Silver Surfer #38, Vol. 3

"The Answer"

Writer: Jim Starlin
Penciling: Ron Lim
Inks: Tom Christopher
Color: Tom Vincent
Letters: Ken Bruzenak
Editor: Craig Anderson
Chief: Tom DeFalco

Original Price: $1.00
Current Value: $5.00

History Behind Issue: Continued from issue #37, the conclusion of "The Rebirth of Thanos."

Plot: Thanos arrives on his old ship Sanctuary III and immediately deposes Nebula who claims to be his granddaughter. He burns her with his eye beams as she takes off begging for mercy. Mistress Death then requests his presence and asks why he is not doing the task given to him. He responds that it is best to proceed slowly since the task is monumental and does not wish to alert the universe of his plans. He makes it clear that he has devised a plan while staring into the Infinity Well and that he will proceed carefully. Meanwhile, the Silver Surfer is looking for Thanos on different planets. A projection of Thanos appears to him and tells him to meet at the planet Pyraxlon. The Surfer travels there and uses his cosmic senses to track the energy
signature of Thanos' chair as Thanos so predicted. He then tries to attack but Thanos blocks his attack and disappears, quickly reappearing behind him and firing. The Surfer fires back but Thanos is once again gone and the Silver Surfer quickly uses his cosmic senses to track him again. He does and gets there immediately. Before Thanos can react, the Surfer fires and there is a tremendous explosion - larger than what the Surfer anticipated. As he searches for Thanos, he finds the bones of his dead body and is saddened by his death. He makes a coffin for him and flies away. Soon after, in the realms of Death, Thanos reveals the Silver Surfer has killed Nebula's first officer Gealtar whom he had surgically changed to resemble him. It is all part of his master plan to throw the Silver Surfer off track while he goes on about his plan.
A plan that will surely satisfy his hunger.  The next appearance of Thanos is in Thanos Quest #1.  Thanos is also responsible for the events in Silver Surfer #40-43.  Then, the Silver Surfer and Thanos clash again in issue #44.

Comments: Jim Starlin does a great job at showing the good planning and manipulating of Thanos.  Good art scenes, like the imaging of Silver Surfer's cosmic senses.

Review written by Alexander Soto