DISGUISING THE THING AS THE PIRATE BLACKBEARD

During the Fantastic Four’s first encounter with Doctor Doom, the team went hurtling back in time in FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #5 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. While holding the Invisible Woman hostage, Doom sent the rest of the Fantastic Four back to the 18th century to steal the pirate Blackbeard’s treasure chest, which he believed contained Merlin’s magical jewels. 

The heroes tried to keep a low profile, disguising the Thing with a black beard, wig, and eyepatch. Unfortunately, the heroes failed to fool the pirates and were subsequently captured. However, once the pirates saw the trio’s powers, they declared the Thing to be their leader, Blackbeard.

Seizing the opportunity, Reed replaced the jewels in the treasure chest with chains. However, the Thing embraced his new role as Blackbeard and wanted to stay in the past. When the Thing then tried to send his teammates away, a violent storm left them shipwrecked. Doom brought the trio back to the modern day and Ben apologized to his fellow team members.