Here we go again...this time 10 reviews. These are extremely late, but hey, better late than never? Either way, I wanted to finish things off...

Overall Note - The end has come. For the event anyway... I have to say, this was a pretty great event. There were several 5/5 issues, main event books and tie-ins. It also felt pretty cohesive, which is a nice change of pace from some events. Lastly, it fits well with the rest of what is going on with the other Marvel titles, giving way for the next wave of books, all related to the Inhumans. That said, the first thing I thought (and I am sure I am not alone here) when I saw the cover to New Avengers #12, was the end of Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2. Check out the following image:

Look familiar? Either way, this is a great segue to my first review, for New Avengers and the issue that shows us, sometimes there are fates greater than death (especially for a nihilist like Thanos).

New Avengers #12 ( 5 / 5 ) - This should not be read before Infinity 6. You likely know this because of the timeline in the back of each of the Infinity books, but still. Not that what happens at the end of Infinity 6 is a secret, especially from this cover. Heck, enough time has passed, you know what happened. Triple-Dog-Heck, likely no one is reading this. ;) Anyway. Again, this issue was great. In fact, the series was my favorite Marvel title from Marvel NOW! This issue is filled with kings and leaders learning their place. Their very small place in the universe. One take-away from this issue (and event really), is that we all have to deal with the fact that no matter how much power, control, money, luck any of us has, "Everything dies."

Infinity: Heist #3 ( 3.5 / 5 ) - Cross, Double-Cross, Triple-Cross. Is that even a thing? It may be. So many lies, so much deceit - all to be expected from a "villain-centric" book. As I have been saying all along, I am not real big on this type of story. This issue has an interesting (and cosmic) twist to it, but still no real specific tie (that I see as of now) with the event (outside of the fact that they were taking advantage of the event events to cover the "heist". This mini-series are not really necessary and add very little to the overall story, of course, unless you are in to this kind of book. That said, I was impressed with the reveal at the end, not sure what it will mean, but there is one more issue to go (release date January 8th 2014, well after the event), so we will see.

Infinity: Heist #4 ( 3 / 5 ) - Well, it finally came out, as expected on January 8th, 2014, and I had a chance to read it (January 16th). Meh. I am sorry, it just wasn't for me. I do have to say, the very last panel, did redeem the entire story, if not just a little. Is it worth it? Likely not. But, as I have been saying, if you dig this kind of villain focused story, you might just dig this mini-series.

Infinity: The Hunt #4 ( 5 / 5 ) - Loved it! No surprise really, given the writer, but still. This was a wonderfully dramatic end to the mini-series. So many feels. It was wonderful to see that it tied in to event events and illustrated what we have come to expect from the "child super-heroes" books. So, though this mini-series got off to a slow start, it ended up being a great story with many interesting characters and situations for those characters. Teamwork, FTW!

Secret Avengers #11 ( 4 / 5 ) - Another decent tie-in. Just like last issue, we see the aftermath of the terrigenesis - previously "normal" people powering up. Some good, some bad. This issue follows our new "superhero", previous S.H.I.E.L.D. computer tech, in the field with Nick Fury and Agent Coulson. Trial by fire (pun intended) for her, as she goes up against another one of her kind, someone not in the "good" category". But evil? Who knows. Likely scared and just too over-powered. In the end, Sarah learns a hard lesson: Be with S.H.I.E.L.D. or against S.H.I.E.L.D. Where will all this go? What decision will Sarah make? I am not sure, and likely will not find out. I am leaving the Inhumanity stuff alone for a while...

Wolverine and the X-Men Annual #1 ( 4.5 / 5 ) - This issue was "cute". Much like "Infinity: The Hunt", this issue is all about the children. Specifically highlighted in this issue, Kubark (Kid Gladiator). He is just an overpowered kid learning his place in the universe. Constantly in his father's shadow (expectation wise), he only wants to, well, punch things. In this issue, he gets to do just that. The story is set during the events of Infinity, so there are plenty of opportunities to punch, both in space and here on earth. In the end, he learns a great lesson: With great punching, comes great...err. Never look a gift-horse...hmm. Beggars can't be choosers? Either way, this is another "feel-good" issue with lots of action (and punching). Oh, and you do not need to read all 40 some issues of Wolverine and the X-Men to read this tie-in, it is a great Infinity adjacent One-Shot.

Avengers #23 ( 4.5 / 5 ) - Not much to say about this one. It was on par with the other Avengers tie-in issues for this event. Much of what you read in this issue is covered (highlighted) in the main event book, so it is not altogether necessary, but there are a few things of note...Specifically, the save by the significantly powered [event specific] Earth Allies on the PEAK station. Seeing Ronan smash skulls never gets old. So this issue wraps up the Avengers space battle and homecoming. At this point we have almost forgotten why they went into deep space in the first place. Nonetheless, they are home and ready to save Earth (again).

Guardians of the Galaxy #9 ( 4.5 / 5 ) - What I love most about this issue is the art. Francesco Francavilla does an amazing job here. It isn't your mainstream comic book art, but the style fits perfectly with cosmic tales. As a tie-in, this is relatively non-essential, though it does provide some filler for what happened at the PEAK Station before the events of Infinity #6. There is quite a bit of action, and a good bit of GotG snark. What I am curious about is Angela. I am not sure why she appears so powerless. Sure, she is durable, but in this issue sure doesn't destroy many enemy combatants. Overall, it is a fun read and fits nicely in with the rest of the story.

Thunderbolts #18 ( 4.5 / 5 ) - Nice. This series really turned itself around within the Infinity event. The first tie-in issue was the last straw for some, maybe most, but that second tie-in issue really was great. From there, the issues stayed consistently entertaining. The art is still odd, but something about it is fun and fascinating. The story - well done. it wasn't your average Punisher-centric story. It was imaginative, intelligent and had a couple nice twists. So many people got their way, and that is saying a lot, given the complexity of the latest Thunderbolts team. This is not to say there aren't some ongoing points of conflict, but those will be ironed out, well beaten out more likely, on this upcoming "Road Trip". Oh Boy. And Mercy? How is that "little issue" going to be dealt with? Only time will tell (I have not read anything past this issue, in case these items have been addressed since).

Mighty Avengers #3 ( 4.5 / 5 ) - Blue Marvel arrives. Why? To save the Mighty Avengers and NYC from Shuma-Gorath. Okay, maybe the world. Still, it was bad, then "Adam" flies in and saves the day. He also seems to know the identity of our mystery "Spider Hero". I should also be clear, Adam doesn't do it on his own. He gives the team extra motivation - this combined with Power Man and Ava Ayala, save the day. Now, obviously I have "spoiled" the fact that things work out in the end, but I didn't say how, and that is the really interesting part, which I will not spoil. It is worth reading, especially if you have been digging the series so far. Oh, and since I am so late in reviewing this issue, the 4th has been released, which reveals Spider Hero's identity: Blade. Why not? They are really pushing the "non-white" (save Doc Ock) team thing now. Really. It is kind of awkward, no? Either way, pretty intelligent way to end a battle, and decent enough way to tie things into the Infinity events.

Infinity #6 ( 5 / 5 ) - Much like the stories of prophecy, where the son is destined to rid the world of his father, this event unfolds in a way Thanos would not have expected, nor enjoyed. As the reader, of both this event and Thanos Rising, we know that the universe is to be rid of all offspring sired by Thanos. This is the only way Death would accept our favorite villain into her loving arms - or so he hopes. In fact, Death is either his unrequited love, or he is crazy and she is simply a manifestation to quell any remorse his lifelong nihilism has produced. Unfortunately for Thanos, none of his plans come to fruition. This is the worst possible outcome for him. No rest, No Death, No fulfillment of his latest universal quest.

This event ends less about The Builders and more about what the Builders and Thanos brought about. Nearly all the event specific allies not only go their separate ways, but grow in power and potential for future threat. The world has been seeded with Inhumanity. The Builders? What builders? Apparently they were a weaker threat than Thanos. Thane - now there is a threat. One hand brings death, the other a living death with no end, with his new mentor (Ebony Maw) there is no telling what horrors he will bring to the universe.

What this event did do, is tee up a new age for the Inhumans. A plan that Black Bolt would have unleashed either way. So, in the dawn of Inhumanity, Marvel takes us once again into a mess of issues, related, semi-related, and all very similar to the "mutant problem" the X-Men have been facing for years and years. Will this similarity be addressed? Who knows. I will likely not find out for some time, as I am taking a much needed break from the Marvel insanity.

What I am looking forward to, and what I will be reading spoilers about is the impending threats mentioned by Black Swan in New Avengers #12. Those are some story-lines that I could follow. Again, only time (and money) will tell.

What's Next? Infinity is over. Everything has been wrapped up with a nice bow, in a sense. So, what are Thanos fans to do? Thankfully, just wait just a few more months! A new Thanos Original Graphic Novel from Jim Starlin is due out later this year (April 2014):

There is an imbalance in the universe. Since his latest return from oblivion, Thanos himself feels… incomplete. Now the so-called Mad Titan plans to put both wrongs right. The revelatory waters of the Infinity Well lead Thanos on a new quest, with a once sworn enemy, Adam Warlock, at his side. A crusade that will bring confrontation with the Silver Surfer and the galaxy’s mightiest heroes – the Annihilators. This April, Thanos will embark on an odyssey that will change everything in THANOS: THE INFINITY REVELATION.

More about the upcoming release, plus an interview with Jim Starlin here on Marvel.com: Unlock Thanos: The Infinity Revelation with Jim Starlin

Okay - that wraps up the final set of reviews. Again, I was impressed with this event. And though it ended like other Thanos events before it, we are left with a hint of future cosmic battles, drama and likely an eventual family reunion.

For reference, here are the links to all my Infinity Event Reviews:

• Infinity Chapter One + Tie-Ins | thanosrules quick reviews
• Infinity Chapter Two & Three + Tie-Ins | thanosrules quick reviews
• Infinity Chapter Three & Four + Tie-Ins | thanosrules quick reviews
• Infinity Chapter Four & Five + Tie-Ins | thanosrules quick reviews
• Infinity Chapter Six + Tie-Ins | thanosrules quick reviews

enJOY!