Why Ben Grimm Needs Water Softeners

Ben Grimm, otherwise known as The Thing, in the Fantastic Four comic book series, which first appeared in November 1961. As a founding member of the foursome, The Thing is one of the most well known and most recognized superheroes of all time. Known for his appearance as a huge, rock-skinned, super human with strength and agility that rivals most characters in the Marvel Universe, The Thing could have easily smoothed his epidermis with high quality water softeners.

The Thing is often recognized as the largest part of the Fantastic Four, but equally important to his size and strength are his character's charm, blue eyes, humor, wit, and intelligence. He has had many relationships over time in the Marvel Universe, but never actually settled down with any one mutant long term. His dry, cracked, rocky skin is a direct result of the very mutation that gives his superhuman strength, but is also a condition that could perhaps have been made less rough and scaly with reliable water softeners. This could surely have worked wonders for The Thing.

While some might wonder why The Thing would need smoother skin, there would be several advantages - especially during battle. Smoother skin could help defend The Thing against grappling mutants, and might even get him out of being roped or netted by his enemies. Smoother skin may have also helped The Thing attract more mutant ladies, as romance was something he always longed for in the series. Clearly these advantages could have been ascertained with the use of water softeners. Who knows the untold advantages this could have had on The Thing's life.

The Thing remains one of the most popular superheroes of all time. He remains a role model to young Marvel fans as well, since his character consistently upholds the values of education and learning, physical fitness, and the importance of good manners. Before he turned into a mutant, he was a test pilot in the United States Air Force and as a result, is a master pilot. He is also well skilled in street fighting, various martial arts techniques, boxing, and various wrestling styles. These skills often come in handy during combat, though he is mostly a destructive force that can demolish anything after he yells his infamous battle cry, "It's clobberin' time!"

Because The Thing is one of the most popular heroes in the Marvel Universe, his character has appeared in a plethora of animates series, films, comic spinoffs, video games, graphic novels, and as a cultural reference. Appearing in over fifteen video games since the mid-1990s, The Thing has been popular with young comic fans that discovered his character through various gaming systems over the years. He continues to be played by Michael Chiklis in the Fox movie franchise. As a cultural reference, The Thing has been mentioned in The Simpsons, the film, Mallrats, and even in the classic film, Reservoir Dogs.