Fantastic Four #12
Hulk vs. Thing: Who would win in a fight?
It’s December, 1962, and this is a huge month for Marvel Comics. In the pages of the Fantastic Four, we’re treated to the first of many matchups between Hulk and Thing, which is basically Yankees vs. Dodgers, or Dempsey vs. Tunney. A BIG DEAL.
The Thing is at the symphony with Alicia, and as they come out, the military is in the streets. They’re searching for the Hulk, but they mistake Thing for the green giant, even though Ben is in opera clothes. They realize their error (well, duh) and an angry Thing goes back to the Baxter Building.
Thunderbolt Ross and the FF then go to the desert to plan their anti-Hulk strategy, ad there they meet Bruce Banner.
Banner insists the attacks aren't Hulk’s style. (I mean, he would know). But Ross, being his typical asshole self, dismisses him.
But Banner is correct. The menace is actually The Wrecker, a commie named Karl Kort, who takes Rick Jones prisoner.
As the FF continues to plan a Hulk strategy, Thing acts as test pilot for a supersonic sled. But someone has sabotaged it, and Ben needs Johnny to rescue him.
They think it's the Hulk’s fault, but Banner insists otherwise, and again, no one believes him. Finally, Banner turns himself into the Hulk as a last-ditch effort to take on the Wrecker.
They end up in underground tunnels, and that's where Hulk and Thing confront each other, delighting all the young kids reading this issue in late 1962.
The entire FF team gets in on the fight, but ultimately the Wrecker knocks out Hulk. Then Thing takes off after the Wrecker.
The team learns Kort is behind it all. But Sue (go, girl!) saves the day, and the Wrecker is defeated.
As a result, the FF gets a military parade, because that's just what you do in early 60s America.
“Will the Hulk meet the FF again?” asks the final panel. Nice tease from a company that loves to do cross overs. In fact, the FF are crossing over into another character’s book this month (see below).
Also on the stands:
Amazing Spider-Man #1 (in a few years he’ll be the most popular character in comics, and it all begins here, with the FF along for the ride)
Tales of Suspense #39 (first Iron Man!)
Justice League of America #17
Lois Lane #39
