Thing, vol 2
#6
Cover Date: June 2006
Writer(s): Dan Slott
Artist(s): Kieron Dwyer
Inker(s): Kieron Dwyer
Colorist(s): Laura Villari
Letterer(s): Dave Lanphear
Story Title(s): ...There Goes the Neighborhood!
Appearances By: Sandman, Trapster, Thing, Sub-Mariner, Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch II, Blastaar, Dragon Man, Spider-Man, Kathleen O'Meara, Hercules, She-Hulk, Valeria Richards, Mary Jane Watson-Parker, Arlo North, Alicia Masters, Hiram Sheckerberg, Lockjaw Reviewed by: Sean Kleefeld Reviewer Rating: 9 out of 10 Review: Locked in a battle with the Trapster and the Sandman, the title character of this book fires off a Fantastiflare to get a little assistance from his teammates, all of whom happen to be busy and can't see the flare. Fortunately for Ben, everyone's favorite web-slinger does see and Spider-Man and the Thing make short order of the two villains.
With the bad guys safely out of the way, Damage Control steps in to help build new youth center and, with Hercules' help, the building is soon ready for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The building turns out to be dedicated to Ben's older brother, Daniel, and the Yancy Street Gang vows to protect it fom vandals as Dan was "the original Yancy-Streeter!"
Ben stays at the celebration until the last guests are ready to leave. He squares things with Arlo North -- the center's architect and his former girlfriend's current beau -- his boss and mentor, Hiram Scheckerberg, reminds him that he still has work to do at the shop, despite Ben's philanthropic actions that day. As Ben cleans up the last of the garbage, though, he finds that he can't get a ride home and will need to take the bus.
The long day has taken its toll, though, and he falls asleep at the bus stop -- where the Yancy Street Gang have some spray paint fun at his expense.
This seems vaguely familiar...
One of the reasons why Dan Slott works so well as an "old school" writer is that he takes the time to explain other writers' character inconsistencies. In this issue, he explains why Spider-Man was never officially a member of the Fantastic Four, how Spidey can switch back and forth from his Tony-Stark-designed uniform and his traditional togs, how Sandman has switched from villain to hero to villain, and why the FF don't always show up to watch Ben's back.
Also noteworthy and speaking to Slott's skills is his ability to keep track of past and future elements that can come in handy story-wise. While seemingly a one-note gag last issue, the graffiti on Thing's limo is noted in this issue as a reason to keep Ben from getting home. And, tying back to the same joke, he himself is graphittied in much the same way here. Hercules' dialogue also is foreshadowing an upcoming storyline.
The Lost reference is made obvious enough in the dialogue. Some of the posters on the construction site's fence -- which ineffectively demands that people "Post No Bills" -- include ones for "Toyz 'N' Da Hood" and "Cap'n Bling." The bus stop ad for Kirby Krackles Cereal is an obvious reference to one of Jack Kirby's art effects that he used frequently in the 1960s and has been subsequently dubbed "Kirby Krackle." His name is also noted on the bus stop sign as one of the bus routes. Finally, the initials on the Thing's left foot on the last page are those of the artist: Kieron Dwyer. |