Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #3 *Spoilers*

[TOAA]

Obviously spoilers after few empty lines.


Galactus already is weak and dying it seems while BRB continues destroying planets even without his hammer, well ships does the destroying part now i guess. I`thans have regrouped and collected all their weapons and stuff, they are bent on killing both, Galactus and BRB.

Surfer comes to another planet. BRB tries to buy time while using old weapons from the ship. Of course he can`t harm Surfer. Then we get explanation that after Annihilation Galactus is still weak and such short malfunction in his consumption of planets has weakend him even more. Also that I`thans now have enough weapons to kill Galactus on their own. BRB doesn`t understand what Surfer wants from him but then he explain that there will be very big bang if Galactus dies and crapload of planets(with life) will be destroyed. BRB broken allows Galactus to consume planet.

But their conversation was recorded by I`than spies and they don`t care about big explosion after Galactus, revenge will be theirs.

So fighting starts betwean I`than forces and two heralds while Galactus is busy restoring his strenght. BRB notices that heralds won`t be able to halt them long enough and decides to help Galactus. Voidan of course mocks him all the time. But what can he do without his hammer? He overrides ships controls with some code and uncouples his reactors. It grants him lots of power but he`ll implode in about a minute.

Everything goes well. Galactus is healthy again and of course saves BRB`s life. Asks why he tried to unmake Galactus and then ressurects one female Korbinite so that BRB would have something to protect again.

Both of them get back to earth and i think decide to life here. Oh and BRB manages to lift hammer again after his "sacrifice".


Bad start but okish ending. Not looking forward to his run on Thor.

[Pixie_Solanas]

Yeah, this should have been a HELLUVA lot better.

[FlyingFox]

I thought the story was pretty good and I thought the art was phenomenal. I'd love to see Kano get put on another comic. But seeing as no one bought this series I don't know how likely that it is. As for the ending, I hope that means we'll be seeing a lot more of Bill.

[stingerman]

Yeah, I give this a so-so. The art was off in places as well.

I guess its more of a journey that Bill is going through personally than anything else, like Eden was.

Was I correct in reading at the end that Bill is staying on at S.W.O.R.D.?

[TOAA]

I thought that he was staying simply in Earth.

[Expletive Deleted]

Was I correct in reading at the end that Bill is staying on at S.W.O.R.D.?
It was a little vague, but Gillen is going to be writing the SWORD series so it seems like a safe bet.

[ShaunN]

Kind of disappointed in this series. Too bad, because I really like BRB and I thought his last appearance in the "Omega Flight" series had a lot of potential. (Yes, I know that BRB last appeared in the Secret Invasion-Thor, but he was not as prominent there).

One thing: over the years, we've been given at least two-three reasons why Galactus is essential to the universe. One is that he is a fundamental force - one of a trinity of beings (the others being Ethernity and Death) who fulfill necessary functions in keeping the universe operating. Galactus is something like an embodiment of an evolutionary force - indeed, it's curious that it is even possible to kill him and that he simply does not keep regenerating. But the point is that he is necessary to the survival of the universe.

More recently, he was shown to be necessary in order to keep Abraxas in check. I'm not quite sure how he does this, but this is what FF-47-49 said, and I'm just going with that.

In the Earth-X universe, Galactus was necessary to destroy Celestial embryos to keep them from taking over the universe (though this idea never made that much sense to me - what stops the Celestials, any one of whom is as powerful as Galactus, from just combining forces and destroying him?)

Now, we get the idea that if he dies, he will go up in a big blast - or, at least, some kind of event - that will destory all life within 42 light years (which seems to be the least of the possible evils associated with Galactus dying).

I guess that, by now, there are so many different reasons for keeping Galactus around, that I'm starting to lose track. When the Surfer stopped to talk to Bill, I thought he would explain why Galactus must continue using one of the established reasons. Pulling out this self-destruct idea now adds even more confusion to the mix. Was it really necessary? I guess that making somewhat abstract arguments about G's fundamental importance to the universe may not have made much impact on Bill.

To be honest, I always preferred the first reasoning behind G- he is just so much more advanced than the species that he consumes that he sees nothing immoral in consuming other life in order for him to survive - much as we approach our own relations with farm animals.

[CMBMOOL]

I have to say while the ending was expected, it is sort of nice to have a happy ending for once in a mini like this. :redface:

[Sighphi]

So how is a robot going to make babies?

And he should've stayed as normal Bill for a bit longer.
The dude is as strong as normal Thor without the hammer, as shown by all the extra content, so he's still deadly.

[Dr. Chaos]

Wouldn't Galactus' death still be a good thing?

Call me crazy but I would rather have some planets die now for the sake of the menace ending once and for all than let him continue to consume and bully the entire universe for all eternity.

Stop him and the destruction will stop. Let him go on and it will never end.

Sad to see Bill not willing to finish him off and put the burden on his shoulders. He could have saved countless more generations over time than those ultimately killed in Galactus' annoying death throes. Now a limitless number of planets will continue to die eon after eon, ultimately more die than those who would have had Bill made the sacrifice.

From a cold, hard and detached logial standpoint, the ends seem to justify blowing Galactus' brains out once and for all.

[StoneGold]

Wouldn't Galactus' death still be a good thing?

Call me crazy but I would rather have some planets die now for the sake of the menace ending once and for all than let him continue to consume and bully the entire universe for all eternity.

Stop him and the destruction will stop. Let him go on and it will never end.


Except you kill Galactus, all kinds of crazy cosmic destruction is supposed to happen. End of the universe-type stuff.

[Lord S]

I loved it when Surfer referred to Thanos as a "petty cosmic tyrant"...even though this PCT has handed the Surfer his ass without much effort.

Anyway, the ending of this story was somewhat disappointing, but not unexpected. Of course they weren't going to kill Galactus. I wonder what's in store for BRB next.

[Iron Maiden]

Except you kill Galactus, all kinds of crazy cosmic destruction is supposed to happen. End of the universe-type stuff.

I don't know if that is still canon. I just happen to be re-reading the first Secret War and I forgot that Galactus, had he got his wish, wanted to stop his eternal hunger.

[ShaunN]

I don't know if that is still canon. I just happen to be re-reading the first Secret War and I forgot that Galactus, had he got his wish, wanted to stop his eternal hunger.

As far as I know, and as I mention in my earlier message above, this is still canon. Maybe Galactus wanted an end to his hunger that would still allow his function in the universe to be served. As I recall, in Jim Starlin's "Thanos" series, Galactus was also pursuing some course of action that would put an end to his hunger (I can't recall the details at the moment) so I admit that this idea has been applied inconsistently. However, too many big things have been related to Galactus' absence now that they cannot simply be ignored (though this series does seem to try to do that). Byrne established that Galactus is part of a cosmic Trinity and a force of nature; he is necessary to the universe's continued existence. In FF 47-49, it was established that his presence holds Abraxas in check. And then there is the possible link to the Celestials.

I think that what happened with Galactus is that someone eventually realized that the notion that Galactus was so far above us that he could regard us simply as food no longer made moral sense. If Galactus was going to be something other than a monster who needed to be stopped, then he had to be given an overarching purpose that justified his incredibly destructive acts. So, he has become increasingly important to the MU as time has gone on.

[Whirlwind Dinamo]

I like this series, for such a short comic it was thought out and very well written. Call me a traditionalist but the schoolboy in me was hoping for one more BRB fight scene, but that moment where he puts his life on the line to save a chunk of the Galaxy was really fitting for Beta Rays character.

He will always be the superior to Thor IMO, plus he has a real warriors ship. What ship did Thor ever have?Some old wodden rusty thing from Sweden?

[XPac]

I don't know if that is still canon. I just happen to be re-reading the first Secret War and I forgot that Galactus, had he got his wish, wanted to stop his eternal hunger.

Yeah, Galactus doens't particularly like his job. He's tried to get around it a few times, like when he wanted the power gem.

But we've seen Death herself go to Galactus to lecture him on how necessary his function is to the universe, in addition to seeing Eternity show up to defend Galactus in court.

Galactus isn't evil... he doesn't necessarily like or enjoy going around killing trillions upon trillions upon trillions of beings. But the universe itself has made it clear that he's a vital part of the universe.

[Runguy]

Kind of disappointed in this series. Too bad, because I really like BRB and I thought his last appearance in the "Omega Flight" series had a lot of potential. (Yes, I know that BRB last appeared in the Secret Invasion-Thor, but he was not as prominent there).

One thing: over the years, we've been given at least two-three reasons why Galactus is essential to the universe. One is that he is a fundamental force - one of a trinity of beings (the others being Ethernity and Death) who fulfill necessary functions in keeping the universe operating. Galactus is something like an embodiment of an evolutionary force - indeed, it's curious that it is even possible to kill him and that he simply does not keep regenerating. But the point is that he is necessary to the survival of the universe.

More recently, he was shown to be necessary in order to keep Abraxas in check. I'm not quite sure how he does this, but this is what FF-47-49 said, and I'm just going with that.

In the Earth-X universe, Galactus was necessary to destroy Celestial embryos to keep them from taking over the universe (though this idea never made that much sense to me - what stops the Celestials, any one of whom is as powerful as Galactus, from just combining forces and destroying him?)

Now, we get the idea that if he dies, he will go up in a big blast - or, at least, some kind of event - that will destory all life within 42 light years (which seems to be the least of the possible evils associated with Galactus dying).

I guess that, by now, there are so many different reasons for keeping Galactus around, that I'm starting to lose track. When the Surfer stopped to talk to Bill, I thought he would explain why Galactus must continue using one of the established reasons. Pulling out this self-destruct idea now adds even more confusion to the mix. Was it really necessary? I guess that making somewhat abstract arguments about G's fundamental importance to the universe may not have made much impact on Bill.

To be honest, I always preferred the first reasoning behind G- he is just so much more advanced than the species that he consumes that he sees nothing immoral in consuming other life in order for him to survive - much as we approach our own relations with farm animals.

I was with you up onto the FF 47-49 reference. Galactus's 1st appearance back in the 1960's made no reference to this ! I believe this was a much later FF story :rolleyes:

[TOAA]

So how is a robot going to make babies?

And he should've stayed as normal Bill for a bit longer.
The dude is as strong as normal Thor without the hammer, as shown by all the extra content, so he's still deadly.

I agree. Besides whole worthy thing now looks like some points based scale, you get -3 for one thing and +5 for another. Imo once fallen you should remain fallen.

[stingerman]

I agree. Besides whole worthy thing now looks like some points based scale, you get -3 for one thing and +5 for another. Imo once fallen you should remain fallen.

I wouldn't say point scale.

Bill might have fallen but you could say he got back up.

[TOAA]

That is what story tries to tell but i don`t like it. Once a rapist always one. Example of course is VERY harsh but i think you get were i`m coming from.

[Steven Ghost]

I'm really disappointed with this series. I really didn't like the art, and while the writing was good in the first 2 issues, the last issue felt sloppy and rushed. Bill deserves a mini like his Stormbreaker one from a few years ago.

[strathcona]

This mini was pretty weak all around. I wasn't that impressed. Though I do like the idea of Bill and his new gal pal being around for the SWORD series that is coming up.

I don't follow Thor all that much, and my memory is crap. What happened to all the Korbinnite survivors that Bill was protecting in the Stormbreaker mini a few years ago? I seem to recall their life energy (or something like that) was stored in a giant cosmic sphere or something.

[ShaunN]

I was with you up onto the FF 47-49 reference. Galactus's 1st appearance back in the 1960's made no reference to this ! I believe this was a much later FF story :rolleyes:

Runguy - this was the second long-run FF series. These particular issues were published Oct-Dec 2001. I just got the issues myself a few days ago. The original Surfer/Galactus appearance was, of course, in the classic FF series issues in the 1960s (I think that the first SS/Galactus appearance was FF first series #49-50).

Marvel published this new series with new numbers up until the end of issue #70 in August 2003. Then, with the next issue, it went back to the old numbering system and became FF #500, and the count has continued that way since then. I have no idea why the change was made in the first place. (I believe something similar happened with the Avengers, except that series was eventually terminated and replaced by the numerous Avengers books we have now).

[Runguy]

Runguy - this was the second long-run FF series. These particular issues were published Oct-Dec 2001. I just got the issues myself a few days ago. The original Surfer/Galactus appearance was, of course, in the classic FF series issues in the 1960s (I think that the first SS/Galactus appearance was FF first series #49-50).

Marvel published this new series with new numbers up until the end of issue #70 in August 2003. Then, with the next issue, it went back to the old numbering system and became FF #500, and the count has continued that way since then. I have no idea why the change was made in the first place. (I believe something similar happened with the Avengers, except that series was eventually terminated and replaced by the numerous Avengers books we have now).

Understood ! (oh, by the way the original Galactus appearance was actually 48-50). Sometimes refered to as "Galactus Triology", Nuff Said !

[Pixie_Solanas]

Disappointing, considering Marvel's new hot golden boy Kieron Gillen wrote the thing. Stick to the Image comics, frankly.

They should have just added the mini to Abnett & Lanning's already-full workload.

[TOAA]

They should have just added the mini to Abnett & Lanning's already-full workload.

Or not publish it at all.

[Captain Smith]

All the reasons for not killing G are just plot devices to keep him around for more stories. Obviously, he should be killed to save lives. Then we got the necessity to the universe from Reed and others to keep him in the MU for more stories.

It's common in other story lines - you can't change this or that or the universe would end.

The Spectre (Hal) blasted Darkseid to a smoking skeleton and he came back as he was necessary , blah, blah.

[TOAA]

Problem could be solved by simply making Galactus too powerful to be killed in the first place. But then of course writers can only make their heroes cool if they can get cosmic god/force of nature on the ropes.