The Thing's New Bearded Look: Will Comics Follow the Film's Lead?

The upcoming Fantastic Four film is generating buzz, not just for its reboot of Marvel's first family, but also for the distinctive look of Ben Grimm, a.k.a. The Thing. A key feature setting this iteration apart is The Thing's prominent rock beard, a departure from his traditionally clean-shaven appearance in the comics. This raises the question: Will Marvel Comics integrate this new, bearded aesthetic into their depictions of the character?

A Clean-Shaven Past in Current Comics

Despite the film's reveal, current comic book storylines, including the recently released Fantastic Four #30 and The Thing #2 (both released June 25, 2025), continue to portray The Thing without facial hair. Fantastic Four #30 sees the team venturing to the dawn of time in search of cosmic rays to restore Ben Grimm's original form and maintain their powers, while The Thing #2 pits him against the villain Bullseye. In both, his rocky visage remains smooth.

Historical Precedent: Blackbeard and Future Visions

While a consistent beard is new territory for The Thing, facial hair isn't entirely unprecedented. In the early issues of Fantastic Four by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, a time-traveling Ben Grimm briefly adopted the guise of the pirate Blackbeard. This was, however, achieved with a fake beard. More recently, a glimpse into a possible future offered a different perspective. In 2012's Fantastic Four #605, written by Jonathan Hickman with art by Ron Garney, a version of The Thing from the year 5012 sported a full, rocky beard, hinting at the character's potential evolution.

Expert Analysis: Adaptation and Character Evolution

"The relationship between comic book character designs and their film counterparts is a complex one," says Dr. Anastasia Moreau, a professor of Film and Comic Studies at State University. "Often, we see a cyclical pattern of influence. The comics inform the initial film adaptation, but then the film's visual choices can circle back and influence the comics. This is particularly true for iconic characters like The Thing, where visual consistency is important for brand recognition, but evolution is necessary to keep the character fresh."

The Influence of Film on Comics

Marvel Comics has a history of aligning its comic book designs with those popularized in film adaptations. This strategy serves to create synergy across different media and cater to a wider audience familiar with the cinematic versions of the characters. The question remains whether the popularity of the bearded Thing in the upcoming film will prompt a similar shift in the comics.

A Writer's Perspective: The Creative Implications

Comic book writer Mark Davies, known for his work on several Marvel titles, notes, "The decision to alter a character's appearance isn't taken lightly. It's a collaborative process involving writers, artists, and editors. While the film's design certainly adds a new dimension to The Thing's visual identity, the comics need to consider the narrative implications. Does a beard fundamentally change the character? Does it open up new storytelling possibilities? These are the questions we have to address."

The Future of The Thing's Facial Hair

The introduction of a bearded Thing in the new film presents a unique opportunity for Marvel Comics to explore new facets of the character. Whether this change will be embraced remains to be seen, but the precedent for adapting film designs suggests it's a distinct possibility. Fans will be watching closely to see if The Thing's comic book counterpart soon sports a similar rocky beard.

In related news, Fantastic Four #33, written by Ryan North with art by Cory Smith, promises a climactic adventure involving time travel and the restoration of Ben Grimm, setting the stage for a new #1 issue next month. Meanwhile, The Thing #2, written by Tony Fleecs with art by Justin Mason, continues the character's individual storyline as he faces off against Bullseye.