Continuing my look at the first Thanos War, from the early 1970’s.
Check out part 1 here.
Captain Marvel #29 (November 1973 “Metamorphosis!”)
Jim Starlin (Writer/Penciler/Colorist), Al Milgrom (Inker), Tom Orzechowski (Letterer), Roy Thomas (Editor)
Mar-Vell is right where he was at the end of last issue, in the presence of Eon, an eight-billion-year-old cosmic entity, who reveals its life’s mission: to destroy Captain Marvel, the Warrior.
There’s a brief recap, necessitated by this book’s bi-monthly schedule (right now Amazing Spider-Man comes out every 3 weeks and I still get lost when I read the new one, so this is a good plan.) Eon pulled Mar-Vell away from the wreckage at Avengers Mansion, saying that it was foretold by Kronos of Titan that Mar-Vell the Warrior must die so that the universe may live. It bids Mar-Vell to look into its soul’s eye to reveal the truth and show him the true enemy: The Ravagers, shadowy beings that destroy men’s dreams. Eon reveals that the universe needs a champion and Mar-Vell must be that champion. He must change!
Eon shows Mar-Vell that he must be a change for good of the entire galaxy (universe? Seems the terms are used interchangeably here). Mar-Vell is shown Olympus when it was ruled by Uranus and the first generation of Titans, who later battled Chronos, Oceanus, and the younger generation of Titans. Chronos and the younger Titans were victorious, with Uranus’ group leaving and eventually settling on the planet now called Uranus. Chronos threw down his weapons, vowing to never go to war again. He had many children, among them Zeus, who was more of a throwback to the warlike Titans; Alars, who followed his father’s teachings and became scholarly.
Later, Chronos was involved in an explosion of massive cosmic energy, merging him with the cosmic all, becoming one with the Universe. Zeus became emperor of Olympus and exiled Alars to wander the stars. He came to land on a moon of the planet Saturn, now called Titan. There he discovered the sole survivor of a failed civilization, a woman named Sui-San. He saved her, changed his name to Mentor, and together they created a new, peaceful situation.
Now that civilization is on the verge of destruction, thanks to Mentor’s son, Thanos. He possesses the Cosmic Cube now, holding vast power. He’s got his father, Mentor, and brother, Eros, prisoner. He did not destroy Drax, out of respect for his fighting spirit.
On the planet where they battled, Drax awakens in a cavern, leaving to find Captain Marvel.
On Earth, Controller puts a new control disc on Lou-Ann, Rick Jones erstwhile girlfriend. (Erstwhile is really the only way to describe her.)
At Avengers Mansion, Rick wakes up in the rubble, running out of air, wondering where Mar-Vell has gotten off to. Thanos is interested in this circumstance: Mar-Vell and Rick have been separated and even the Cosmic Cube can’t locate Mar-Vell anywhere in the cosmos.
Mar-Vell questions Eon about why it is doing this to him, and Eon tells him that this was all foreseen by Chronos, who knew that neither he, Chronos, nor the Titans could stop Thanos. Chronos created Eon, whose whole existence is to imbue Mar-Vell with the skill to challenge Thanos. Eon tells him that he must go from being a Warrior to being a Protector. He is told that he must reject war and realize the only winner in war is Death itself. Mar-Vell rejects Eon, as Eon has ignored honor, but Eon states that there is no honor in killing. Mar-Vell says he did all of this out of love, so Eon shows him the body of a woman he loved, Una, whom Mar-Vell was unable to protect because he was engaged in battle.
Mar-Vell is shown what would have happened if he’d beaten his old commander, Colonel Yon-Rogg, and been able to resurrect Una. Her soul is gone, and Mar-Vell is hit with the sudden realization that that everything he’s fought for has been wrong. He accepts what Eon is offering, Eon grants him new abilities, including cosmic awareness, vast powers, a modified costume, and blonde hair. Mar-Vell is attacked by Ravagers, whom he dispatches with ease, then he must confront his inner demon, his inner warrior. He ousts that and departs, returning to Rick. He can’t explain what’s happened, but he’s definitely changed.
Captain Marvel #30 (January 1974 “…To Be Free From Control!”)
Jim Starlin (Writer/Penciler/Colorist), Al Milgrom (Inker), Tom Orzechowski (Letterer), Roy Thomas (Editor)
Part I: “…To Be Free From Control!”
Captain Marvel and Iron Man are trying to build a device to track Rick’s Girlfriend, Lou-Ann, who’s under the influence of the Controller. Cap gives us a brief recap, telling Iron Man that stopping the controller is his responsibility, and when Iron Man questions if he can do, Mar-Vell tells him that he’s a different man now. Iron Man departs (and that story was told in Marvel Feature #12, see part one of this recap). Rick has a visitor, so Mar-Vell changes places with him.
Meanwhile, the Controller is holding what appears to be a massive political rally in a third-floor walk-up apartment. Thanos is decidedly _not_ happy with this, telling him that he could have ruined their cover with his little bit of ego-boosting. Thanos says he won’t kill him because he needs him right now: Controller is to kill Captain Marvel, if he doesn’t, Thanos will kill Cap with the Cosmic Cube. I don’t know why he wouldn’t just kill him with it to ensure that Mar-Vell is dead. Villains are dumb.
Back at Avengers Mansion, Rick is visited by his old agent, Mordecai P Boggs, who’s prospered since he and Rick parted, and he wants Rick to come sing for him. Rick agrees, as his time at the mansion should come to an end. Rick will meet him after the weekend, so he can do some things before he starts.
Part II: “A Time for Confrontation!”
Marvel follows him out and there’s a four-page battle. Controller is on the ropes, and Thanos appears, stating that Controller is about to lose, so he plucks him away and allows Mar-Vell to live, for now. He swaps with Rick Jones, who is promptly reunited with a control-disk free Lou Ann. 12 hours later at Avengers Mansion, Jarvis answers a knock at the door. It’s Drax, the Destroyer, who is there for Captain Marvel and Iron Man with a matter of Galactic Urgency.
Captain Marvel tracks down the Controller at his secret hideout and bursts in. Controller sends some thugs after him. Cap dispatches them with ease, then tries to reason with Controller, even using his real name. Controller rejects him and says that he must obey Thanos and kill Captain Marvel. Marvel tosses Controller out a window, then begins a search for Lou Ann. He finds her, but Controller bursts through the wall and grabs him. Controller tells him the whole plan: control a bunch of people to build his power, have them ready to disable Earth’s defenses, then rule the Earth after Thanos invades. While he’s doing this, Mar-Vell probes him for weaknesses and blasts him out the window again.
Prologue (Epilogue?):
Thanos sits with Death and monologues. He says the Cosmic Cube is not for material wealth or as a weapon. He is going to use it for a single wish. Which we will find out next issue.
Captain Marvel #31 (March 1974 “The Beginning of the End!”)
Jim Starlin (Writer/Penciler/Colorist), Al Milgrom and Dan Green (Inkers), Tom Orzechowski (Letterer), Roy Thomas (Editor)
Captain Marvel and Moondragon have arrived at Avengers Mansion, only to discover half the team (Mantis, Black Panther, and Swordsman) grappling with Drax, the Destroyer. Vision is rushing in to help, but Mar-Vell commands them to stop. They do, and Drax apologizes for simply breaking into the mansion in his haste to alert them of the menace of Thanos. Vision summons the Avengers, who arrive quickly and agree to help. Thanos is monitoring them, and he’s pissed that they could foil his plans. He calls out his hit list: Mar-Vell, Iron Man, Drax, and finally Moondragon. He’s already got Mentor and Eros immobilized using the power of the Cosmic Cube.
Thanos tells his companion, the embodiment of Death, that he does this out of love, for her.
On Earth, as usual, we get a quick recap of what’s happened over the last 5 or 6 issues. Before they can form a plan, Mar-Vell, Iron Man, Drax, and Moondragon are teleported to Thanos’s lair. Drax attacks him immediately, but Thanos immobilizes all the heroes alongside Mentor and Eros. He reveals his invasion fleet, as well as the fact that he has Kronos captive as well.
At Avengers Mansion, Lou Ann has awakened, and Scarlet Witch lets her know that the others have been taken, and Lou Ann knows it’s Thanos. She’s concerned for Rick, and we flash to Captain Marvel, struggling in Thanos’ bio field. He strikes his wrists together, and Rick appears in his place.
The jolt of energy causes a flux, and the all the heroes are released. They dogpile on Thanos, who repels them with ease. Mentor uses his powers to stop the controls for the mechanism that regulates Titan’s orbit. Titan breaks free of Saturn and in the following tumult, Mar-Vell kicks the Cosmic Cube from Thanos’ hand. He mows through the heroes, but Captain Marvel steps in and starts dodging and moving, keeping Thanos off balance. Ultimately, Thanos is able to grab Cap and subdue him. He gets the cube again, but Moondragon reaches into his mind to slow him down. It doesn’t work and Thanos binds all the heroes in bands of energy. He then uses the Cosmic Cube to make himself a God, showing on the view screen.
Captain Marvel #32 (May 1974 “Thanos the Insane God!”
Jim Starlin (Writer/Penciler/Colorist), Mike Friedrich (Writing Assist), Dan Green (Inker), Tom Orzechowski (Letterer), Roy Thomas (Editor)
Thanos appears on the main viewer screen in front of Drax, Moondragon, Captain Marvel, Mentor, and Iron Man (what happened to Eros?). They’re realistic about their chances, but that doesn’t stop Drax, who attacks Thanos with an enormously powerful energy blast. The battle grows in intensity, eventually destroying the observatory. Moondragon is hurt, so Mentor tends to her while sending Mar-Vell to the battle. Thanos defeats Drax off panel, but he still has to contend with Iron Man, Eros, and Captain Marvel.
As the remaining heroes fly through the forest, Eros is subdued by tree limbs. Iron Man and Mar-Vell continue on, and we flash to the rubble of the observatory. Drax emerges, not dead, just pissed off. At the Hall of Science, elsewhere on Titan, Mar-Vell notes that Thanos is not yet used to omnipotence, handling situations one at a time instead of all at once. Mar-Vell does the contractually obligated 1-page recap ™, but before they can formulate a plan, Thanos creates creatures out of the metal and concrete of the floor. Mar-Vell dispatches a few of them, but Iron Man is overwhelmed. Mar-Vell beats them back, but Iron Man is out cold.
Thanos gloats, hoping to win Death’s favor, but Drax appears and attacks him. Thanos decides to toy with him, restoring his full memories. He reveals that Drax was once earthman Arthur Douglas, who was driving on a country road with his wife and daughter. Thanos thinks that they’ve seen his ship, so he blasts it and kills Douglas and his wife. Thanos did not see Heather wander away. She was rescued by Mentor, who took her to Titan and raised to become Moondragon. Before his soul can reach the afterlife, Arthur is reborn at the hands of Kronos, who forges a new body for him out of the earth.
Drax, free of the mental block of his repressed memories, vows that he will redouble his efforts, knowing that he cannot be defeated. On Earth, Lou Ann thinks about Rick Jones while the remaining Avengers discover Thanos’ gigantic space fleet headed for Earth and leave to defend the planet.
Back on Titan, Mar-Vell encounters the computer ISAAC, now in a humanoid appearance, recording the events as they transpire. He tells Mar-Vell that he cannot defeat the creatures, and that they will continue to attack him as long as he exists. Mar-Vell realizes that he can switch out with Rick and when he does, the creatures stop. He asks ISAAC to send him to Earth. When he gets there, he grabs the now dead Cosmic Cube, then he sees Thanos and starts hurling insults at him. Thanos loses his shit and materializes right in front of Rick as the issue ends.
Avengers #125 (July 1974 “The Power of Babel!”)
Steve Englehart (Writer), John Buscema (Penciller), Dave Cockrum (Inker), Tom Orzechowski (Letterer), Petra Goldberg (Colorist), Roy Thomas (Editor)
This one opens after the Avengers battle with the Zodiac cartel in the previous few issues. It’s right at the height of the Mantis/Swordsman/Libra/Cotati saga, and I can’t express how much I loathe Mantis here. Englehart had a tendency, as I’ve said before, to write all of his women as either ultra-feminists, whores, or complete bitches. Mantis is this odd amalgamation of all three. It was revealed during the story that Libra, part of the Zodiac cartel, is Mantis’ father, having left her at the temple in Vietnam. He’s hauled off by the cops, and that’s when Captain America arrives.
He’s down a little bit after the events of Captain America #175 (He witnessed the suicide of a high-ranking government official) and he wants to rethink the course he’s on. Mantis departs to tend to Swordsman, who’s being released from the hospital. While they chat, A woman arrives and passes out. It’s Lou Ann, she’s got Rick Jones’ ID card. She says that Rick’s being lured into a trap by Thanos. Cap wonders aloud who Thanos is, then we get a quick recap of the events over in Captain Marvel, leading up to Iron Man, Moondragon, Captain Marvel, and Drax all disappearing.
Black Panther notifies the team that Thanos’ fleet is on its way to Earth. The Avengers head to space to face off with them, and a battle begins. The Avengers start trashing the fleet and they contact Thanos, who tells them to keep fighting. Thor blasts into the ship and demands their surrender. Instead, they attack him. The fleet doesn’t really stand a chance, until they find a void in space and start blasting at it. Vision, Swordsman, Mantis, and Scarlet Witch breach the void, entering the ship behind it.
They’re attacked by more of Thanos’ minions, but they trash them pretty quickly. They find a machine that is what amounts to a universal translator, disable it, and turn off the force field. The alien mercenaries can’t communicate with each other and start fighting amongst themselves. The fleet is summarily defeated (off panel) and the Avengers return to Earth. When they re-enter the mansion, Thanos hides behind a chimney and gloats, as his plan is unfolding exactly as he’s planned.
Captain Marvel #33 (July 1974 “The God Himself!”)
Jim Starlin (Plotter/Penciler/Colorist), Steve Englehart (Scripter), Klaus Janson (Inker), Tom Orzechowski (Letterer), Roy Thomas (Editor)
Thanos and Mar-Vell are facing off on the roof of Avengers Mansion, and we get a recap of the whole story to here, done in two of Starlin’s 12-panel page layouts with what amounts to thumbnails, then the big wrap-up collage with ISAAC, Rick Jones, all the heroes and finally Thanos threatening Rick. Mar-Vell appears at the bottom of the page, and they duke it out for a couple of pages until the ship from Avengers 125 crashes into a building. Thanos has thoroughly beaten Captain Marvel, leaving him in the wreckage.
Marv comes to as Thanos leaves, communicating with the image of ISAAC, who tells him that only Mar-Vell’s cosmic awareness may counter the Cosmic Cube. Meanwhile, Thanos notes that since the Avengers were off planet, they are now out of phase with it. On Titan, Mentor and Moondragon discover the remaining Titan Eternals, and Mentor vows to destroy Thanos.
At Avengers Mansion, Mar-Vell detects Mantis, who has “perfect control” of her mind and body, and Mar-Vell laments that he is all alone against Thanos. Thanos gloats (again), but Death looks up and here’s Drax! He blasts Thanos, but Thanos is too powerful for them both. Mar-Vell lands with Mantis and ISAAC, and Mantis has the Cosmic Cube. She notes that although Thanos is a God, he has no worshippers, so perhaps the Cube is not as worthless as Thanos would lead us to believe.
Thanos is on to them, but Mar-Vell is still trying to get to the Cube, with Thanos decimating him the whole way. Marv smashes the cube, causing Thanos to disappear. Death laughs, and the formerly feminine features turn to the skull in the hood. The Avengers silently depart, with Mantis having the knowledge that Thanos had no worshippers, since he worshipped death. She could not worship him, and that caused his failure.
The Wrap-Up:
This is the lesser of the two Thanos Wars of the 1970’s, in my opinion. The mythology was just forming, and Starlin didn’t really have free reign to do what he wanted just yet. He was not the strongest at scripting, and although the ideas were there, it seems a little disjointed in places. I don’t know if that’s editorial or one of the other writers making things seem a little off. Mike Friedrich left Marvel (and comics altogether) not long after this, so his heart might not have been in it. There was a lot of genius behind what Starlin was doing here, but it just doesn’t quite hit.
From some other planet... 