Avengers Initiate #23: Benjamin Grimm/The Thing

Physical Condition Assessment: Mr. Grimm’s transformation into "The Thing" has granted him extraordinary physical capabilities, but it has also resulted in unique physiological characteristics:   Strength and Durability:   Possesses superhuman strength capable of lifting massive weights and withstanding extreme physical impacts.   His rocky exterior provides an unparalleled level of durability, rendering him highly resistant to physical injuries, extreme temperatures, and radiation.   Physical Limitations:   Despite his immense strength, Mr. Grimm’s rock-like composition restricts his range of motion and dexterity, complicating fine motor tasks.   His weight and density present challenges in certain environments, such as traversing fragile structures or water-based operations.   Health and Maintenance:   Requires minimal sustenance compared to an average human, likely due to the efficiency of his transformed physiology.   His body resists conventional medical diagnostics and treatments, necessitating specialized care in case of injury or illness.   Adaptations:   Over time, Mr. Grimm has adapted to his physical form through tailored training and techniques, allowing him to maximize his capabilities while mitigating limitations.

Abilities Assessment: Benjamin Grimm’s abilities, derived from his transformation, are both remarkable and impactful:   Superhuman Strength:   Mr. Grimm is capable of feats of strength far beyond human limits, including lifting several tons and breaking through reinforced materials. This strength has proven invaluable in combat and rescue operations.   Enhanced Durability:   His rocky composition renders him nearly impervious to conventional physical damage, including bullets, explosions, and extreme environmental conditions.   He has withstood pressures and forces that would typically incapacitate or destroy unprotected humans.   Stamina and Endurance:   Possesses significantly enhanced stamina, allowing him to exert himself for extended periods without fatigue.   His body demonstrates exceptional resistance to toxins, extreme cold, and heat.   Combat Skills:   A skilled hand-to-hand combatant with training from his military background, Mr. Grimm combines raw strength with tactical precision.   His combat style emphasizes brute force but incorporates calculated maneuvers learned through years of experience.   Tactical Mindset:   Despite his imposing physicality, Mr. Grimm is an astute tactician, capable of assessing complex situations under pressure.   His military training and leadership skills enhance his effectiveness in team-based operations.

Benjamin J. Grimm was born on Yancy Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side, where he grew up in poverty. His father, an alcoholic, was unable to hold a job. Much of the family's income came from Grimm's older brother, Daniel, who obtained funds illegally as leader of the Yancy Street Gang. Grimm, who idolized his brother, became embittered against the world when Daniel was killed in a battle between rival gangs. Grimm was only eight years old at the time. Within ten years, he had succeeded his brother as leader of the Yancy Street Gang. After his parents died, Grimm was taken in by his Uncle Jake, who had risen from poverty to become a successful physician. At first, Grimm resisted his new guardians' kindness toward him. But eventually, he came to return their love. He left his life with the Yancy Street Gang behind, entered high school, and became a football star there. While he was a senior at Stuyvesant High School, Ben received a football scholarship to State University in Hegeman, New York. On the football field, Ben received the nickname "Grimm Reaper." Grimm's freshman year roommate was the brilliant science student Reed Richards, who became his closest friend. During their first meeting, Richards confided in Grimm his intention someday to build a starship for interstellar travel. Grimm jokingly promised that he would pilot the starship for Richards if he ever built it. Upon graduating, Grimm went into the U.S. Air Force and became a highly skilled fighter pilot, as well as a test pilot and an astronaut. In the meantime, Richards went ahead with his project to build a starship, using both his own fortune and funding from the federal government. On the day that Grimm left the military, Richards came to him to remind him of his promise to pilot the starship. Richards' project was based in Central City, California. When the federal government threatened to withdraw its funding from Richards' project, Richards decided to take the starship on a test flight himself as soon as possible. Grimm was opposed to the idea, warning that the starship's shielding might prove to be inadequate protection from intense radiation storms. Nevertheless, Grimm was persuaded to serve as the pilot, and Richards' future wife Sue Storm and her teenage brother Johnny insisted on accompanying Richards' as passengers. The four friends stole into the launch facility, entered the starship, and launched it. They intended to travel through hyperspace to another solar system and back. However, when the ship passed through a cosmic ray storm, they were met with an unexpected intensity. Since the ship was designed to shield against ordinary levels of radiation, the cabin interior was subject to intense cosmic ray bombardment which irradiated the four passengers and wrought havoc on the ship's controls. Pilot Grimm was forced to abort the flight and return to Earth. Once back on Earth, the four passengers discovered that the cosmic radiation had triggered mutagenic changes in their bodies. Grimm was transformed into an orange-colored, thick-skinned, heavily-muscled, and superhumanly strong "thing." Richards convinced the three others that the four of them should use their new powers for the good of humanity as members of a team named the Fantastic Four. Richards called himself Mister Fantastic, Susan and Johnny Storm took the names of the Invisible Girl (later Invisible Woman) and the Human Torch, and Grimm, morose over his new grotesque appearance, named himself the Thing. Under Richards' leadership the Fantastic Four has become Earth's most honored team of superhuman adventurers and has saved the world from conquest or destruction many times. Their incorporation heralded the modern age of superheroes. The Fantastic Four were not just Ben's friends, they became his surrogate family, and he was like a beloved uncle to Reed and Sue's children, Franklin (whose middle name is Benjamin, after the Thing) and Valeria. He also often assisted his teammate Johnny during the young man's solo adventures. Over the years, the mutations to the Thing's body have continued to progress slowly. The composition of his epidermis changed from an abnormally dense, somewhat-lumpy-but-still-comparatively smooth hide to a flexible, interlocking network of rock-like lumps. His superhuman strength increased considerably over time. Early in Grimm's life as the Thing, he would sometimes revert to his original human form unexpectedly. But neither these changes nor those induced by Richards in his efforts to turn Grimm back to human form ever proved to be permanent. Eventually, Grimm always reverted to his monstrous, superhumanly powerful form. Appalled by his appearance, Grimm was at first filled with anger at his situation, but he eventually became resigned to his fate, although he continued to be disturbed by his appearance and to hope for a means of regaining his human form that would last. Instrumental in helping Grimm to adjust to his life as the Thing was the blind sculptress Alicia Masters, whom he met during the Fantastic Four's confrontation with her step-father, the Puppet Master, and who became his girlfriend and later his wife. In 2018, the Fantastic Four set off on an extended trip to explore the Negative Zone, but soon become stranded in the pocket dimension and lost contact with Terra. It wasn’t until they were rescued by the Avengers in 2022 that the Fantastic Four made their triumphant return.  

Hopper Hertnecky, S.W.O.R.D. Operative #2785

Hegeman State University

Presenting Concerns: Benjamin Grimm, known publicly as "The Thing," has been referred for a comprehensive psychological evaluation to assess his current emotional and psychological state, particularly in light of his transformation into a superhuman being composed of orange, rock-like material. This transformation, a result of cosmic gamma radiation exposure, has had profound physical and psychological effects on Mr. Grimm’s sense of identity, social interactions, and self-worth.   Background Information: Mr. Grimm grew up in Yancy Street, New York, within a working-class family. Early life was marked by the loss of his parents, leading to his upbringing by an older brother who was involved in local gang activity. Despite these challenges, Mr. Grimm pursued higher education at State University, where he befriended Reed Richards. Following a career as a pilot in the United States Air Force, he joined Richards on the fateful space mission that transformed him into "The Thing."   Psychological Observations:   Identity and Self-Perception:   Mr. Grimm exhibits a complex relationship with his transformed body. While he embraces the strength and durability afforded by his new form, he also experiences significant body image distress. He frequently refers to himself as a "monster," suggesting a deep-seated struggle with self-acceptance.   His rock-like appearance has resulted in a perceived and real loss of normalcy. He mourns his former human appearance and occasionally expresses longing for his old life.   Social Relationships:   Mr. Grimm’s relationships are characterized by a mix of camaraderie and alienation. Within the Fantastic Four, he plays a central role as a loyal and protective member, yet he often isolates himself emotionally.   His close friendship with Johnny Storm (The Human Torch) is marked by playful antagonism, which serves as a coping mechanism for deeper feelings of inadequacy.   Romantic relationships, particularly with Alicia Masters, reveal his capacity for deep emotional connections, though he harbors fears of inadequacy and rejection.   Coping Mechanisms:   Humor and sarcasm are dominant strategies Mr. Grimm employs to deflect negative emotions. While effective in managing external perceptions, these mechanisms can inhibit authentic emotional expression.   He demonstrates resilience and adaptability, often channeling his frustrations into physical exertion or team missions. However, unresolved feelings of anger and sadness occasionally surface.   Trauma and Loss:   The transformation into The Thing constitutes a significant trauma. Mr. Grimm’s feelings of being "trapped" in his current form evoke symptoms akin to body dysmorphia and chronic grief.   His early life experiences of loss and instability may contribute to a heightened sensitivity to rejection and abandonment.   Strengths:   Exceptional loyalty and sense of duty.   Strong moral compass and unwavering commitment to protecting others.   Capacity for forming meaningful, if guarded, interpersonal relationships.   Humor and resilience in the face of adversity.   Challenges:   Persistent body image distress and self-esteem issues.   Difficulty expressing vulnerability and processing complex emotions.   Tendency to internalize feelings, leading to occasional outbursts of anger.   Underlying fear of being permanently ostracized or unlovable due to his appearance.   Recommendations:   Therapeutic Interventions:   Regular cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address negative self-perceptions and promote self-acceptance.   Trauma-focused therapy to process the psychological impact of his transformation and early life experiences.   Group therapy with other superhuman individuals to normalize his experiences and reduce feelings of isolation.   Social Support:   Encourage open communication within the Fantastic Four to foster mutual understanding and support.   Continued involvement in community outreach to reinforce his sense of purpose and positive impact on others.   Physical and Emotional Integration:   Explore adaptive methods to integrate his physical abilities with a more positive self-image.   Mindfulness and relaxation techniques to manage stress and emotional dysregulation.   Prognosis: With sustained therapeutic support and reinforcement from his social circle, Mr. Grimm demonstrates significant potential for improved emotional well-being and self-acceptance. His inherent resilience, combined with his capacity for humor and loyalty, positions him as a uniquely capable individual navigating extraordinary circumstances.   Evaluator’s Note: It is imperative to approach Mr. Grimm’s case with empathy, recognizing the intersection of his humanity and superhumanity. By addressing his challenges holistically, we can help him reclaim a sense of agency and peace within himself.   Signed, Dr. Leonard Samson, Ph.D.