
About this work
This original illustration by Ron Wilson pays tribute to Jim Steranko’s iconic cover image for Incredible Hulk King‑Size Special #1, reimagining the concept with the Thing shouldering the weight of his own massive, disintegrating logo. Rendered in ink over graphite on comic book art Bristol measuring approximately 10.5" x 15", the drawing emphasizes Wilson’s confident handling of Ben Grimm’s rocky anatomy, with thick contour lines and detailed texture conveying both power and strain. The crumbling “THING” letters above him echo the visual metaphor of a hero literally bearing his name and legacy, while the fractured ground and debris at his feet heighten the sense of impact and motion. As an homage piece rather than a published story page, the work speaks to the internal dialogue of comic art history, where later artists respond directly to pivotal images and compositions in the superhero canon. Signed by Wilson in the lower right of the image, the illustration occupies a distinctive place in The Askia Jones Collection’s comics holdings, bridging Bronze‑Age Marvel sensibilities with the ongoing celebration of Black artists and their contributions to mainstream superhero iconography.