 Cosmic Powers #1, Vol. 1Published by Marvel Comics, 1994 Featuring THANOS "Knowledge itself is power." -- Francis Bacon. Writer: Ron Marz Original Price: $2.50 History Behind Issue: This is the first issue of a six-part mini-series. This first part stars none other than Thanos, the Mad Titan! Plot: One of the most remarkable starts to a story! There are no words spoken at all for the first 15 pages. A probable record in the comic book industry in the "speaking-variety" editions. Thanos’ first words are, "I’m finished", talking to his glove which is in turn relaying his words to his ship. This after having decimated the entire Ovin Mercenary armies easily defeating a lone survivor from these armies in the beginning panels of the book. Thanos recounts his tale upon reaching the bridge of his ship and retires to contemplate, unsatisfied that his battle with the Ovin Mercenaries did not prove enough of a challenge for him despite them being a supposed legendary highly skilled force. Returning to his new home, "a nameless and unremarkable planet", he enters the mind of an automaton who is a repository of knowledge that thinks itself a god (acquired during the Secret Defenders #14). Penetrating his defenses with a machine link up, Thanos faces his defenses in another plane and defeats them. Defeated, Thanos has all its stored information downloaded into his computer and it attempts to scan for something that might interest Thanos’ current situation. He is enlightened to a tale of "a new being called Tyrant who held vast empires, but met resistance with a race of women warriors called the Spinsterhood. Though they thought they drove him back, in truth, it was the World Devourer, Galactus who halted and generated this creatures’ downfall. Recently, Tyrant had returned from exile and faced the Silver Surfer, Gladiator, Terrax, Morg, Beta Ray Bill, Jack of Hearts and a Spinster. All fell to him easily. Galactus became involved and the others were able to leave. Morg was retained as a hostage and Tyrant absorbed and stored a great amount of Power Cosmic from him. An uneasy stalemate was created between Galactus and Tyrant. And so it remained." Upon reflection, Thanos decided to obtain more information from those that had faced Tyrant. He departs immediately choosing Terrax due to his lust for power – making him easily exploitable. And so the adventure begins…Comments: Writing: 10 The story starts out fantastically, half the book conveyed in images of what is happening versus talking. As good continual development after Thanos Quest, Infinity Gauntlet/War/Crusade and Secret Defenders, Thanos is bored and seeking a challenge. After having been unable to satisfy himself by defeating and destroying an entire army of warriors, he sets off to find a new challenge and then subsequently begins planning his moves in his new and ambitious quest. A must have for Thanos lovers who enjoy great characterization, as well as Thanos demolishing anything in his way to achieve his desires. Art: 10 Ron Lim does a masterful job highlighting the information they want to convey without using words. He makes the cliché come to life (a picture speaks 1000 words) on virtually each frame he draws. Thanos is additionally drawn fantastically, both within the battles, and during his moments of contemplation. The colorist deserves the additional praise for a fantastic job. Overall score: 10 An overall fantastic beginning from any and all sides. Continued in Cosmic Powers #2 Review written by Mystic |