View source for Man-Thing

{{short description|Marvel Comics character}}
{{For|the film|Man-Thing (film)}}
{{Distinguish|Swamp Thing}}
{{refimprove|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox comics character<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| character_name = Man-Thing
| image          = Man-Thing.jpg
| converted      = yes
| caption        = Man-Thing on the cover of ''Infernal Man-Thing'' #3 (August 2012).<br>Art by [[Arthur Adams (comics)|Arthur Adams]].
| real_name      = Dr. Theodore "Ted" Sallis
| publisher      = [[Marvel Comics]]
| debut          = ''[[Savage Tales]]'' #1 (May 1971)
| creators       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Stan Lee]]
* [[Roy Thomas]]
* [[Gerry Conway]]
* [[Gray Morrow]]
}}
| species        = [[List of swamp monsters|Swamp monster]]/Human mutate
| alliances      = Nexus of All Realities<br>[[Midnight Sons]]<br>[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]<br>Daydreamers<br>[[Legion of Monsters]]<br>Avengers of the Supernatural<ref>''Uncanny Avengers'' Annual #1</ref><br>Ancient Order of the Shield<ref>''Red She-Hulk'' #67</ref><br>[[S.T.A.K.E.]]
| partners       = [[Howard the Duck]]
| aliases        = Vorgornus Koth
| powers         = Superhuman strength, durability and stamina<br>Empathic senses<br>Chlorokinetic regeneration<br>Size alteration<br>Corrosive-chemical secretion<br>Teleportation<br>Portal creation<br>Fear empowerment<br>Reality guardianship<br>Plant manipulation
| cat            = super
| subcat         = Marvel Comics
| hero           = yes
| sortkey        = Man-Thing
}}
The '''Man-Thing''' ('''Dr. Theodore''' "'''Ted'''" '''Sallis''')<ref>{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|æ|l|ɪ|s}}</ref> is a fictional character appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. Created by writers [[Stan Lee]], [[Roy Thomas]], and [[Gerry Conway]] and artist [[Gray Morrow]], the character first appeared in ''[[Savage Tales]]'' #1 (May 1971),<ref>{{cite book |last1=DeFalco |first1=Tom |last2=Sanderson |first2=Peter |last3=Brevoort |first3=Tom |last4=Teitelbaum |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |last6=Darling |first6=Andrew |last7=Forbeck |first7=Matt |last8=Cowsill |first8=Alan |last9=Bray |first9=Adam |title=The Marvel Encyclopedia |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0 |page=231}}</ref> and went on to be featured in various titles and in his own series, including ''[[Adventure into Fear]]''. [[Steve Gerber]]'s 39-issue run on the series<ref>Gerber's run is continuous from ''Fear'' #11-19, and ''Man-Thing'' #1-22, as well as the concurrent ''Giant-Size Man-Thing'' #1-5, and ''Monsters Unleashed'' #8-9, and these were followed quickly by a story in ''The Rampaging Hulk'' #7 for a total of 39 issues. In addition, Gerber also wrote the Man-Thing as a guest-starring character into ''Marvel Two-in-One'' #1, ''Daredevil'' #113-114 and ''Iron Man'' Annual #3.</ref> is considered to be a [[Cult following|cult classic]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cooke |first1=Jon B. |title=Swampmen: Muck-Monsters and Their Makers |date=2014 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |location=Raleigh, NC |isbn=978-1-60549-057-1 |page=48}}</ref>

The Man-Thing is a large, slow-moving, [[Empathy|empathic]], [[humanoid]] [[List of swamp monsters|swamp monster]] living in the [[Florida]] [[Everglades]] near a [[Seminole]] [[Indian reservation|reservation]] and the fictional town of [[Citrusville]] in Cypress County (also fictional), Florida.

The character made its live-action debut in the film ''[[Man-Thing (film)|Man-Thing]]'' (2005), played by [[Conan Stevens]]. He later appeared in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] television special ''[[Werewolf by Night (TV special)|Werewolf by Night]]'' (2022), motion-captured by Carey Jones and with [[Jeffrey Ford (film editor)|Jeffrey Ford]] providing additional vocalizations.

==Publication history==
As described in the text featurette "The Story Behind the Scenes" in ''[[Savage Tales]]'' #1 ([[cover-date]]d May 1971), the black-and-white adventure fantasy magazine in which the character debuted in an 11-page origin story, the Man-Thing was conceived in discussions between [[Marvel Comics]] editor [[Stan Lee]] and writer [[Roy Thomas]]. Together they created five possible origins for the character. Lee provided the name, which had previously been used for unrelated creatures in Marvel's early science-fiction/fantasy anthology ''[[Tales of Suspense]]'' #7 (January 1960) and #81 (September 1966),<ref>[http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=15469 ''Tales of Suspense'' #7 (Jan. 1960)]: "I Fought the [[Molten Man-Thing]]!", writer unknown, at the [[Grand Comics Database]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chronologyproject.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4073&sid=37aa7778a4232117321b5e4ac8a3eee3&p=25609#p25609 |title=Marvel Chronology Project • View topic – Man-Thing I |publisher=Chronologyproject.com |access-date=2012-04-12}}</ref> as well as the concept of the man losing sentience.

As Thomas recalled in 2002:
{{blockquote|Stan Lee called me in; it would've been late '70 or early '71. [...] He had a couple of sentences or so for the concept – I think it was mainly the notion of a guy working on some experimental drug or something for the government, his being accosted by spies, and getting fused with the swamp so that he becomes this creature. The creature itself sounds a lot like the [[Heap (comics)|Heap]], but neither of us mentioned that character at the time.... I didn't care much for the name 'Man-Thing', because we already had the [[Thing (comics)|Thing]] [of the superhero team the [[Fantastic Four]]], and I thought it would be confusing to also have another one called Man-Thing.<ref>Roy Thomas interview, ''[[Alter Ego (magazine)|Alter Ego]]'' #81 (October 2008), p. 20</ref>}}

Thomas worked out a detailed plot<ref>The three-page, single-spaced plot for the 11-page story is reprinted in ''Alter Ego'' #81 (October 2008), pp. 22–23</ref>  and gave it to [[Gerry Conway]] to script. Thomas and Conway are credited as writers, with [[Gray Morrow]] as artist. A second story, written by [[Len Wein]] and drawn by [[Neal Adams]], was prepared at that time, but, upon ''Savage Tales''<nowiki>'</nowiki> cancellation after that single issue,<ref>The magazine was later revived, beginning with issue #2 (October 1973)</ref> "took a year or two to see print", according to Thomas.<ref>Thomas interview, p. 21</ref> That occurred in ''[[Astonishing Tales]]'' #12 (June 1972), in which the seven-page story was integrated in its entirety within the 21-page feature "[[Ka-Zar (Kevin Plunder)|Ka-Zar]]", starring Marvel's jungle-lord hero. This black-and-white interlude (with yellow highlighting) segued to the Man-Thing's introduction to color comics as Ka-Zar's antagonist-turned-ally in this and the following issue (both written by Thomas, with the first [[Penciler|penciled]] by [[John Buscema]] and the second by Buscema and [[Rich Buckler]]).{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

The Wein-written Man-Thing story appeared in between Wein's first<ref>The character Alexander "Alex" Olsen, introduced in DC's ''[[House of Secrets (DC Comics)|House of Secrets]]'' #92 (July 1971)</ref> and second<ref>The character Alexander "Alec" Holland, introduced in DC's ''Swamp Thing'' #1 (Nov. 1972)</ref> version of his [[DC Comics]] character the [[Swamp Thing]]. Wein was Conway's roommate at the time and as Thomas recalled in 2008,

{{blockquote|Gerry and I thought that, unconsciously, the origin in ''Swamp Thing'' #1 was a bit too similar to the origin of Man-Thing a year-and-a-half earlier. There was vague talk at the time around Marvel of legal action, but it was never really pursued. I don't know if any letters even changed hands between Marvel and DC. [...] We weren't happy with the situation over the ''Swamp Thing'' #1 origin, but we figured it was an accident. Gerry was rooming with Len at the time and tried to talk him into changing the Swamp Thing's origin. Len didn't see the similarities, so he went ahead with what he was going to do. The two characters [di]verged off after that origin, so it didn't make much difference, anyway.<ref>Thomas interview, p. 25</ref>}}

The Man-Thing received his own 10-page feature, again by Conway (with Morrow inking pencils by [[Howard Chaykin]]), in ''[[Adventure into Fear]]'' #10 (Oct. 1972), sharing that anthology title with reprinted 1950s [[Horror fiction|horror]]/[[fantasy]] stories.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brevoort |first1=Tom |last2=DeFalco |first2=Tom |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=Sanderson |first4=Peter |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |title=Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History |date=2017 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1465455505 |page=157}}</ref> [[Steve Gerber]], who would become the Man-Thing's signature writer, succeeded Conway the following issue, with art by Rich Buckler (Mayerik began with issue #13). The feature expanded to 15 pages with #12 (art by [[Jim Starlin]]), became 16 pages two issues later and reached the then-standard 19-page length of Marvel [[superhero]] comics with issue #15, at which point the series also went from bi-monthly to monthly. In ''Fear''  #11 (Dec. 1972), p.&nbsp;11, Gerber created the series' narrative tagline, used in captions: "Whatever knows fear burns at the Man-Thing's touch!"

[[File:Man-Thing 1 (1974).jpg|thumb|left|upright|''The Man-Thing'' #1 (Jan. 1974). Cover art by [[Frank Brunner]].]]
After issue #19 (Dec. 1973), the Man-Thing received a solo title ''The Man-Thing'', which ran 22 issues (Jan. 1974–Oct. 1975). Following Morrow, the main series' primary [[penciller]]s were, successively, [[Val Mayerik]], [[Mike Ploog]], John Buscema, and [[Jim Mooney]].{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

{{anchor|Giant-Size Man-Thing}} A sister publication was the larger, quarterly ''Giant-Size Man-Thing'' #1-5 (Aug. 1974–Aug. 1975), which featured 1950s horror-fantasy and 1960s [[science fiction]]/monster reprints as back-up stories, with a two-part [[Howard the Duck]] co-feature added in the final two issues. The unintentional [[double entendre]] in this sister series' title has become a recurring joke among comics readers.<ref>As Thomas, for one, recalled: "''Giant-Size Man-Thing'' later had a decidedly funny ring to it, but not ''Man-Thing'' in itself". (Thomas interview, p. 21)</ref>

In the final issue (#22), writer Gerber appeared as a character in the story, claiming that he had not been inventing the Man-Thing's adventures but simply reporting on them and that he had decided to move on. Gerber continued to write Man-Thing guest appearances in other Marvel titles, as well as the serialized, eight-page Man-Thing feature in the omnibus series ''[[Marvel Comics Presents]]'' #1-12 (Sept. 1988–Feb. 1989), and a supporting role in ''[[The Evolutionary War]]'', coming to the aid of [[Spider-Man]].<ref>''[[Web of Spider-Man]]'' Annual #4.</ref> Gerber also wrote a graphic novel that [[Kevin Nowlan]] spent many years illustrating, but he did not live to see it published.<ref name="lonely.geek.nz">{{Cite web|url=http://www.lonely.geek.nz/fording_the_mainstream/man-thing/infernal.html|title=Man-Thing Web-Thing :: Graphic Novel-Thing|website=www.lonely.geek.nz}}</ref>

A second ''Man-Thing'' series ran 11 issues (Nov. 1979–Jan. 1981). Writer [[Michael Fleisher]] and penciller Mooney teamed for the first three issues, with the letters page of #3 noting that Fleisher's work had received a great deal of negative criticism and that he had been taken off the book. He was succeeded by, primarily, writer [[Chris Claremont]] and illustrators [[Don Perlin]] (breakdowns) and [[Bob Wiacek]] (finished pencils). Claremont's stories introduced the Man-Thing and [[Jennifer Kale]] to [[Doctor Strange]] (whose series he was concurrently writing), after which his material focused on two new supporting characters: John Daltry, Citrusville's new sheriff, and Bobbie Bannister, a formerly wealthy girl who is the only survivor when her parents' yacht is attacked. These characters' stories he resolved by tying them to a resolution for his own ''[[War Is Hell (comics)|War is Hell]]'' series.<ref>''Man-Thing'' vol. 2 #10-11, guest starring John Kowalski.</ref>

Black and white Man-Thing stories, and some color covers, also appeared in the Marvel magazine ''[[Monsters Unleashed (comics)|Monsters Unleashed]]'' as well.<ref name="unleashed">{{cite news |url= http://www.comicvine.com/monsters-unleashed-3-man-thing/4000-13808/ |title=Monsters Unleashed! #3 |work=[[Comic Vine]] |access-date=2015-03-03}}</ref>

[[Simon Jowett]] provided a Man-Thing story in ''Marvel Comics Presents'' #164–168 (Early Oct.–Late Nov. 1994). The story was set soon after Sallis' transformation, yet depicted Sallis using a standard [[personal computer]] with up-to-date graphics rather than hard-copy files, an example of the [[floating timeline]] effect.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

[[J.M. DeMatteis]] began writing the character in a backup story in ''Man-Thing'' vol. 2 #9 (March 1981), which opened with a fill-in by Dickie McKenzie.<!--He is credited as "Dickie" in the issue--> DeMatteis would go on to write Man-Thing stories in ''[[Marvel Team-Up]]'', ''[[The Defenders (comic book)|The Defenders]]'', ''[[Marvel Fanfare]]'', and the [[Limited series (comics)|miniseries]] ''Daydreamers'', as well as ''Man-Thing'' vol. 3 #1-8 (Dec. 1997–July 1998), illustrated by [[Liam Sharp]]. The two would re-team for the Man-Thing feature in ''Strange Tales'' vol. 4 #1-2 (Sept.–Oct. 1998). Four issues were written, but #3 and 4 were never published. Their stories were summarized briefly in ''[[Peter Parker: Spider-Man]] Annual '99'', also by DeMatteis, with art by Sharp and others.<ref name=ebrandt>[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/brandtellenmt.htm Ellen Brandt] at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe</ref><ref name=kadmon>[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/spyrosad.htm K'Ad-Mon of the Fallen Stars] at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe</ref><ref>[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/cleitoatlantismt.htm Cleito] at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe</ref>

In the 2000s, the Man-Thing has starred in a handful of stories appearing in [[One-shot (comics)|one-shots]] and miniseries, including ''Marvel Knights Double Shot'' #2 (July 2002) by [[Ted McKeever]], and ''Legion of Monsters: Man-Thing'' #1 (May 2007) by [[Charlie Huston]] and [[Klaus Janson]].{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

In 2008, writer [[Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa]] retold Man-Thing's origin in ''[[Dead of Night (comics)|Dead of Night]] featuring the Man-Thing'' #1-4 (April–July 2008), from the [[Max (comics)|Marvel MAX]] [[imprint (trade name)|imprint]].<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12531 Aguirre-Sacasa talks "Dead of Night featuring Man-Thing"], [[Comic Book Resources]], February 13, 2008</ref> This was followed by an eight-page story in ''Marvel Comics Presents'' (vol. 2) #12 (Oct. 2008), by writer Jai Nitz and artist Ben Stenbeck.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

The Man-Thing appeared regularly during [[The Punisher]]'s ''[[Franken-Castle]]'' story arc and became a regular member of ''[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]'' with issue #144.  The series was retitled ''Dark Avengers'' with #175, and the Man-Thing continued to appear as a regular character until issue #183. Steve Gerber's posthumous Man-Thing story "The Screenplay of the Living Dead Man", with art by [[Kevin Nowlan]], originally planned as a 1980s graphic novel before being left uncompleted by the artist,<ref name=bigwait>{{cite web | url = http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/09/the-next-big-wait-project-emerges-man-thing-by-gerber-and-nowlan/ | date = September 21, 2011 | first = Chris | last = Arrant | title = The Next Big-Wait Project Emerges: Man-Thing by Gerber and Nowlan | publisher = [[Comic Book Resources]] | access-date = February 14, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120101035505/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/09/the-next-big-wait-project-emerges-man-thing-by-gerber-and-nowlan/ | archive-date=January 1, 2012 | url-status = live}}</ref> was revived in the 2010s and appeared as a three-issue miniseries cover-titled ''The Infernal Man-Thing'' (Early Sept.-Oct. 2012).<ref>[http://www.comics.org/series/66559/ ''Infernal Man-Thing''] at the [[Grand Comics Database]]</ref> The story was a sequel to Gerber's "Song-Cry of the Living Dead Man" in ''Man-Thing'' #12 (Dec. 1974).<ref name=bigwait />

Author [[R.L. Stine]] made his comics debut with a five-issue ''Man-Thing'' miniseries in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gene Gustines |first=George |date=December 9, 2016 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/09/books/rl-stine-to-write-man-thing-series-for-marvel.html |title=R.L. Stine to Write Man-Thing Series for Marvel|work=[[New York Times]] |access-date=April 1, 2017}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==
Young [[biochemist]] Dr. Theodore "Ted" Sallis, a native of [[Omaha, Nebraska]],<ref>{{cite comic|title=[[Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe#The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Vol. II (Deluxe Edition)|The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (Deluxe Edition)]]|story=Man-Thing| volume = 2| issue = #8| date = July 1986| publisher = Marvel|page= 15|artist=[[Bret Blevins]]}}</ref> is working in the [[Everglades]] as part of Wilma Calvin's Project: Gladiator team, which includes [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Barbara Morse]] and her [[fiancé]] Paul Allen, and an assistant named Jim. A Dr. Wendell is later cited as being on the staff after Calvin is shot.<ref>[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/calvin_wilma.htm Dr. Wilma Calvin] at the Appendix to the Marvel Universe</ref> The group is attempting to recreate the Super-Soldier Serum that had created [[Captain America]].<ref>''Man-Thing'' vol. 2 #1 (Nov. 1979). Marvel Comics.</ref> ''Web of Spider-Man'' vol. 2 #6 revealed that Sallis at one point treated and worked alongside Curt Connors shortly after Connors' arm was amputated, driving the research that would eventually transform Connors into the [[Lizard (character)|Lizard]].{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Though warned that the technological terrorist group [[Advanced Idea Mechanics]] (A.I.M.) has been operating in the area, Sallis breaches security by bringing with him his lover, [[Ellen Brandt]] (referred to here as "Miss Brandt", but later [[retcon]]ned to be his wife). He destroys his notes to his formula, which he has memorized. Later, he is ambushed by two thugs and learns that Brandt has betrayed him. Fleeing with the only sample of his serum, he injects himself with it in hopes of saving himself. However, he crashes his car into the swamp, where scientific and magical forces combine to transform him into a plant-matter creature.<ref>They were yellow in ''Fear'' #10-13, but red in the ''Astonishing Tales'' issues, and all subsequent issues from ''Fear'' #14 onward.</ref> Unable to speak, and with dim memories, he attacks the ambushers and Brandt, burning and scarring part of her face with an acid that he now secretes in the presence of negative emotions. The Man-Thing then wanders away into the swamp.<ref name=origin>''Savage Tales'' #1 (May 1971) / ''Astonishing Tales'' #12 (June 1972); Wein/Adams segment. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Sallis' mind was extinguished, although on rare occasions he could briefly return to consciousness within his monstrous form, as in ''Doctor Strange'' vol. 2 #41 (June 1980), ''The Defenders'' #98 (Aug. 1981), and ''Peter Parker: Spider-Man'' Annual '99,  and even to his human form, as in ''Adventure into Fear'' #13 (April 1973), ''Marvel Two-in-One'' #1 (Jan. 1974), ''Marvel Comics Presents'' #164 (Oct. 1994), and ''Man-Thing'' vol. 3 #5 and 7-8 (April 1998, June–July 1998).{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Under writer [[Steve Gerber]], the Man-Thing encounters the sorceress [[Jennifer Kale]], with whom he briefly shared a psychic link and who knew his true identity, in a story arc in ''Fear'' #11-13 – the final issue of which established that the swamp had mystical properties as the Nexus of Realities. Through an interdimensional portal in ''Fear'' #19, he meets [[Howard the Duck]], who becomes stranded in this reality. The Man-Thing became the guardian of the Nexus, and found himself facing demons, ghosts and time-traveling warriors, while continuing to encounter such non-supernatural antagonists as rapacious land developers, fascist vigilantes and common criminals. He formed a bond with young [[Radio personality|radio DJ]] [[Richard Rory]] and nurse Ruth Hart. Issue #12's "Song-Cry of the Living Dead Man", about a crazed writer named Brian Lazarus, spawned Gerber's posthumously published 2012 sequel, "The Screenplay of the Living Dead Man", in the three-issue miniseries ''The Infernal Man-Thing''.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

In ''Man-Thing'' vol. 2 #1-11 (Nov. 1979–July 1981), writer [[Chris Claremont]] introduced himself as a character in the final issue, as Gerber had in the finale of the first series. Additionally, Claremont temporarily became the Man-Thing after being killed. His and other characters' deaths were later resolved with the intervention of the ''War Is Hell'' series lead, John Kowalski, now an aspect of Marvel Comics' manifestation of [[Death (Marvel Comics)|Death]]. In ''Man-Thing'' vol. 3 #1-8 (Dec. 1997–July 1998), Ellen Brandt Sallis returns to the Citrusville area and encounters a little boy, Job Burke, who is actually the Sallises' son, who had been put up for adoption. Following this series, the story continued in ''Strange Tales'' vol. 4 #1-2, and was projected to continue in the unpublished issues #3-4. Summaries based on DeMatteis' unillustrated scripts appear on the K'Ad-mon and Ellen Brandt pages in ''Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe''.<ref name=ebrandt /><ref name=kadmon />

During the "[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]" storyline, two [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] agents unsuccessfully attempt to register the Man-Thing under the [[Superhuman Registration Act]].<ref name="ReferenceA">''Marvel Comics Presents'' vol. 2 #12. Marvel Comics.</ref>

The Man-Thing later appears as a member of the [[Legion of Monsters]] alongside [[Morbius]], [[Werewolf by Night]], [[Manphibian]], and [[N'Kantu, the Living Mummy]].<ref>''The Punisher'' vol. 8 #11. Marvel Comics.</ref> He later gains the ability to speak comprehensibly through the use of the "Universal Language".<ref name="auto">''Thunderbolts'' #144</ref> [[Phil Coulson]] subsequently recruits the Man-Thing into the [[Howling Commandos]].<ref>''S.H.I.E.L.D.'' vol. 3 #6. Marvel Comics.</ref>

As part of the [[All-New, All-Different Marvel]] branding, the Man-Thing appears as a member of [[S.T.A.K.E.]]'s Howling Commandos.<ref>''Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Empyre]]" storyline, Man-Thing falls under the control of the [[Cotati (comics)|Cotati]].<ref>''Empyre: Avengers'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> Doctor Voodoo takes control of Man-Thing to free Matthew and Black Knight. As Matthew and Black Knight fight the Cotati, a Doctor Voodoo-controlled Man-Thing fights the Cotati's control and defeats Ventri.<ref>''Empyre: Avengers'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref> As Doctor Voodoo exits Man-Thing to assist Scarlet Witch after Ka-Zar was stabbed by a Cotati using Black Knight's Ebony Blade, Man-Thing continued the fight against the Cotati. When the Cotati were defeated, Man-Thing takes his leave after being thanked by Black Knight. Ventri claims that what they learned from Man-Thing's energy has been sent to [[Sequoia (comics)|Quoi]] to fuel the Cotati's invasion.<ref>''Empyre: Avengers'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Harriet Brome, an agent of the self-proclaimed eco-warriors the [[Hordeculture]], adopts the name "Harrower" and attempts to use Man-Thing to perform a mass culling of humanity, intending to purge the human race and let another species take over. To this end, she attacks and skins the Man-Thing and uses his corpse to produce seedling spores that will emerge in all major cities across the world and burn their victims. When the Avengers respond, Captain America is briefly absorbed by one of the spores, where he meets the remnants of Ted Sallis,<ref>''Avengers: Curse of the Man-Thing''</ref> who explains that he never truly cracked the super-soldier serum. He attempts to get Cap to contact Connors for help, but when Connors affirms that he can't help, Spider-Man convinces Sallis to take responsibility for his past. After Sallis's essence creates a new body for Man-Thing, Man-Thing returns to Sallis's old office, where it is revealed that Sallis made a deal with the demon [[Belasco (Marvel Comics)|Belasco]] to crack the formula.<ref>''Spider-Man: Curse of the Man-Thing''</ref> When he performs the ritual again, he summons [[Magik]], the new ruler of Limbo, who offers to release Sallis from his current state. Understanding that his freedom would leave Man-Thing an uncontrolled creature of instinct, Sallis agrees to remain and joins Magik's strike team in attacking Harrower. After banishing Harrower to another dimension and destroying her spore-plants, Magik summons Belasco so that Sallis can properly punish the demon for his role in Sallis's fate.<ref>''X-Men: Curse of the Man-Thing''. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Man-Thing later appears as a teacher at [[Strange Academy]], where he teaches Care for Magical Plants.<ref>''Strange Academy'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==Powers and abilities==
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2008}}
In ''[[Thunderbolts (comics)|The Thunderbolts]]'', [[Hank Pym]] has expressed the view that the Man-Thing is sentient, though difficult to communicate with.<ref name="auto"/> For example, he once rescued an infant and left the child with a doctor (which would require an understanding of the function of a doctor and the ability to navigate to a specific address).<ref>As demonstrated in such issues as ''Fear'' #10, ''Man-Thing'' vol. 2 #9, and ''[[Heroes Reborn (1996 comic)|Heroes Reborn]]: The Return'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> He is shown to understand concepts such as how to ring a doorbell,<ref name="Fear #10">''Fear'' #10. Marvel Comics.</ref> how to put an arm in a sling,<ref>''Fear'' #12. Marvel Comics.</ref> and even how to flip an auto-destruct switch.<ref name="Astonishing Tales #13">''Astonishing Tales'' #13. Marvel Comics.</ref> The change in the Man-Thing's intellect can partly be explained by fact that its brain, sensory organs, and central nervous system are organized in a completely different fashion than a human.<ref name="Fear #17">''Fear'' #17. Marvel Comics.</ref> Regardless of what level of humanity the creature still possesses, it can discern when a person's motivations are evil, which causes it pain and motivates it to lash out.<ref>''Fear'' #12; ''Man-Thing'' #1, etc. Marvel Comics.</ref>

It can sense human emotions, and is enraged by fear and automatically secretes a powerful corrosive; anyone feeling fear and clutched by the Man-Thing is prone to be burned (either chemically or mystically), hence the series' tagline: "Whatever knows fear burns at the Man-Thing's touch!". Though fear is understandably most people's response to the creature, both for his monstrous appearance and the physical danger of his touch, typically only villains end up meeting an immolating death at its hands. Many survive being burned, notably Ellen Brandt,<ref>''Savage Tales'' #1, ''Monsters Unleashed'' #5, ''Man-Thing'' vol. 3 #1-8. Marvel Comics.</ref> [[Nightcrawler (character)|Nightcrawler]],<ref>''Nightcrawler'' (vol. 3) #10 - 12 (November 2005 - January 2006)</ref> and Mongu,<ref name="Fear #14">''Fear'' #14. Marvel Comics.</ref> either due to intervention or dissipation. Unusual psychic and mystical forces react in what passes as the "brain" cells located throughout his body. These unique forces render the Man-Thing extremely sensitive to emotions. Emotions that are mild and generally considered positive arouse curiosity and the Man-Thing will sometimes observe from a distance. However, emotions that are often viewed as negative, such as violent emotions like anger, hatred, and fear, cause the Man-Thing great discomfort and might provoke him to attack. Once provoked into violent actions, his body secretes highly concentrated acid that can burn human beings to ashes within a matter of seconds. Even individuals that have high levels of superhuman durability have proven unable to withstand the acid. While the Man-Thing is devoid of violent emotions, his body produces mucus that neutralizes the acid.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Although the Man-Thing's superhuman strength, speed, intelligence, durability, and immortality, give the monster his powers it is his spiritual ability that makes him immune to any other disease, it has been established that the creature possesses physical stamina beyond the limitations of any human athlete. Initially, the Man-Thing is only slightly stronger than Captain America,{{Volume needed|c=y|date=April 2009}} but in later appearances, the Man-Thing possesses sufficient superhuman strength to stand toe-to-toe with much stronger villains.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=April 2009}} He can lift a {{cvt|2,000|lb|sigfig=2}} automobile when sufficiently motivated.<ref name="Man-Thing #1">''Man-Thing'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

The Man-Thing's body is practically invulnerable to harm. Because his body is not entirely solid, but composed of the muck and vegetative matter of the swamp, fists, bullets, knives, energy blasts, etc. will either pass entirely through him or will harmlessly be lodged within his body. Even if a vast portion of the Man-Thing's body were to be ripped away or incinerated, he would be able to reorganize himself by drawing the necessary material from the surrounding vegetation. The [[Devil-Slayer]] once sliced him nearly in half,<ref>''Man-Thing'' vol. 3 #4. Marvel Comics.</ref> and he has survived being incinerated by a [[Celestial (comics)|Celestial]],<ref>''Heroes Reborn: The Return'' #1 / ''Marvel Team-Up'' vol. 2 #4. Marvel Comics.</ref> although his healing from the latter has been the longest and most complex in his lifetime.<ref name=mtu4>''Marvel Team-Up'' vol. 2 #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Due to the construction of his body, the Man-Thing can ooze his body through openings or around barriers that would seem too small for him to pass through. The smaller the opening, the longer it will take for him to reorganize his mass upon reaching the other side. This ability can be defeated mystically.<ref>First demonstrated in ''Astonishing Tales'' #13. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref name="Fear #14"/>

The Man-Thing was once dependent upon the swamp he inhabits for his continued survival; his body would slowly weaken and eventually lapse into dormancy if not returned to the swamp or would be greatly damaged if exposed to clean water. His exposure to the Citrusville waste treatment plant greatly enhanced his ability to leave the swamp, as he became a self-contained ecosystem, feeding off of his own waste products.<ref>''Man-Thing'' #17 (May 1975). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Man-Thing'' #19. Marvel Comics.</ref> He generally leaves the swamp of his own accord only if he senses a mystical disturbance. The Man-Thing has also demonstrated himself susceptible to possession by other entities.<ref>''The Defenders'' #98; ''Man-Thing'' vol. 3 #4; ''Strange Tales'' vol. 4 #1-2; ''Peter Parker: Spider-Man'' Annual '99. Marvel Comics.</ref>

The Man-Thing and a host of alternate counterparts have undergone a couple of changes in form,<ref>''Weapon H'' #4 (June 2018). Marvel Comics.</ref> like having the ability to control and alternate plant matter both from its own person and the surrounding area.<ref>''Champions'' vol. 2 #22-23 (2018). Marvel Comics.</ref> The Man-Thing also has trans-reality shifting abilities due in part to his nature as a living extra-dimensional crossroads; he can open portals to and from alternate realities,<ref>''Champions'' vol. 2 #27 (Feb. 2019). Marvel Comics.</ref> interact with different dimensional counterparts and even alternate the physical appearances of said doppelgangers with those of their prime universe iterations.<ref>''All-New Guardians of the Galaxy'' #12 (Dec. 2017). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Fear Itself: Fearsome Four'' #1 (2011). Marvel Comics.</ref> Through his empathic abilities, the Man-Thing can grow more powerful by feeding on the fear of others, increasing his size and mass to titanic proportions during ''Fear Itself''.<ref>''Fear Itself: Fearsome Four'' #1-4 (2011). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Although the Man-Thing lacks a normal human intellect, in his life as Ted Sallis, he possessed a Ph.D. in biochemistry.<ref>''[[The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition]]'' #5 (Jan. 1991)</ref> Sallis is legally dead, but his identity is known to numerous people, including Wilma Calvin, Ellen Brandt, Stephen Strange, [[Molecule Man]], the [[Thing (comics)|Thing]], [[Thog (comics)|Thog]], and Jennifer Kale. His identity as the Man-Thing could not be considered secret, but his existence is generally believed to be a hoax, and an obscure one at that.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name=mtu4 /> [[In-universe]], knowledge of his existence is rarely tied to the experiments of Sallis, as are speculations as to any human identity he may have had. Despite having appeared in Citrusville many times, many there still believe him to be a rumor.<ref>''Shadows & Light'' #2; ''Man-Thing'' vol. 3 #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==Other known Man-Things==
There were other known Man-Things in the comics besides Ted Sallis that appear in order of appearance:

===Savage Land's Man-Thing===
In the pages of ''[[Savage Wolverine]]'' as part of the "[[Marvel NOW!]]" branding, a different Man-Thing appeared where it resided on a mysterious island somewhere in the Savage Land. [[Amadeus Cho]] confirmed that this Man-Thing is not Ted Sallis as it has been rooted on the island for a long time. The [[Neanderthal]]s on the island used the blood of this Man-Thing to resurrect [[Shanna the She-Devil]].<ref>''Savage Wolverine'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Weirdworld's Man-Things===
During the ''[[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)|Secret Wars]]'' storyline, a bunch of Man-Things reside on the [[Battleworld]] domain of [[Weirdworld]] where they are found in the Forest of the Man-Things. The Man-Things encounter [[Arkon]] and [[Skull the Slayer]] after they fell into their area.<ref>''Weirdworld'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> The Man-Things are ruled over by the Swamp Queen of the Man-Things (the Earth-11234 version of [[Jennifer Kale]]) who is behind the rebellion against the Witch Queen [[Morgan le Fay (Marvel Comics)|Morgan le Fay]].<ref>''Weirdworld'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

One Man-Thing that was nicknamed "Mossy" had mated with a Crystal Warrior named Blythir. They had a hybrid son named Toth who is a student at the [[Strange Academy]].<ref>''Strange Academy'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===She-Man-Thing===
''[[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)#Warzones|Deadpool's Secret Secret Wars]]'' revealed the existence of the She-Man-Thing, a character that fought on the [[Grandmaster (Marvel Comics)|Grandmaster]]'s team in a bonus round of the [[Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions|Contest of Champions]].<ref>''Deadpool's Secret Secret Wars'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Roxxon's Man-Thing===
[[Roxxon Energy Corporation]] created a spawn of the Man-Thing, with [[Minotaur (comics)|Dario Agger]] enhancing its abilities with the DNA of [[Groot]]. It battles [[Weapon H]] and is imprisoned in a Roxxon facility, but is eventually freed.<ref>''Weapon H'' #3-5. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Boy-Thing===
[[Xarus]] got a piece of the original Man-Thing to grow his own similar creature called the '''Boy-Thing'''. Boy-Thing spent all of his time on Xarus' shoulder as he supplied him with sticks to use against the vampires. After Xarus was killed by [[Blade (character)|Blade]], the latter took Boy-Thing as his own.<ref>''Avengers'' (vol. 8) #12-22 (March - September 2019)</ref>

==Comic book character spin-offs==
Dr. Barbara "Bobbi" Morse was introduced in the second Man-Thing story by Len Wein/Neal Adams, although because of publication delays, she was introduced in ''Astonishing Tales'' #6, with the Wein/Adams story presented as flashback. Morse became the costumed hero [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]] in ''[[Marvel Team-Up]]'' #95 and went on to become a prominent member of [[Avengers West Coast]], eventually sacrificing her life to save her husband, [[Hawkeye (Clint Barton)|Clint "Hawkeye" Barton]], from [[Mephisto (comics)|Mephisto]].<ref>''Avengers West Coast'' #100</ref> Until recently, her spirit fought alongside Daimon Hellstrom to eliminate demons from his version of Hell;<ref>''[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]'' Annual '00; ''Hellcat'' #1-3 (2000, miniseries). Marvel Comics.</ref> however, she has appeared alive during the ''[[Secret Invasion]]'' crossover event.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=March 2011}} At the end of ''Secret Invasion'', Mockingbird was revealed to be alive and had been one of the early captures of the Skrulls.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=March 2011}}  Morse has joined the New Avengers and has had adventures alongside Hawkeye.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=March 2011}}

[[Jennifer Kale]] debuted in ''Adventure into Fear'' #11, which was the first story Steve Gerber wrote for Marvel after his initial tryout. She went on to appear in two team books, ''[[The Legion of Night]]'', created and written by Gerber and partially composed of several other Gerber-created supporting cast members such as Martin Gold and Dr. Katherine Reynolds, and Bronwyn Carlton and Bryan Walsh's ''[[Witches (Marvel Comics)|Witches]]'' in which she teamed with [[Satana (Marvel Comics)|Satana the Devil's Daughter]] and [[Topaz (Marvel Comics)|Topaz]] under the tutelage of Doctor Strange.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Gerber introduced [[Howard the Duck]] in a Man-Thing story in ''Adventure into Fear'' #19. Howard, who was displaced from Duckworld, an alternate Earth of [[anthropomorphic]] ducks in another dimension, via the swamp's Nexus of Realities, later acquired his own series, which was written by Gerber for the first 27 issues.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

The [[Foolkiller]], a vigilante who used a ray-gun to disintegrate not only criminals but anyone that he considered foolish, was introduced in issue #3 of this series, bent on slaying [[disc jockey]] [[Richard Rory]], introduced in the previous issue. When Rory was serving time for trumped-up kidnapping charges, he accidentally created another Foolkiller when he revealed too much detail about the previous incarnation and the whereabouts of his gear. This Foolkiller became an occasional villain in other Marvel comics. Both Rory and this second Foolkiller, along with nurse Ruth Hart (who appeared in ''Man-Thing'' (vol. 1) #2-7) were supporting characters in Gerber's ''[[Omega the Unknown]]'', while [[David Anthony Kraft]] made Rory a potential [[love interest]] for the [[She-Hulk]]. A third version of the character, who was in [[Internet]] communication with the second, starred in Gerber's 1990 ''Foolkiller'' miniseries. A second series by Greg Hurwitz, featuring a fourth Foolkiller, appeared in 2008.

==Other versions==
===''Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe''===
An alternate universe variant of Man-Thing from Earth-12101 appears in ''[[Deadpool#Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe|Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe]]'' #4.<ref>''[[Deadpool#Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe|Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe]]'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Earth-91===
Various characters from Earth-91 based on Man-Thing appear in ''[[Avengers Forever]]'' #5.<ref>''Avengers: Forever'' Vol. 2 #5. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Earth-691===
An alternate universe variant of Man-Thing from [[Guardians of the Galaxy (1969 team)|Earth-691]] appears in ''[[Amazing Adventures]]'' #38.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=February 2013}}

===Earth-11234===
An alternate universe variant of Man-Thing from Earth-11234 appears in ''[[Champions (1975 team)|Champions]]'' (vol. 2). This version is a member of the Swamp Queen Alliance, led by his world's version of Jennifer Kale.<ref>''Champions'' (vol. 2) #22. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Champions'' (vol. 2) #25-26. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Mutant X''===
An alternate universe variant of Man-Thing from Earth-1298, amalgamated with [[Doctor Strange]], appears in ''[[Mutant X (comics)|Mutant X]]''.<ref>''Mutant X Annual '99''. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Mutant X Annual '01''. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Mutant X'' #32. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''The Adventures of the X-Men''===
An alternate universe variant of Man-Thing from an unidentified universe appears in ''[[X-Men: The Animated Series|The Adventures of the X-Men]]''.<ref>''The Adventures of the X-Men'' #11-12. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Ultimate Marvel''===
An alternate universe variant of Man-Thing from Earth-1610 appears in the [[Ultimate Marvel]] imprint.<ref>''[[Ultimate Marvel Team-Up]]'' #10. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''[[Ultimate Fantastic Four]]'' #7. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Warp World===
'''Man-Thing Thang Thoom''', a fusion of Man-Thing and [[Fin Fang Foom]] created by the [[Infinity Gems]], appears in the ''[[Infinity Wars]]'' storyline.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brooke |first=David |date=February 27, 2019 |title=''Infinity Wars: Sleepwalker'' TPB review |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2019/02/27/infinity-wars-sleepwalker-tpb-review/ |access-date=March 2, 2025 |website=AIPT Comics |language=en-us}}</ref>

===''What If''===
An alternate universe variant of Man-Thing from Earth-8130 appears in ''[[What If (comics)|What If...?]]'' #26. This version regained sentience as Man-Thing, but was killed by an alligator, who became his successor.<ref>{{cite comic|title=What If|volume=1|issue=#26|date=April 1981|writer=Steven Grant| penciller =Herb Trimpe|inker=Bob Wiacek}}</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
* The Man-Thing appears in ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]'' episode "This Man-Thing, This Monster! (Six Against Infinity, Part 3)", voiced by [[Dave Boat]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Man-Thing Voices (Marvel Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Marvel-Universe/Man-Thing/ |access-date=November 8, 2023 |website=Behind The Voice Actors |postscript=. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.}}</ref> This version is from an alternate reality populated primarily by monsters and is a founding member of the Supernatural Hero Squad.
* The Man-Thing appears in the ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]'' episode "The Howling Commandos" as a member of the [[Nick Fury's Howling Commandos|Howling Commandos]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/blade-man-thing-guest-star-on-ultimate-spider-man-halloween-special/|title=Blade, Man-Thing Guest-Star on Ultimate Spider-Man' Halloween Special|website=www.cbr.com|date=20 September 2013 }}</ref>
* The Man-Thing appears in the ''[[Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.]]'' episode "Hulking Commandos" as a member of the Howling Commandos.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}
* The Man-Thing appears in ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (TV series)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2017/02/24/marvel-guardians-of-the-galaxy-second-season-first-look/98324422/|title=Sneak peek: TV's 'Guardians of the Galaxy' heads to Earth for new season|last=Truitt|first=Brian|website=[[USA Today]]|date=|access-date=November 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112011452/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2017/02/24/marvel-guardians-of-the-galaxy-second-season-first-look/98324422/|archive-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref><ref name="btva" />
* [[Hulu]] intended to air a special titled ''[[Offenders (comics)|The Offenders: Giant Sized Man-Thing]]'', which would have seen [[Howard the Duck]], [[MODOK]], [[Hit-Monkey]], [[Tigra]], and [[Dazzler (Marvel Comics)|Dazzler]] join forces to fight the titular character. However, in January 2020, ''Howard the Duck'' and ''Tigra & Dazzler''{{'}}s series were canceled, resulting in ''The Offenders'' getting canceled as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/man-thing-earlier-tv-appearance-kevin-smith-response/|title=Man-Thing Almost Appeared In Other Marvel Shows Before Werewolf By Night|website=Screen Rant|last=Moreno|first=Miguel|date=October 19, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022}}</ref>
* The Man-Thing appears in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU) special ''[[Werewolf by Night (TV special)|Werewolf by Night]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Man-Thing Joins The MCU In First Look Footage |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/man-thing-joins-the-mcu-in-first-look-footage/ar-AA11GeXj |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=MSN |language=en-US}}</ref> motion-captured by Carey Jones and additional vocalizations by [[Jeffrey Ford (film editor)|Jeffrey Ford]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hood |first=Cooper |date=October 7, 2022 |title=Werewolf By Night Cast & Character Guide |url=https://screenrant.com/werewolf-by-night-cast-character-guide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007084023/https://screenrant.com/werewolf-by-night-cast-character-guide/ |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |access-date=October 7, 2022 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedash |first=Kara |date=October 7, 2022 |title=Why Man-Thing Is Called Ted (Who Is He Really?) |url=https://screenrant.com/why-man-thing-is-called-ted-werewolf-by-night/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007131936/https://screenrant.com/why-man-thing-is-called-ted-werewolf-by-night/ |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |access-date=October 7, 2022 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>
<!--Do NOT add the IRRELEVANT, NON-APPEARANCE, EASTER EGG mention from AGENTS OF SHIELD. Your edit WILL BE REVERTED! See the talk page for more.-->

===Film===
* The Man-Thing appears in a [[Man-Thing (film)|self-titled film]], portrayed by [[Conan Stevens]].<ref>Richards, Dave. [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=3503 Hans Rodionoff on 'Man-Thing' the Movie, the Comic and More], [[Comic Book Resources]], May 12, 2004</ref><ref>[http://www.toonopedia.com/manthing.htm Man-Thing] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20120912111749/http://www.toonopedia.com/manthing.htm Archived] from the original on February 13, 2016.</ref> This version was a [[Seminole]] shaman and chieftain before he was murdered and reborn as Man-Thing.
* The Man-Thing appears in ''[[Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell]]'', voiced by Jon Olson.<ref name="btva" /> This version is a member of the Howling Commandos.

===Video games===
* The Man-Thing makes a cameo appearance in [[Jill Valentine]]'s ending in ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds]]'' and ''[[Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3]]''.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* The Man-Thing appears as an unlockable playable character in ''[[Marvel Avengers Academy]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/games/celebrate-halloween-with-the-heroes-of-marvel-avengers-academy|title=Celebrate Halloween with the Heroes of 'Marvel Avengers Academy'|last=Snyder|first=Justin|website=[[Marvel Entertainment|Marvel]]|date=October 4, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108213822/https://www.marvel.com/amp/articles/games/celebrate-halloween-with-the-heroes-of-marvel-avengers-academy|archive-date=November 8, 2023}}</ref>
* The Man-Thing appears as a [[boss (gaming)|boss]] and unlockable playable character in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/lego_marvel_super_heroes_2|title=LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 Review|last=Brooke|first=Sam|website=[[Push Square]]|date=November 14, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117052332/http://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/lego_marvel_super_heroes_2|archive-date=November 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Characters|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-marvel-super-heroes-2/Characters|website=IGN Database|date=19 May 2017 |access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref>
* The Man-Thing appears as an unlockable playable character in ''[[Marvel Contest of Champions]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2019/10/man-thing-oozes-into-marvel-contest-of-champions/|title=Man-Thing oozes into Marvel Contest of Champions|last=Collinson|first=Gary|website=Flickering Myth|date=October 19, 2019|access-date=November 8, 2023}}</ref>

===Miscellaneous===

* The Man-Thing appears in ''[[Marvel Super Hero Squad (comics)|Marvel Super Hero Squad]]'' #10.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Marvel Super Hero Squad'' #10 - Whomsoever Knows Fear...! (Issue) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/marvel-super-hero-squad-10-whomsoever-knows-fear/4000-238606/ |access-date=March 2, 2025 |website=Comic Vine |language=en}}</ref>
* Ted Sallis and his transformation into the Man-Thing was adapted into [[The Mountain Goats]]'s "Song For Ted Sallis", which appears on the ''Hex of Infinite Binding'' EP.<ref name="MTGbandcamp">{{cite web |last1=The Mountain Goats |title=Hex of Infinite Binding EP |url=https://themountaingoats.bandcamp.com/album/hex-of-infinite-binding-ep |website=themountaingoats.bandcamp.com |publisher=Merge Records |access-date=7 September 2018}}</ref>

===Merchandise===
* The Man-Thing received an action figure in [[Toy Biz]]'s [[Marvel Legends]] line in 2005.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
* The Man-Thing received six miniatures from [[HeroClix]], with four being released in the "Mutant Mayhem" set in 2004 and two in the "Amazing Spider-Man" HeroClix set in 2013.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
* The Man-Thing received a build-a-figure in [[Hasbro]]'s Marvel Legends line in 2017.
* The Man-Thing received a [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2019 exclusive [[Funko]] Pop vinyl figure.
* The MCU incarnation of the Man-Thing received a Funko Pop vinyl figure as part of a ''Werewolf by Night'' tie-in set in 2023.

==Reception==
The Man-Thing was ranked #7 on a listing of Marvel Comics' monster characters in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.denofgeek.com/us/books-comics/marvel/250132/marvels-31-best-monsters/page/0/2|title= Marvel's 31 Best Monsters|first= Marc|last= Buxton|date= October 30, 2015|publisher= [[Dennis Publishing|Den of Geek]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181001030953/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/books-comics/marvel/250132/marvels-31-best-monsters/page/0/2|archive-date= October 1, 2018|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all|quote= Most of Marvel's greatest creatures of the Bronze Age were derivative of the Universal Monster cycle of horror, but not Man-Thing. No, this classic Swamp Creature came from the strange tradition of comic book swamp beasts, the same tradition that spawned DC' Swamp Thing.|access-date= September 30, 2018}}</ref>

== Collected editions ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Title
!Material collected
!Published date
!ISBN
|-
|''Essential Man-Thing Vol. 1''
|''Savage Tales'' #1; ''Astonishing Tales'' #12-13; ''Adventure Into Fear'' #10-19; ''Man-Thing'' (vol. 1) #1-14; ''Giant-Size Man-Thing'' #1-2; ''Monsters Unleashed'' #5, 8-9
|December 2006
|{{ISBNT|978-0785121350}}
|-
|''Essential Man-Thing Vol. 2''
|''Man-Thing'' (vol. 1) #15-22, ''Man-Thing'' (vol. 2) #1-11, ''Giant-Size Man-Thing'' #3-5, ''Marvel Team-Up'' #68, ''Marvel Two-in-One'' #43, and ''Doctor Strange'' #41
|August 2008
|{{ISBNT|978-0785130666}}
|-
|''Man-Thing by Steve Gerber: The Complete Collection Vol. 1''
|''Astonishing Tales'' #12-13, ''Fear'' #11-19, ''Marvel Two-in-One'' #1 and ''Man-Thing'' (vol. 1) #1-8, plus material from ''Savage Tales'' #1, ''Fear'' #10 and ''Monsters Unleashed'' #5
|October 2015
|{{ISBNT|978-0785199052}}
|-
|''Man-Thing by Steve Gerber: The Complete Collection Vol. 2''
|''Giant Size Man-Thing'' #1-5, ''Daredevil'' (vol. 1) #113-114, ''Man-Thing'' (vol. 1) #9-18; material from ''Monsters Unleashed'' #8-9
|November 2016
|{{ISBNT|978-1302902414}}
|-
|''Man-Thing by Steve Gerber: The Complete Collection Vol. 3''
|''Man-Thing'' (vol. 1) #19-22, ''Iron Man Annual'' #3, ''Howard the Duck'' (vol. 1) #22-23, ''Infernal Man-Thing'' #1-3; material from ''Rampaging Hulk'' #7, ''Web of Spider-Man Annual'' #4, ''Marvel Comics Presents'' #1-12
|March 2021
|{{ISBNT|978-1302927752}}
|-
|''Man-Thing Omnibus''
|''Astonishing Tales'' #12-13, ''Fear'' #11-19, ''Man-Thing'' (vol. 1) #1-22, ''Giant-Size Man-Thing'' #1-3, ''Incredible Hulk'' #197-198, ''Marvel Team-Up'' #68, ''Marvel Two-in-One'' #43, ''Man-Thing'' (vol. 2) #1-11, ''Doctor Strange'' #41; material from ''Savage Tales'' #1; ''Fear'' #10; ''Giant-Size Man-Thing'' #4-5; ''Monsters Unleashed'' #5, #8-9; ''Rampaging Hulk'' #7
|June 2021
|{{ISBNT|978-1302929213}}
|-
|''Man-Thing: Whatever Knows Fear...''
|''Man-Thing'' (vol. 4) #1-3; ''Savage Tales'' #1 and ''Adventure Into Fear'' #16
|April 2005
|{{ISBNT|978-0785114888}}
|-
|''Legion Of Monsters''
|''Legion of Monsters: Man-Thing'' and ''Legion of Monsters: Werewolf by Night, Legion of Monsters: Morbius, Legion of Monsters: Satana''
|November 2007
|{{ISBNT|978-0785127543}}
|-
|''Dead Of Night Featuring Man-Thing''
|''Dead of Night Featuring Man-Thing'' #1-4
|August 2008
|{{ISBNT|978-0785128601}}
|-
|''Man-Thing by R.L. Stine''
|''Man-Thing'' (vol. 5) #1-5
|September 2017
|{{ISBNT|978-1302902001}}
|-
|''Curse of the Man-Thing''
|''Avengers: Curse Of The Man-Thing'' #1, ''Spider-Man: Curse Of The Man-Thing'' #1, ''X-Men: Curse Of The Man-Thing'' #1
|August 2021
|{{ISBNT|978-1302928896}}
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|25em}}

==External links==
* {{Marvelwiki}}
* {{Marveldatabase|Man-Thing}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131219081558/http://marvel.wikia.com/Man-Thing_(Savage_Land)_(Earth-616) Man-Thing (Savage Land version)] at Marvel Wiki
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q770701}}
* {{gcdb|type=character|search=Man-Thing|title=Man-Thing}}
* {{comicbookdb|type=character|id=2075|title=Man-Thing}}
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/manthing.htm Man-Thing] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]
* [http://darkmark6.tripod.com/man-thing_index.html Index to Man-Thing comics]
* Ho, Oliver. [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/129849-swamp-monsters-and-stoners-when-mainstream-comics-tuned-in-turned-on/ "Swamp Monsters and Stoners: When Mainstream Comics Tuned In, Turned On and Dropped Out"], PopMatters.com, August 24, 2010

{{Man-Thing}}
{{Midnight Sons}}
{{Howard the Duck}}
{{Marvel Zombies}}
{{Steve Gerber}}
{{Howling Commandos}}
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{{Avengers characters}}
{{Stan Lee}}

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