SamuraiBX

The prologue to the Infinity Gauntlet, this first book begins Thanos'long path to Omnipotence.

The story begins with Death reminding Thanos of his oath to exterminate half the life in the universe. He cautiously asks permission to find the soul gems, renamed the infinity gems to aide in his task. And so the Dark Titan starts his journey...

The first Gem on Thanos' agenda is the Soul Gem. Thanos travels to the In-Betweeners prison between Chaos and Order. Thanos agrees to free the In-Betweeener in return for his intervention with Death. Using their combined might, they destroy the In-Betweeners cage; however, the In-Betweener soon discovers the true imprisonment as he attempts to destroy Thanos. In this center between Chaos and Order there are no dichotomies that power the In-Betweener and Thanos quickly humiliates the In-Betweener for a past insult to Death. Snatching the Soul Gem he then leaves the In-Betweener to the punishment of Chaos and Order.

Champion possesses his next target, the Power Gem. Thanos likens the fight as "similar to fighting the Terran, the Hulk", a conflict he had always attempted to avoid. However, Thanos' toys with Champion, throwing him off balance with a combination of fighting prowess and taunting. He eventually pushes Chamion into destroying the planet they were fighting on, leaving the Elder of the Universe trapped in space with no means of propulsion. He barters a tow from Thanos to the next planet in exchange for his Power gem. Thanos, as always, keeps his word, bringing him to the next planet... though dropping him into orbit from far above the planet surface... they agreed on transportation, not "on a soft landing".

The final Gem in this volume is the Time Gem, in the care of the Gardner. Thanos, as with the first two victims, gains the gem at the Gardner's loss... this time his apparent demise. The book ends with Thanos halfway through his quest for supremacy.

The Thanos Quest #1 is a masterpiece of writing and art. It captures Thanos at his best, both his immutable nature and his scheming brilliance. It also catpures his sense of honor and iron bound truth to himself. You see in the first two gems how he treats his first victims with contempt, humbling them without mercy, and living true to his word, though not to the other parties understanding. However, his interaction with the Gardner truly sets his character for the reader. The Gardner alone does he offer a chance to forfeit the gem without conflict, and towards the Gardner alone does he feel any sense of regret. He appreciates the beauty that the Gardner creates, and expresses an appreciation for beauty that most would miss in his interactions in the marvel universe. The art captures Thanos' dark nature superbly, enhancing the storyline beatifully. I particularly liked his trip to the In-Betweeners prison, watching how the forces of chaos and order touch him yet cannot affect him... for he is Thanos.