Thing # 1, the first standalone book from the founding member of the Fantastic Four since 2006, is now on shelves with an intriguing pair of credits. Marvel has paired the artwork of young Tom Reilly with the writing of Walter Mosley, a 69-year-old author best known for his luscious detective novels. It’s a treatment in the spotlight of a Jack Kirby character who was in attendance for Marvel’s big bang 60 years ago, but also a guy who usually rides in the back in discussions about the bigger ones. characters and franchises of this publisher.

Which does Thing # 1?

Walter Mosley, the National Book Foundation laureate best known for his pulp-inspired character and series of Easy Rawlins novels, is The thingthe writer of. You may remember a 1995 movie called Devil in blue dress, starring Denzel Washington – It’s Easy Rawlins, and the film adapted the character’s first appearance and Mosley’s first novel. In the comics, Mosley was also behind the bulky Maximum Fantastic Four, a celebration in 2005 of the works of Jack Kirby for The fantastic four # 1, the founding document of the modern Marvel universe.

Tom Reilly, who drew X Men: Marvel Snapshots # 1 last year and Morbius: Blood Bond # 1 this spring, it’s the artist. Jordie Bellaire provides the colors and letters for Joe Sabino.

What is Thing # 1 In regards to?

Ben Grimm is in a period of transition. He and his longtime girlfriend Alicia Masters go their separate ways after a misunderstanding that escalated that ended with Ben being pepper-sprayed and thrown in jail following a violent public explosion. After his release, he reassesses his relationships and is matched with a glamorous fashion designer. A disturbing dream, however, portends his meeting with a new enemy, who is obsessed with the same woman. Because, as Hercules observes, Ben seems to be hunted by the same evil spirit that created this enemy, who calls himself Brusque.

Are there any required readings?

Even if Thing # 1 is not a reintroduction rich in lore, it assumes some knowledge of the character and his substantial contribution to the Fantastic Four’s relationship drama network. Mosley is 69 years old and he has read FF as a child and teenager who grew up in Los Angeles. So the perspective of a longtime fan – aware of the big issues, not so much of current events – is helpful. Mosley remembers (through Ben’s dialogue) something Mister Fantastic observed about vibranium in the original issue of Black Panther in 1966; it’s a good example of the familiarity his book expects.

Additionally, this ComicsXF interview with Mosley sheds light on what the author thinks and feels more broadly about Ben Grimm:

When working with the Fantastic Four, he’s the pack animal, carrying everything they need. I think Ben and Sue are kind of in the same place: they support the other two. Every now and then they have their own thing, but when Sue does it she has to be alone, and when Ben does, it usually goes wrong for some reason – at least he did back then. So I just wanted to take it out. It’s hard to write about the Fantastic Four, because it’s so much more family-friendly. Which I like, but I want to talk about the Thing and how important it is to the whole world: to me, as important as Spider-Man to this world.

Is Thing # 1 Good?

It’s a slow burn, which is odd considering the hectic pace of events in the first 12 pages of the book. This includes a prison cameo of Hercules, explained by a modestly sized explanatory text balloon. The purpose of this introductory issue is to lead three characters, including two new ones, together on the last page: Ben, his bounce date Amaryllis DeJure, and a new villain, whose visual treatment vaguely reminded me of Jack Kirby’s the Wrecker.

Reilly’s precise, minimalist pencil style serves the overall tone of The Thing well, as does the semi-symmetrical rock pattern he chose for some of Ben’s close-ups. Corn Thing # 1 it is even more of a pitch than of a sale; I’m intrigued mainly because I’m guessing the creative cravings Mosley wants to scratch.

The story features a factual intersection of beings from other dimensions, fabulous high tech, mutated people, and ordinary life, hallmarks of the Marvel Age ushered in by Kirby. It’s not as subtle as a tribute or as overt as a love note, but it’s certainly the work of a longtime fan.

A panel that jumped

Image: Walter Mosley, Tom Reilly / Marvel Comics

When Ben signs up for a dating service, whose concierge is apparently Tinkerbell, he is asked for his biographical details. “Race? Non-white,” is a nice little laugh, but also evocative of how Mosley, who is black, has seen Ben Grimm since he was a young fan. Again, from ComicsXF:

When I was a child, I identified him as a brother. What I would say now is that he’s not like a white American character. People don’t want him; they are afraid of him. When he walks into a room, they want to get away from him. When he sits in a restaurant they say “we don’t have chairs that will suit you”. His girlfriend must be blind because if she saw who he really was it wouldn’t work out well. It is therefore a matter of being classified as a second-class person. Necessary – “I need your strength, I need you to support me and be there for me” – but also, “you make me nervous”.