Silver Surfer #45, Vol. 3

"The Boys Are Back!"

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 #44.

Plot: Thanos has the Infinity Gems, he is master over time, space, mind, soul, reality, and power. He has defeated the last of his greatest foes: Drax the Destroyer and the Silver Surfer. He has imprisoned their souls within the Soul Gem. Thanos leaves their bodies to rot and returns to his flagship, the Sanctuary III. And where the Infinity Gems go, Mephisto secretly follows. On his flagship, Thanos finds that one of his crewman is keeping the injured Nebula, former mistress of the vessel and "granddaughter" of Thanos, alive. She is, however, on a thin line between life and death, with a burnt decaying body and severe brain injuries. Thanos finds it as art, and preserves her at that current state for as long as he wishes. Using his gems, Nebula is forced to remain in pain and agony for ever, never allowed to reach death. Thanos then disposes of the rebellious crewman, when Mephisto makes his presence known. He offers his service and tells the origin of the Infinity Gems. The gems were once an omnipotent being, that was all that was for infinity. But the entity felt lonely and created beings, one of whom was Mephisto, to end his solitude. Because the entity was neither good nor evil and sought not for these creatures to be either, they became evil. The entity was displeased and destroyed Mephisto and the others. The omnipotent entity finally committed a cosmic suicide and all that is today was born. Mephisto and his demon brethren were reborn as well. Thanos still, however, had no use for the Prince of Darkness. Then Mephisto tells Thanos how, using his Infinity Gems, he can touch every living soul of the universe. Thanos does this, leaving his body empty. Mephisto takes the chance to snatch the gauntlet from Thanos’s lifeless body. At long last, he has the Infinity Gauntlet, but Thanos is not tricked easily. He saw through Mephisto’s plan and uses the gauntlet (in Mephisto’s hand) to strangle him. He does not kill him, though. He keeps Mephisto around for one reason...he amuses him.

Continued in issue #46.

Comments: Great art and story.  Jim Starlin and Ron Lim make a good team the interaction between Thanos and Mephisto.

Review written by James Pedrick