Hijacker. The villain assumes the Thing is trapped within the atmospheric chamber while the scientists have been gassed – so he heads off to find valuable Stark technology that he can pilfer.

Little does the Hijacker know but, the Thing has managed to break free of the chamber and one of the scientists, Dr. William Foster, was not affected by the gas. The Thing leaves Foster behind as he looks to track down the Hijacker, little knowing that the scientist is secretly Black Goliath. Soon after the Thing engages the Hijacker, he’s joined by the 15′ tall hero. And, despite the Hijacker living up to his name (hijacking the experimental Stark weapons and using them against the two heroes), he’s eventually defeated, ruining his robbery plan.

WHERE does the story take place?

The Los Angeles, California branch of Stark Industries.

WHEN does the villain next appear?

The Hijacker will be back in Marvel Two-In-One #96.

WHY is Black Goliath the guest-lead?

Black Goliath’s series was cancelled with issue #5 (cover date: November 1976 | Retro-Read Review of Black Goliath). In February 1977, this issue of MTIO hit the stands at the same time that Black Goliath was becoming a part-time member of the Champions. Mantlo was the writer of the Champions at this point, so it seems that this issue was intended to grab a little more attention for the character that would hopefully translate into sales on the other title.

HOW was it?

Since this was Bill Mantlo’s last issue as writer, I was hoping he would go out with a bang. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. This was a rather simple, beat-em-up tale with very little characterization. I was also disappointed to see that the villain used in this Black Goliath tale was an old Ant-Man villain. Now, I realize that he’s a derivative hero … but that doesn’t mean has to get stuck fighting all of his predecessor’s villains, too.

Note: This issue’s letters column features commentary on Marvel Two-In-One #21.

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