Best Thanos stories? [Archive] - Comic Book Resources Forums

Gargus

06-11-2007, 07:03 PM

Id always loved thanos but I never got to see enough of him really and with his recent dealings with drax (which I was a bit ticked at the outcome) Ive been going back for some stories with him in them.

So whats some good stories that had him in them?

I have his self titled series and most mini events with him. But he ever show up in others titles that were good I might have missed?

mgs

06-11-2007, 07:15 PM

the infinity gauntlet. best. Thanos. ever.

icctrombone

06-11-2007, 08:32 PM

The Warlock / Magus storyline that ran through Strange tales 178-181 and warlock 9-12. It sets the pace for his scheming ways.

rick

06-11-2007, 08:35 PM

The Death of Adam Warlock back in those Marvel Two in One and Avengers Annuals have always been my very favorite Thanos story.

marshal99

06-11-2007, 08:43 PM

Avengers annual 7 & Marvel two in one annual 2 - the first death of thanos and adam warlock.

Thor "Blood and thunder" crossover - Thanos vs Odin , 'enuff said
http://members.tripod.com/~jshayer/comics/thor_blt.htm

Secret defenders 12-14 , basically Thanos kidnapped a bunch of supervillains - Rhino , Superskrull ,Nitro , Titanium man , Geater and tricked them to do his dirty work for him. Story is more on the villains than Thanos though but this story leads to a greater thanos story.
http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/72701107194.12.gif

Cosmic powers mini series 1-6 , basically following on from Secret defenders , Thanos found out about Tyrant and decided to test himself against him.

Silver Surfer 34 (thanos return from death's realm), 35 , 37, 38 , (followed by Thanos quest 1 & 2 - they had a collection of those 2 in one issue) , then 44 (after thanos got the infinity gems) , 45 -59 (infinity gauntlet crossovers).

beetheb

06-11-2007, 08:47 PM

The Infinity Gauntlet, of course, anyone will say that, it was a phenomenal series.

But it's prequel, "The Thanos Quest" was equally, if not more awesome. If you liked Infinity Gauntlet, you'll like The Thanos Quest.
http://www.corvusonline.net/thanos/thanosquest1.jpg

Other than those: he had a few cool cameos in Warlock and the Infinity Watch, and basically anything Starlin ever wrote him in up until The Infinity War was prety decent. Very epic.

rwe1138

06-11-2007, 08:57 PM

Nearly anything by Jim Starlin.

Dipset Byrd Gang

06-11-2007, 09:00 PM

Thanos 1-12
Marvel The End
Infinity Gaunlet, War, Crusade and Abyss

Dusty.

06-11-2007, 09:08 PM

He was also in a great Thor story written by Dan Jurgens and drawn by John Romita Jr.

Thor 20-25

Hrungr

06-11-2007, 09:14 PM

But it's prequel, "The Thanos Quest" was equally, if not more awesome. If you liked Infinity Gauntlet, you'll like The Thanos Quest.
And I just wanted to throw in another vote for TQ, which is my all-time favorite Thanos story.

BeastieRunner

06-11-2007, 09:43 PM

Red Lotus

06-11-2007, 09:48 PM

I dont remember the book, but Thanos used the reality gem to bring Captain Marvel back to life.

Expletive Deleted

06-11-2007, 09:49 PM

Nearly anything by Jim Starlin.Emphasis on the "nearly."

After INFINITY GAUNTLET, his Thanos/Warlock stories went downhill in a biiiiiig way.

DDM

06-12-2007, 09:36 AM

Virtually all the Jim Starlin stories:
Iron Man #55(1st appearance)
Captain Marvel #25-33 (Cosmic Cube)
Strange Tales #178-181, Warlock #9-12 (Magus, Universal Church of Truth)
Avengers Annual #7, Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2 (D: Adam Warlock, Pip, Gamora, Thanos)
Marvel Graphic Novel #1: The Death of Captain Marvel (cameo)
Silver Surfer #34-50 (1987)
The Thanos Quest #1-2 (The Soul Gems are redefined as the Infinity Gems with specific powers for the user)
The Infinity Gauntlet #1-6
Warlock & the Infinity Watch
The End: Marvel Universe #1-6
The Infinity Abyss #1-6
Thanos #1-6

You can do without The Infinity War (vs the Magus, Warlock's dark side) & The Infinity Crusade (vs the Goddess, Warlock's good side) stories.

stelok

06-12-2007, 09:44 AM

1. Infinity Gauntlet
2. Warlock / Magus storyline
3. Infinity Abyss
4. Infinity Crusade
5. Infinity War

PatchMadripoor

06-12-2007, 10:40 AM

Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos Quest, the Thanos vs. Odin fight.

Cosmic Book Fan

06-12-2007, 10:50 AM

I am totally tired of and bored by Thanos these days, even rereading such 'classics' as The Infinity Gauntlet (which is still okay, but not as great as I remember) and Infinity War/Crusade (which don't hold up well at all)

That said, Thanos Quest is still in my Top Three All-Time Favorite Story Arcs. As far as I'm concerned, nothing else has come even close.

Cthulhudrew

06-12-2007, 10:58 AM

Second the suggestion of the Thanos Quest. Not only good story, but beautiful books, too. Some of the earliest books that I can recall that used computer enhanced graphics. Thanos, Starlin, and Ron Lim at their best.

Lord S

06-12-2007, 12:05 PM

I dont remember the book, but Thanos used the reality gem to bring Captain Marvel back to life. Cosmic Powers Unlimited #1.

Thanos is pretty good in his fight with Odin (Warlock/Infinity Watch #25) in the 'Blood and Thunder' story. The art was really crappy, though. Odin looked like Santa Claus for the most part.

myslead

06-12-2007, 02:10 PM

when he was arrested and beated by the squirrel girl.

priceless.

nuclearman

06-12-2007, 03:41 PM

mgs

06-12-2007, 07:18 PM

But it's prequel, "The Thanos Quest" was equally, if not more awesome. If you liked Infinity Gauntlet, you'll like The Thanos Quest.

i agree with that, the Quest was very awesome, and I meant to include that when I said the whole infinity story. :)

agrich

06-12-2007, 07:40 PM

Before reading Thanos Quest, I'd look on ebay for Silver Surfer 34-35, where Starlin and Lim bring him back from his first "death" back in Marvel 2-in-1 Annual 2. Those are great comics, and they lead into the Thanos Quest.

I hated Infinity Crusade, but I thought War was quite good. Especially if you're a Thanos fan, as he probably gets more screen time in that series than any other character.

But I agree that the original Warlock series (Strange Tales 178-181 and Warlock 9-11) are Thanos at his best, followed by Avengers Annual 7 and Marvel 2-in-1 Annual 2, followed by Thanos Quest.

firestarfan

06-12-2007, 08:07 PM

Thanos Quest of course.
Silver Surfer Vol. 2 #'s #34-50 (the first five of these are collected in a trade somewhere)
Infinity Gauntlet again, of course.
Infinity War even if parts of the story are kinda crappy, Thanos is perfect.
Strange Tales 178/179 and Warlock Vol. 1 #'s 9-15 maybe my favorite comic story ever

And of course, there's the classic Spidey Super Stories #39, which is not to be missed. Also, if I'm not mistaken, there's a What-If in which Thanos turns Galactus into Elvis.

Cthulhudrew

06-12-2007, 09:55 PM

Before reading Thanos Quest, I'd look on ebay for Silver Surfer 34-35, where Starlin and Lim bring him back from his first "death" back in Marvel 2-in-1 Annual 2. Those are great comics, and they lead into the Thanos Quest.

Yes, forgot to mention that. The very first issue with his resurrection, where he leads the Surfer on a trip throughout the galaxy and expounds on the necessity of Death is particularly good.

I hated Infinity Crusade, but I thought War was quite good. Especially if you're a Thanos fan, as he probably gets more screen time in that series than any other character.

War was very good. In some ways it was better than Gauntlet, if only because- while Gauntlet started out as this wonderfully epic story, beautifully illustrated by George Perez- after Perez left and Lim came on, it just became one gigantic slugfest for about half of the series. Which was a disappointment (not bagging on Lim- whose collaborations with Starlin were amazing- but on the disappointing giant fight that Gauntlet turned into.)

The best parts (perhaps only?) about Infinity Crusade were the Maxam scenes. Man, I miss that guy. Hope he shows up again in A: Conquest.

I'm curious- I never picked up the Infinity Trades that came out recently, as I have the originals, but did they reprint the Thanos Quest in those at all? Or anywhere? (Again, I have the originals, but that was such an amazing story I'd hate to think it might not get reprinted for others to enjoy.)

Expletive Deleted

06-12-2007, 10:13 PM

The best parts (perhaps only?) about Infinity Crusade were the Maxam scenes. Man, I miss that guy. Hope he shows up again in A: Conquest.Didn't he eventually get sent back to his own timeline? I'm a little fuzzy on the post-Starlin Infinity Watch material.I'm curious- I never picked up the Infinity Trades that came out recently, as I have the originals, but did they reprint the Thanos Quest in those at all? Or anywhere? (Again, I have the originals, but that was such an amazing story I'd hate to think it might not get reprinted for others to enjoy.)I believe Marvel included it with the latest printing of those SILVER SURFER issues, as THE REBIRTH OF THANOS (or somesuch).

BeastieRunner

06-12-2007, 10:47 PM

I believe Marvel included it with the latest printing of those SILVER SURFER issues, as THE REBIRTH OF THANOS (or somesuch).

You are correct my dear sir, they collected Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #34-38, Thanos Quest #1-2, and for some reason a backup story from Logan's Run #6.

Cthulhudrew

06-12-2007, 10:57 PM

Didn't he eventually get sent back to his own timeline? I'm a little fuzzy on the post-Starlin Infinity Watch material.

Yeah- his subliminal Badoon programming kicked in and he went nuts trying to kill Warlock. He thought he succeeded and then his program was over and he went back to the future, but it was just an illusion created in his mind by Moondragon and Warlock using their Infinity Gems and the Time Gem.

Of course, you'd think that once he was back in the future, he and the Badoon would realize they'd been deceived and send him back or something (maybe they viewed him as a failure?)

Still, I'd like to think that thousands of years need not stand between him and coming back to the mainstream MU. Especially since he once possessed the Time Gem himself. :)

Which gets me to thinking- with the Shi'ar in a state of flux, the Kree devastated and under new leadership, and the Skrulls nearly wiped out- what are the Badoon up to?

isaaklown

06-12-2007, 11:21 PM

I personally liked the way he was written in the Death of Captain Marvel. My favorite line is still when Thanos brings back Captain Marvel from the brink of death and Thanos tells Mar-vell that he's going to destroy his heart and when Captain Marvel asks why he says "because I am Thanos, and you are Captain Marvel. You are to stop me." (I'm paraphrasing of course). To me it was really well written, that Thanos truly understood that he was forever bonded with Captain Marvel.

DoctorDoom

06-13-2007, 08:18 AM

Satyrquaze

06-13-2007, 09:17 AM

In some random order:
Annihilation: Silver Surfer and Annihilation
Infinity Gauntlet
Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #34-38, Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #40, Thanos Quest #1-2 "Rebirth of Thanos"
Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #88
Captain Marvel #25-33
Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2
Quasar #24
Thanos # 1-6 "Epiphany"
Thanos # 7-12 "Samaritan"Off the top of my head.

While Thanos was in Quasar #24, he wasn't really shown in a very good light. He just kinda screamed incoheirently at Maelstrom.

I loved "Samaritan" and hated "Epiphany".

Lord S

06-13-2007, 09:29 AM

Didn't he eventually get sent back to his own timeline? I'm a little fuzzy on the post-Starlin Infinity Watch material. Yeah he went back to his own timeline. Kind of sad that they just got rid of the character...he wasn't bad.

I heard Starlin had planned to make him a mutant, but the idea was nixed by the X-camp cause they wanted only Bishop to play that role, (of a time-misplaced Black mutant).

marshal99

06-13-2007, 09:32 PM

While Thanos was in Quasar #24, he wasn't really shown in a very good light. He just kinda screamed incoheirently at Maelstrom.

I loved "Samaritan" and hated "Epiphany".

Thought the thanos series was poor , the hunger was a crap villain and the incoherent Giffen stories were lackluster. Characters were just there , no explainations of how and why they got there , they are just there.

There was another Thanos story in Quasar that was more interesting , issue 59 takes a more surreal look at thanos from another perspective as he and his "brother" , Starfox waive hostility for one special day per year where they trade gifts.

tk421atpost

06-13-2007, 09:57 PM

Another vote for the Thanos Quest mini series. Lim doing his best art and Starlin telling a great story about Thanos rounding up the Infinity Gems and taking on various Elders of the Universe. Great stuff.

Lord S

06-14-2007, 06:54 AM

Thought the thanos series was poor , the hunger was a crap villain and the incoherent Giffen stories were lackluster. Characters were just there , no explainations of how and why they got there , they are just there. Like which characters? Giffen more than explained how Gladiator, Maker, and Fallen One arrived at the Kyln.

Eli

06-14-2007, 08:13 AM

Thanos Quest, Inifnity Gauntlet. I havent really read much of the older, or newer stuff. I need to. Also, the story in Thor which was already mentioned, around #s 25, very good.

Eli

Lord S

06-14-2007, 09:50 AM

Also, the story in Thor which was already mentioned, around #s 25, very good. Except that was a clone...

marshal99

06-14-2007, 10:22 AM

Like which characters? Giffen more than explained how Gladiator, Maker, and Fallen One arrived at the Kyln.

Explain then.
I generally find Giffen solo storytelling quite poor , his best work has always been with a co-plotter/co-writer. JLI , LOSH etc.

Lord S

06-14-2007, 01:30 PM

Explain then.
I generally find Giffen solo storytelling quite poor , his best work has always been with a co-plotter/co-writer. JLI , LOSH etc.
Maker - supposedly the Beyonder in female form, (of course the his origins have been further screwed with in recent weeks, so it's unclear if this truly was an incarnation of the Beyonder), did something crazy which killed people, (I think), and was captured by the Shi'ar and imprisoned in the Kyln.

Gladiator - was 'imprisoned' for treason...or something, but was really a mole within the Kyln to spy on the Maker, (or Thanos, can't remember). This was revealed at the end when he made his miraculous escape with Peter Quill.

Fallen One - was former Herald to Galactus and imprisoned...probably by Galactus.

I'd have to re-read the entire arc to verify some of that, but in a nutshell that's pretty much it. If anyone would like to correct me on anything, feel free.

Dusty.

06-14-2007, 03:56 PM

Except that was a clone...

What are you talking about?

Lord S

06-14-2007, 04:05 PM

What are you talking about? That was a clone of Thanos in that Jurgens story.

marshal99

06-14-2007, 07:58 PM

Maker - supposedly the Beyonder in female form, (of course the his origins have been further screwed with in recent weeks, so it's unclear if this truly was an incarnation of the Beyonder), did something crazy which killed people, (I think), and was captured by the Shi'ar and imprisoned in the Kyln.

Gladiator - was 'imprisoned' for treason...or something, but was really a mole within the Kyln to spy on the Maker, (or Thanos, can't remember). This was revealed at the end when he made his miraculous escape with Peter Quill.

Fallen One - was former Herald to Galactus and imprisoned...probably by Galactus.

I'd have to re-read the entire arc to verify some of that, but in a nutshell that's pretty much it. If anyone would like to correct me on anything, feel free.

Maker - is just there for the story , it's all speculation , we do not know whether this is the beyonder or not , he just pop up there , no how , no why. No backstory , no nothing.

Gladiator - again , is just there , imprisoned for treason or something ? Giffen
never really explained properly , did he ?

Starlord - again , is just there , can't remember why he was there but hey , he's just there again.

Fallen one - again , you said it yourself , is JUST THERE , speculation whether Galactus is the one who put him there shouldn't be relevant , it's never explained , again , no backstory , nothing - just a throwaway point , he's a herald , move on.

It's the same with the Drax mini , for some reason , he's on a prison ship , no backstory , no nothing , the ship crashed and suddenly vaboom , a new drax shows up good as spanking new , no explainations , no nothing because his powers is now like that of resurrection man , he dies , he shows up with a new body and power , yes ?

I said it again , Giffen solo storytelling is weak.

Lord S

06-15-2007, 05:28 AM

Gladiator - again , is just there , imprisoned for treason or something ? Giffen never really explained properly , did he ? I just told you why Gladiator was there...he was a mole within the the Kyln system. I can't remember whether he was there to spy on Maker or on Thanos, (I suspected Thanos cause it seemed like the Imperial Guard was ready to make a move on him toward the end...but he evaded them).

I said it again , Giffen solo storytelling is weak. Naah, you just have to pay close attention to the little things. Giffen's the kind of writer, (at least in that series), that makes you think rather than give you all the answers. I remember I had to read it twice to pick up on a lot that I missed the first time around.

Cthulhudrew

06-15-2007, 12:49 PM

I just told you why Gladiator was there...he was a mole within the the Kyln system. I can't remember whether he was there to spy on Maker or on Thanos, (I suspected Thanos cause it seemed like the Imperial Guard was ready to make a move on him toward the end...but he evaded them).

Gladiator was definitely there to keep an eye on the Maker (I believe he even says so). Thanos showing up was a complete surprise to everyone and threw them all for a loop (although the rioters in the Kyln were quick to take advantage of it).

Zero Hunter

06-15-2007, 01:45 PM

What are you talking about?

It was explained in the Infinity Abyss mini series I belive. Basically it took all those really dumb Thanos apperences and retconned them into being clones Thanos made. Like the Thor issue, or the thing with Squirel Girl, or the Kazar issue from years ago.

Basically anything that made Thanos look like a chump or just didn't make sence as to why he would be in the story was turned into a faulty clone.

Cthulhudrew

06-15-2007, 03:25 PM

It was explained in the Infinity Abyss mini series I belive. Basically it took all those really dumb Thanos apperences and retconned them into being clones Thanos made. Like the Thor issue, or the thing with Squirel Girl, or the Kazar issue from years ago.

Not the Squirrel Girl one, but all the others. Squirrel Girl vs. Thanos was released well after Infinity Abyss, and the Watcher himself proclaimed that that was the real Thanos- no clones, no parallel counterparts, nothing. Why would the Watcher lie about that? :)

I know a lot of people complained about it, but I personally liked the explanation. Few people other than Starlin have ever gotten Thanos, and most of those appearances he thus explained away were pretty horrific. Plus it leaves it up to the reader to determine which appearances were genuine and which not- much like the Walter Simonson Doom story in FF way back when.

chrono727

06-19-2007, 10:10 PM

The best story imo is Thanos/Drax battle in anihillation ...The writing was exquisite...very poetic in that Drax who was designed to kill Thanos and couldn't do it (even in a stronger form).

He then fought through a small armada of bugs, fought through a force field that held back Galactus and various other beings more powerful than Drax himself! He then not only broke through this shield, but reached through the chest of Thanos (one of the most durable beings in the MU wowza true believers!!!)and pulled out his heart.

That my friend is the best story since the Watchmen, Killing Joke and Daredevil issue 8 the first apperance of Stilt Man. Simply brilliant.

InfinityCorp

06-19-2007, 10:54 PM

Thanos Quest books 1 & 2, no question.
Silver Surfer 34, 35, & 38.
Infinity Gauntlet

Lord S

06-20-2007, 09:53 AM

Not the Squirrel Girl one, but all the others. Squirrel Girl vs. Thanos was released well after Infinity Abyss, and the Watcher himself proclaimed that that was the real Thanos- no clones, no parallel counterparts, nothing. Why would the Watcher lie about that? :) Well let's not forget that was also retconned by the same writer in 'She-Hulk'. ;)