The Thing (1983-86 series)

Issue #1, July 1983
Cover credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: The Thing
Story title: Lifelines
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Writer: John Byrne
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Editor: Al Milgrom

Story synopsis:
The Thing returns to Yancy Street, where he grew up, for a little reminiscing. He recounts his early years, including the death of his brother and the formation of the Fantastic Four.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Daniel Jacob Grimm, Yancy Street Gang, Thompson Avenue Gang, Uncle Jake, Aunt Alyce, Mr. Fantastic, Doctor Doom, The Invisible Woman, The Human Torch.

Issue #2, August 1983
Cover credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: The Thing
Character appearances:
Alynn Cambers
Story title: For Beauty Passed Away
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: John Byrne
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Rick Parker
Editor: Ann Nocenti

Story synopsis:
The Thing visits his girlfriend Alicia Masters in the hospital and tells her about his college love, Alynn Cambers.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Willie Lumpkin, Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, Jake Grimm, Alicia Masters, Alynn Cambers, Nan Freeman.

Issue #3, September 1983
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Bob Wiacek (Inker)
Cover Feature: The Thing and the Inhumans of Attilan
Character appearances:
The Inhumans
Story title: Turning Point
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inker: Hilary Barta
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Rick Parker
Editor: Ann Nocenti

Story synopsis:
The Thing helps Crystal save Luna, her human son, from being exposed to the Inhumans' Terragen Mist which might endow him with Inhuman powers.

Character appearances:
The Thing, The Inhumans (Black Bolt, Medusa, Gorgon, Karnak, Triton, Crystal, Quicksilver, Luna, Lockjaw)

Issue #4, October 1983
Cover Credits: Brent Anderson (Penciler/Inker)
Cover Feature: The Thing
Character appearances:
Lockjaw
Story title: I, Monster!
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue Credits:
Script: John Byrne
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inker: Hilary Barta
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Rick Parker
Editor: Ann Nocenti

Story synopsis:
The Thing and Lockjaw help Sarah Ann Jackson and her son Lucas against a small town's prejudice.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Sarah Ann Jackson, Lockjaw, Roberta, Puppet Master

Issue #5, November 1983
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Al Milgrom (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, Wonder Man
Character appearances:
Wonderman, She Hulk, Spider-Man
Story title: With Friends Like These...
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inker: Hilary Barta
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Jim Novak
Editor: Ann Nocenti

Story synopsis:
The Thing battles Wonder Man, She Hulk, and Spider-Man, who are being controlled by the Puppet Master

Character appearances:
The Thing, Wonder Man, She Hulk, Jarvis, Spider-Man, Puppet Master

Issue #6, December 1983
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Brent Anderson (Inker)
Cover Feature: The Thing
Story title: Mindscape!
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inker: Hilary Barta
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Rick Parker
Editor: Ann Nocenti

Story synopsis:
The Thing battles the Puppet Master inside the Thing's mind.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Wonder Man, She Hulk, Spider-Man, Puppet Master, Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, The Human Torch, Doctor Doom, Franklin Richards

Issue #7, January 1984
Cover Credits: John Byrne (?)(Penciler/Inker)
Cover Feature: The Thing
Character appearances:
Goody Two-Shoes
Publication notes:
Assistant Editor's Month
Story 1 title: Two-Fisted Feet
Sequence 1 - Story, 17 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inker: Hilary Barta
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Rick Parker
Editor: Ann Nocenti

Story synopsis:
The Thing fights an overrated Goody Two Shoes.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Goody Two-Shoes, Alicia Masters

Story 2 title: What Th' ?! (Note: this was written specially for Marvel's Assistant Editor's Month that very year.)
Sequence 2 - Story, 5 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Pencils: John Byrne
Inker: Hilary Barta
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Clem Robins
Editor: Ann Nocenti

Story synopsis:
The Thing confronts his artists about the first story.

Character appearances:
The Thing, John Byrne, Ron Wilson, Ann Nocenti

Issue #8, February 1984
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: The Thing
Character appearances:
Alicia Masters
Story title: Ancient Evenings, Ancient Pain
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Hilary Barta
Colorist: George Roussos
Letterer: Clem Robins
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Story synopsis:
The Thing has his body inhabited by an egyptian slave who wants a 4000 year-old revenge.

Character appearances:
The Thing, She-Hulk, Alicia Masters

Issue #9, March 1984
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (?)(Penciler), Joe Sinnott (?)(Inker)
Cover Feature: The Thing, Alicia Masters
Character appearances:
Alicia Masters
Story title: What Price A Soul?
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: George Roussos
Letterer: Jim Novak
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Story synopsis:
A mind-controlled Thing rampages in New York. The love of his girlfriend, Alicia Masters, saves him.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Alicia Masters

Issue #10, April 1984
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Rubinstein (Inker)
Cover Feature: The Thing, Mr. Fantastic, Human Torch
Character appearances:
Mr. Fantastic, The Human Torch
Story title: Marking Time
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: Julianna Ferriter
Letterer: Jim Novak
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Story synopsis:
The Thing and Alicia Masters spend a day in Central Park. The Thing, The Torch, and Mr. Fantastic are whisked away to The Secret Wars planet.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Alicia Masters, The Human Torch, Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman.

Series notes:
Interestingly enough, the series, while it did have its connections to Secret Wars at the time, never actually bore any signs of it on the cover. Of course, this was during the early days of when crossovers were starting out, so maybe that could explain everything.

Issue #11, May 1984
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing in his regular human form
Story title: Rocky Grimm, Space Ranger!
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: George Roussos
Letterer: Rick Parker
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Story synopsis:
Following Secret Wars, The Thing spends his first week alone on the planet. As he finds out, only on said planet can he turn back into his regular human form.

Character appearances:
The Thing; Llrrllllnnyyrrl (some character names they come up with, eh? Just the name to rival Mr. Mxyptylk, one of Superman's notable adversaries over at DC too!)

Issue #12, June 1984
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: The Thing, Tarianna
Character appearances:
Tarianna, Dr. Doom
Story title: DOOM!
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: George Roussos
Letterer: Jim Novak
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Story synopsis:
The Thing meets Tarianna on the Secret Wars planet. This new team battles Dr. Doom.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Hanrak of Leenn, Tarianna, Dr. Doom

Issue #13, July 1984
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Bill Sienkiewicz (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing, Tarianna
Character appearances:
Tarianna
Story title: In All The Gathering Gloom
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Michael Higgins
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Story synopsis:
The Thing and Tarianna battle a mind-altering machine left by Dr. Doom.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Tarianna, Hanrak of Leenn, Dr. Doom, Llrrllllnnyyrrl

Issue #14, August 1984
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Andy Mushynsky (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing
Story title: Wild Blue Yonder
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inkers: Joe Sinnott, Andy Mushynsky
Colorist: Julianna Ferriter
Letterer: Rick Parker
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Story synopsis:
The Thing and Tarianna help the Turek race battle their long-time rivals, the Silben, on The Secret Wars planet.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Tarianna, Billera

Issue #15, September 1984
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing, Tarianna
Character appearances:
Tarianna
Story title: It Started on {~/;){ Street (Yes, what you see there does indeed look like gibberish)
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Jim Novak
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Story synopsis:
The Thing battles The Secret Wars Planet's version of the Yancy Street Gang.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Tarianna, The Takers, Gruhl of Shalfbut, Llrrllllnnyyrrl, {~/;){ Street Gang

Issue #16, October 1984
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Bob Layton (Inker)
Cover Feature: Ben Grimm
Story title: One Thing Leads to Another!
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inkers: Joe Sinnott; Dan Bulanadi
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Jim Novak
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Story synopsis:
The Thing battles a race of Things on the Secret Wars Planet.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Tarianna, Alicia Masters

Issue #17, November 1984
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing
Character appearances:
The Rekoner
Story title: Blind Ambition!
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Joe Morelli
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Story synopsis:
The Thing battles the Rekoner on the Secret Wars Planet.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Tarianna, The Rekoner, Alicia Masters

Issue #18, December 1984
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing, Tarianna
Character appearances:
Tarianna
Story title: Family Man
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Bob Harras
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Editor: Mike Carlin

Story synopsis:
The Thing and Tarianna return Juneyar, the rightful king of Muab, to his city.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Tarianna, The Takers, Llrrllllnnllyyrrl