WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Thing #1, on sale now from Marvel Comics.

The sheer potential and power of Marvel's heroes is usually something the rest of the denizens of the universe have little recourse to contend with. But it looks like the New York Police Department are more prepared for a battle against the heroes than anyone realized.

The Thing #1 (by Walter Mosley, Tom Reilly, and Jordie Bellaire) introduces the NYPD's special cell for superheroes -- and even if the Thing is able to figure out how to escape, it's still a reminder of how dangerous the local authorities of the Marvel Universe can still be to superpowered beings.

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Taking place years before the present day, "The Next Big Thing" focuses on a surprisingly tough week for Ben Grimm. While the rest of the Fantastic Four are out of New York City (and the mysterious Mot is making its way across the city), Grimm finds Alicia Masters walking with a fellow artist and lets his jealousy get the better of him. After being pepper sprayed by the man, the Thing lashes out and accidentally causes serious damage to multiple cars. This gets him arrested and thrown in prison alongside Hercules, who likewise had gotten out of hand for a night and caused public property damage. Checking out the cell in which the two powerful heroes are being held, the Thing is surprised to discover that their prison is made of synthetic vibranium.

Replicating the unique vibrational effects of the nigh-indestructible metal, Hercules reveals that the cell is designed specifically to contain powerhouses like themselves -- and can even seemingly deflect blows from Thor's hammer. In theory, it's a perfect prison for super strong beings, capable of reversing any blows they throw at the walls. However, the Thing proves clever and experienced enough to contend with this. Spotting a splintered piece of the wall, Grimm rips it off and uses the sliver to deflect the effect of the vibranium against itself, destabilizing it enough for a well-placed punch to destroy the entire cell.

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The local police are shocked and enraged by the destruction of the cell, and reveal that this wasn't their strongest cell, as they also have one designed to contend with the Hulk. But before Thing or Hercules can be moved, Reed Richards arrives with release papers for the heroes. While it's an impressive feat by Ben (and a particularly clever one at that), it's also a reminder of the kind of threat forces like the NYPD still present to the hero community. If they have these kinds of cells on hand, specifically tailored to counter powerful heroes, then it stands to reason that they have contingency plans for how to contend with the hero community should they get out of control.

The upcoming Devil's Reign storyline will see Mayor Wilson Fisk enact major changes, outlawing all superheroes in the city. At first glance, it doesn't appear like there'd be much the police could do to contain the likes of superheroes, but a vibranium cell was enough to contain Hercules, and likely would work well on plenty of other heroes. The NYPD might be more prepared for containing the heroes than anyone ever fully realized, meaning that the heroes of the Marvel Universe might have more of a fight on their hands than anyone expected.

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