Captain Marvel vol. 5 #30Captain Marvel vol. 5 #30
Title:"Time Flies Conclusion: Jonesing
Writer: Peter David
Penciller: Chrisscross
Inker: Rodriguez and Perrota
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Jackie Shorr is about to slash Marlo with her giant knife when she hears a voice. Jackie runs away as JMS says that Al said that he could find Marlo back there. Marlo says that it is new comics day so she should have figured that he would be there. Joe says that Al suggested that he have a talk with her. He says that she has been acting depressed and hanging out in the bathroom all day. Marlo says that Joe wouldn’t understand. Joe says to try her as he helps her move the books. Marlo pulls the doorstop and the back door closes. Marlo says that the problem is that Captain Marvel has gone down the toilet. Joe says that he heard that the sales weren’t spectacular, but that maybe a few guest stars, a four part storyline with a shock ending… Marlo says that she knew that Joe wouldn’t understand. As the door closes, Jackie Shorr hides against the wall.
Back at Maestro’s castle, Starfox says that he doesn’t understand. He says that he was in the year 2099 one minute and the next he is “here… wherever here is.” A holographic image of Thanatos appears and tells Starfox that he is in the stronghold of the Maestro. He says that Maestro has something that he requires. Thanatos says that if Starfox’s life is important to him that he is going to get them for him. Starfox says that he is going to kill Thanatos for putting him through this, but Thanatos says that he won’t get the chance if he is dead. Thanatos says that Starfox is looking for the amulet and cloak of Doctor Strange. He says that the Maestro keeps them as a souvenir. Starfox asks who this Maestro is anyway. Thanatos says that Maestro is a future evil version of the Hulk. Starfox says that Thanatos has to be kidding. Starfox suggests that Maestro might be a little upset that he is stealing his property. Thanatos tells him not to worry about that and that Maestro will be busy elsewhere (Maestro is seen fighting with Captain Marvel and Spider-Man 2099). Thanatos says that he has preparations to go and make. He says that there is so much to do that he is positively beside himself.
Thanatos downs his beer. Rick says that he, Thanatos, and old him are kind of like a… Thanatos finishes his sentence and says, “Rama Tut, Kang, and Immortus deals? Pretty much it, yeah.” Old Rick asks if he mentioned that he named his great granddaughter after Janis Joplin. Rick says that he has three times since he got there. Old Rick says that Janis is a great name. Thanatos asks how old Rick got Thor’s hammer in his trophy room. He asks if it was machinery that moved it for him. Old Rick mumbles, “Name. Called a name. Can’t remember. On… tip of my tongue…” Rick rolls his eyes and tells him that his granddaughter’s name is Janis after Janis Joplin. Old Rick says he guesses that was it. Rick says that he is calling himself Thanatos, but that he is obviously some weird alternate version of him. Thanatos says that from where he sits that Rick looks like a weird alternate version of him. Rick and Thanatos both crush their beer cans. As they both throw their crushed cans onto a hallowed out Sentinel head with orange rocky fragments inside, they both say together, “Funny how that work. ‘Funny’ ha ha or ‘funny’ strange? Knock it off! You knock it off!” Thanatos holds the Spear of Destiny to Rick’s throat and asks if he has anything else to say. Thanatos starts to tell Rick his story. He asks Rick if he remembers the Kree/Skrull War where Supreme Intelligence awoke the Destiny Force within him. He says that he used it to create a bunch of golden age superheroes to fight for him as a delaying action. Thanatos says that it was pretty tame stuff, but that you have to walk before you can run. Thanatos says that in Rick’s reality he wound up re-merging with Captain Mar-Vell, but that in his reality that didn’t happen. Thanatos says that he stay behind with the Intelligence Supreme who taught him how to harness the Destiny Force. Thanatos says, “Steve threw a fit, but even he couldn’t talk me out of it. He said the Supremor wanted to manipulate the power for his own ends. Which, of course, was true. You should’ve seen the Supremor’s expression right before I killed him. Priceless, I’m telling ya.” Old Rick says that it is a basic absolute power corrupting absolutely. Rick says that he got that and that he is on the same page. Old Rick says, “What was that name again…?” Rick tells him again that he is talking about Janis and that it is embarrassing. Thanatos says that he really is the definitive version of them, and that there is no need for other versions of them. Thanatos says that he put together a plan, and though he destroyed several planets and at least one universe formulating it, that he finally has it down. Thanatos says that he has to mix elements of science, sorcery, and mythology (which are really the same thing with different rules). Thanatos says that last time left him discorporate and so this time he went and got some pawns to do the work for him.
Starfox spots the Minister. He rushes up and grabs him. He tells Minister to take him to Doctor Strange’s amulet and cloak or he will snap his neck.
Thanatos says, “Before too long, Starfox will have acquired the final item I need. Then I’ll bring him here and using the combined powers of these inventions and talismans… plus the life force-merged-with-chronoparticles that I bestowed upon Starfox… I will become the template for what Rick Jones is, and should have been, and will be, everywhere throughout the multiverse. Like the Buddhist said to the hot dog vendor, I will be made one with everything. I will be… the Ultimate Rick Jones! Well? What do you think?” Old Rick asks for some ice cream while Rick just keeps his face buried in his palm.
Two of Maestro’s guards walk into a
wall of webbing and get stuck. Maestro has each of Marv’s
hands in one of his own. He says that he remembers him now.
Maestro says that he is Captain Mar-Vell. He says that he looks
different and that he obviously hasn’t died of cancer yet.
Maestro asks if this is some stunt of the rebels and if they
managed to summon him from the past or something. Marv says that
he doesn’t know who these rebels are, but that he can spot a
bad guy easily enough. Maestro says that it is quaint how he
calls them ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’.
Maestro says that one thing that he hasn’t forgotten is what
happens when his wristbands slam together. Maestro slams the
bands together, but nothing happens. Marv is still standing there
when the smoke clears. Maestro says, “What the hell?
Where’s Jones? You’re supposed to switch molecules with
that idiot, Rick Jones!” Marv starts to say that he is sorry
that he couldn’t accommodate him, but then decides that he
isn’t sorry. Marv adds that now that the room has been
cleared of innocent bystanders that he can cut loose. Marv says
that he was just being careful earlier since that is one of the
differences between good guys and bad guys. Marv says that the
good guys always win too. Finally he says that it is Marvel, not
Mar-Vell. Marv blasts Maestro with such power that it sends him
hurtling out of the palace. Maestro lands outside and hits the
streets. Spider-Man tells Marv to remind him not to piss him off.
He asks Marv what he was trying to do banging his bands together
like that. Marv says that he was doing something that actually
should have worked. He says that he mistook him for his father,
but that he isn’t sure why it didn’t work. Down on the
street, Maestro calls out to Captain Marvel and says that he is
going to smash in some heads of the innocent bystanders. Maestro
says that he is allowed to do that since he is the bad guy.
Maestro hurls a giant rock. The people scream in terror, but the
rock explodes as Janis is on the ground with her energy staff.
Maestro’s face is covered in webbing. He asks them how long
they think this will stop him. 
Spider-Man and
Marv both say that it will last long enough as they dive into
Maestro and start punching.
Starfox stands with Strange’s amulet and cloak. He thanks the Minister for helping out. The Minister doesn’t say anything as he is upside down because of Starfox’s telekinesis. Starfox tells the Minister that he doesn’t need to say anything and that he knows that he was eager to help. Starfox wonders what he is supposed to do now. He says that Thanatos said that he would know when he was done. Starfox starts to wonder if Thanatos was telling the truth, but Dr. Doom’s machine suddenly activates and starts to transport him.
In Rick’s trophy room, Thanatos is holding a gun on Rick while setting some controls. Old Rick says that the name is on the tip of his tongue. Thanatos says that he might shoot Old Rick just to put him out of his misery. Starfox arrives and Thanatos thanks him. Starfox says that he doesn’t need Thanatos’ thanks. He says that he needs his head on a stick. Starfox throws Strange’s cloak over Thanatos’ face. Starfox is leaping to hit Thanatos, but the energy from his neck starts to burst through. Thanatos starts firing his gun wildly while he pulls the cloak off his face. He tells Rick to stay back and that he will shoot him. Thanatos says that wasn’t a good move to Starfox. He says that Starfox has been a useful tool so far, but that he isn’t needed for the final procedures. Thanatos says that Starfox was only a back up if one of the things wasn’t attainable, but that in his weakened condition he may be of no use. He tells Starfox not to press his luck. Thanatos says, “It all hinges on me, you know! That is to say… on us! If I hadn’t wandered out onto that testing range, then no Hulk! Later I summoned heroes to battle the Hulk, and they formed the Avengers! So no Hulk, no Avengers! No Avengers… no world! Instead what’s left in al the multiverse will be shaped by my image! Mine… and the power of the Destiny Force, wielded as none ever have! As none ever could! Years I spent… years!… Being a sidekick! A powerless hanger-on! No more! That ends here, now, and then, for all time and all times! Who’s your daddy? C’mon! Who’s your daddy?” Thanatos strikes the group with the Spear and creates an energy pentagram on the group. At four of the corners of the star rests an artifact. One corner has Thor’s hammer, another has Doom’s time machine, another has Strange’s cloak, and the other has Strange’s amulet. The last spot remains open.
Maestro pulls the webbing from his face. Maestro says that he is going to kill Captain Marvel for this and whoever the other fool is. Maestro looks at Spider-Man 2099 and asks if he got his costume at a Day of the Dead festival. Spider-Man says that actually he did. Maestro says that he is going to be picking this stuff out of his beard for weeks. Maestro says that he has changed his mind and that he is going to kill the wall-crawler first. Marv flies in front of Spider-Man and says that to do that he will have to go through him first. Suddenly Marv disappears in a flash of light. Left alone Spider-Man mumbles, “I’m… not from around here, actually.” Maestro glares at him and then leaps at him. Maestro smashes through the building just below Spider-Man.
Marv appears right next to Rick Jones. Both
of them are too stunned to react. Old Rick sits in his chair and
says that if he could only think of the name. Starfox shouts for
Marv to watch out, but it is too late and Thanatos’ spear
skewers Marv and also goes into Rick. Thanatos holds onto the
spear as energy starts to pour out of Marv and Rick.
Thanatos’ eyes grow wide. He says that he can feel it
working. All powers, real or unreal, natural or supernatural are
merging around him. His greatness is becoming the model for all
the multiverse. Thanatos says that he is every variant. He is the
Ultimate ultimate. Thanatos looks down at the spaces between the
lines of the pentagram. Thanatos sees a scene with him playing
the harmonica as Bruce runs towards him. Thanatos is dressed as
Bucky with Captain America in one, and in another Thanatos is
marrying Marlo. Suddenly Thanatos looks over and notices that
Thor’s hammer is no longer lying with the uru side against
the ground, but that the hammer is upright and floating in the
air. Thanatos asks what is happening with the hammer. The hammer
smashes through its display case and flies to old Rick’s
hand. 
Old Rick says,
“Heh. Finally remembered the name. Mjolnir’s secret
name… that made it come when Thor called… He whispered
it to me… right before he died. I was deemed worthy,
y’see… for stuff that you ain’t done yet,
Rick-O… and you, helmet head… you ain’t ever gonna
do…” A green vortex starts to blow around as Thanatos
tells old Rick to put the hammer down, but old Rick tells him to
blow it out their harmonica. Old Rick says, “Hey boys! You
heard him! Let’s put the hammer down! I need a power boost!
So bang those bands… and we’ll make this bozo hit the
bricks!” Thanatos shouts that they really suck as the vortex
overtakes him.
Maestro is
holding Spider-Man above his head and about to kill him when
there is a huge flash.
Starfox finds himself on the floor of his hotel room. He no longer has the hole in his throat. Starfox says that he has a million questions, but when Dominika walks out he realizes that every one of the questions can wait.
Old Rick’s head is hanging. Marv wonders if old Rick has died, but old Rick starts to snore. Rick is back in the Microverse. He looks over Marv’s shoulder and says that knowing his memory that he will probably wake up wondering what happened to his trophy room. Rick asks what happened to Starfox. Marv says that Starfox and Spider-Man are back in their own times. Marv says that, “…the energies unleashed by the demise of Thanatos cut across time and reality and sent all the players in this little insanity back where they came from.” Rick asks Marv how he knows this. Marv reminds Rick that he is cosmically aware. Marv says that unfortunately Rick was one of the returnees to the Microverse and that the energies remerged them. Rick asks how they are going to get back. Marv says that he can use Doom’s time machine. He says that it might be superscience on Earth, but that it seems pretty simple to him. Rick says, “Aren’t we Mr. Faboo? Say… izzat what I think it is?” Marv picks up a green brick and says, “Yup. The transformed remains of Thanatos.” Rick says that old Rick must have had a bit of the Destiny Force left in him when he said ‘hit the bricks’.
Back on Earth, Joe tells Marlo that it can’t be that bad. Marlo says that it shouldn’t be that bad, but that it is. Marlo says that she is starting to thing that it isn’t Rick who is the jinx, but that it is her. Joe says that she isn’t a jinx, but Lorraine’s ghost says that Marlo has her convinced the way she got her killed twice. Marlo says that she and Rick were back together for a microsecond and then she sent him… Joe asks where she sent him, but Marlo tells him to nevermind. Marlo says that she wishes she were dead. Joe says that she shouldn’t say things like that, but all of a sudden Marlo drops over dead.
Legacy rating: 8.5 out of 10
Great story. The green brick explained! The way Thor’s hammer “happened” to get into Rick Jones’ trophy room. I also find it pretty amazing that even as a super-villain Rick Jones is a dink. Still he is a good supervillain and the plot and story are pretty exciting. I’m also pretty interested in seeing what the heck is going on with Marlo. The only problem that I have with the story is that it makes me hungry for more old Peter David plotlines and characters. 4.5 out of 5 for writing. Chriscross does a magnificent job as far as his style goes. His storytelling takes a major step back. I’m hoping that this is just a lapse because of the rush from last issue. It’s hard to tell what is going on for example when Maestro throws the rock or when Captain Marvel disappears from the fight scene. These things should have been drawn much clearer. Eliminate the color blur as an indication of movement! It doesn’t work. I want to give him a higher rating, but I find that I just can’t.
