Marvel 1977.12 - Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2

Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2

Title: Death Watch!

Writer: Jim Starlin

Artist: Jim Starlin

Villain: Thanos

Avengers: Captain America, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Beast, Moondragon, Thor, Vision

Guests: Spider-Man, Thing, Captain Marvel, Warlock, Pip the Troll, Gamora

    Kray-Tor, Autolycus

    Lord Chaos, Master Order

This annual is a continuation of the battle between Thanos and the Avengers that started in Avengers Annual #7. As I've already mentioned, it's been written in this format as a result of Warlock's solo series being cancelled. Is "Marvel Two-In-One" the logical place for a cosmic drama like this to be published? Not at all. I wish I could have been a fly-on-the-wall when Jim Starlin was discussing his plans for the story with his editor. Archie Goodwin or Marv Wolfman? The Avengers annual was a good place to start the story, but where could it be continued? In the 1970's mini-series weren't common. The Marvel Two-In-One annual was offered to him, so he adjusted his story appropriately to include Spider-Man and the Thing. And guess what? The end result is brilliant! Logical or not, the story works, exactly as it was written.

Peter Parker is having a nightmare. What he doesn't realise immediately is that it isn't a random dream. Moondragon is beaming a mental distress call to Earth, and Peter is the only one who receives it. Maybe it's a side effect of his spider sense that makes him receptive. The first part of his dream is a recap of the story we read in Avengers Annual #7. Then we see something new. When Thanos left his ship, he went to his flagship and confronted the Avengers battling his mercenaries: Captain America, Beast, Vision, Scarlet Witch and Moondragon. He defeated them effortlessly. He turned his attention to the remaining Avengers flying through space towards him: Thor, Iron Man and Captain Marvel. A missile barrage knocked them unconscious.

A lesser villain might have annihilated his captives, tearing them limb from limb. Not Thanos. He keeps them alive but immobile, so that he has witnesses of his victory. The only person missing is Adam Warlock, who was killed by his past self. Thanos has lost his synthetic gem, destroyed by Iron Man, so he takes the soul gem from Warlock's dead body. Warlock's gem alone, the most powerful of the six soul gems, should be powerful enough to destroy the Sun as an offering to Death.

Peter Parker wakes up and knows that he needs help. His webs can't reach all the way into space. The obvious choice is to visit the Baxter Building to get help from the Fantastic Four. Three of them are away, but the Thing is sitting alone. He pilots one of Reed Richards' space shuttles directly to Thanos' flagship, Sanctuary II.

Spider-Man and the Thing are unable to resist the attacks of Thanos' many mercenaries. They're brought unconscious into Thanos' chamber. In space, Lord Chaos and Master Order are discussing the events. They've known since the beginning of time that this battle would take place. They've been planning for it. Among other things, they were the ones who gave Spider-Man his powers.

This is the first time Chaos and Order have ever been shown in Marvel comics, but they're thrown in casually without any introduction. Is this good writing? Technically it isn't, but in a tale of this magnitude it all seems to make sense. 

The Thing stands up and challenges Thanos, but Thanos knocks him out again with a single punch. Spider-Man panics and flees, realising he's way out of his league, but he slowly pulls himself together. He sneaks back and wrecks the stasis panel holding the Avengers prisoner.

While the other Avengers fight with Thanos' mercenaries, Thor and the Thing face Thanos himself. For one brief moment it seems like they can succeed.

I've read discussions among Marvel fans about Thanos' strength. Some claim that without weapons like the Cosmic Cube or the Infinity Gems he's only a medium powered villain. These two pages show that they're wrong.

Lord Chaos and Master Order use Spider-Man's spider sense to guide him to the soul gem, which has been left in a bowl on a control panel. Spider-Man smashes the bowl and Warlock emerges from the gem, his body flaming. He touches Thanos, and Thanos turns to stone. Dead. Supposedly. In actual fact his consciousness is trapped in the stone body, where he can spend eternity thinking over his misspent life.

Warlock returns into the gem. The Avengers assume he's dead. They bury his physical body with Gamora and Pip.

It's a nice sentimental touch, but is it really advisable to leave the soul gem, the universe's deadliest weapon, lying on his grave where anyone can pick it up? I suppose the Avengers didn't know what it was.

I'm making a short pause before continuing with my Marvel reviews. I have a list of about 600 comics that I want to write about, so it should keep me busy for the next few years. It's possible that I'll continue with other comics after finishing these.