Captain Marvel vol. 5 #17Captain Marvel vol. 5 #17
Title: “Cheating Death”
Writer: Peter David
Penciller: Jim Starlin
Inker: Al Milgrom
Colors: Steve Oliff
Editor: Tom Brevoort
In olden times, the Vikings celebrate a great victory, and give thanks to the god that fought among them Thor. The Viking leader says that the others can have their gods that they have to put faith in, but to give him a god that will fight by their side for the Viking way of life. Thor raises his hammer to salute their efforts. He says that people will sing songs about this day forever, and that they have all achieved immortality this day.
It’s present day, and Thor is standing in the same general location and is trying to remember where exactly he was that day. Thor wonders if it really has come to this that he is the only one who even recalls the battle or the most famous tavern they celebrated in. Thor then struggles to remember if their leader was known as Erik Olafson or Olaf Erikson. Thor says that he thinks that this must be the first sign of becoming a feeble-minded god that he struggles to remember that which was once so important to him. Thanos stands behind Thor and corrects him saying that it is the second sign, but that the first sign is that the god talks to himself. Thor turns to Thanos and says that he saw Thanos die with his own two eyes. Thanos replies that dying is similar to lovemaking in that it gets better each time. Thor says that he will try to give Thanos that pleasure again and hurls his hammer at Thanos. Thanos raises his hand and creates a barrier that stops Thor’s hammer and causes it to fall to the ground. Thor’s hammer returns to him, and Thanos asks if they can talk now. Thor says that they have nothing to discuss since Thanos is a madman who has tried to obliterate all life to please Death. Thanos asks Thor if his vision is so limited that he could see him in that way. Thor asks if Thanos dares insult him after interrupting his musings and attacking. Thanos reminds Thor that he is the one that attacked him. Thanos tells Thor to update his speech. Thanos says that he would rather date Death than date himself. Thor says that he will express himself how he sees fit, and asks what business they could have together after Thanos’ atrocities. Thanos says that to him they were tests. Thanos says that he has layers and layers of plans and needs. He says that everyone recognizes that gods move in mysterious ways. Thanos says that all gods except Thor. He says that Thor is pure surface.
Marlo is standing in a clothing store
talking about how old she looks. Rick says that Marlo is going to
have to help him out on this one. He says that she went for an
audition, and then called him for help buying clothes, but all
she does is stand in the mirror and talk about how old she is.
Marlo says that everyone else sees it. She asks what Rick thinks
of her breasts. Marv says, “…danger Will
Robinson.” Rick asks Marlo if this is a trick question.
Marlo says that she was thinking of having some work done on
them. Marv tells Rick that she could add a third one. Rick tells
Marv that this isn’t the time. Marlo asks what Marv said and
Rick says that they both think that she looks great. Marlo says
that they are just saying that because of who they are. She says
that she went for an audition and they told her that she looked
too old to play the part. Rick says that this is ridiculous, and
that any living soul will tell you that she looks great. Lorraine
says that she looks great except the crow’s feet and the
sagging. Marlo tells Rick that ghosts however may disagree. Rick
decides to get another opinion. 
He walks up to a
man standing by a pants rack and says that he would like his
opinion about something. The tall man turns around. He is wearing
a long dark trench coat and sunglasses. His skin is pale white
and hair is black. The man says that he will be happy to oblige.
Walker says that Marlo is very tempting. Lorraine tells Marlo
that the man has death written all over him. Marv tells Rick to
stop the man though he isn’t sure why. Rick grabs the
man’s staff and tells Marlo to run. Rick’s hands recoil
from the staff and he says that it is cold as ice. The man says
that she was not the one he wanted anyway. He says that the staff
is not a thing, but merely an extension of himself. Rick pulls a
rack of pants onto the man and runs. Rick tells Marv to get ready
to switch. Marv says that he can’t switch right now, and
that if they did switch Rick would plummet into a sun. Marv says
that he is going to look for a safe place for Rick. Rick says to
hurry, as Earth isn’t very safe right now either.
Rick and Marlo run out of the store
together. Thanos materializes before them. Rick turns and sees
the man walking out of the store. Marv says that he has found a
planet with a breathable atmosphere. The pale man sees Thanos and
says, “Ah Thanos… at last. Where is she Thanos?”
Thanos replies, “Beyond your reach Walker.” Thanos then
tells Rick and Marlo to get down and fires a blast off at Walker.
Walker erects a dome that protects him. Walker says that Thanos
has no reason to protect Death. He says that she has treated him
as poorly as she has him. Walker says that intelligence was never
what drew Thanos to Death. He tells Thanos to speak her location.
Walker blasts at Thanos. Thanos says that he will never say it.
Walker tells him to scream it then and blasts Thanos. Thanos
screams never. Captain Marvel lands on a planet and Rick bangs
his nega-bands together. Marv flies up into the sky and says that
the two of them are about to learn that any cosmic strongman that
tries to harm human beings has to answer to him. Marv blasts both
Thanos and Walker. Neither Walker nor Thanos is particularly put
out. Walker asks what was the question. Walker demands that
Thanos tell him where she is or he is going to this world
molecule by molecule. Walker blasts both Thanos and Marv. Thanos
says that Genis has his father’s power, but asks if he has
his fighting spirit as well. Marv says that he can’t believe
that Thanos of all people is asking about his father. Thanos
says, “yes or no?” Marv says yes and Thanos tell him to
call upon it now. Thanos and Marv join hands, and with their
other hands they blast at Walker. 
Marlo says that they have to help. Lorraine asks Marlo if she is going to hit Walker with a toaster. Rick asks Marv what is happening, if Marlo is alright, and what is up with him holding hands with Thanos. Marv tells Rick “not now”. Walker asks Thanos if this is the best that he could ally himself with. Walker adds that Thanos is probably siphoning energy from his ship somewhere, but that he has all the power he needs. He says that the hatred and anger from his worshippers is enough to sustain him. Walker asks who would trust Thanos enough to protect this pathetic world. A bolt of lightning comes out of the sky and strikes Walker. Thor says that since Walker asks he is God of Thunder. Walker says, “How charming! An elemental archetype!” Walker adds that he is a true God of Death and asks what hope they have against him. Thor charges in. Marv tries to warn Thor, but Thanos says that Marv will find that Thor does things his own way. Thanos says that on his signal that they will unleash their attack and that Marv should use his photonic energies to confine it for maximum effect. Marv ads, “and to minimize damage to the city.” Thanos says, “that too”. Thor tells Walker that he makes the mistake that others make assuming that he is just what is upon the surface. Thor says that he has layers, and that all the powers of the storm, from all around the world, are his to command. Thor powers up his hammer and hurls it at Walker. Thanos gives the signal and lets loose with his eye beams. After they finish there is nothing but a crater left.
Thanos says that he has almost given up on Thor and asks what kept him. Thor says that he went to Asgard to confer with others if he should trust Thanos. Thanos asks if someone told Thor to trust him. Thor says that they told him not to trust him, but that ultimately Thor walks his own path. Marv asks if the threat is over. Thanos says that it is not that simple. Marv asks who Walker is. Thanos asks Marv if he knows the pain of a woman being unfaithful to you. Marv says that he has. Thanos says that Milady Death was unfaithful to him with Walker. Rick and Marv join in an “ewww…” Thanos says that he will transport them to his ship where he will tell them the rest. Marlo asks Marv if it is over. Thanos says that Marlo will have to come with them, and that this involves her as well. Rick says that there is no way that Marlo is going anywhere. Marlo says that she can handle whatever it is. Marv puts his hand on Marlo’s shoulder and says that she has no idea what she is getting into, and he knows because he has no idea what he is getting into. A glow comes around the two of them.
Marv and Marlo are standing in Thanos’ ship. Thanos tells them to be quiet and listen. He says that he doesn’t know how long it will be before Walker is ready for another attack. Marlo says that Walker kept asking where “she” was and asks who “she” is. Thanos says that “she” is Milady Death. Thor says that this Earth has many death gods, but that in his dimension Walker was the only God of Death. Walker sought out Death from our dimension. She received him and was taken by him, but after a “dalliance” Walker sought to give our Death a gift. He gave her all that he had. Walker killed everyone of the billions of souls and took them into himself with the intention of giving them to Death. Death was repulsed by Walker’s gift and spurned him. Walker reacted with disbelief, denial, and eventually anger… an anger that could doom them all. Thanos says that Walker intends to destroy Death. Marlo asks how no more death is a bad thing. Thanos says that the natural order of things must be maintained. Thanos says that despite her spurning him Thanos says that he still loves Death. Thanos begged Death to hide herself until he could dispatch her would be assassin. Marv says that he still doesn’t get this, but asks where Death is hidden. Thanos says that it is ironic because the disguise is so superb that even Walker didn’t see her in plain sight. Thanos says that she is in the body of a mortal woman who had a brush with Death, but “miraculously” returned to life. Marlo says, “Oh, you mean like I did…ohhh crap.” Marlo’s face is seen with half of Death’s face.
Legacy rating: 9 out of 10
Peter David has an amazing ability to take stories that he wrote in the past and have them fit into stories that he is currently writing. I used to think that he was just a great planner, but mysterious questions about things that happened in one series being carrying over into another series is just too much to plan. Great story and great set up. Marlo is the host of Death. Once again it’s really cool to see Starlin drawing a Captain Marvel story, but I have to say that when Marlo is complaining that she doesn’t look good… she really doesn’t look good. Starlin gives Marlo a paunch. Great storytelling and great presence in the art.