Marvel Two-In-One Epic Collection: Project Pegasus

One of the all-time-greatest Thing adventures!

Two-fisted fun doesn’t come any finer than Marvel Two-In-One — and the beloved “Project PEGASUS” saga stands as one of the series’ greatest triumphs! When the Thing visits a top-secret S.H.I.E.L.D. energy installation, he’s not prepared for the gauntlet ahead. Teaming up with Quasar and Giant-Man, he clashes with Thundra, battles a time-lost Deathlok and witnesses the startling transformation of Wundarr. Then the Thing unites with FF teammate Johnny Storm and witnesses “The Coming of Her” on Counter-Earth! The action only intensifies with the power of Maelstrom and the shocking return of the Serpent Crown. And it’s the story you never thought you’d see: The Thing joins forces with the Yancy Street Gang! Plus: Cosmic Marvel gets its due in Thing team-ups with Moondragon, Starhawk, Adam Warlock and the Guardians of the Galaxy!

COLLECTING: Marvel Two-in-One (1974) #53-74

Written by Mark Gruenwald & Ralph Macchio with Marv Wolfman
Penciled by George Pérez, Ron Wilson, John Byrne & Jerry Bingham with Chic Stone, Michael Netzer & Frank Springer

Few writers/editors influenced Marvel more than Mark Gruenwald (1953-1996). Famed for pioneering work on the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe and his magnum opus Squadron Supreme, he also wrote a hundred-plus-issue run of Captain America; multiple Marvel Two-in-One sagas; and several miniseries, including Contest of Champions, the first of Marvel’s multi-hero sagas. He explored the Marvel Universe’s ancient history in a series of What If? backup stories he also penciled.

Ralph Macchio began as an assistant editor on Marvel’s black-and-white magazines. His career grew more colorful with writing stints on Avengers, Thor and others. As editor, he oversaw Master of Kung Fu, Moon Knight, Daredevil and more. After editing multiple Spider-Man titles, he moved to the Ultimate line, which he guided through world-shaking changes.

An award-winning writer since 1973, Marv Wolfman succeeded mentor Roy Thomas as Marvel’s editor in chief. Well-remembered for his Tomb of Dracula scripts, he also enjoyed runs on Dr. Strange, Fantastic Four and Nova, among other titles. New Teen Titans, his 1980s collaboration with George Pérez, became DC Comics’ biggest hit in years. Wolfman and Pérez literally rewrote DC history with Crisis on Infinite Earths. He subsequently penned episodes for such animated TV series as G.I. Joe, Transformers and others.

Artist George Pérez made team titles his specialty with runs on Marvel’s Avengers and Fantastic Four, along with DC’s Justice League of America and New Teen Titans, the latter co-created with Marv Wolfman. The pair redefined the DC Universe in Crisis on Infinite Earths. In collaboration with writer Kurt Busiek, he returned to Avengers following the “Heroes Reborn” event. The pair surpassed expectations with JLA/Avengers, a 2003 crossover that featured nearly every member of both long-running teams.

Ron Wilson began penciling the Thing’s Two-in-One adventures in 1975 and remained for most of the title’s run. He subsequently illustrated follow-up series Thing until its end in 1986. Wilson also contributed art for Avengers, Captain Britain, Power Man and other titles, including the entire run of Marvel’s licensed Masters of the Universe series. At DC, he provided character designs for the Milestone imprint.

John Byrne has worked continuously in the comics industry as both writer and artist since 1975. After he initially collaborated with writer Chris Claremont on Iron Fist, Byrne and Claremont moved on to X-Men for a run still regarded as one of the title’s finest. Byrne contributed an equally famed stint on Fantastic Four, earning comparisons to the original Lee/Kirby issues for his imaginative plotlines and dynamic artwork. He also spun Alpha Flight into its own title. In 1986, he revamped DC’s flagship hero, Superman, reimagining the Man of Steel in a historic project heralded by a Time magazine cover. His remarkable contribution to the Marvel Universe extends to memorable associations with virtually every major hero, including celebrated runs on Captain America, Iron Man, Sensational She-Hulk, Namor the Sub-Mariner and Thing. In the 21st century, Byrne’s considerable body of work includes IDW’s Star Trek and Angel.