We all know by now that it most certainly appears that one of the founding members of the Fantastic Four is dying at the end of Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting’s “Three,” the currently unfolding story arc wrapping up in this month’s Fantastic Four #587. Some, such as Bleeding Cool’s Rich Johnston, have speculated that it’s the Thing. Yet, there he is, right in the mix with Spider-Man, Wolverine, Luke Cage and the rest of the gang in the New Avengers #9 preview, released today:
The comic ships on Feb. 9, two weeks after Fantastic Four #587.
Is it meaningful? Well, maybe, maybe not. It’s always possible that this story takes place before “Three,” which could be easily cleared up with an editor’s note box. But, with the Thing currently the longest-shot in the betting odds for who kicks the bucket in “Three,” this certainly appears to make it even more unlikely. We’ll know for sure in a couple of weeks.
January 13th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
No, I’d say the Thing’s appearance in the Fear Itself ad means he’s safe in ‘Three’.
January 13th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
As Rich pointed out in that Bleeding Cool link, a teaser can be easily designed as a fake-out — such as the Captain America/Iron Man image that circulated a few years ago — but actual interior pages of a comic, much less so.
January 13th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Maybe, but there’s nothing to say that NA#9 is set after Three (that I know of). No, I still suspect it’s the Torch.
Wasn’t there something about Bendis saying Hickman said he could use the Thing but was refused the use of another character?
January 13th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
Ben died recently, so it’s not his turn yet.
January 13th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Rich – Torch is my pick, too, as I went into detail about here: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/fantastic-four-three-deaths-101213.html
Simon – I agree, especially given how that death was part of such a beloved run.
January 13th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be the Human Torch as well. The reason being is that there’ll be an upcoming issue where Spider-man appears to help console a grieving Franklin Richards. Given Spider-man’s buddy-ness with the Human Torch, I can’t see any other reason for him to appear in such a manner to console Franklin. A story like this just wouldn’t work the same if Mr Fantastic or Invisible Woman were to kick the bucket.
January 13th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
“Given Spider-man’s buddy-ness with the Human Torch, I can’t see any other reason for him to appear in such a manner to console Franklin. A story like this just wouldn’t work the same if Mr Fantastic or Invisible Woman were to kick the bucket.”
Except that Spidey has lost both of his parents, as well as his surrogate father. He could just as easily be giving Franklin a “family is what you make of it/he’s alive so long as you remember him” speech as a “Johnny was a swell dude, and I’ll miss him too” speech.
January 13th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Ben’s belt has a ’4′ on it – I’m guessing this indicates the issue is set before the upcoming crapfest and yes, it will be Johnny – let’s face it, Marvel’ve already killed off the other three in previous, ultimately inconsequential’death of’ FF storylines.
January 14th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
I’m choosing Johnny Storm, not based on any clues or hints in teasers or promotional art, but because it would make the most sense story-wise. Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm, both stuck inside the Baxter Building against a horde of Annihilus’s minions, Ben not as useful as he would be in his “Thing” form. It suggests that Ben will be biting the big one, but Johnny’s gonna sacrifice himself to save Ben. Afterwards, Ben’s remorse at being so selfing in enjoying himself as a normal human despite KNOWING that the Baxter Building gets attacked the first Tuesday of every month (or some other witty dialog about how frequent they’re attacked). It was terribly clever on Hickman’s part creating three separate situations which the members lives are on the line, but pairing Johnny with a powerless Ben sold the deal for me.