Nearly 20 years ago, Marvel’s superheroes turned against each other in a Civil War that almost tore theFantastic Fourapart for good. While Mister Fantastic sided with the controversial Superhuman Registration Act, Invisible Woman and the Human Torch opposed it. The Thing, however, took a unique stance that set him apart from the rest of his Fantastic Four allies, and the MCU should pay attention if it intends to adapt Ben Grimm properly.
InFantastic Four#539 by J. Michael Straczynski, Adi Granov, and Mike McKone, the Thing got caught in themiddle of the Civil Warthat was brewing between two halves of the hero community. Both sides questioned Ben about which side he was on in the Superhuman Registration dispute, and he responded by saying,“Ta hell with both of you.”
Rather than falling in line with either Captain America or Iron Man’s positions and joining the charge, the Thing made the choice to stay out of it. This decision caught many off guard in the story, but it actually reveals a lot aboutBen Grimm’s true nature.
The Thing’s Response to Marvel’s Civil War Exposed the Heart of His Character
Unlike the Rest of the Fantastic Four, Ben Grimm Refused to Fight Heroes
The Superhuman Registration Act was introduced during Marvel’s groundbreakingCivil Warevent, and its goal was to force every character with powers to register themselves with the United States government. While heroes likeIron Man and Reed Richardsagreed that this would be for the greater good, Captain America was one of many who saw flaws in such a system. By willingly handing their identities over, superhumans were potentially endangering themselves and their loved ones. Furthermore, this law would also force vigilantes to answer to the government, forbidding them from acting freely as they had before.
Reed Richards May be Strong, But The Thing Is Really the Fantastic Four’s Best Leader
Reed Richards is famously the leader of the Fantastic Four, but that doesn’t mean he’s the best, as the Thing proved that he’s actually even better.
The Thing revealed to the heroes that he agreed with Captain America and his allies that the law was harmful, refusing to condone it by takingIron Man’s sidein the battle. Still, he stressed that he also had no intention of following in Steve’s footsteps and becoming an enemy of the government. In his words,“Registration’s wrong, and I won’t support a law I don’t believe in. But I’m still a patriot. I’m not gonna fight my own government.“Ben’s nuanced stance led him to a conclusion unlike his peers': instead of protesting the law with his fists, he protested by leaving the country altogether.
Rather Than Taking a Side, The Thing Left the United States for Paris
Ben Grimm Did Not Compromise His Morals, Despite Peer Pressure
What makes the Thing’s position particularly poignant is the fact that it defied what every other hero - especially his own Fantastic Four teammates - expected from him. Mister Fantastic, in particular, was one of the strongestadvocates for the Superhuman Registration Actdespite his family’s concerns. Reed worked closely with Iron Man and played a vital role in orchestrating the plan to trap heroes who neglected to register in the Negative Zone. As such, Ben Grimm faced pressure to align with his best friend, but he instead stood his ground and deserted from the Fantastic Four to keep his hands clean from the mess Reed was making.
The Thing does what he believes to be right, regardless of what others might say, which shows how strong his character is beyond his rocky exterior.
On the other side of the conflict, Invisible Woman and the Human Torch made the decision to joinCaptain America in fighting against Iron Manand the other pro-Registration heroes. However,rather than siding with them and opposing the government, the Thing opted to take a stand in a more peaceful manner by removing himself from the situation. This act may be questionable, but it proves that Ben Grimm doesn’t let others' opinions sway his judgment. The Thing does what he believes to be right, regardless of what others might say, which shows how strong his character is beyond his rocky exterior.
Despite His Views, The Thing Still Returned to Help the Fantastic Four in the End
The Thing’s Loyalty to the Fantastic Four Transcended the Civil War
The Thing didn’t remove himself fromMarvel’s Civil Warpermanently, though, as he found his way back into the heat of the conflict as it neared its end. InCivil War#7 by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven, during the climactic final battle between the anti-Registration and pro-Registration superheroes, Ben Grimm arrived to catch a bus as it fell to its side. WhenInvisible Womanexpressed surprise at seeing him, Ben simply said,“Get your act together, Suzie! We got people ta protect!“His views may have differed from the others', but upon seeing people in danger, the Thing didn’t hesitate to intervene.
The World Loves The Thing, But the Fantastic Four Hero Has a Dark Side
The Thing is a fan-favorite hero among the Fantastic Four’s members, but despite his comedic demeanor, Ben Grimm isn’t as upbeat as he seems.
This scene, more than any other, reveals why Ben Grimm is considered by many to be the heart and soul of the Fantastic Four. Even when his friends were all fighting on different sides of a war, the Thing set that aside and entered the fray to lend them a hand. Ben’s loyalty to his family overpowered his worries about being deemed a traitor to his country, thus conveying how deeply he cares about the Fantastic Four - and illustrating his inability to let a wrong go unchallenged.Through thick and thin, the Thing will always be there when the Fantastic Four needs him most.
The Thing’s Values Provide the Perfect Roadmap for the MCU’s Fantastic Four
Ben Grimm Should Stick to His Beliefs, No Matter What Others Think
Although the MCU has already undergone its own Civil War in the form of theSokovia Accordsfiasco, the Thing can still express these core qualities in other ways as he gears up for his debut in this summer’sFantastic Four: First Steps.The Thing is defined by his loyalty first and foremost, to his family members and to his own beliefs as a character.It doesn’t matter who tries to sway him in one direction or another; Ben Grimm holds fast to what he thinks is right and will make tough calls on behalf of his personal stance.
Fantastic Four: First Stepsis slated to release in theaters on July 25th, 2025!
It can be argued that he should have sided with Captain America and the other anti-Registration heroes - including two of his teammates - if he truly did disagree with the law, but his gripe wasn’t with the opposition itself. It was rather the means through which Steve Rogers chose to enact his rebellion. Like it or not, Ben abides by his moral code above all else, and his dedication to that position is respectable. The Thing’s portrayal inCivil Warshould be the blueprint for any adaptations of theFantastic Fourif they want to maintain accuracy.
