Marvel Two-in-One #85

Marvel Two-in-One #85, published in March 1982, was part of a long-running series that paired the Fantastic Four's Ben Grimm, the Thing, with various characters from across the Marvel Universe. This specific issue, written by Tom DeFalco with art by Ron Wilson, highlights the series' role as a creative laboratory that allowed for lower-stakes, character-driven stories separate from the main Fantastic Four title. The narrative centers on a team-up between the Thing and the Sub-Mariner, reflecting a classic dynamic between the two iconic figures that frequently recurred during this era.

The cover and interior artwork by Ron Wilson were emblematic of the house style at Marvel during the early 1980s. Wilson, who worked extensively on the Thing's character, was praised for his ability to convey the subtle weight and pathos beneath the rocky exterior of the character. The issue is remembered by collectors today for its straightforward, classic approach to team-up storytelling, capturing a period in comic history when these modular adventures were a staple of the industry’s output.