Hulk vs. Thing - A geeky update

As a kid my favorite comic was the Fantastic Four. Marvel has started a new animated show of the FF and they just announced that episode 4 will feature The Thing vs The Hulk (above is a sneakpeak). I have yet to see the show due to our lack of cable, but look forward to the DVDs.

I always loved these match-ups. What is it about this clash of titans that is/was so captivating?! Something more than just monster vs. monster (i.e. Godzilla match-ups). I really think the colors play a huge role. These behemoths of primary color mix-up; The Thing's orange (red+yellow) rocky exterior vs. ole Greenskin (blue + yellow), always sporting those purple pants (red + blue). It is such a simple yet brilliant color clash in the same respect that the strength vs. strength was always such a simple but powerful battle.

Let's take an FF retrospective.

Now, in the first issue they met-up (FF#12). Jack and Stan (Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, fathers of the Marvel way) did not capitalize on the thunderous collision of these guys. They are separated by a pillar of grey ... very ho-hum. And it wasn't The Thing vs. The Hulk .. "The Fantastic Four meet The Hulk." Meet him? "Hey, how's it going?"
By the next meeting (FF#25), they figured out that fans want to see the clash. Unlike the above one, the below images all come from my own collection (this particular issue was previously owned by Cliff Landry, some Cajun dude who was nice enough to devalue this issue my signing the Hulk)

Unfortunately, the balance of power is a bit off here. While the Hulk is much more physically powerful than The Thing, Ben's intellect usually gives him a fighting chance. But this image shows The Thing being out-classed in many ways.This cover (FF #112) is my favorite of the clashes. Very simple. Tells me what I want to see. A superb balance of power. Classic Marvel Headline ... 'Nuff Said! It's all in the eyes ...
I remember thinking this cover was pretty impressive as a kid, the action of the FF balanced with the immense power in the Hulk's frame.This is classic Hulk and classic Thing. Both characters changed physically throughout their careers, but this period of the 80's if my favorite.
Speaking of changing, here we have a spikey Thing fighting a grey Hulk. This may have been one of the few time The Thing was physically more powerful. But this fight scene is pretty disappointing. The color clash is boring. The fight is in "the shadow of Doom," so they don't seem to be fighting to have it out, but just as puppets to Dr. Doom. And just the other day I got a modern graphic novel with this cover ...
I don't know, maybe it is because The Thing is my favorite character, but this is not a very appealing image to me... also the washed out colors takes a bit away.

OK, just a geek update from me. Carry on...