by Jim Starlin Publisher: Marvel (February 18, 2014)
Softcover, 328 pages
Amazon Listing
Jim Starlin did not create Adam Warlock but, like Captain Marvel
before him, the character was perfected by the man. Believe it or not, the
greatest stories told in the Marvel Cinematic Universe began in the pages of Captain
Marvel and Warlock - which is strange as neither of those
protagonists have turned up in the films.
Thanos began in Captain Marvel and ended (at the time) in Warlock.
Warlock himself is powered by the Soul Gem, one of the Infinity Stones- which
have been so integral for Marvel phase three films. The stones were first
introduced in these issues, along with the characters of Pip the Troll, Gammora-
The Deadliest Woman in the Galaxy, Warlock’s future evil self, The Magus- who
again would become integral with the Infinity series later in the 90s, and
certain cosmic characters: Lord Chaos, Master Order, and the In-Betweener (Infinity
Gauntlet, Infinity War, Infinity Watch, Infinity Crusade, Infinitely
Derivative).
The title is a bit deceptive. This is not the complete collection
of the Adam Warlock series, which went on to issue 18, but instead it is the
collected issues that Jim Starlin worked on the character. The original Warlock
comics had been cancelled after issue 8, but Starlin later revived the
character a few years later in Strange Tales- an anthology series where
marvel would often try out new character, or try out smaller stories from less
popular older heroes (for years they Strange Tales would have two stories. One
staring Dr. Strange, and the other Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D.- since neither
could carry a book on their own.
As such, this volume contains issues 178-181 of Strange Tales,
issues 9 -15 of Warlock, Avengers Annual #7, and Marvel Two-In-One
Annual #2, and the rough pencils for a filler issue of Warlock that
would've been issue 16. The book ends with the death of the main character and
Thanos being turned to stone. Of course, both of these were later reversed in
other books. Can’t let a property lie dormant- not when there’s money to be
had.
Everyone says that Starlin was the king of the cosmic comic story.
Part of that is because no one else really was telling similar stories.
Certainly no one else was creating characters that were solely based on those
story lines. Warlock, now given independent life when the soul gem is implanted
on his forehead by the High Evolutionary, comes into conflict with first a
future version of himself that has gone mad, the Magus, and founded a
soul-crushing warlike church to worship himself, and then against Thanos, the
Mad Titan who is on a war of extermination to win back his former lover,
Death.
Starlin obviously had a plan for the character, but the series was
cancelled before it came to fruition, so he quickly wrapped it up in the pages
of the two annuals. Starlin is to fault with the series cancellation. The two
issues following the Magus’s defeat was a terrible filler story where he goes
up against a terrible villain with a terrible name, Star-Thief, whom he doesn’t
even really defeat. Had he gone directly into the storyline we see in the two
Annuals, I think the comic would’ve at least lasted another ten issues
(remember the 70s were a volatile time for comics). On the other hand, I could
be dead wrong. Ah well.
For more readings, try books by Rex Hurst.
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