The Thing: Idol of Millions (Marvel Comics)
- Writers: Dan Slott
- Artists: Andrea Divito & Kieron Dwyer (Issues #6-8)
- Letterers: Dave Lanphear
- Colors: Laura Villari
- Cover Artist: Andrea Divito
The Thing: Idol Of Millions collects; The Thing #1-8. This trade unfortunately collects the whole series of this canceled book. I have always loved the Thing growing up through my childhood reading the Fantastic Four, but the saddest part is that he has been a character that could not support a solo book despite his popularity. When this came out monthly I didn’t pick up a issue of this series until #5 loved it but a short time later the news came down that the book was canceled and a week later the trade was announced which to me killed any back issue sales and the then upcoming sales for the last 2 or 3 issues of the series. Which further doomed the book; Marvel provided no support or pushes to promote this book so it died an unnecessary death.
Unlike when I have done other Trade Your Pick selections I have not read much of that series, but I had at least one issue under my belt going in. So I must admit my expectations where a little higher than normal when I do these reviews and I must say the book mostly meet all of those expectations. The story covers the wild and crazy adventures of Benjamin J. Grimm after finding out he is a billionaire. Just fun stories with many guest appearances from Tony Stark, Spiderman, FF, Lockjaw, etc.
The artworks on the first five issues of this trade were nicely done by Andrea Divito and the last three issues were done by Kieron Dwyer. As I have said previously with sudden changes in artwork in the middle of an trade is some what off putting. Not as jarring as what was done in the Wildcats: Street Smart Trade I reviewed last month but still not as good as Divito’s art. Dwyer style is not as developed or smooth as what was exhibited by Andrea Divito. Overall to me the story suffered a bit from this change but it is hard to say it was so much the art or the fact that book was canceled that the final three issues though good but not nearly as strong as the first five.
The Bottom Line:
This book will not be for every reader out there, if you like an occasional change up from the normal darkness out there try this trade. If not stay away from this trade because you may not like it. Anyone who has listened to this show before and has followed any of my recommendations, this falls in the area of comparability to Mark Kirkman’s also cancelled Marvel Team Up.
Ratings (Out of 10)
Story – 7.0
Art – 6.5
Cover – 7.0
Overall Score – 6.8
