Written by Tom DeFalco
Art by Ron Wilson; A. Sorted; Joe Rosen; & Don Warfield
Cover Art by (Uncredited)
SUMMARY:
Published by Marvel Comics for October 1982, this first half of a two-parter is entitled “This Evil Returning!” In Cairo, Ben “The Thing” Grimm resorts to commercial air travel to return home after his battle overseas against the Sphinx (in the previous issue). Meanwhile, feeling abandoned by the Avengers, a despondent Jocasta seeks refuge with the Fantastic Four. Ben returns to the team’s Baxter Building HQ to reunite with his girlfriend, Alicia Masters. Ordered by Reed “Mr. Fantastic” Richards to report the team’s destroyed pogo-plane to their insurance company, Ben unknowingly comes into contact with Aaron “Machine Man” Stack.
Captain America cameos, as he advises Mr. Fantastic re: Ultron. A mesmerized Jocasta unwillingly aids Ultron. Unaware that Machine Man is following him, the Thing intervenes. Defending Jocasta, an outmatched Machine Man must contend with Ultron and his new mind-controlled pawn: The Thing!
REVIEW:
While this issue could easily have been a Fantastic Four issue, writer Tom DeFalco does excellent work boosting underrated guest stars Jocasta and Machine Man. Machine Man vs. Ultron, for instance, is an intriguing showdown. Facing Machine Man and the Thing, veteran baddie Ultron also gets a fresh change after years of battling the Avengers. Sporting better-than-expected artwork, Marvel Two-in-One # 92 is a pretty solid read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is Marvel’s single-page “Bullpen Bulletins” news-and-notes column.
BRIAN’S 10-STAR RATING: 7 Stars
