Comic Reading for the Week #6
Warlock and the Infinity Watch, Fantastic Four, Doctor Strange, and Thor!
We are back with another reading week! We’ve got returning titles while introducing new ones! I’m pretty excited to share new mags with you all; they deal with my favorite comic character and Marvel’s first family. There sadly won’t be X-Men, Silk, Moon Knight, Silver Surfer, or Daredevil. I don’t have new issues to continue for some of the comics, or I haven’t read them yet. But don’t worry! They’ll be returning in future newsletters. I know I usually started with the first issue of some of these mags. Unfortunately, I don’t have all the number one issues. Since this is reading week, I feel reading out of order for some will be okay. Enough of me rambling on. Let’s get into it, comic comrades!
Warlock and the Infinity Watch #1 (Feb 1992) Vol 1
Welcome to the Adam Warlock show! This is one of my favorite characters from the comics who hasn’t made an official appearance in the MCU or Marvel films. There was a tease at the end of GOTG Vol 2. Remember when the High Evolutionary had a cocoon with someone in it? And she named it Adam? We haven’t seen him yet, but he was confirmed to appear in GOTG Vol 3, so I’m pretty excited. This title isn’t a solo run exactly, though. It dealt with the aftermath of the Infinity Gauntlet run. After that event, Adam Warlock was omnipotent with the gauntlet in his hand. He stood in front of his judge, The Living Tribunal. Eternity claimed Warlock wasn’t fit to represent all of that universe. It should be himself. Witnesses of this trial were Master Order, Mistress Love, a Celestial, the Mysterious Stranger, Master Hate, Epoch, the Watcher, Galactus, and Chaos. Talk about a crazy crowd. Eternity affirmed to the Living Tribunal that Warlock wasn’t mentally capable of wielding such power. And Warlock let loose on everyone. Eternity explained Warlock’s backstory after the Living Tribunal set everything back in order. It wasn’t looking for Adam. A prominent point he brought up was Magus, an evil incarnation of Adam. The power of the gems shouldn’t fall to Magus. The final judgment was declared by the Living Tribunal that Warlock wasn’t right to carry the power of time, space, reality, power, mind, and soul. Neither was Eternity. Adam Warlock’s task was to find five protectors of the universe. Who will be the five souls willing to guard the infinity gems with their life?
Fantastic Four #374 (Mar 1993) Vol 1
Yes, Marvel's first family! Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm are part of Marvel’s first family. They weren't all related, but they were all united. Families go through problems, and the Fantastic Four was definitely going through it. Johnny accidentally set fire at Empire State University. It got worse when he decided to bounce after he left a ton of damage. Spider-Man wanted to help a friend, so he went to Doctor Strange to gather a team. The Secret Defenders! Wolverine, Hulk, Ghost Rider, and Strange in his astral form. They were also named the FF for a short time in previous FF issues! While Secret Defenders were gathering together, the remaining members of the FF weren’t on level terms. Reed was upset about Johnny's actions. He was blaming Sue, and she did not like that. Sue stood up for herself. She said Johnny had to go nova because he was being followed by Paibok, Devos, and Lyja. The tension between them felt like there was something else going on. Sharon named Ms. Marvel, and Ben left the room to talk privately. Their son, Franklin, heard their argument. He started to build up anger, and Agatha Harkness, his caretaker, had to put him to sleep with a spell. She sensed a worrisome future for the young boy. A lot is going on here because we switch to Latveria, where Doctor Doom resides. He was transferring the power he stole from Aron the Rogue Watcher into a new suit, so he could possess the power of a Watcher.
The FF parted way to search for Johnny. He wanted to tell Reed but felt he caused too many problems. Lyja wondered if she could kill her one-time husband and father of her child. He was at an abandoned building when the Secret Defenders found him. They were quick to get into a fight. Spider-Man was the only one who didn’t want to fight the Human Torch. He was there to help. Around this moment, the Inhumans spotted something going towards the Watcher’s Citadel. Black Bolt decided to investigate the situation. Uatu the Watcher laid Aron in a chamber. He looked over the fellow Watcher when Doctor Doom interrupted him. Doom came to take all the power. Power-hungry Doom. The fight on Earth continued until Wolverine tried to attack Sue. She was saved by her invisible force field and The Thing. Wolverine struck The Thing with his claws and injured him badly on the face. Lyja came to save her husband. Paibok was mad Lyja left even though Paibok was planning on doing the same. Before more could happen, the FF, Lyja, and Ms. Marvel were teleported away. Could it be the last time we see them on Earth?
The Death of Doctor Strange #3 (Nov 2021) Vol 1
Clea was chased back to Earth by the Three Mothers. The mysterious predators were hunting down magical beings, but for what reason? The Child? How will they defeat these mighty villains? The powers of the Avengers, Wong, Doctor Voodoo, and Classic Doctor Strange may not be enough. Dr. Jane Foster and Classic Strange operated on the dead Stephen Strange. Clea informed the others that the Peregrine Child was hungry for magic, especially for beings like her and warlords. No one knew its origin, but the Mothers were sent to track down powerful beings for it. Classic Strange told the group his soul was stolen and the powers given to him for being Sorcerer Supreme. There was no Sorcerer Supreme now, so they were a leg down already. Earth isn’t looking too good. Clea sent a spirit to search for some items across the planet. In the meantime, Clea and Classic Strange opened up to each other. Their love for one another was strong. Their souls fit together. A lovely moment between the two. The spirit came back and found what they were looking for. The Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of Levitation were at Castle Mordo. Clea, Wong, and Classic Strange brought down parts of the castle to get to Mordo and Kaecilius. Strange held Kaecilius and demanded to know where his master was. While that was happening, the Three Mothers were at Kalumesh hunting down a magical being for the Peregrine Child. They successfully fed the weird looking Child. Classic Strange found Mordo, but we have to wait for what’s to come! It takes a Sorcerer Supreme to save the world from the Peregrine Child and Mothers. Who will it be?
Thor #24 (Apr 2022) Vol 6
It is the 60th anniversary of Thor and his 750th comic issue! One of the few Marvel characters who have reached this milestone. This mag is pretty big. There is a main storyline that I’ll focus on today, but I’ll give a shoutout to the other creators for their work in this issue. An icon from comics, Walter Simonson, came back to Thor that explored the origin of Beta Ray Bill. An incredible character Walter created. The Thor and Balder issue where Balder impersonates Mangog came from celebrated comic creator Dan Jurgens. Writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Oliver Coipel reunited as they came to tell a story set during their reinventing Thor run. Al Ewing and Lee Garbett worked together for the first time since their run of Loki: Agent of Asgard. They worked on a new story for Loki that will lead into Ewing’s upcoming title, Defenders Beyond. And finally, writer Jason Aaron and artist Das Pastora delivered a tale about Odin.
Now, for the main storyline! The battle between the God of Hammers and Thor led to him losing Mjolnir and Odin. It was a sad day in Asgard. Don’t forget that Angela surprised Thor with a reforged Mjolnir that allowed Odin to speak to Thor. Everyone showed up for the funeral of Odin. Thor articulated like a true King on that day. The time came to light his father’s casket with a flaming arrow, but he could not do it. He ordered Loki to do the deed. After the celebration of Odin, Thor sat in his chambers and heard his father’s voice. Thor was angry. He couldn’t understand why Odin wouldn’t let him lose his father. In a shocking revelation, Odin told Thor he couldn’t go to Valhalla because it was gone! My gosh, what is going on now? I am so ready to read more.
Hello there! I’m happy you took the time out of your day to read my post. Remember, if you have any questions or want to have a discussion, leave a comment! The following newsletter will be on the Amazing Spider-Man run! Stay tuned! Happy days and take care!