Who Is Ben Grimm?

Ben Grimm is the Thing, one of Marvel's most beloved heroes and a founding member of the Fantastic Four. After piloting an experimental spacecraft alongside Reed Richards, Sue Storm, and Johnny Storm, Ben was bombarded by cosmic radiation that transformed him into a massive, rock-skinned powerhouse with superhuman strength and durability. Unlike his teammates, Ben's transformation is permanent — he can't switch his powers off — which has made him one of comics' most emotionally rich characters, wrestling with his monstrous appearance while remaining a deeply loyal and big-hearted friend. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #1 (1961), co-created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and his catchphrase 'It's clobberin' time!' has become one of the most iconic lines in comics history.