How can I say but to say it. I'm very happy with what was published. I was very surprised that Iron Man 55 kicked off this tome. As it should. We're introduced to Jim Starlin, Drax the Destroyer and the Mad Titan Thanos!
Captain Marvel was a decent comic at best. Going through the Kree/Skrull War with the Avengers, in my opinion, put Captain Mar-vell into the main stream of the Marvel Comics universe. There were a respectable troop of artists to bring Marvel to life. From Gene Colan to Gil Kane to Wayne Boring. But it wasn't until Jim Starlin came aboard that the Cosmic Warrior took off. Jim Starlin took Marvell to a place I don't think another writer would have. The introduction of the cosmic being Eon. The remaking of Marvell into the cosmic warrior. Making him more zen than hero. It worked. With Thanos becoming a cosmic being by way of the Cosmic Cube. It took a zen Captain Marvell to defeat the new cosmic being through the the Cosmic Cube.
The adding of the team up of the Thing and Iron Man lends credence to Iron Man being kidnapped by Thanos with Marvell, Mentor, Starfox, Drax and his daughter Moondragon.
As a boy growing up in the 70s reading comic books, Jim Starlin was one of my favorite artists. His style started to change but not his storytelling. The Death of Captain Marvel spelled the end of an Era. Jim Starlin was very successful in making Marvell an icon in the Marvel universe. But now he had to immortalize him. At that time no hero would fall victim to his own body. It was unheard of. The closest to this event was when Peter Parker developed a stomach ulcer. A fact lost in the history of comics.
But Marvell dying of cancer was straight out of left field. Most heroes die at the hand of an enemy. Not this time. Jim Starlin was dealing with the death of his own father from cancer. How fitting that he would use a hero to express his sense of loss. Rick Jones' refusal to except that cancer could defeat the cosmic warrior. The one that beat the omnipotent Thanos! Survived hand to hand combat with the Hulk, Prince Namor, the Thing and Drax the Destroyer. Beaten by cancer. Spider-Man not being able to take seeing a bedridden Marvell. Then the news that Marvell has slipped into a coma. But then Thanos! Whom else would you expect to walk Captain Marvel into the great beyond? As sad as the ending is, it's worth the reading and the money. The building of an icon. Such to the point that he has spawn a troop of heroes to follow in his wake.
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Pepe Pulido
Una buena historia y una buena presentación
Reviewed in Mexico on September 8, 2019
Pepe Pulido
Reviewed in Mexico on September 8, 2019
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Andrew O.
Fantastic collection, Cosmic cube arc and the Death of Captain Marvel.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2020
Andrew O.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2020
I'm a comic novice with less than 2 years experience reading them but one of my favourite earliest reads was Marvel Platinum the Definitive Thanos (Highly recommend to any Thanos fan, check out my review for it if you're curious) and I'm glad some of the issues I loved so much are in this Jim Starlin collection, which also brings me to another reason I'm excited for the collection, you can't have Captain Marvel without Thanos and vise versa, which brings us to our first entry.
Iron Man #55 released in 1973 written by Jim Starlin and Mike Friedrich and artwork by Jim Starlin. This is a classic being the debut of the mighty Titan Thanos and Drax the Destroyer. Villains in comics are a dime a dozen and usually go as fast as they turn up so it's great reading this knowing just how big Thanos made it, from being known to comic fans in the 70's to a household name from the Marvel movies now. The story for this issue is that Drax is imprisoned by Thanos and using his mind request the aid of Iron Man to help however, Iron Man has his own problems to worry about, the Blood Brothers. Although this comic doesn't feature Captain Marvel its inclusion is understandable since Thanos and Drax will play important roles in later tales.
Between Captain Marvel #29 and #30 we have Marvel Feature #12 (1973) written by Mike Friedrich and art by Jim Starlin and Joe Sinnott and an excerpt from Daredevil #105 (1973). I'd like to briefly talk about these two before I talk about the Captain Marvel issues. Marvel Feature #12 sees Iron Man team up with Fantastic 4's The Thing in a battle against the Blood Brothers it good to see them again, especially in the same collection. The excerpt from Daredevil #105 contains Moon Dragons origin and if you are familiar will know why it's included.
-------------------------------spoiler------------------------------------ It's important because Moon Dragon is the daughter of Drax the Destroyer------------------------------------------------------------------------------------end spoiler-------------------------.
Captain Marvel #25-34 (1968) written by Mike Friedrich and sometimes Jim Starlin and artwork by Jim Starlin. This is the bulk of the collection which is the Cosmic Cube arc, an item of incredible power and similar to the completed infinity gauntlet. This was a great arc and I remember I loved reading the few issues of this arc that were contained in the Marvel Platinum the definitive Thanos. It's a decent length arc but I don't want to give away more that I already have but you can imagine what Thanos would do with something that powerful.
Lastly we have Marvel Graphic Novel #1 (1982) titled "The Death of Captain Marvel" with writing and artwork from Jim Starlin. I have read this the Captain Marvel Marvel Platinum and it was just as powerful as I remember it. This is a memorable, powerful and emotional story and the name gives it away, throughout his life, Captain Marvel has faced many goes and defeated them but this time faces one he cannot beat...cancer. Jim Starling does a fantastic job here and I loved it, I'd say the only thing I'm not keen on is the fact that not all the narration bubbles are not white, there are various colours used throughout and the black writing on some colours made it difficult to read but I will say it did add to the panels though having that extra colour.
Overall this is a fantastic collection, if you are a fan of Captain Marvel this is a must, I think even for a Thanos fan this is a must own since Mar-Vell is his greatest adversary. Some great cosmic story and an emotional farewell contained in a single collection makes this an easy recommendation to anyone who is a fan of Starlin, Captain Marvel, Thanos or cosmic epics. For newcomers to comics or those unfamiliar with Captain Marvel, I think this collection is still approachable and you won't be thrown in too badly, so if you're interested pick it up!
Hopefully you found this review helpful and happy reading.
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