Fantastic Four’s Thing Steals Black Panther’s Vibranium Armor in Jaw-Dropping Redesign

The Thing is the undisputed powerhouse for the Fantastic Four, with his cosmic-ray abilities placing him in a strength bracket similar to Colossus and The Hulk. Ben Grimm is one-of-a-kind, but a series of stellar variant covers reimagines other Marvel heroes in his place – with the Thing’s strength and durability alongside their powers. The combination of the Thing and Black Panther’s Vibranium suit elevates both powersets to unbelievable levels.

Marvel recently revealed a series of jaw-dropping variant covers depicting several Marvel heroes as the Thing, with Paco Medina’s variant cover for Avengers #20 honoring both Black Panther and the Fantastic Four’s rocky strongman.

T’Challa is prepared to do some clobberin’ of his own in Wakanda’s prized Vibranium suit as Medina’s cover stretches Black Panther’s costume to capacity, combining the iconic superhero look with the Thing’s boulder-like physique. It’s a far cry from Ben Grimm’s Fantastic Four uniforms, but the unique combination would make that version of the Thing practically unstoppable. Bombarding Wakanda’s protector with cosmic rays would accentuate Black Panther’s already significant power.

Black Panther Morphs Into One of His Strongest Forms as The Thing

Avengers #20 Variant Cover by Paco Medina Combines the Two Heroes

Ben Grimm’s journey into space with Reed Richards and the Storm siblings changed his life forever. While the entire team received powers from the cosmic rays, Ben’s future was truly altered, as his normal skin changed into his iconic orange, boulder-like covering. It robbed him of his ability to fit into normal society again, though the rays also granted him incredible superhuman strength, strength, and durability.

Medina’s variant cover takes that combination and puts it all in a nigh-indestructible Vibranium suit, and pairing Black Panther’s already incredible talents with The Thing’s strength and endurance makes an indomitable combination.

Along with being their powerhouse, Grimm is often the heart of the Fantastic Four team, and the dynamic of the group would be forever changed if someone like T’Challa had taken his place. On the surface, the two are radically different, with Ben being a down-to-earth New Yorker and the Wakandan king offering a more noble, collected demeanor, but both certainly know how to handle themselves in a fight. Should Medina’s Black Panther / the Thing combined form ever grace something beyond a variant cover, the Fantastic Four would have a mighty ally clothed in top-tier Wakandan technology.

Black Panther’s Transformation Is a Compelling Tribute to Ben Grimm

Dazzler #3 Variant Cover by Ario Anindito

With the upcoming Fantastic Four film release and ongoing comic series by writer Ryan North, the Thing deserves a little extra attention – whether it’s Black Panther taking on the role in Wakanda’s prized Vibranium armor or Dazzler transforming the Thing’s rocky skin into glimmering disco ball pieces for Ario Anindito’s Dazzler #3 variant cover. The Thing has been the heart and soul of the Fantastic Four for decades and has earned a piece of the spotlight. Black Panther’s transformation for the Avengers #20 variant cover is an intriguing tribute to both characters and a combination that elevates their already impressive attributes.

Avengers #20 is available November 6th, 2024 from Marvel Comics.

Source: Marvel