Marvel 1976.04 - Warlock #12

Warlock #12

Title: A Trollish Tale!

Writer: Jim Starlin

Artist: Jim Starlin

Villain: Pro-Boscis, Eros

Regulars: Pip the Troll

After the epic story of the last seven issues, Jim Starlin presents a light-hearted comedy romp featuring Pip the Troll. He's too interesting to remain in the background.

The story starts with Warlock and Pip drinking alcoholic beverages in a bar on Sirus X, the planet formerly known as Homeworld in a reality that will never exist. As I can tell you from my own experiences, there are two reasons to drink alcohol: either you're partying or you're brooding. As you can see, Pip is partying and Warlock is brooding.

The two friends aren't suitable company for one another, so Warlock leaves and flies up into the stars. Pip gets into an argument with Mama Alpha, the bar's owner. While intoxicated he made promises to her that he never intended to keep. The argument escalates into a full scale brawl, everyone hitting everyone else while Pip is hiding underneath the table.

When the fight is over Pip leaves the bar as the only man standing. He walks out and finds a small pleasure cruiser hovering outside. The only occupant is a beautiful young woman called Heater Delight. She's looking for a mighty warrior to save her from her captor Pro-Boscis. She promises Pip a great reward. All he has to do is cut the wire holding her prisoner in the cruiser.

Is it as easy as that? Pip steals a pair of wire cutters and frees her. What Heater failed to mention is that there was an alam, and Pro-Boscis immediately arrives. What Pip failed to mention is that he's not a mighty warrior.

Pip defeats Pro-Boscis in a slap-stick battle, more by luck than by skill. A figure steps out of the shadows. It's Eros, the brother of Thanos. Heater is his lover, and the two fly away together. What about Pip's gift? He can keep the pleasure cruiser.

Meanwhile Warlock is sitting on a piece of rock floating through space. He sees stars disappearing.