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The Invincible Iron Man (1968) #55
The Thanos Wars: Infinity Origin Omnibus
Before he eradicated half the Marvel Universe, Thanos fought his first Infinity Wars against Captain Marvel, Adam Warlock and the mighty Avengers! From the mind of the incomparable Jim Starlin, these epic battles redefined the cosmic stakes for Marvel's heroes and imbued Thanos with an existential spirit and cosmic scope that made the Mad Titan as compelling as he was dangerous! In this beautifully restored Omnibus edition, experience the first appearances of Thanos, Drax and Gamora; the initial assembling of the Infinity Gems; the re-invention of Captain Marvel and more! Collecting IRON MAN (1968) #55, CAPTAIN MARVEL (1968) #25-34, MARVEL FEATURE (1971) #12, AVENGERS (1963) #125, STRANGE TALES (1951) #178-181, WARLOCK (1972) #9-15, MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) #55, AVENGERS ANNUAL #7, MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE ANNUAL #2, MARVEL GRAPHIC NOVEL #1 and material from DAREDEVIL (1964) #105 and LOGAN'S RUN #6.
800 pages, Hardcover
First published March 26, 2019
12 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Jim Starlin
1,342 books445 followersJames P. "Jim" Starlin is an American comic book writer and artist. With a career dating back to the early 1970s, he is best known for "cosmic" tales and space opera; for revamping the Marvel Comics characters Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock; and for creating or co-creating the Marvel characters Thanos and Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. Death and suicide are recurring themes in Starlin's work: Personifications of Death appeared in his Captain Marvel series and in a fill-in story for Ghost Rider; Warlock commits suicide by killing his future self; and suicide is a theme in a story he plotted and drew for The Rampaging Hulk magazine.
In the mid-1970s, Starlin contributed a cache of stories to the independently published science-fiction anthology Star Reach. Here he developed his ideas of God, death, and infinity, free of the restrictions of mainstream comics publishers' self-censorship arm, the Comics Code Authority. Starlin also drew "The Secret of Skull River", inked by frequent collaborator Al Milgrom, for Savage Tales #5 (July 1974).
When Marvel Comics wished to use the name of Captain Marvel for a new, different character,[citation needed] Starlin was given the rare opportunity to produce a one-shot story in which to kill off a main character. The Death of Captain Marvel became the first graphic novel published by the company itself. (
In the late 1980s, Starlin began working more for DC Comics, writing a number of Batman stories, including the four-issue miniseries Batman: The Cult (Aug.-Nov. 1988), and the storyline "Batman: A Death in the Family", in Batman #426-429 (Dec. 1988 – Jan. 1989), in which Jason Todd, the second of Batman's Robin sidekicks, was killed. The death was decided by fans, as DC Comics set up a hotline for readers to vote on as to whether or not Jason Todd should survive a potentially fatal situation. For DC he created Hardcore Station.
In the mid-1970s, Starlin contributed a cache of stories to the independently published science-fiction anthology Star Reach. Here he developed his ideas of God, death, and infinity, free of the restrictions of mainstream comics publishers' self-censorship arm, the Comics Code Authority. Starlin also drew "The Secret of Skull River", inked by frequent collaborator Al Milgrom, for Savage Tales #5 (July 1974).
When Marvel Comics wished to use the name of Captain Marvel for a new, different character,[citation needed] Starlin was given the rare opportunity to produce a one-shot story in which to kill off a main character. The Death of Captain Marvel became the first graphic novel published by the company itself. (
In the late 1980s, Starlin began working more for DC Comics, writing a number of Batman stories, including the four-issue miniseries Batman: The Cult (Aug.-Nov. 1988), and the storyline "Batman: A Death in the Family", in Batman #426-429 (Dec. 1988 – Jan. 1989), in which Jason Todd, the second of Batman's Robin sidekicks, was killed. The death was decided by fans, as DC Comics set up a hotline for readers to vote on as to whether or not Jason Todd should survive a potentially fatal situation. For DC he created Hardcore Station.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 11, 2020
When it comes to Marvel comics, I'm a real sucker for the cosmic stuff. So much imagination on display and with the storylines Starlin and company bringing to the medium through this collection, its a real treat to read.
While this omnibus is marketed as the comic origins of the character Thanos, it is more accurate to say it is about Thanos, Captain Marvel (the second one... Not the one who would be later known as Shazam in DC, or the female version that's become more well known in recent history), and Adam Warlock. For the latter two, when their stories intersect with the Mad Titan is when they are at their best. All in all, the way the issues are collected and a tapestry is woven over time is well done. A few times I wondered, "we seem to be off on a tangent over here..." and then B A M! It starts clicking together.
Having known little about Adam Warlock and even less about this Captain Marvel when I began, it was interesting to see these two main opponents of Thanos develop into very different but equally interesting beings. Marvel, trapped between dimensions and given the choice to decide whether he'll be the Kree warrior or something more for the sake of the universe. Captain Marvel's story by the end of this omnibus - wow, powerfully emotional.
And Adam, a more tragic figure who constantly struggles with what the universe seems to be forcing him to become, burdened by the cost to his friends and the stars around him as he strives to find peace and purpose in spite of it all.
Thanos' appearances are always accompanied by something heavy going down, and this edition certainly gave me an appreciation of his character pre-Infinity Gauntlet event. There is also some insights to the cosmic forces' games of life vs death. Really fun stuff.
If I were to complain over anything, I would say the cover art (DJ is fine...I'm talking about the actual covers) on the book is a bit lazy and ill-fitting empty starfield with the Infinity Gems. This book has almost nothing to do with the Infinity Gems
Additionally, none of Thanos' comedic appearances are included here - I looked and looked, but the THANOS Helicopter is not here, neither is his defeat at the hands of Squirrel Girl. There are a wack of extras at the end of the book that are interesting though. Some interviews, fanzine articles on the characters, unused sketches, marvel encyclopedia pages of the time for the characters - that kind of thing.
Overall, highly recommended if you like cosmic elements in comics, science fiction stories, or are interested in some of the classic stories of 70s/80s comics. This would also be very helpful reading if you were interested in the Infinity Gauntlet event. These three characters do not disappoint.
While this omnibus is marketed as the comic origins of the character Thanos, it is more accurate to say it is about Thanos, Captain Marvel (the second one... Not the one who would be later known as Shazam in DC, or the female version that's become more well known in recent history), and Adam Warlock. For the latter two, when their stories intersect with the Mad Titan is when they are at their best. All in all, the way the issues are collected and a tapestry is woven over time is well done. A few times I wondered, "we seem to be off on a tangent over here..." and then B A M! It starts clicking together.
Having known little about Adam Warlock and even less about this Captain Marvel when I began, it was interesting to see these two main opponents of Thanos develop into very different but equally interesting beings. Marvel, trapped between dimensions and given the choice to decide whether he'll be the Kree warrior or something more for the sake of the universe. Captain Marvel's story by the end of this omnibus - wow, powerfully emotional.
And Adam, a more tragic figure who constantly struggles with what the universe seems to be forcing him to become, burdened by the cost to his friends and the stars around him as he strives to find peace and purpose in spite of it all.
Thanos' appearances are always accompanied by something heavy going down, and this edition certainly gave me an appreciation of his character pre-Infinity Gauntlet event. There is also some insights to the cosmic forces' games of life vs death. Really fun stuff.
If I were to complain over anything, I would say the cover art (DJ is fine...I'm talking about the actual covers) on the book is a bit lazy and ill-fitting empty starfield with the Infinity Gems. This book has almost nothing to do with the Infinity Gems
Additionally, none of Thanos' comedic appearances are included here - I looked and looked, but the THANOS Helicopter is not here, neither is his defeat at the hands of Squirrel Girl. There are a wack of extras at the end of the book that are interesting though. Some interviews, fanzine articles on the characters, unused sketches, marvel encyclopedia pages of the time for the characters - that kind of thing.
Overall, highly recommended if you like cosmic elements in comics, science fiction stories, or are interested in some of the classic stories of 70s/80s comics. This would also be very helpful reading if you were interested in the Infinity Gauntlet event. These three characters do not disappoint.
February 21, 2021
I can't say enough good things about Jim Starlin. He is why I keep coming back to comics. Infinity Origin is a prequal to the Infinity Wars and where so many cosmic players are first introduced. The stories are uniquely dark, thoughtful, psychedelic and inspiring, even these decades later. This story is timeless, as are all of Jim Starlin's Marvel characters. Highly recommend, I already want to read it again.
February 17, 2025
Truly realize the advantages of the omnibus format consisting of a variety of series titles all mixed brought together to form a theme. The Death of Captain Marvel was my favorite section.
May 10, 2023
If Death of Captain Marvel doesn't leave you crying, you have no Soul, Adam Warlock must have already taken yours.
April 1, 2025
Excellent old comics. The Captain Marvel run is pretty solid - Starlin takes on a fundamentally boring, largely unpopular character and makes him fun to read by way of his excellent pencils and the joy of his ridiculous hippie burnout sidekick. Ultimately, it's limited by the typically overdone writing of the period and the form of superhero comics itself, but its well worth it for Thanos' introduction and for it cashing out 10 years later in the legitimately-touching Death of Captain Marvel - a rare cape comic that hits some real, raw emotional beats and with Steve Oliff's colours bringing it all together into something that feels truly grand and operatic.
The Adam Warlock run's the real sauce though, making good on the promise of "Cosmic Marvel" and all of its big weird concepts. 13 issues of time loop shenanigans, universal churches, soul vampirism and ego death with a bummer ending. Is it still a little constrained by the form? Sure, but it's focused, forward-thinking and has that Doom Patrol-ish sense of things being just a bit off the whole time. I would be shocked if Grant Morrison hadn't read and been influenced heavily by both of these runs. Stupendous stuff especially for the 70s.
The Adam Warlock run's the real sauce though, making good on the promise of "Cosmic Marvel" and all of its big weird concepts. 13 issues of time loop shenanigans, universal churches, soul vampirism and ego death with a bummer ending. Is it still a little constrained by the form? Sure, but it's focused, forward-thinking and has that Doom Patrol-ish sense of things being just a bit off the whole time. I would be shocked if Grant Morrison hadn't read and been influenced heavily by both of these runs. Stupendous stuff especially for the 70s.
September 23, 2025
Having just finished the first volume of Captain Mar-Vell’s omnibus collection I moved to the Thanos Wars collection once I realised it also collected the Jim Starlin issues of Mar-Vell.
Wow, what a change in quality! The Mar-Vell issues prior to Starlin taking over were rather dry save for the handful of issues Roy Thomas wrote. When Jim takes over it’s a completely different story. There’s a sense of purpose and excitement to the book that never dipped for a second and I think the main reason for this is that Jim Starlin was excited to be on the book.
This book collects Jim’s time on Mar-Vell and Adam Warlock, and both series are a step above the rest of what Marvel was putting out in the 70s. The writing to the art is fantastic, and what really impressed me was that this book largely works as a self contained narrative with a beginning, middle and end.
The final story The Death of Captain Marvel was my favourite book in here. It’s poignant, sad and really got me invested in the character when the early issues of his series couldn’t.
I wouldn’t recommend reading this solely for Thanos. The Mad Titan plays a big part in all the stories collected, but he isn’t the focal point. Read this book if you want solid cosmic superhero stories, as that is its primary focus.
Wow, what a change in quality! The Mar-Vell issues prior to Starlin taking over were rather dry save for the handful of issues Roy Thomas wrote. When Jim takes over it’s a completely different story. There’s a sense of purpose and excitement to the book that never dipped for a second and I think the main reason for this is that Jim Starlin was excited to be on the book.
This book collects Jim’s time on Mar-Vell and Adam Warlock, and both series are a step above the rest of what Marvel was putting out in the 70s. The writing to the art is fantastic, and what really impressed me was that this book largely works as a self contained narrative with a beginning, middle and end.
The final story The Death of Captain Marvel was my favourite book in here. It’s poignant, sad and really got me invested in the character when the early issues of his series couldn’t.
I wouldn’t recommend reading this solely for Thanos. The Mad Titan plays a big part in all the stories collected, but he isn’t the focal point. Read this book if you want solid cosmic superhero stories, as that is its primary focus.
May 16, 2019
Can anyone please tell me how can i read this one
November 12, 2020
Thanos first fights with the marvel universe
September 25, 2021
I did not expect to like this as much as I did. My previous experiences with Silver Age Marvel comics weren't great, so I was a bit wary when I started this. But I needn't have been worried - Starlin's Thanos stories are as good as everyone says they are. The writing is fresh albeit a bit too Jungian/Freudian but it kinda works, the trippy panels make for interesting art that's quite different from anything else Marvel, and the characterisation is superb. Starlin was just writing his own goddam stories whenever he was in charge on any series and because it took a while to get him going, the stories take time to develop. This first arc consists of a few issues here and there where Starlin introduces new characters from his bonkers imagination and it finally coalesces into the best Marvel cosmic ever something like ten years after the first issue. He also allows his heroes to fail, and fail badly with catastrophic consequences. There are stakes here and they keep getting higher. And Thanos is a villain with certain depth. He's essentially a self-destructive ass who's in love with Death, who ignores him, but for some reason, even though he's literally destroying the universe, Starlin is able to make him sympathetic. If making me feel sorry for a murderous incel isn't great writing, I don't know what is. On the other hand, Captain Marvel (even when linked to groovy Rick Jones from the 70s) >>> Adam Warlock. If it wasn't for Adam Warlock's pompous ass and the boring arc with the Magus, I would've given this 5 stars. But I can't stand Adam. I know other characters in his own series ridicule him for his dramatic penchant and his self pity, but it's still a bit of a chore to read. Loved Pip and Gamora, though. The Death of Captain Marvel hit a bit too close to home at the time I read this but it was such a soothing story in the end. Even if you don't want to delve into the whole Thanos arc, I think that OGN is still worth reading and stands quite well on its own, too, so I'd really recommend it.
Will definitely be reading more of Starlin's Thanos!
Will definitely be reading more of Starlin's Thanos!
July 19, 2025
It's not perfect but I'm giving it a perfect score anyway. Some of it - especially the early issues - has a lot of bronze age awkwardness. But it is fun to see Jim Starlin develop his talents as a writer over the course of a decade, and the last half has some amazing moments.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews