The Thing (Marvel)

Benjamin Jacob Grimm, also known as The Thing, is one of the major characters from the Marvel comics.

Ben is the original quintessential tough-guy of the Marvel Universe. But, because of his transformation, he's also the tragic member of the Fantastic Four. Ben was an ace test-pilot until exposure to intense cosmic radiation mutated him into a rock-skinned monster with immense superhuman strength. Ben's exterior is much harder than stone which gives him a rather gruff disposition; but deep down, he has a heart of gold.

Personality
Suiting his physical appearance and powers, Ben is strong-willed, gruff, stubborn and has a tough exterior. He is always ready for a fight, can at times be short-tempered and is often making wise-cracks.

Despite this, Grimm has a heart of gold and is very likable and often optimistic.

Abilities
The Thing has immense superhuman strength. When he was first transformed into the Thing he could only lift 5 tons, but over the years his strength continually grew to the point where Ben could lift 85 tons. This is where his strength level appeared to level off, staying steady for quite some time. As more time passed, Ben increased his already immense physical strength through consistent, intense weight training and further physical mutation. Through these means Ben's strength has increased to much higher levels allowing him to now lift up to 100 tons and possibly even more. Ben's strength is such that he once stopped a multistory building that weighed roughly 30,000 tons from toppling and then pushed it back into place. He also once knocked out the Hulk with one punch, though not entirely on his own (he had help from Reed and Sue). He also knocked down a living black hole with one punch and put great damage to it, though it was stated he hurt himself more than he hurt the black hole.

He has enhanced stamina which allows him to exert himself at maximum effort for at least up to an hour before he starts to fatigue. Over the same period of time as his strength increased Ben's size has also increased. Ben's mutated epidermis (skin) is composed entirely of interlocking stones of irregular sizes and shapes. One notable point about his mutation is that he no longer has any outer ear structure, though his hearing hasn't been diminished in any way because of this. Presumably, due to the mutating effects of the cosmic rays, all of Ben's ear/hearing physiology has been internalized though with no loss of function or acuity.

All of Ben's internal organs and soft tissues have been enhanced as an adaption to his new physical size and body composition. His skin/body can withstand extreme environments including temperature extremes from -75 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. His skin can also withstand at least 15 pounds of explosives per square inch and deep crushing pressures of the ocean floor. The Thing's skin is so hard it is practically impervious to being punctured or breached by anything from blades to multiple high caliber bullets. The Thing's enhanced physique has even proven durable enough to withstand extreme blunt-force impacts from the Hulk's fists and Thor's hammer(although Thor never intended to really hurt Ben) It only incurring minor or insignificant chipping. However, Ben was injured by Wolverine's Adamantium claws so his durability does have its limits.

Despite his monstrously large size, he still has an impressive level of quickness, agility and flexibility.

He is trained, experienced and highly skilled at piloting a multitude of varied aircraft; including many invented by his friend and teammate Reed Richards.

Ben has been trained in military hand-to-hand combat techniques, he has trained and competed as an amateur boxer, he is a very skilled wrestler and he has years of street-fighting experience from growing up on the mean streets of New York City where he had many altercations due to his gang involvement. He has trained in judo and jujitsu. Ben has combined this training and experience into his own unique and effective style of brawling, which he has used quite effectively against a veritable 'who's who' of strongmen in the Marvel Universe (both heroes and villains); many of whom are physically stronger and/or more durable than he is.

It has been stated that Ben only ages when in his human form. If this is the case, then as long as Ben remains in his "Thing-form" his age will remain the same which should presumably give him incredible longevity though probably not true immortality.

Trivia

 * Benjamin Grimm is Jewish as is his creator Jack Kirby.
 * The Thing was able to defeat Wolverine with one punch before the latter's healing factor advanced over time to its current level.
 * The Thing's favorite food is pizza, especially New York Pizza.
 * He dislikes mayonnaise, at least in his sandwiches.
 * The powers of all of the Fantastic Four are based on one of the four classical elements, with Ben's element being earth.