July 13, 2025 • 10 mins
Picture this: You're facing Ben Grimm, better known as The Thing. His massive rocky body towers over you, each movement causing the ground to tremble. Skin like living granite, muscles bulging with impossible strength, he closes in. One punch could obliterate you completely. His fist, harder than any known material on Earth, begins its devastating arc. Time seems to slow as you realize you're about to be crushed by a walking mountain of pure, unrelenting power. The last thing you hear is a gravelly voice muttering, "It's clobberin' time" – your final moment punctuated by the most infamous catchphrase in superhero history.
Welcome to Monsters, Sharks, and Dinosaurs. Today we're exploring the rocky world of Ben Grimm, The Thing – a human transformed into a walking, talking geological phenomenon.
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
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Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
Welcome to Monsters, Sharks, and Dinosaurs. Today we're exploring the rocky world of Ben Grimm, The Thing – a human transformed into a walking, talking geological phenomenon.
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Calorogus shark media picture this. You're facing Ben Grimm, better
known as the Thing. His massive, rocky body towers over you,
each movement causing the ground to tremble. Skin like living
(00:23):
granite muscles bulging with impossible strength. He closes in one
punch could obliterate you completely. His fist, harder than any
known material on Earth, begins its devastating arc. Time seems
to slow as you realize you're about to be crushed
by a walking mountain of pure, unrelenting power. The last
(00:48):
thing you hear is a gravelly voice muttering its clobberin time,
your final moment punctuated by the most infamous catchphrase in
superhero history. Welcome to Monsters, sharks, and dinosaurs. Today we're
(01:12):
exploring the rocky world of Ben Grimm, The Thing, a
human transformed into a walking, talking geological phenomenon. Ben Grimm's
origin is a testament to the scientific mishap that created
the Fantastic Four. During an experimental space mission, cosmic radiation
(01:36):
fundamentally altered his body, transforming him from a normal human
into a being of living rock. But could a human
body actually become a walking stone creature? Doctor Elena Rodriguez,
a materials scientist at MIT, explains the biological impossibility. The
(02:00):
human body is primarily composed of soft tissues, muscles, organs,
blood vessels. To become a living rock creature, virtually every
cell would need to be replaced by a mineral based structure,
while somehow maintaining biological functions. The challenges of ben Grimm's
(02:23):
physiology are mind boggling. How would a rocky body maintain
internal temperature? How would blood circulate through stone like tissues?
How would muscles function if made of rock? How would
nerve signals transmit through mineral structures? Fundamentally, a living rock
creature defies everything we know about biology, says doctor Rodriguez.
(02:47):
The closest biological analogues we have are creatures with exoskeletons,
but those are still fundamentally organic. The thing is something
entirely different, a complete transfer of biological matter into a
mineral state. Some marine organisms, like certain coral species, can
(03:08):
incorporate mineral structures into their bodies, but nothing approaches the
complete transformation scene in ben Grimm. His body represents a
total violation of biological principles. A human turned into a
walking piece of geology that somehow maintains life, consciousness, and
(03:29):
mobility beyond his physical transformation. Ben Grimm's character represents a
profound exploration of identity and self acceptance. Initially devastated by
his transformation, he struggles with feeling monstrous while maintaining his humanity.
(03:49):
Unlike many superhero transformations, Grimm's change is permanent and deeply traumatic.
Ben Grimm subverts the typical superhero transfer information narrative, explains
pop culture analyst doctor Sarah Cohnn, most heroes gain powers
and immediately become confident. The Thing's journey is about learning
(04:12):
to love himself despite feeling like a monster. His catch phrase,
its Clobern time becomes a form of self empowerment, transforming
his pain into strength. The marketing of the Thing has
evolved significantly since his debut in nineteen sixty one. Early
comic portrayals emphasized his raw strength and tragic backstory. Merchandise
(04:38):
focused on his imposing physical presence, action figures that highlighted
his rocky texture and massive size. Comic book historian Alan
Moore notes the Thing was revolutionary because he looked like
a monster but had the heart of a hero. He
wasn't a smooth, idealized superhero, but a rough, imperfect character
(05:03):
that readers could relate to. Video games and animated series
have struggled to capture the complexity of Ben Grimm's character.
Many reduce him to a simple, strong guy archetype, missing
the nuanced emotional journey at the core of his character.
The best adaptations show his vulnerability beneath the rocky exterior,
(05:27):
his love for his teammates, his Jewish heritage, his deep
sense of loyalty. The animated history of the Thing is
as complex and fascinating as the character himself. The first
significant animated adaptation came in nineteen sixty seven with the
original Fantastic Four cartoon produced by Hanna Barbera. This series,
(05:53):
while primitive by today's standards, was groundbreaking for its time.
Voice actor Paul Free brought Ben Grimm to life, capturing
the character's graph exterior, but struggling to convey the emotional
depth that would become a hallmark of the character in
later interpretations. The nineteen seventy eight Fantastic Four animated series
(06:18):
produced by Depatei Freleng Enterprises, represented a significant evolution. Here,
the Thing became more than just a strong character, he
was positioned as the heart of the team. Voice actor
Ted Cassidy, known for his distinctive deep voice, brought a
new level of nuance to Ben Grimm. His portrayal emphasized
(06:42):
the characters in a conflict, a sensitive soul trapped in
a rocky exterior. These early animated series were crucial in
establishing the Thing as more than just a strong guy,
explains animation historian doctor Marcus Wong. They began to explore
the emotional complexity that would become central to the character's appeal.
(07:07):
Ben Grimm wasn't just a monster, he was a fully
realized character struggling with his transformation. The nineteen ninety four
Fantastic Four animated series took this character development even further.
Produced by Marvel Productions, this iteration delved deeper into Grimm's backstory,
(07:29):
exploring his Jewish heritage and his complex relationship with his teammates.
Voice actor Chuck McCann brought a world weary wisdom to
the character, emphasizing Ben's role as the team's moral center
more in a moment. The cultural impact of the Thing
(08:07):
extends far beyond comic books. He represents a unique archetype
of the reluctant hero, powerful but deeply uncomfortable with his
own power. Characters like The Hulk owe a significant debt
to Grimm's pioneering portrayal of a hero transformed against his will.
(08:29):
Recent comic storylines have explored deeper aspects of Grimm's transformation.
Some arcs have allowed him temporary returns to human form,
exploring the psychological impact of his condition. Others have delved
into the scientific mystery of his cosmic radiation induced transformation.
(08:52):
Industry analysts point out the marketing challenges of a character
like the Thing. How do you sell a hero who
looks like a monster. The answer has always been to
emphasize his humanity, his loyalty, his humor, his capacity for
love and friendship. The Thing endures because he represents the
(09:14):
human struggle with self acceptance, concludes doctor Cohen. He shows
us that heroism isn't about perfect appearance, but about character, loyalty,
and the courage to embrace who you are. Merchandise for
The Thing has ranged from traditional action figures to more
(09:35):
nuanced collectibles that capture his emotional complexity. Fans appreciate items
that show both his rocky exterior and his human heart
statues that capture both his strength and his vulnerability. The
science may not support a human turning into living rock,
(09:55):
but the emotional truth of Ben Grimm stretches far beyond
bi a logical possibility. He remains a powerful symbol of transformation,
self acceptance, and the hero inside us. All that wraps
up our rocky exploration of the thing. Join us next
time on Monsters, Sharks and Dinosaurs as we examine another
(10:20):
legendary figure that captures our imagination. Until then, it's clobber
and time
Calorogus shark media picture this. You're facing Ben Grimm, better
known as the Thing. His massive, rocky body towers over you,
each movement causing the ground to tremble. Skin like living
(00:23):
granite muscles bulging with impossible strength. He closes in one
punch could obliterate you completely. His fist, harder than any
known material on Earth, begins its devastating arc. Time seems
to slow as you realize you're about to be crushed
by a walking mountain of pure, unrelenting power. The last
(00:48):
thing you hear is a gravelly voice muttering its clobberin time,
your final moment punctuated by the most infamous catchphrase in
superhero history. Welcome to Monsters, sharks, and dinosaurs. Today we're
(01:12):
exploring the rocky world of Ben Grimm, The Thing, a
human transformed into a walking, talking geological phenomenon. Ben Grimm's
origin is a testament to the scientific mishap that created
the Fantastic Four. During an experimental space mission, cosmic radiation
(01:36):
fundamentally altered his body, transforming him from a normal human
into a being of living rock. But could a human
body actually become a walking stone creature? Doctor Elena Rodriguez,
a materials scientist at MIT, explains the biological impossibility. The
(02:00):
human body is primarily composed of soft tissues, muscles, organs,
blood vessels. To become a living rock creature, virtually every
cell would need to be replaced by a mineral based structure,
while somehow maintaining biological functions. The challenges of ben Grimm's
(02:23):
physiology are mind boggling. How would a rocky body maintain
internal temperature? How would blood circulate through stone like tissues?
How would muscles function if made of rock? How would
nerve signals transmit through mineral structures? Fundamentally, a living rock
creature defies everything we know about biology, says doctor Rodriguez.
(02:47):
The closest biological analogues we have are creatures with exoskeletons,
but those are still fundamentally organic. The thing is something
entirely different, a complete transfer of biological matter into a
mineral state. Some marine organisms, like certain coral species, can
(03:08):
incorporate mineral structures into their bodies, but nothing approaches the
complete transformation scene in ben Grimm. His body represents a
total violation of biological principles. A human turned into a
walking piece of geology that somehow maintains life, consciousness, and
(03:29):
mobility beyond his physical transformation. Ben Grimm's character represents a
profound exploration of identity and self acceptance. Initially devastated by
his transformation, he struggles with feeling monstrous while maintaining his humanity.
(03:49):
Unlike many superhero transformations, Grimm's change is permanent and deeply traumatic.
Ben Grimm subverts the typical superhero transfer information narrative, explains
pop culture analyst doctor Sarah Cohnn, most heroes gain powers
and immediately become confident. The Thing's journey is about learning
(04:12):
to love himself despite feeling like a monster. His catch phrase,
its Clobern time becomes a form of self empowerment, transforming
his pain into strength. The marketing of the Thing has
evolved significantly since his debut in nineteen sixty one. Early
comic portrayals emphasized his raw strength and tragic backstory. Merchandise
(04:38):
focused on his imposing physical presence, action figures that highlighted
his rocky texture and massive size. Comic book historian Alan
Moore notes the Thing was revolutionary because he looked like
a monster but had the heart of a hero. He
wasn't a smooth, idealized superhero, but a rough, imperfect character
(05:03):
that readers could relate to. Video games and animated series
have struggled to capture the complexity of Ben Grimm's character.
Many reduce him to a simple, strong guy archetype, missing
the nuanced emotional journey at the core of his character.
The best adaptations show his vulnerability beneath the rocky exterior,
(05:27):
his love for his teammates, his Jewish heritage, his deep
sense of loyalty. The animated history of the Thing is
as complex and fascinating as the character himself. The first
significant animated adaptation came in nineteen sixty seven with the
original Fantastic Four cartoon produced by Hanna Barbera. This series,
(05:53):
while primitive by today's standards, was groundbreaking for its time.
Voice actor Paul Free brought Ben Grimm to life, capturing
the character's graph exterior, but struggling to convey the emotional
depth that would become a hallmark of the character in
later interpretations. The nineteen seventy eight Fantastic Four animated series
(06:18):
produced by Depatei Freleng Enterprises, represented a significant evolution. Here,
the Thing became more than just a strong character, he
was positioned as the heart of the team. Voice actor
Ted Cassidy, known for his distinctive deep voice, brought a
new level of nuance to Ben Grimm. His portrayal emphasized
(06:42):
the characters in a conflict, a sensitive soul trapped in
a rocky exterior. These early animated series were crucial in
establishing the Thing as more than just a strong guy,
explains animation historian doctor Marcus Wong. They began to explore
the emotional complexity that would become central to the character's appeal.
(07:07):
Ben Grimm wasn't just a monster, he was a fully
realized character struggling with his transformation. The nineteen ninety four
Fantastic Four animated series took this character development even further.
Produced by Marvel Productions, this iteration delved deeper into Grimm's backstory,
(07:29):
exploring his Jewish heritage and his complex relationship with his teammates.
Voice actor Chuck McCann brought a world weary wisdom to
the character, emphasizing Ben's role as the team's moral center
more in a moment. The cultural impact of the Thing
(08:07):
extends far beyond comic books. He represents a unique archetype
of the reluctant hero, powerful but deeply uncomfortable with his
own power. Characters like The Hulk owe a significant debt
to Grimm's pioneering portrayal of a hero transformed against his will.
(08:29):
Recent comic storylines have explored deeper aspects of Grimm's transformation.
Some arcs have allowed him temporary returns to human form,
exploring the psychological impact of his condition. Others have delved
into the scientific mystery of his cosmic radiation induced transformation.
(08:52):
Industry analysts point out the marketing challenges of a character
like the Thing. How do you sell a hero who
looks like a monster. The answer has always been to
emphasize his humanity, his loyalty, his humor, his capacity for
love and friendship. The Thing endures because he represents the
(09:14):
human struggle with self acceptance, concludes doctor Cohen. He shows
us that heroism isn't about perfect appearance, but about character, loyalty,
and the courage to embrace who you are. Merchandise for
The Thing has ranged from traditional action figures to more
(09:35):
nuanced collectibles that capture his emotional complexity. Fans appreciate items
that show both his rocky exterior and his human heart
statues that capture both his strength and his vulnerability. The
science may not support a human turning into living rock,
(09:55):
but the emotional truth of Ben Grimm stretches far beyond
bi a logical possibility. He remains a powerful symbol of transformation,
self acceptance, and the hero inside us. All that wraps
up our rocky exploration of the thing. Join us next
time on Monsters, Sharks and Dinosaurs as we examine another
(10:20):
legendary figure that captures our imagination. Until then, it's clobber
and time
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