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91-533: Known for his trademark rocky appearance, he has superhuman strength, a sense of humor, and the battle cry and catchphrase "It's clobberin' time!" Thing's speech patterns are loosely based on Jimmy Durante . A key feature throughout his character arc has him struggling to accept his newfound powers, which often culminates in his returning to his human form before going back to his mutated form. The Thing notably appeared in other media, including live-action films , with Michael Bailey Smith and Carl Ciarfalio playing

182-560: A 1973 try-out in two issues of Marvel Feature , the Thing starred in the long-running series Marvel Two-in-One . In each issue, Ben Grimm would team up with another character from the Marvel Universe , often an obscure or colorful character. The series helped to introduce characters from Marvel's lineup, by way of teaming up with the more recognizable Thing. In 1992, Marvel reprinted four Two-in-One stories (#50, 51, 77 and 80) as

273-562: A 2005 episode of the Superman prequel series Smallville , on which Johns's studio mate Jeph Loeb was a writer–producer, featured a villain by the name of Geoff Johns. In 2008, Johns wrote "Legion", the eleventh episode of the eighth season , in which he introduced the three core members of the Legion of Super-Heroes . At the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con , he announced that he was writing another Smallville episode, titled "Society", based on

364-513: A bomb. The young man dies and the Thing verbally blasts both sides for not caring about the civilians caught in the conflict. He announces that, while he thinks the registration is wrong, he is also not going to fight the government and is thus leaving the country for France. While in France, he meets Les Héros de Paris (The Heroes of Paris). Ben returns to New York as both sides of the SHRA battle in

455-662: A car town. I make a lot of my characters from Detroit. I think self-made, blue-collar heroes represent Detroit. Wally West's Flash was like that. I took the inspiration of the city and the people there and used it in the books." Johns' Flash run concluded with #225. He co-wrote a Beast Boy limited series with Ben Raab in 2000 and crafted the "Return to Krypton" story arc in the Superman titles with Pasqual Ferry in 2002. After writing The Avengers vol. 3 #57–76 (Oct. 2002–Feb. 2004) and Avengers Icons: The Vision #1–4 (Oct. 2002–Jan. 2003) for Marvel Comics , Johns oversaw

546-626: A co-producer and creative consultant for the 2011 Green Lantern film directed by Martin Campbell and starring Ryan Reynolds . Johns was an executive producer on the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice . Following negative critical reception to the film, Johns and Jon Berg were named to jointly run the DC Extended Universe and a newly established Warner Bros. division, DC Films , in May 2016. They served as producers on

637-454: A four-issue miniseries written by Evan Dorkin and illustrated by Dean Haspiel , The Thing: Night Falls on Yancy Street . The story was more character-driven than the stories that usually feature the Thing. Tom Spurgeon found its outlook on relationships "depressing". After the success of the 2005 Fantastic Four feature film and events in the comics series that resulted in Grimm becoming

728-507: A four-issue miniseries written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Scott Kolins , in which the Thing travels across the United States by train, inadvertently stumbling upon a deformed gypsy boy he once ridiculed as a teenager, who is now the super-strong main attraction of a troupe of traveling circus freaks . He later discovers a town full of alien Kree and Skrull warriors fighting over a Watcher infant. In 2003, Marvel released

819-643: A group of colleagues announced at the New York Comic Con that they were forming a cooperative media company called Ghost Machine , which would publish creator-owned comics , and allow the participating creators to benefit from the development of their intellectual properties . The company publishes its books through Image Comics , and its other founders includes Brad Meltzer , Jason Fabok , Gary Frank , Bryan Hitch , Francis Manapul , and Peter J. Tomasi , all of whom would produce comics work exclusively through that company. Johns' inaugural work for

910-544: A higher stage of society. Geoff Johns Geoffrey Johns (born January 25, 1973) is an American comic book writer , screenwriter , and film and television producer. Johns's work on the DC Comics characters Green Lantern , Aquaman , Flash , and Superman has drawn critical acclaim. His critically acclaimed work includes Sinestro Corps War , Blackest Night , Throne of Atlantis , Flashpoint , Doomsday Clock , and Superman: Brainiac . He co-created

1001-442: A lead voice as well as serving as voice director on the film. This association led to Johns contributing material to the fourth season of Robot Chicken . In 2012, Johns joined The CW 's Green Arrow origin series Arrow , as a writer. He first contributed to the first-season episode "Muse of Fire", which served as the introduction of The Huntress , the teleplay for which he co-wrote with executive producer Marc Guggenheim from

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1092-520: A limited extent in Captain Savage and his Leatherneck Raiders #7. While in the military, Nick Fury sends him, Logan and Carol Danvers on a top secret surveillance mission into Vladivostok . Following this, he becomes an astronaut for NASA , taking part in attempts to reach the Moon, occurring at a time before any crewed spaceship had escaped Earth's orbit. In keeping with an early taboo in

1183-635: A millionaire, the Thing was once again given his own series in 2005, The Thing , written by Dan Slott and penciled by Andrea Di Vito and Kieron Dwyer . It was canceled with issue #8 in 2006. The Thing was a member of The New Avengers , when that team debuted in their self-titled second series in 2010. He appeared as a regular character throughout the 2010–2013 New Avengers series, from issue #1 (Aug. 2010) through its final issue #34 (Jan. 2013). The Thing had another solo series in 2021, written by Walter Mosely and illustrated by Tom Reilly, which lasted for six issues. A new limited series, Clobberin' Time ,

1274-517: A miniseries under the title The Adventures of the Thing . The series was cancelled after 100 issues and seven Annual s to make way for a solo series. The cancellation of Marvel Two-in-One led to the Thing's first completely solo series, which ran for 36 issues. The Thing was originally written by John Byrne and later, Mike Carlin . The series also featured art by Ron Wilson and later by Paul Neary . It elaborated on Ben Grimm's poor childhood on Yancy Street in its early issues, and chronicled

1365-476: A production company, Mad Ghost Productions, while continuing to work with Warner Bros on writing and producing film, television and comic book titles based on DC Extended Universe and other DC properties such as films Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods . In 2023, he co-founded the media company Ghost Machine alongside several other comic book writers and artists to publish independent work. Geoff Johns

1456-558: A soft spot. During this unauthorized ride into the upper atmosphere of Earth and the Van Allen Belts , they are pelted by a cosmic ray storm and exposed to radiation against which the ship's shields are no protection. Upon crashing down to Earth, each of the four learn that they have developed fantastic superhuman abilities. Grimm's skin is transformed into a thick, lumpy orange hide, which gradually evolves into his now-familiar craggy covering of large rocky plates. Richards proposes

1547-493: A space rocket to explore the regions of space around Mars; Grimm jokingly agrees to fly that rocket when the day comes. The details of his life story have been modified over the decades. Prior to the stories published in the 1970s, Grimm, after earning multiple advanced degrees in engineering, serves in the United States Marine Corps as a test pilot during World War II . These exploits are chronicled to

1638-430: A spin-off for the character with the 20th episode acting as a backdoor pilot. CW executives were so pleased with the handling of the character that they forwent the backdoor pilot, in favor of a full-fledged version. In May 2014, The Flash was picked up to series, to premiere later that year. Johns serves as co-developer and executive producer. He co-wrote, with Kai Yu Wu , the episodes "Going Rogue", which introduces

1729-505: A steadfast member of the Fantastic Four. In a Fantastic Four comic published in 2005, Ben learns that he is entitled to a large sum of money, his share of the Fantastic Four fortune, which Reed Richards had never touched, as he had the shares of the other teammates (who were family members) to pay off various debts of the group. The Thing uses his newfound wealth to build a community center in his old neighborhood on Yancy Street,

1820-405: A story by co-creator Andrew Kreisberg . Later in the season, Johns wrote the sixteenth episode, "Dead to Rights". The episode was directed by frequent Johns collaborator Glen Winter . On July 30, 2013, it was announced at the summer TCA tour that Johns and Arrow co-creators Kreisberg and Greg Berlanti would be introducing Barry Allen in the second season of the show, with the potential of

1911-407: A writer and producer deal with Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment. He opened Mad Ghost Productions, a production company that works on film, television and comic books based on DC Comics properties. At San Diego Comic-Con in 2018, DC announced a new "pop-up" imprint, The Killing Zone , to be curated by Johns. It was initially set to begin publishing in May 2019. In May 2020, Johns confirmed that

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2002-422: Is a phrase or expression recognized by its repeated utterance. Such phrases often originate in popular culture and in the arts, and typically spread through word of mouth and a variety of mass media (such as films, internet, literature and publishing, television, and radio). Some become the de facto or literal "trademark" or "signature" of the person or character with whom they originated, and can be instrumental in

2093-582: Is a reluctant member of the pro-registration side of the controversy over the 2006 Superhuman Registration Act (SHRA), until he witnesses a battle on Yancy Street in which Captain America 's forces try to rescue captured allies held by Iron Man 's forces. The Fantastic Four's foes the Mad Thinker and the Puppet Master try to escalate the battle, using a mind-controlled Yancy Streeter to deliver

2184-475: Is actually Lyja , a member of the shape-changing alien race known as the Skrulls . The real Alicia, who was kept in suspended animation , is rescued by the Fantastic Four and reunited with the Thing. Ben begins dating a teacher named Debbie Green. Ben soon asks Debbie to marry him, which she accepts. He later leaves her at the altar when he realizes the dangers of the wives of superheroes . Ben and Alicia, on

2275-430: Is eight years old. This portion of his own life is modeled on that of Jack Kirby , who grew up on tough Delancey Street , whose brother died when he was young, whose father was named Benjamin, and who was named Jacob at birth. Following the death of his parents, Ben is raised by his Uncle Jake (who married a much younger wife, Petunia, who becomes a frequent reference used by the character until her death). He comes to lead

2366-745: Is eventually revealed that this Alicia was actually the Skrull impostor Lyja ). An angry Grimm wallows in self-pity for a time, later on accompanying the West Coast Avengers , and actually joining the team for a while. Eventually, he returns to his surrogate family as leader of the Fantastic Four when Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman leave the team to raise their son Franklin, at which point Ben invites Crystal and Ms. Marvel II (Sharon Ventura) to fill their slots. Soon after Sharon and Ben are irradiated with cosmic rays, Sharon becomes

2457-582: Is later seen captive in Madison Square Garden, which the Hulk has turned into a gladiatorial arena, with an obedience disk fitted on him. Released from his imprisonment, Ben, Spider-Man , and Luke Cage attack the Warbound , with Ben fighting Korg . Their battle is brought to an abrupt end when Hiroim repairs the damage to Manhattan Island, drawing the energy to do so from Ben and Korg. In

2548-535: Is similar to telling a joke and a way to form solidarity with others. "People are doing it to feel good about themselves, to make others laugh, to make themselves laugh," he said. He found that all of the participants in his study had used film quotes in conversation at one point or another. "They overwhelmingly cited comedies, followed distantly by dramas and action adventure flicks." Horror films, musicals and children's films were hardly ever cited. The existence of catchphrases predates modern mass media. A description of

2639-480: Is the blind Alicia Masters, and he is intensely protective of her. When Johnny starts a relationship of his own with Alicia and they become engaged, Grimm is upset. However, he has to concede that, unlike himself and his stone-covered body, Johnny can "be a man". He agrees to act as best man at their wedding. The relationship between Alicia and Johnny ends with the revelation that the Alicia that Johnny fell in love with

2730-429: Is the co-founder and former co-chairman of DC Films and former co-runner of DC Extended Universe until 2018. In film, he was a producer or executive producer of Green Lantern (2011), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Suicide Squad (2016), Wonder Woman (2017), Justice League (2017), Shazam! (2019), Birds of Prey (2020), co-wrote and produced the story for Aquaman (2018) and wrote

2821-834: The Secret Invasion : Fantastic Four miniseries, the Skrull Lyja, posing as Sue, sends the Baxter Building , with Ben, Johnny, Franklin, and Valeria inside, into the Negative Zone . Not long after their arrival, Ben has to protect Franklin and Valeria from an impending onslaught of giant insects. With the aid of the Tinkerer , who Ben broke out of the Negative Zone Prison, they, with the exception of Lyja who stayed behind, were able to return to

Thing (comics) - Misplaced Pages Continue

2912-523: The Indigo Tribe , DC Comics writer and executive Paul Levitz noted in 2010 that "One of Johns' sharpest additions to DC mythology is the notion that the Green Lanterns are but one color within a rainbow spectrum, and that the other hues have their own champions. Folding in old concepts and inventing new ones, Johns has established limitless story possibilities." On February 18, 2010, Johns

3003-618: The Justice Society of America . The success of his first episode and the ambitious nature of his follow-up episode enabled the producers to transform it into a two-part story, which subsequently aired as a feature-length episode titled " Absolute Justice ". In 2006, Johns co-wrote the story for the Justice League Unlimited episode "Ancient History", which starred Green Lantern , Hawkgirl , Hawkman , Shadow Thief , and Vixen . Johns and David S. Goyer co-wrote

3094-495: The Marvel Universe . In the 2004 Fantastic Four story "Hereafter Part 1: A Glimpse of God", the Thing is killed by an energy weapon wielded by Reed Richards, but is brought back to life in one story by the hand of God. Out of universe, Jack Kirby featured the Thing on his family's 1976 Hanukkah card. Some years later, Reed Richards, now a successful scientist, once again makes contact with Grimm. Richards has built his spaceship, and reminds Grimm of his promise to fly it. After

3185-625: The Sandman and manages to escape the prison with the aid of a plan coordinated by the She-Hulk and Ant-Man , allowing him to rejoin Sue and Johnny to investigate Reed's recent abduction, revealing that the dead Puppet Master came from the alternate Earth Franklin had created. As the Fantastic Four disbanded in the aftermath of the " Secret Wars " storyline, the Thing is working with the Guardians of

3276-556: The She-Hulk to fill in for him. Mister Fantastic did leave him with the device needed to return to Earth when it comes time. The Thing's time on Battleworld lasted until Ben eventually decides to return home after defeating Ultron and slaying his manifested dark side Grimm the Sorcerer. Once he left, the planet had no more reason to exist and so it broke apart. On returning to Earth, he learns that Alicia had become romantically involved with his teammate Johnny Storm during his absence (it

3367-499: The Shema , an important and oft-recited Jewish prayer (which, translated to English, begins "Hear, O Israel") over the dying Sheckerberg, who eventually recovers. In a later story, Grimm agrees to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah , since it has been 13 years, the age a Jewish boy celebrates his Bar Mitzvah, since he began his "second life" as the Thing. To celebrate the ceremony, Grimm organizes a poker tournament for every available superhero in

3458-584: The X-Men and the Avengers. During the 2011 " Fear Itself " storyline, Ben lifts one of the seven fallen hammers of the Serpent and becomes Angrir: Breaker of Souls. In this form, he then destroys Yancy Street and Avengers Tower, and battles Spider-Man, Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman, before confronting Thor, who seriously wounds him. Franklin then uses his powers to restore Ben to his normal self, free from

3549-544: The pilot for the Spike TV drama Blade , which premiered in June 2006. Johns served as one of the writing staff on the television show. Later that year, Johns teamed up with Matthew Senreich of Robot Chicken fame to write the screenplay for a holiday family-friendly movie titled Naughty or Nice for Dimension Films . Johns and Senreich are billed as directors of the movie, with actor/producer Seth Green set to provide

3640-452: The typecasting of a particular actor. Catchphrases are often humorous, but are never long enough or structured enough to be jokes in themselves. However, a catchphrase can be (or become) the punch line of a joke, or a callback reminder of a previous joke. According to Richard Harris, a psychology professor at Kansas State University who studied why people like to cite films in social situations, using film quotes in everyday conversation

3731-572: The "Grimm Youth Center". Thinking the center is named after the Thing himself, the Yancy Street Gang plans to graffiti the building exterior, but discovers the building was actually named after Daniel Grimm, Ben's deceased older brother and former leader of the gang. The relationship between the Yancy Streeters and the Thing is then effectively reconciled, or at least changed to a more good-natured, playful rivalry (as exemplified by

Thing (comics) - Misplaced Pages Continue

3822-450: The 142 registered superheroes who appear on the cover of the comic book Avengers: The Initiative #1. Ben once again tries to take on the Hulk within the events of the 2007 storyline " World War Hulk " to buy Reed Richards the time he needs to complete his plans for the Hulk. Ben gives his best shots, but the Hulk takes his punches without slowing down. The Hulk proceeds to knock out Ben by punching both sides of his head simultaneously. He

3913-848: The 1960s and 1970s. He has named the Flash as his favorite character, stating that he owns every issue of it. Johns eventually began to patronize a comics shop in Traverse City , recalling that the first new comics he bought were Crisis on Infinite Earths #3 or 4 and The Flash #348 or 349, as the latter was his favorite character. As Johns continued collecting comics, he gravitated toward DC Comics and later Vertigo , and drew comics. After graduating from Clarkston High School in 1991, he studied media arts, screenwriting, film production and film theory at Michigan State University . He graduated from Michigan State in 1995, and then moved to Los Angeles, California. In Los Angeles, Johns cold-called

4004-493: The 2017 film Justice League . Johns also co-wrote the story for Aquaman with James Wan and Will Beall , co-wrote the story for Green Lantern Corps with David S. Goyer and co-wrote Wonder Woman 1984 with Patty Jenkins and David Callaham . In January 2018, after Justice League underperformed at the box office, Jon Berg was replaced by Walter Hamada as the head of DC Films, with Johns still working "closely" with Hamada on future productions. " Recruit ",

4095-659: The Baxter Building is now owned by a new superhero team, Fantastix, the Thing allows his teammates to use his hometown in Yancy Street as their current operation base. The Thing is generally well liked by other heroes within the Marvel Universe . Grimm's relationship with his teammates has been a close but occasionally edgy one given his temper. He and Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) often argue and clash but they do respect each other. Grimm's first love interest

4186-589: The DC Comics offices, and offered Johns the opportunity to suggest ideas, which led to Johns pitching Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. , a series based on the second Star-Spangled Kid and her stepfather, to editor Chuck Kim a year later. Johns expected to write comics "on the side", until he met David Goyer and James Robinson , who were working on JSA . After looking at Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. , Robinson offered Johns co-writing duties on JSA in 2000, and Johns credits both him and Mike Carlin with shepherding him into

4277-960: The DC character Courtney Whitmore based on his deceased sister. He also expanded the Green Lantern mythology, adding in new concepts and co-creating numerous characters. Among the DC characters and concepts he co-created are Larfleeze , the Sinestro Corps , the Indigo Tribe , the Red Lantern Corps , Atrocitus , the Black Lantern Corps , Jessica Cruz , Hunter Zolomon , Tar Pit , Simon Baz , Bleez , Miss Martian , and Kate Kane . He served as Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of DC Entertainment from 2010 to 2018 and as President and CCO from 2016 to 2018. He

4368-728: The Fantastic Four (including X-Men member Iceman ) fight the Griever at the End of All Things after Mister Fantastic persuaded the Griever to let him summon the Thing and the Human Torch. As the Thing and his teammates finally return to 616, while the Future Foundation stays behind to keep learning about the Multiverse, the Thing reveals to them that he and Alicia proposed their wedding and are about to get married soon. Although

4459-654: The Galaxy, and the Human Torch is acting as an ambassador with the Inhumans and becoming part of the Uncanny Avengers. During the 2017 " Secret Empire " storyline, the Thing appears as a member of the Underground, which is a resistance movement against HYDRA ever since they took over the United States, until the real Captain America returns, ending HYDRA's empires and defeating his HYDRA counterpart. To help

4550-609: The Human Torch in Strange Tales #124 (1964), which previously featured solo adventures of the Human Torch and backup Doctor Strange stories. The change was intended to liven the comic through the always humorous chemistry between the Torch and the Thing. They were replaced in #135 (1965) with the "modern-day" version of Nick Fury , Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. , who had already been appearing in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos . After

4641-457: The Serpent's possession. In the 2014 " Original Sin " storyline, after learning from the eye of the murdered Uatu that Johnny Storm unintentionally sabotaged an experiment that could have allowed Grimm to become human again, Ben is found having apparently murdered the Puppet Master ; the crime was committed in a sealed room that even Reed Richards could barely penetrate, with Alicia Masters as

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4732-461: The She-Thing, lumpy much like Ben was in his first few appearances, while Ben mutates into a new rockier, more powerful form. After being further mutated into the more monstrous rocky form, Ben is briefly changed back to his human form, and returned leadership of the Fantastic Four to Reed Richards. Grimm once more returned to his traditional orange rocky form out of love for Ms. Marvel. He remains

4823-451: The TV series Supergirl , credits Johns with the idea that Hank Henshaw was really Martian Manhunter during production of that series' pilot in 2015. In July 2018, Johns announced that he would be writing and executive-producing a DC Universe television series about Courtney Whitmore , a character that he created, titled Stargirl . The series premiered in May 2020. In April 2020, it

4914-431: The TV series The Flash (2014–2023), Titans (2018–2023), and Doom Patrol (2019–2023) and created and produced the TV series Batwoman (2019–2022), Stargirl (2020–2022) and Superman & Lois (2020–present). His other work in television includes writing and producing various episodes of Blade , Smallville and Arrow . In 2018, he stepped down from his executive role at DC Entertainment to open

5005-490: The Thing cope with Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman's disappearance, the Human Torch takes him on a journey through the Multiverse, using the Multisect to find them. They have not been able to find Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman, as they return to Earth-616 empty-handed. The Thing and the Human Torch were reunited with Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman to help alongside other superheroes who were part of

5096-464: The Thing's later foray into the world of professional wrestling . It also featured a major storyline offshoot from Marvel's Secret Wars event, in which the Thing elects to remain on the Beyonder 's Battleworld after discovering that the planet enables him to return to human form at will. A full third of the series' stories take place on Battleworld. In 2002, Marvel released The Thing: Freakshow ,

5187-406: The Yancy Street gang at one point. Excelling in football as a high school student, Ben receives a full scholarship to Empire State University, where he first meets his eventual lifelong friend in a teenaged genius named Reed Richards , as well as future enemy Victor von Doom . Despite their being from radically different backgrounds, science student Richards describes to Grimm his dream of building

5278-585: The character first appeared in The Fantastic Four #1 (Nov. 1961). Kirby modeled the character after himself. In addition to appearing in the Fantastic Four, the Thing has been the star of Marvel Two-in-One , Strange Tales (with his fellow Fantastic Four member the Human Torch ), and two incarnations of his own eponymous series, as well as numerous miniseries and one-shots . The Thing joined his Fantastic Four partner and frequent rival

5369-624: The character in his human and mutated forms respectively in the unreleased film The Fantastic Four . Michael Chiklis played the character in the 2005 Fantastic Four film and its 2007 sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer , and Jamie Bell in the 2015 reboot . Ebon Moss-Bachrach will portray the character in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe films The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), Avengers: Doomsday (2026), and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby ,

5460-492: The city. Indifferent to choosing sides, Ben focuses on protecting civilians from harm. In Fantastic Four #543 (March 2007), Ben celebrates the Fantastic Four's 11th anniversary along with the Human Torch, and latecomers Reed and Sue. The aftermath of the Civil War is still being felt in this issue, as Ben and Johnny (and even Franklin ) consider the future of the team and Reed and Sue's marriage. When Reed and Sue arrive near

5551-480: The comic ending, with the Yancy Streeters spray-painting the sleeping Thing). Some personality traits of the cantankerously lovable, occasionally cigar-smoking, Jewish native of the Lower East Side are popularly recognized as having been inspired by those of co-creator Jack Kirby, who in interviews has said he intended Grimm to be an alter ego of himself. Initially in the 2006 storyline " Civil War ", Ben

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5642-502: The comic superhero world against revealing a character's religion, the fact that Grimm is Jewish was not explicitly revealed until four decades after his creation, in the story "Remembrance of Things Past" in Fantastic Four vol. 3, #56 (Aug. 2002). In this story, Grimm returns to his old neighborhood to find Mr. Sheckerberg, a pawn shop owner he knew as a child. Flashbacks during this story reveal Grimm's Jewish heritage. He recites

5733-531: The comics industry. He also credits reading James Robinson's The Golden Age as the book responsible for his love of the characters featured in the book, and for his decision to accept writing duties on JSA . That same year, Johns became the regular writer on The Flash ongoing series with issue 164. Johns' work on The Flash represents one example of his modeling of various elements in his stories after aspects of his birth town, explaining, "When I wrote The Flash , I turned Keystone City into Detroit, made it

5824-543: The company was writing Geiger: Ground Zero , a two-issue series drawing by Frank that serves as a prequel to their 2021 miniseries of the same name. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, the book centers upon a man named Tariq Geiger who lost his family and his humanity in a nuclear war, when he was transformed into the Glowing Man, a being who can absorb radiation but struggles to contain it. Ground Zero would be followed by an ongoing Geiger series. Johns served as

5915-503: The conclusion of Johns's mini series, Flashpoint , and the crossover storyline of the same name, DC Comics instituted an initiative called The New 52 , in which the publisher cancelled all of its superhero titles and relaunched 52 new series with #1 issues, wiping out most of the then-current continuity. Johns and artist Jim Lee , DC Comics' Co-Publisher, launched the line with a new Justice League series, written and illustrated by Johns and Lee, respectively. The series' first story arc

6006-482: The corners of streets. Not one utters this phrase without producing a laugh from all within hearing. It seems applicable to every circumstance, and is the universal answer to every question; in short, it is the favourite slang phrase of the day, a phrase that, while its brief season of popularity lasts, throws a dash of fun and frolicsomeness over the existence of squalid poverty and ill-requited labour, and gives them reason to laugh as well as their more fortunate fellows in

6097-557: The first in a series of graphic novels intended to redefine Batman. In 2013, after writing Green Lantern for nine years, Johns ended his run with issue 20 of the New 52 series, which was released May 22, 2013. DC Comics' All Access webcast announced on February 4, 2014, that Johns would be writing the Superman series which would be drawn by John Romita Jr. The Johns/Romita Jr. team was joined by inker Klaus Janson . In May 2016, Johns

6188-399: The government denies him permission to fly the spaceship himself, Richards plots a clandestine flight piloted by Grimm and accompanied by his future wife Susan Storm , who had helped provide funding for the rocket, and her younger brother Johnny Storm , who helped the group gain access to the launch system. Although reluctant to fly the rocket, Ben is persuaded to do so by Sue, for whom he has

6279-595: The imprint was in development. In November 2020, it was announced that Johns would launch a new creator-owned series from Image Comics titled Geiger with long-time collaborator Gary Frank , to debut in April 2021. The series would be his first independent comics series in more than ten years. In September 2021 it was reported that Johns and Frank would expand "The Unnamed Universe" of Geiger , starting with Junkyard Joe in October 2022. On October 12, 2023, Johns and

6370-528: The issue's end, they announce that they are taking a break from the team and have found two replacement members: the Black Panther , and Storm of the X-Men . The title of the story in this issue is a quote from Ben, "Come on, Suzie, don't leave us hangin'." Ben Grimm served as one of the pallbearers at the memorial service for Captain America, along with Tony Stark, Ms. Marvel, Rick Jones, T'Challa and Sam Wilson. Ben has been identified as Number 53 of

6461-525: The monstrous form of the Thing, Grimm's body rejects various attempts by Richards to restore his human form, lest he lose Masters' love. Grimm has remained a stalwart member of the Fantastic Four for years. The Thing first fought the Hulk early in his career, with many such further clashes over the years. Not long after that, he is first reverted to his human form, but is then restored to his Thing form to battle Doctor Doom . Grimm has been temporarily replaced on

6552-532: The new Booster Gold series. That same year, Johns helmed the critically acclaimed " Sinestro Corps War " storyline in the Green Lantern titles. He wrote the " Final Crisis " one-shot Rage of the Red Lanterns with artist Shane Davis and collaborated with Gary Frank on Action Comics . Johns and Frank produced the " Brainiac " storyline in which Superman's adopted father Jonathan Kent

6643-602: The office of director Richard Donner looking for an internship, and while Johns was being transferred to various people, Donner picked up the phone by accident, leading to a conversation and the internship. Johns started off copying scripts, and after about two months, was hired as a production assistant for Donner, whom Johns regards as his mentor. While working on the production of Donner's 1997 film Conspiracy Theory , Johns visited New York City, where he met DC Comics personnel such as Eddie Berganza , reigniting his childhood interest in comics. Berganza invited Johns to tour

6734-547: The only witness. Although Ben claims innocence, his depression over recent events prompts him to accept incarceration in the Raft. Although power-dampeners in the Raft restrict his strength to a more manageable level, he is attacked by various other thick-skinned superhumans — including the Armadillo and Ironclad — on orders of the current 'boss' of the prison, Sharon Ventura , the She-Thing. Eventually, Ben forms an alliance with

6825-579: The other hand, do get married, despite an attack by Galactus. Later, in the aftermath of conflict between the Kree , the Skrulls and the Cotati, Ben and Alicia adopt two orphans, Kree boy Jo-Venn and Skrull girl N'Kala. Grimm is best friends with Reed Richards , whom he addresses with the nickname "Stretch", due to Richards' natural height and his ability to stretch his body. However, Grimm also holds Reed responsible for his condition, since Richards had dismissed

6916-573: The phenomenon is found in Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds published by Charles Mackay in 1841: And, first of all, walk where we will, we cannot help hearing from every side a phrase repeated with delight, and received with laughter, by men with hard hands and dirty faces, by saucy butcher lads and errand-boys, by loose women, by hackney coachmen, cabriolet-drivers, and idle fellows who loiter at

7007-603: The potential danger of the cosmic rays that gave them their powers, although Grimm had taken them very seriously. At times of real frustration towards Reed, Grimm refers to him simply as "Richards". Grimm is the godfather of Reed and Sue 's son Franklin , who affectionately calls him "Unca Ben". The Thing's primary superhuman power is his great physical strength. Over the years, as a result of further mutation and rigorous training on machines designed by Reed Richards, his strength has increased dramatically. Catchphrase A catchphrase (alternatively spelled catch phrase )

7098-665: The quartet band together to use their new abilities for the betterment of humanity, and Grimm, in a moment of self-pity, adopts the super-heroic sobriquet, the Thing . The team clashes with the Mole Man in their first appearance. Trapped in his monstrous form, Grimm is an unhappy yet reliable member of the team. He trusts in his friend Reed Richards to one day develop a cure for his condition. However, when he encounters blind sculptor Alicia Masters , Grimm develops an unconscious resistance to being transformed back to his human form. Subconsciously fearing that Masters prefers him to remain in

7189-536: The re-launch of Hawkman and Teen Titans . Johns was responsible for the return of Hal Jordan in 2005 as the writer of the Green Lantern: Rebirth mini-series and subsequent Green Lantern ongoing title. Johns was the writer of the Infinite Crisis crossover limited series (December 2005 – June 2006), a sequel to 1985's Crisis on Infinite Earths . Following this, Johns

7280-457: The regular Marvel Universe just after the invasion was over. Following the Siege of Asgard , Luke Cage asks Ben to serve on his Avengers team. Although Ben states that his loyalty will always be to the Fantastic Four, Cage confirms that he is not asking Ben to resign from his original team, merely suggesting that Ben split his time between the two teams, as Wolverine divides his time between

7371-526: The screenplay for Wonder Woman 1984 (2020). Johns' involvement with DC Entertainment as producer, writer and executive has helped turn the DC Extended Universe franchise into the eleventh highest-grossing film franchise of all-time, having grossed over $ 5.6 billion at the global box office. The franchise's highest-grossing film, Aquaman , earned over $ 1.15 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing DC film to-date. He co-developed

7462-503: The team twice. First, after Grimm temporarily lost his powers and reverted to human form, Reed Richards hired Luke Cage (then using the code name "Power Man") to take his place until Richards had completed a Thing-suit for Ben (however, Ben unexpectedly reverted into the actual Thing again later on). Years later, after Grimm chose to remain on Battleworld in the aftermath of the " Secret Wars " due to his apparent control over his transformation between his human and mutated states, he asked

7553-543: The villain Leonard Snart/Captain Cold to the series, and "Revenge of the Rogues", which brought the rogue Heat Wave to the series fully after being introduced off screen in "Going Rogue". In a July 2015 interview, Johns said he was collaborating with Reginald Hudlin and Denys Cowan on a live-action digital Static series from DC and Warner Bros. Blue Ribbon division. Kreisberg, a producer on

7644-723: Was a new origin of the Justice League, which depicted the return of DC's primary superheroes to the team. Johns's contributions to The New 52 include a serialized Shazam! (Captain Marvel) backup feature in Justice League that began with issue #7, as well as the relaunched Aquaman and Green Lantern monthly titles. Johns and Gary Frank collaborated on the Batman: Earth One graphic novel, an out of continuity story, released in mid-2012, which served as

7735-464: Was born January 25, 1973, in Detroit, Michigan , the son of Barbara and Fred Johns. He is of half- Lebanese ancestry and grew up in the suburbs of Grosse Pointe and Clarkston . As a child, Johns and his brother first discovered comics through an old box of comics they found in their grandmother's attic, which included copies of The Flash , Superman , Green Lantern , and Batman from

7826-598: Was killed and retold Superman's origin story in 2009's Superman: Secret Origin . Also in 2009, Johns teamed with artist Ethan Van Sciver on The Flash: Rebirth miniseries, which centered on the return of Barry Allen as the Flash and wrote the Blackest Night limited series. Commenting on Johns's creation of such concepts as the Blue Lantern Corps , the Red Lantern Corps , and

7917-525: Was launched in 2023, written and illustrated by Steve Skroce . The series sees Thing teaming up with various heroes. Born on Yancy Street in New York City 's Lower East Side , to a Jewish family, Benjamin Jacob "Ben" Grimm has an early life of poverty and hardship, shaping him into a tough, streetwise scrapper. His older brother Daniel , whom Ben idolizes, is killed in a street gang fight when Ben

8008-588: Was named the Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment , which was established to expand the DC Comics brand across other media platforms. Johns stated that the position would not affect his writing. He then co-wrote the Brightest Day series with Peter Tomasi . He and Marv Wolfman were the principal writers of DC Universe Online , a massively multiplayer online role-playing game released in 2011. In September 2011, following

8099-654: Was one of four writers, with Mark Waid , Grant Morrison , and Greg Rucka , on the 2006–2007 weekly series 52 . In 2006, Johns and Kurt Busiek co-wrote the " Up, Up and Away! " story arc in Superman and Action Comics . He then reunited with Richard Donner on the " Last Son " storyline in Action Comics with Donner co-plotting the series with his former assistant. The Justice Society of America series by Johns and artist Dale Eaglesham began in February 2007 and six months later, he and Jeff Katz launched

8190-605: Was promoted to President and Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment and reported to Diane Nelson , the President of DC Entertainment. Johns and Gary Frank collaborated on Doomsday Clock , a limited series featuring Superman and Doctor Manhattan . Johns and Richard Donner co-wrote "The Car" chapter in Action Comics #1000 (June 2018) which was drawn by Olivier Coipel . In June 2018, Johns stepped down from his executive role at DC Entertainment and entered into

8281-470: Was reported that Johns is to produce a series based on Green Lantern for HBO Max . In October 2022, it was announced that Paramount Television Studios would develop a TV adaptation of Geiger from Johns and Justin Simien , with Johns writing the pilot, serving as showrunner , and executive producing along with Jamie Iracleanos for Mad Ghost Productions, and Gary Frank. Johns' younger sister, Courtney,

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