STORY BYÂ Jim Starlin
ART BY Jim Starlin, Andy Smith
COLORS BYÂ Frank D’Armata
COVER BYÂ Jim Starlin
PUBLISHERÂ Marvel Comics
REVIEW
Jim Starlin treats us to another cosmic epic in this latest of the Marvel Original Graphic Novel line
that they are coming out with at the moment and this one delivers everything a Marvel cosmic fan
could want and more.
Starlin’s pencils are quite simply beautiful to behold they have that 80’s Marvel cosmic feel yet the
coloring and inking from D’Armata and Andy Smith bring this book into the modern day with a
bang. Each scene in space especially with characters such as Infinity and Eternity are simply beautiful
and some of the scenes in this book take your breath away with their inventiveness. From opening
the first page this going to be a well-drawn story that will really captivate your imagination even if it
is about everyone’s favorite mass murdering maniac, Thanos. One of the things Starlin does so well
is bring out Thanos’ emotions and expressions in each panel. You can tell when he is contemplating,
elated with joy and being downright evil from panel to panel, sometimes on the same page.
The story is quite a simple set up that becomes very quirky very quickly. Thanos is feeling out of
sorts, as he describes it “an imbalance with myself and the universe” and sets off on a quest to
discover the source of this imbalance. As this is Marvel cosmic book some fan favorites pop in and
out of the story but nothing feels shoehorned in. My only issue was with the ending, whilst if Starlin
so chooses this storyline could continue (and I hope it does, either picked up in a Marvel monthly
title or another graphic novel), it felt like a very “put the toys back in the box” kind of ending, apart
from a few minor details and plot threads everything is once again as it was, retaining the status
quo. I think long-time fans of Starlin’s cosmic work will take more out of it than those picking it up to
discover more about Thanos. However, this does not take away the joy of the book overall the story
has many twists and turns and you will be enthralled trying to figure out what the end game is in this
book.
One of the things Starlin does so well with his creation is make you like Thanos. For those who follow
the monthly Marvel titles this is a guy that has recently been shown to be wondering around the
galaxy in his early years brutally murdering all of his children, or decimating earth whilst the
Avengers were off fighting a galactic scale war. This guy is evil, insane and a downright maniac but, in
this book you can’t help but like him. He comes across as a more tragic figure in his own titles, he
even cracks to odd joke on occasion and whilst reading this book you want him and his allies to
succeed. It’s almost as if he is a truly neutral character, much like Galactus, he is more a force of
nature than downright evil and will step in to help when it is in his best interests to do so (usually
before stabbing people in the back like in the Thanos Imperative).
Overall I cannot recommend this book enough, everyone will take something out of it. Whether a
long time fan or a new convert to Marvel cosmic (thanks to a certain movie that came out recently)
it is a joy to read. An intriguing story with great characters, good action and a plot that leaves you
wanting more.
5/5
By Matt Deery
Author Profile
- Matt Deery is an avid comic reader from the UK, relatively new to the writing scene but, enjoying being part of the Comic Crusaders team and getting to talk about some the books that I adore. Will read almost anything Marvel, with Spider-Man and Iron Man being my all time favorite comic book characters and has recently found a love for Image and Valiant books and generally anything Sci FI or Espionage related. Check out my twitter @brujah69ad if you want to stop by and talk comics, video games or movies!
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