Next Big Cosmic Event:The Thanos Imperative

[TheCorpulent1]

Veterans survive. Memorial Day is for those who did not.

 

[sandwraith]

I see. Sorry, just curious. so the books got delayed on your end too huh?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Here in the US? Yep, they come out today. I'm pretty sure it's because UPS, Diamond, and pretty much everyone else involved in the shipping process is closed on Memorial Day.

 

[sandwraith]

OK, I'll make it a point not to look through this thread to keep spoiler free. Damn I miss picking up a monthly issue of Nova. It feels as though there a hollow place in my heart...

 

[SouLeSS]

I wonder if any of the Elders of the Universe will make an appearance, since some of them are big cosmic players (Grandmaster, Collector, Ego the Living Planet) and due to Death banning them from her realm they can never die (like those in the cancerverse).

You mean like this?

 

[NDX]

That artwork is magnificent. So much so I think I soiled myself.

 

[sandwraith]

i was wondering, maybe Annihilus was supposed to be the one to take on the forces of the Cancerverse as an pseudo-champion of Death. He is paranoid enough to believe that anything alive is a possible threat to his being.

 

[NDX]

I don't know which design I like better, Cancerverse Hulk or Cancerverse Namor.

 

[robsoko422]

You mean like this?

Very cool, very cool indeed

Those are some truely big cosmic players (although not Elders)

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Just read the first issue. Pretty great. Did anyone else think the art was a bit muddy, though? All of the shadows had a grayish look that really ruined any hope of contrast. They should get the inker to blacken them a bit more.

 

[Dread]

Just read the first issue. Pretty great. Did anyone else think the art was a bit muddy, though? All of the shadows had a grayish look that really ruined any hope of contrast. They should get the inker to blacken them a bit more.

Since no inker was credited, that implies that Sepulveda probably does his own inking, or colors are simply added to pencils. At any rate, I do agree that better inking would improve his work. That said, I still like his art.

Repost of my review:

THANOS IMPERATIVE #1: Picking up right where IGNITION #1 left off, this is the "official" start of the third space event mini by Abnett & Lanning ("DnA"). In reality it is the culmination of a year's worth of subplot from NOVA, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY and at least two mini's (INHUMANS and IMPERIAL GUARD) and one Quasar one shot. It essentially takes the place of both NOVA & GUARDIANS for at least 6-7 months. Marvel insists both are on "hiatus". Like IMMORTAL IRON FIST. Or VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT will be. A little honesty's nice. In truth, while the space books have a loyal audience, it is a shrinking one and both titles at best need a relaunch after 2-3 years. But so do many titles. Hell, NEW AVENGERS was among the best selling ongoing series of the last 5 years, and even it is getting a fresh #1. The difference between this and WAR OF KINGS, and even to an extent ANNIHILATION CONQUEST, is that it seems more themed towards the regular readers of the space books. You're expected to be behind Nova and Star-Lord, who are treated as unofficial leads, because they've been the leads of the space line with their own titles for 2-3 years. I imagine someone trying this new would be very lost, but I don't think that is the intention. The intention is to deliver on a story starring the best leads of the two ongoings. Which is greatly appreciated. The biggest criticism of WAR OF KINGS and especially ANNIHILATION CONQUEST were the central characters not being engaging enough. That's a criticism that seems to be thrown by the wayside here. Of course, Nova just popped up in SECRET AVENGERS #1, which should sell double what this does, so it could help.

Spoiler

The forces of the Cancerverse, led by Dark Quasar and Dark Lord Mar-Vell (of the Captain variety) are invading the 616 universe. Since their universe is one of eternal life, everything has become cancerous and vile, and space is limited. With the Fault leading to a new universe, the Cancerverse beings see it as new real estate. Their quest is to come in and not only conquer whatever they see, but to make this universe like theirs by literally killing Death.

Word of Death choosing an avatar is mentioned and it naturally is obvious that it is Thanos. While Thanos is pissed about being alive again and doesn't seek to serve any agenda but his own nihilism, it appears as if Death (or Oblivion) has resurrected him for exactly that purpose, to serve as their avatar of Death (a role that Phyla Mar-Vell apparently flunked). Thanos is probably a step up from her anyway. The Guardians work up an awkward truce with Thanos to steer him towards the Fault. The issue does a good job of showcasing the various Guardians besides Star-Lord. Major Victory wants to be out in the front lines of battle; while Gamora and Moondragon want Thanos dead, Drax's entire purpose in life is to make it so. And Rocket Raccoon seems to have Thanos' death wish number. The only Guardians who seem lost in the crowd are Flag and Bug, but that tends to happen to those two anyway. Both Thanos and even Drax don older, default costumes that I wouldn't have minded seeing redesigned, but I suppose the intention is to go classic, HEROIC AGE and all.

Meanwhile, the Cancerverse hordes are attacking the Nova Corps Starship, which is in the midst of the war alongside the Inhuman-led Kree, and the Shi'ar Imperial Guard. Nova and Quasar naturally survived the explosion from last isssue (IGNITION), but then have to deal with the Dark Avengers (no, not THOSE Dark Avengers, the Cancerverse Avengers) who decide to smash some things and kidnap the recently revived Namorita. Considering there's no way Marvel editorial would let poor Namorita rejoin the rest of the Warriors on Earth (since it would leave Dwayne and Microbe the only heroic casualties of Stamford), part of me fears that nasty things may happen to Namorita. But at any rate, it provides Nova sufficient justification to be angry. While Robbie and Irani (and of course Worldmind/Ko-Rel) appear, none of the other Nova Corps do. It certainly has felt like a while since we've seen them.

The issue is drawn by Miguel Sepulveda, who just wrapped the SIEGE run of THUNDERBOLTS, and his style is rather good (especially alongside J.D. Ramos' colors). He'll draw the next issue before Brad Walker eventually draws for the series as well, which leads me to wonder if instead of offering IGNITION as a separate one shot, they didn't make that the proper issue #1 and stretch this series to 7 issues. It was the real start of the series anyway, and all the issues are $3.99 anyway. There is a preview of the next issue offered, which reveals that is when not only Silver Surfer arrives, but his master Galactus as well.

The Cancerverse creatures, according to Ronan, can take "six to seven times what we would consider lethal before perishing", which must be quite something coming from a Kree cyborg (talking to Medusa of the Inhumans). That does help add to some of the drama, that the monsters are a genuine threat and even Nova needs a little extra time to zap through some of them.

While Marvel says they aren't doing major events after SIEGE this year, they are doing "mini" events such as this and SHADOWLAND. My expectations for this are a lot higher. Rocking start to what hopefully will be DnA's best cosmic event series yet!

Just don't kill Namorita! She just came back, man...

 

[CBG]

A universe where life survives and inhabited by Lovecraft creatures.

On Lovecraft, it'd be the ideal opportunity to bring back Shuma Gorath.

And for life surviving, I imagine a Lovecraftian Phoenix Force.

Let's see if the writers thought of that.

 

[SouLeSS]

A universe where life survives and inhabited by Lovecraft creatures.

On Lovecraft, it'd be the ideal opportunity to bring back Shuma Gorath.

Oh and this guy is going to be the BIG BAD of it all

Spoiler

 

[CBG]

Lovecraftian Phoenix Force.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I hope the Phoenix Force is never even mentioned, personally. Leave that for the X-Men.

 

[NDX]

Just read the first issue. Pretty great. Did anyone else think the art was a bit muddy, though? All of the shadows had a grayish look that really ruined any hope of contrast. They should get the inker to blacken them a bit more.

Sepulveda is the lone artist, and I have a feeling they are coloring his detailed pencils instead of waiting for him or someone else ink them. Why the colors are muddled. I noticed that myself with this and other comics that work that way (usually Mico Suayan's art).

Is it me, or in that 2 page spread is there a fourth pair of massive booties?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

There is. Probably another Celestial.

 

[robsoko422]

I wonder if there is a cancerverse version of Thanos, and if there is what would he be like without the obsession with death that the regular one has had all his life.

Would also like to see the cancerverse Sorcerer Supreme.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

We did, at the end of The Thanos Imperative #1. Assuming Doctor Strange is the Sorcerer Supreme of that universe, at least.

 

[CBG]

I hope the Phoenix Force is never even mentioned, personally. Leave that for the X-Men.

It'd be a severe oversight by the writers to NOT mention the Phoenix Force due to its relationship with life.

On Cancerverse Thanos, I imagine that if he did exist, he'd be some prisoner or the lone rebel who refuses to receive help from anyone like the Science people. . . or is utterly broken when Cancerverse's Death died. . . or is already dead.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

The Phoenix Force isn't related just to life, though. It's related to rebirth. As in, dying and then returning to life. Nothing dies in the Cancerverse, so there's no need for rebirth.

 

[Dread]

That, and the Phoenix Force seems to be something the X-Office keeps tight reigns over. Despite Rachael Summers being in WAR OF KINGS (and accomplishing more than Havok did), her "oh noez, the Phoenix Force left me" bit was never really played up there. I imagine with Hope now in a convenient teenage state, it should eventually be moving there.

Plus, as Corp said, one can't be reborn in a universe where nothing dies.

THANOS IMPERATIVE #1 had a Cancerverse version of the Defenders, so Dr. Strange was there. Should be interesting if Silver Surfer meets them.

And while I don't think the demon Shuma Gorath will be featured at all, it would be pretty cool if he was. He certainly would be a worthy challenge for the combined forces of the universe.

 

[El Bastardo]

I jumped onboard (there's a pun there, I just know it) cosmic Marvel with War of Kings, then picked up everything through Realm of Kings. Guardians of the Galaxy was an easy favorite, so I picked up all previous stuff in trade form.

My LCS was doing a 30% off Marvel hardcovers/trade sale last week / this week, though, so I finally picked up Annihilation in trade and Conquest in hardcover. Thus far I've read the first two books of Annihilation. I should have it finished between tonight/tomorrow at work.

What all else am I missing? Just the earlier volumes of Nova?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I think so.

 

[BrianWilly]

Preview for issue two.

Love Worldmind.