Thanos #1Thanos #1
Title: “Epiphany!”
Writer: Jim Starlin
Penciller: Jim Starlin
Inker: Al Milgrom
Colors: Christie Scheele & Heroic Age
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Thanos sits thinking. A purple winged
creature starts to swoop in on Thanos from behind. A blast of
green energy drives the creature away. Thanos thanks Adam
Warlock. Warlock says that he has encountered many of the beasts
and that they are fairly harmless. Warlock says that it was
probably attracted to Thanos’ energy signature. Thanos asks
if Warlock was afraid that he would kill it. Warlock asks if he
was wrong. Thanos says that he wasn’t. Thanos adds that he
hates being interrupted while in the depths of contemplation.
Warlock asks what dark matters he dwells on. Thanos asks Warlock
if he has ever killed a world. 
Warlock says
that he once destroyed a reality, but never a world. Thanos says
that he has and that the world they are looking down on is one of
them. Thanos says that it was actually one of his doppelgangers
and the creature known as Mangog, but that the responsibility
still lies with him. He says that this was once Rigel-3 and that
five million Rigellians died when it was destroyed. He says that
they abandoned the planet and established New Rigel-3. Warlock
asks why he is there. Thanos says that he has always been a
monster. He says that he has accepted it and even taken pride in
it. He says that Warlock can’t imagine the misery that he
has left in his wake.
Thanos says that Olympian blood flows through his veins though it has been modified at the whim of the Celestial, Ziran the tester. He says that the Titans were a splinter group from Ziran’s initial test subjects, the Eternals. He goes on that the Titans abandoned Earth and fleeing enemies they lived on a moon of Saturn. Thanos says the Titans abandoned sorcery for science and that his father, Alars the Mentor, governed this behavior. Thanos says that his father Mentor and his mother Sui-san were wise and just rulers and that they had high hopes for their two sons. Eros, Thanos’ younger brother, never let them down, but that he was an outcast from the start. Thanos says that he was born with a genetic disposition known as the Deviant Syndrome. He says that he would never be accepted among the Titans as normal. Thanos says that he would never replace his father as their leading citizen and that he was passed over for his brother. Thanos says that Eros grew with friends and family, but that it was at a subterranean temple where he found companionship. He says that at first she was just his imaginary friend, but that to him Lady Death was always comfort and understanding… and that eventually she became a dark and forbidden love. Thanos says that under her guidance that he became strong and powerful. He says that she taught him the dark arts that had long been forbidden on Titan. He says that he learned that knowledge truly was power and that power meant everything. Thanos says that as he grew that he rebelled from his father’s way and that eventually arguments lead to open hostility. Thanos says that he was exiled after a forbidden experiment went awry killing some test subjects. Thanos says that he realizes now that something broke within him during his century long exile and that when he returned it was with a heart filled with hatred. He attacked them. Thanos says that he miscalculated the strength of Titan’s defenses and that there only a handful of survivors. He says that his father and brother had been off-world, but that his mother was killed. He says that it is ironic since she was the one member of his family that he might have spared. He returned to space to seek his own special destiny and that he was always guided and silently urged by Death. He knew that his reward would be great once he proved himself worthy. Thanos says that his world became battle and quests for instruments of ultimate power. He says that the Cosmic Cube and Infinity Gems were but tokens of his love, but that it never proved enough for Lady Death. He says that it became apparent to him that she would never accept him as an equal and their paths separated. Thanos says that he tried to live peacefully, but that once one is inside a maelstrom that it is near impossible to exit. He says that to protect himself from those seeking vengeance that he sought out the Heart of the Universe and that it made him God. Thanos says that the role didn’t suit him since he destroyed the entire universe in his first day. He says to restore it he had to renounce the power he had always sought. He tossed it aside and the universe was recreated never knowing it had been destroyed. Thanos says that he had hoped he had been forgotten, but that it seems Warlock’s Soul Gem locked onto his spirit. Warlock says that he always knew Thanos had survived and didn’t know he was in hiding.
Thanos says that it was more of a reconstituting. He says that when he was omnipotent that restored his shattered armada and granted himself a number of life assuring wishes. He says that he was contemplating the next chapter in his life. He says that he had found omnipotence and found it wanting so his priorities required re-evaluation. He says that he has come to the conclusion that external validation would never quiet the fire of the rage in his soul and that he has to come to terms with his personal demons to find inner tranquility. He says that he is beginning a new journey. He says that when he was supreme that he learned to appreciate the value of balance. He says that Eternity has Infinity and Master Chaos has Lord Order. Thanos asks Warlock why he came his way. Warlock says that he doesn’t know and that it was an irresistible urge and that it seems to be coincidence. Thanos says that he doesn’t believe in coincidence and offers Warlock transport if he is headed his direction. Warlock asks where he is going. Thanos says, “New Rigel-3”. Warlock says that it draws him and Thanos says that he thought it might.
As Warlock and Thanos beam aboard Thanos’ ship, Warlock asks Thanos if the Rigellians haven’t suffered enough at his hands. Thanos says that he doesn’t mean them any harm. Warlock asks what his intentions are. Thanos says that he will let his actions speak for themselves. Thanos says that all will be revealed. Warlock warns Thanos that he won’t stand by while innocents are slaughtered. Thanos says that the threat is noted and filed. Warlock says that the Rigellians deploy their defenses thinking that Thanos has come to harm them. Thanos says that he could have done that outside the range of their sensors. He asks Warlock if he believes in redemption. Warlock says that he does. Thanos says that he does too.
A pair of glowing yellow eyes surrounded by complete darkness open.
Thanos says that the trick to visiting New Rigel-3 is getting there fast enough so that they don’t teleport the entire planet away. He says that their technology is also used to discipline unruly planets that they colonize. Thanos says that there are no innocents, at least in this sector. Warlock says that Thanos doesn’t seem very concerned about the Rigellians attacking his ship. Thanos says that his ship’s defenses can withstand any of their attacks, and that while they are attacking his ship that they can simply teleport to the Grand Commissioner’s royal palace. Warlock says, “A newer, more subtle Thanos of Titan?” Warlock excuses himself and says that he wants to see if Rigel’s welcoming committee is there for him alone. The unmanned drones attack only Thanos. Thanos blasts the drones out of the sky and the ground troops move toward him. Warlock reminds Thanos about his useless slaughter warning. Thanos says that he has the situation in hand. The Rigels open fire on full strength, but Thanos is unfazed. He tells them to cease fire and that he surrenders. Thanos bows down before them and says that in the past that he has committed heinous acts against them and that he has come to realize the error of those acts. He says that they blackened an already ebony soul.
The being with the yellow glowing eyes says, “So it begins”.
Thanos tells
them that he hasn’t come to them seeking forgiveness because
his actions are unforgivable. He says that he has come to make
their lot easier and to make amends. He asks how he may serve
them. Warlock says that they should have discussed this before
coming planet-side.
Power Cosmic rating: 8 out of 10
A good set up issue. I absolutely love Jim Starlin and was stoked to learn that he was getting a new book. That said I hate the idea of Thanos “redeeming” himself. I like my Thanos evil, however Starlin’s idea of redeeming Thanos still includes Thanos as he is and the body count rises. The back story on Thanos is also cool. Starlin’s art is magnificent. It’s dark and mystical just like the story.
Review and pictures by The Leader