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: March 1975
Cover Price: 25¢
Writer: Steve Gerber
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.

Ghost Rider– Johnny Blaze is possessed by the Spirit of Vengeance that transforms him into a bike-riding skeleton with a flaming head.

WHAT happens?

On Christmas Eve, Ghost Rider comes across three kings (on camels!) following the signal of a bright new star, seeking the child of propechy. The Rider races ahead of them, his motorcycle can carry him to the portent much faster than their camels can.

Across the country, Mr. Fantastic has taken notice of the star, as well – and he enlists the Thing to help him assemble an enormous telescope to examine it. Ben leaves the enthralled Reed to join the rest of the family (Sue, Johnny Storm, Medusa, Alicia Masters, Franklin – even Namorita and Wundarr have come by) for their Christmas dinner and tree-lighting.

After the tree is lit, the story bounces back to Ghost Rider who has followed the star to find a Middle-Eastern city that looks like it was pulled right out of the Bible – but curiously, the inhabitants are all Native Americans. He goes to the inn, where an entranced Wyatt Wingfoot informs him that “the inn is full”. Hesitantly, the Rider checks the stable … and discovers a nativity scene! But, before he can join them, the Creator commands him to stop. He claims the child is his and that the Rider has no business among them. He summons a whirlwind that deposits Ghost Rider on a mountain ridge far outside of the city.

In the Baxter Building, Reed reveals that the star is pointing to Wyatt Wingfoot’s reservation – so the Thing volunteers to fly out their to investigate why a star is signaling above his friend. An hour later, the Fantastic Four’s Pogo Plane has reached Arizona – and the Thing follows a flare on a mountain ridge. It just so happens to be Ghost Rider’s flaming skull! The two compare notes and decide to investigate together.

Dressed as the wise men, the two of them approach the newborn babe and the Creator returns – his identity is revealed to be Miracle Man. Freed from his Cheemuzwa jailors (see Fantastic Four #139), he intended to set up a new modern day birth of Christ, setting himself up to be the Creator. As the one true God of humanity, he intended to rule the world but, our heroes interrupt his plan, defeat him and turn him back over to the Cheemuzwa.

WHERE does the story take place?

The bulk of the story takes place on the The Konohoti Reservation in the Arizona desert. It’s the home of Wyatt Wingfoot’s tribe. He’s a long-time friend of the Fantastic Four’s, who debuted in F.F. #50 (1966).

WHEN does Miracle Man next appear?

Miracle Man appearances are often few and far between. He debuted in Fantastic Four #3 (1962) and returned in #139 (1973). He’s next seen in the Defenders #120 (1983), where the Cheemuzwa have given him amnesia and released him from captivity.

WHY is Ghost Rider the guest-lead?

While Gerber never wrote the bronze-age Ghost Rider series, he was certainly a fan of the stranger elements of the Marvel Universe (the Defenders, the Man-Thing, Doctor Strange, and his own creation: Howard the Duck). And, with a story pitched as “the Most Off-Beat Holiday Extravaganza Of All!”, it was certainly fitting to have one of Marvel’s less straight-forward heroes as the guest-lead.

HOW was it?

The Christmas inspiration for this story was neat to see – although, don’t think about Miracle Man’s plan for too long, lest it begins to unravel. Bringing in Ghost Rider for such an off-beat story was a great match and it even raised some questions about the Rider’s current powers/storyline. We were also treated to some fun character moments at the Baxter Building as the Thing celebrated Christmas with his F.F. extended family (no mention of him being Jewish here – which was revealed decades later). Finally, it was great to see some “silver-age” Fantastic Four characters brought back: Wyatt Wingfoot and the even-more-obscure, Miracle Man (absolutely no relation to the much-more-famous Miracleman).

Note: no letters page this issue.

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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: January 1975
Cover Price: 25¢
Writer: Steve Gerber
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.

Valkyrie– the strongest of all Valkyrior (a group of Asgardians warrior goddesses who bring the worthy fallen warriors to Valhalla, the land of the honored dead). At this time in Marvel continuity, the Valkyrie had possessed the body of Barbara Denton and joined the super-hero team, the Defenders.

WHAT happens?

After the events of last issue, Doctor Strange suggests the Thing venture to Cobbler’s Roost, Vermont to find Valkyrie. Meanwhile, Strange intends to find the derelict, Alvin Denton, who was present at last issue’s subway event – for his destiny may need to be tended to, as well (see last week’s post, if you’re confused).

Before he can reach his destination, the Thing is ambushed by the Enchantress and Skurge the Executioner (who have already captured Alvin Denton). The villainness reveals that it was she, disguised as Valkyrie, who took the harmonica. But, she cannot yet harness its power until the course of Destiny, which was altered by last issue’s events, has been put right. Once Destiny’s will has been worked out, the villains intend to utilize the harmonica’s power to seize control of Asgard. So, they take their leave (with the harmonica), to allow Destiny to play through – their captives now freed.

Alvin asks the Thing to go to Cobbler’s Roost, for he has a bad feeling that his daughter is in danger. And, when they find her, the Thing discovers that his daughter is Barbara Denton – the woman who is possessed by the Valkyrie’s spirit. As he rushes to embrace her, it quickly becomes apparent that Valkyrie does not recognize the man – even though he fathered the body she now possesses. With this sad reunion completed, the Executioner and the Enchantress reveal themselves – taking enjoyment from the heartbreak. Desperate to fix the situation, Alvin yanks the harmonica from her clutches and blows into it.

Immediately, the world is destroyed and only those five nearest the harmonica are still left in existence. The Thing and Valkyrie move quickly to stop the Executioner and the Enchantress from grabbing the powerful instrument. Whoever gains control of it will have the power to set everything right – but if the villains get it, they can recreate the world without the heroes (or other heroes like Thor, the Avengers and the Defenders). In the final battle, the heroes narrowly defeat the Asgardian renegades and the Thing uses the harmonica to put everything back the way it was. But, it is a hollow victory – for Alvin’s heart gave out during all the excitement. Valkyrie’s last remaining link with humanity has now been severed.

WHERE does the story take place?

Most of the events of this issue take place in Cobbeler’s Roost, Vermont – the hometown of Barbara Denton.

WHEN do the Enchantress & Executioner next appear?

They next appear in the Defenders #20 (cover date: February 1975), as Valkyrie continues her quest to unlock her own identity. Doctor Strange and the Thing can also be found in that issue.

WHY is Valkyrie the guest-lead?

The very next month, Steve Gerber took over as writer of the Defenders so this was a fun attempt at getting more people interested in that book.

HOW was it?

This was certainly a neat way of turning MTIO fans into potential Defenders fan. Or, at least getting them interested enough to pick up the first issue of Gerber’s run on that title. But, it was a strange story. It was very much about Valkyrie, although she doesn’t actually do all that much in the issue. On the other hand, a most of the action is focused on the Thing but, he doesn’t get any character development. As for the stakes, they’re sky high! Essentially, the entire planet is destroyed – and then neatly put back into place just five pages later. Ahhhhh the days before comics were decompressed into six-issue storylines.

Note: This issue’s letters column features commentary on Marvel Two-In-One #5. Additionally, this comic includes Marvel Value Stamp #45 (Mantis).

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