The Marvel Universe is full of surprisingly reformed villains, dastardly figures who turn out to have a softer heart than they let on, and could even become heroes if given the right chance. Sometimes, these epiphanies are caused by personal loss or the actions of a hero in their defense. But sometimes, redemption can be offered just by a friendly hand and a cold beer.
How did Sandman -- one of the first major villains Spider-Man ever fought -- end up becoming surprising friends with the Thing from the Fantastic Four?
Born William Baker and eventually choosing to go by the name Flint Marko, the future Sandmanspent some time as a petty criminal before stumbling into a major radiation experiment that transformed his body into sentient sand. Capable of changing his density, strength, and appearance, Sandman became a frequent super-villain -- consistently fighting Spider-Man and becoming a member of the Frightful Four. He racked up an impressive career as a villain. He even was among the team when they captured the Thing and used a machine designed by the Wizard to turn the hero into a villainous figure for a time. After various crimes, team-ups, and battles, Sandman was left permanently affected by his time merged with Hydro-Man into the Mug-Thing, which had caused a great deal of destruction and chaos.
Shaken by the experience, Sandman ended up on the run and believed dead by the cops. Only this time, the next hero he encountered didn't jump straight to a fight with him. In the story "Time Runs Like Sand!" from Marvel Two-In-One #86 by Tom DeFalco, Ron Wilson, Chic Stone, George Roussos, and Jim Novak, an on-the-run Sandman retreats into a small bar. The Thing is alerted to his prescene and rushes to the bar -- but is shocked to find a resigned Sandman, who agrees to surrender after he finishes his drink. Realizing the villain isn't looking for a fight, Thing actually ends up sharing a beer with him. The pair speak about their respective histories, with Thing eventually deciding to give Sandman a pass this time. Leaving the bar, Thing tells Sandman that he's got a chance to clean up his act, and leaves him alone at the bar.
After the conversation, Sandman actually took Thing's advice and laid low for a while, taking on a different alias and living undercover. Sandman quietly began improving himself, helping people and even found a repay the Thing for his kindness: after Thing was beaten to a pulp protecting the world from the Champion in Marvel Two-In-One Annual #7, he was stuck in the hospital recuperating during Marvel Two-In-One #96 by the same creative team as #86. With one of the heroes' biggest fighters on the mend, many villains tried to rush the hospital and kill Thing while in such a weakened state. But the armies of heroes who'd assembled to contend with them protected the hospital.
Only one villain was able to bypass the heroes -- Sandman, who used his powers to slip in unnoticed. But when he reached Thing, Sandman didn't attack him. Instead, he actually thanked him for his earlier advice, and as a way of repaying him, Sandman brought cigars and beer for them to share. This started a new chapter of Sandman's life where he flirted more and more with being a hero, working alongside Silber Sable, Spider-Man, and even the Avengers at one point. Although Sandman would eventually return to villainy, his softer heart has shown through ever since. All of that surprising heroism can be traced directly back to Thing's time hanging out and having a beer with the Sandman, proving just how powerful friendship can be in this universe.