The Thing (1983-86 series)

Issue #19, January 1985
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing
Character appearances:
Death
Story title: Monster Mash!
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Mike Gustovich
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterers: Jim Novak, Squid
Editor: Mike Carlin

Story synopsis:
The Thing battles various monsters on the Secret Wars Planet (Continued in Fantastic Four #274).

Character appearances:
The Thing, Tarianna, The Takers, Llrrllllnnllyyrrl, Dracula, Death, The Mummy, Frankenstein

Issue #20, February 1985
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler) Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing, Tarianna
Character appearances:
Tarianna
Story title: The Way Things Were
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Mike Gustovich
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Joe Morelli
Editor: Mike Carlin

Story synopsis:
The Thing battles Tarianna inside her mind. Ultron is reborn.

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

Issue #21, March 1985
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing
Story title: Revelations!
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Rick Parker
Editor: Mike Carlin

Story synopsis:
The Thing battles a duplicate Ben Grimm on the Secret Wars Planet.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Tarianna, O'Houlihan, Llrrllllnnllyyrrl, Ultron

Issue #22, April 1985
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing
Character appearances:
Tarianna
Story title: To All Things -- An Ending!
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: John Byrne
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: John Morelli
Editor: Mike Carlin

Story synopsis:
The Thing confronts and defeats his double on The Secret Wars Planet. After losing Tarianna, he returns to Earth. First $0.65 issue.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Tarianna, Alicia Masters, Mr. Fantastic, The Human Torch, She-Hulk, Ultron, Llrrllllnnyyrrl

Issue #23, May 1985
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (?)(Penciler), Bob Layton (?)(Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing
Story title: Remembrances
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inker: Bob Layton
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: John Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
The Thing quits the Fantastic Four.

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

Issue #24, June 1985
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing
Character appearances:
The Rhino
Story title: One Man's Prison
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: John Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
The Thing battles the Rhino, whose mind is being controlled by The Miracle Man.

Character appearances:
The Thing, The Rhino, The Miracle Man, The Guardsman

Issue #25, July 1985
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Brett Breeding (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing
Story title: Legends
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inker: Brett Breeding
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: John Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
The Thing is granted three wishes by a group of Leprechauns.

Character appearances:
The Thing, She-Hulk, Mr. Fantastic, Wyatt Wingfoot

Issue #26, August 1985
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing
Story title: Runaways
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: John Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
The Thing and Vance Astrovik battle the Taskmaster at a circus in Ohio that serves as a training ground for criminals.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Vance Astrovik, The Taskmaster

Issue #27, September 1985
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Pencilser, Joe Sinnott (Inker)
Cover Feature: The Thing
Character appearances:
The Black Marauder
Story title: The Thing and The Thunderiders
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Pencils: Ron Wilson
Inker: Paul Ryan
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: John Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
The Thing and Vance Astrovik battle the Black Marauder. The Thing joins The Thunderiders.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Vance Astrovik, Wolf, Sharon Ventura, The Black Marauder, Cowboy, Honcho, Wrench

Issue #28, October 1985
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Pencils), Brett Breeding (Inks)
Cover Feature: The Thing
Story title: In This Corner...
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Brett Breeding
Colorist: Michael Higgins
Letterer: Jack Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
The Thing leaves The Thunderiders and joins The Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Wrench, Wolf, Cowboy, Vance Astrovik, Ed Garner, Demolition Dunphy

Issue #29, November 1985
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Paul Ryan (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing, Gator
Character appearances:
Gator
Story title: The Thing vs. Gator!
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Paul Ryan
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Jack Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
The Thing wrestles one-time champ, Gator Grant.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Vance Astrovik, Gator, Ed Garner, Demolition Dunphy

Issue #30, December 1985
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Dennis Janke (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing
Character appearances:
The Beyonder
Story title: Above and Beyond
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Dennis Janke
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Jack Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
The Thing Wrestles The Beyonder in the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation.

Character appearances:
The Thing, The Beyonder, Vance Astrovik, Ed Garner, Sharon Ventura.

Series notes:
While the first Secret Wars wasn't mentioned on the covers during its time, the second one was.

Issue #31, January 1986
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (Penciler), Sam De La Rosa (Inker)
Cover Feature: The Thing
Character appearances:
Devil Dinosaur, Moon Boy
Story title: Devil Dinosaur: The Movie
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Kim DeMulder
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Jack Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
The Thing battles a robot Devil Dinosaur.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Ed Garner, Vance Astrovik, Sharon Ventura, Devil Dinosaur, Moon Boy

Issue #32, February 1986
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (?)(Penciler), Dave Simons (?)(Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing
Character appearances:
Vance Astrovik
Story title: Home
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Dave Simons
Colorist: Adam Philips
Letterer: Jack Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
The Thing saves an out-of-control airplane. Vance Astrovik returns to his parents. First $0.75 issue.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Sharon Ventura, Ed Garner, Vance Astrovik

Issue #33, March 1986
Cover Credits: Ron Wilson (?)(Penciler), Kim Demulder (?)(Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing (well, almost)
Character appearances:
The New Grapplers
Story title: Battle of the Sexes
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Penciler: Ron Wilson
Inker: Kim DeMulder
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: John Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
The Thing wrestles Battleaxe, as well as the rest of The New Grapplers

Character appearances:
The Thing, Demolition Dunphy, The New Grapplers, Sharon Ventura, Ed Garner

Issue #34, April 1986
Cover Credits: Paul Neary (?)(Penciler), Kim Demulder (?)(Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing
Character appearances:
The Sphinx
Story title: Dual Duel!
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Penciler: Paul Neary
Inker: Kim DeMulder
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: John Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
The Thing battles The Sphinx with the help of The Puppet Master. (Note: the ostensible death of the Sphinx takes place in this issue.)

Character appearances:
The Thing, The Sphinx, Puppet Master, Sharon Ventura, Battle Axe, Demolition Dunphy

Issue #35, May 1986
Cover Credits: Paul Neary (Penciler/Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing, Sharon Ventura
Character appearances:
Ms. Marvel
Story title: Power Play!
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Penciler: Paul Neary
Inker: Sam De La Rosa
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Jack Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
Sharon Ventura is transformed into Ms. Marvel II.

Character appearances:
The Thing, Ms. Marvel, Demolition Dunphy, Doctor Malus

Issue #36, June 1986
Cover Credits: Paul Neary (Penciler), John Byrne (Inker)
Cover Feature: Thing, She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel
Character appearances:
Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk
Story title: Going for Broke
Story, 22 pages
Genre: superhero
Issue credits:
Script: Mike Carlin
Penciler: Paul Neary
Inker: Sam De La Rosa
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: John Morelli
Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Story synopsis:
She-Hulk battles the new Ms. Marvel. The Thing is mutated into a monster.

Character appearances:
She-Hulk, Ms Marvel, Edwin Jarvis, Ed Garner, Demolition Dunphy