Annihilation - Huge Retcon or Character Evolution

[chicagokmc]

From what I have been reading and hearing about Annihilation, part of the premise is that Annihillus, the bad-ass causing all of these problems, is more or less the Galactus of the Negative Zone.

Is this progressive evolution of a character or just a huge retcon?? The Annihillus I have seen over the years was a pain in the butt, and the cosmic control rod was definitely nothing to joke about. But characters like Thor and even Blastaar routinely held their own against him, and Odin, half awake from an interrupted Odin-sleep (this was when Asgard was temporarily in the negative zone and Annihillus kidnapped the sleeping Odin) summarily dispatched him in one panel.

I just don't recall Annihillus being such a threat that his actions are going to reshape the entire Marvel cosmic landscape. Did I miss something?

[Will.S]

From what I have been reading and hearing about Annihilation, part of the premise is that Annihillus, the bad-ass causing all of these problems, is more or less the Galactus of the Negative Zone.

Is this progressive evolution of a character or just a huge retcon?? The Annihillus I have seen over the years was a pain in the butt, and the cosmic control rod was definitely nothing to joke about. But characters like Thor and even Blastaar routinely held their own against him, and Odin, half awake from an interrupted Odin-sleep (this was when Asgard was temporarily in the negative zone and Annihillus kidnapped the sleeping Odin) summarily dispatched him in one panel.

I just don't recall Annihillus being such a threat that his actions are going to reshape the entire Marvel cosmic landscape. Did I miss something?
I don't think it's a retcon if Annihilus has never stepped out of the Negative Zone. It basically just means that now we know that Annihilus is more powerful out there in the marvel cosmos. It's also one of those things that one just goes "Wow I can't believe he's never done that before!".

[Haunt]

From what I have been reading and hearing about Annihilation, part of the premise is that Annihillus, the bad-ass causing all of these problems, is more or less the Galactus of the Negative Zone.

Is this progressive evolution of a character or just a huge retcon?? The Annihillus I have seen over the years was a pain in the butt, and the cosmic control rod was definitely nothing to joke about. But characters like Thor and even Blastaar routinely held their own against him, and Odin, half awake from an interrupted Odin-sleep (this was when Asgard was temporarily in the negative zone and Annihillus kidnapped the sleeping Odin) summarily dispatched him in one panel.

I just don't recall Annihillus being such a threat that his actions are going to reshape the entire Marvel cosmic landscape. Did I miss something?


well for those who might have missed it, Annihilus was killed by a Negative Zone local. at the end of the particular story, a baby annihilus hatched. perhaps the character's rebirth has broadened his scope.

http://marveldatabase.com/wiki/images/0/0d/Hellscout_001.jpg

[chicagokmc]

I don't think it's a retcon if Annihilus has never stepped out of the Negative Zone. It basically just means that now we know that Annihilus is more powerful out there in the marvel cosmos. It's also one of those things that one just goes "Wow I can't believe he's never done that before!".

If I remember correctly, wasn't Annihillus once in the positive world around fantastic four 251 or so (the premise of that story was that the ff was in the negative zone while annihillus was in positive universe)? Wasn't he actually weaker then?

[Will.S]

well for those who might have missed it, Annihilus was killed by a Negative Zone local. at the end of the particular story, a baby annihilus hatched. perhaps the character's rebirth has broadened his scope.

http://marveldatabase.com/wiki/images/0/0d/Hellscout_001.jpg
Yep it was a cool little ending:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/Willsncz/Anni_baby.jpg

He's also in FF:Foes when he fights the other Annihilus. I had most of the single issues but I'll have to buy the trade soon since I was missing the last few.

[chicagokmc]

well for those who might have missed it, Annihilus was killed by a Negative Zone local. at the end of the particular story, a baby annihilus hatched. perhaps the character's rebirth has broadened his scope.

http://marveldatabase.com/wiki/images/0/0d/Hellscout_001.jpg

i could buy this i guess. the old annihillus just didn't seem that powerful to me.

[Andy Schmidt]

i could buy this i guess. the old annihillus just didn't seem that powerful to me.

Hi. I'm the editor. Just so you know, you're asking really great questions and they should all be explained before ANNIHILATION is over.

I hope you'll be pleased.

Andy

[Cthulhudrew]

If I remember correctly, wasn't Annihillus once in the positive world around fantastic four 251 or so (the premise of that story was that the ff was in the negative zone while annihillus was in positive universe)? Wasn't he actually weaker then?

I know that he crossed over at least once in FF- he took over the Baxter Building and encased it in a field of Null-Space. The Avengers came in (in their own book) to try and break into the force field (New Yorkers were understandably upset that the FF's building was under attack), to no avail. The Vision managed to get inside, only to get shut off by the null-effect inside of it. One of Stern's stories crossing over with FF, and a really good one. It's the issue where Spider-Man finds out about the $1000 a week stipend the Avengers get, and starts wondering why he didn't take Thor up on his offer to join.

(Also, IIRC, Annihilus was finally defeated by Franklin in the FF portion of the story, which was one of the first stories depicting his powerful mutant abilities; much to the concern of his parents.)