X-Men’s Colossus vs Fantastic Four’s Thing: Who’d Win

The X-Men and Fantastic Four both have their share of brute strength with Colossus and the Thing. Marvel has put these two comic book icons in several fights, with numerous different results. Their strength and durability match almost exactly, but there is a clear winner when considering every factor.

Piotr Rasputin’s mutant abilities kick in at 13 when he saves his sister from a runaway tractor on their Russian farm. Shortly after, Charles Xavier contacts Piotr and recruits him as part of the X-Men. He soon befriends several of his fellow teammates: Wolverine, Kitty Pryde, Nightcrawler, and many other mutants. Colossus’ metallic armor makes him both enduring and potent, likely making him the mightiest member of the X-Men in terms of muscle. He also trademarked the “Fastball Special” with Wolverine, which involves a heavyweight hurling Logan straight into enemy lines. The only two substances that can pierce Colossus are adamantium and vibranium. However, his biggest weakness is his love for Kitty Pryde, which often causes Colossus to get lost in his own thoughts.

On the other side, Ben Grimm grows up a gang member in Lower Manhattan. He eventually left the Yancy Street Gang to join Reed Richards at Empire State University. Long after graduation, Reed took a team of scientists on an unscheduled test flight. The cosmic rays change the two, along with Sue and Johnny Storm, forever. However, Ben is the only one who suffers permanent physical deformation into a rock-like monster. It takes some time, but he becomes the Ever-Lovin’ Blue-Eyed Thing and helps the Fantastic Four with anything they need. His charming personality shines among the team, but his inner-frustrations fuel his strength. Like Colossus, he’s in love. Ben marries a blind sculptress, Alicia Masters, who he later divorces. Unlike Colossus, his solemn struggles leave him ready to sacrifice his relationships for the Fantastic Four.

In terms of their physical skills, Piotr and Ben are practically identical. The only difference is that Colossus can revert to his normal state whenever he desires. Piotr’s ability to transform could give the Thing an advantage if he catches Colossus off guard. Ben’s upbringing with the Yancy Street Gang also gives him an edge. The Thing is willing to fight dirty, although he’d never do so with ill intent. If Colossus battles the Thing, the fight might be hard to determine. However, when it comes to Piotr versus Ben, one obviously has a rougher personality.

In Chris Claremont and Brent Anderson’s fifth annual X-Men issue, Ben and Piotr arm wrestle, and Colossus loses after being distracted at the sight of Kitty Pryde. Furthermore, in Chip Zdarsky and Terry Dodson’s X-Men/Fantastic Four #2, the Thing knocks Colossus out with one punch. Even though both characters have some of the best super-strength in Marvel Comics, the Thing has a few more years of experience. The Fantastic Four’s orange brawler Thing almost always triumphs against physical hurdles even ones as strong as X-Men’s Colossus.

About The Author