Ben Grimm, the Thing, stranded in the Southwestern desert at the end of last issue, is walking back to civilization when Iron Man flies overhead. Shellhead can’t stop for him as he is on his way to the ruined base where he first met Thanos (in IRON MAN #55) to see if he can find a way to defeat the alien conqueror who has gained possession of the Cosmic Cube (CAPTAIN MARVEL #28-29).
Arriving there, he is spotted by the Blood Brothers who contact Thanos for instructions, then attack Iron Man. The Golden Avenger has a rough time against the monstrous twins and zooms toward the exit—and collides with the Thing who has followed him there. The heroes recover and do battle with the vampiric brothers and teamwork enables them to defeat their foes.
Thanos, watching from Titan, teleports his minions away to punish them for their failure.
Iron Man, his power low, is unable to carry Ben back to civilization; he jets off, leaving Ben again stranded in the desert.