August in the Infinite Wars has been all about the Olympics, but on the Infinite Wars, often themes are quite as simple as that! If you've been following along you've digested massive amounts of our trademark penchant for numeration and dissection of qualities found inherent in the superhero comics medium.The C2C has been no exception!
As we sift through a range of our previous reviews in an effort to fast track the updating process, we've also been deconstructing the tiers of combat that define the superhero genre. For those who missed out, look back through our features on the gold standard for: martial arts, superhumans, and superteams!
Character-driven urbana took control of comics post-recession in the early double-ohs, leaving the sweeping epics of the cosmic corners of the universe to settle quietly into more familiar heroics. Annihilation has to have been one of the key components to reviving Marvel's very specific and segregated take on the cosmic tier, while Infinite Crisis followed up Identity Crisis with a scale of catastrophe that threatened an entire multiverse!
Silver Surfer #13 (July 1988)"Masques!" Englehart/Staton
The Kree Supreme Intelligence has fallen, and civil unrest over the choice of his successor has the blue and pink empire riddled with insubordinates. Fortunately for the empire and it's new ruler; Ronan, Supreme Accuser, is more than up to the task of preventing successful rebellion or assassination.
Too bad for Ronan he doesn't know the new Supreme Leader he defends so vigilantly is in fact a shape-shifting member of their sworn enemy -- the Skrull!
To distract Ronan from the developing Skrull plans, and to eliminate the Silver Surfer's allegiance with the Kree, the phony Supreme Leader sends Ronan on a mission to accuse and execute the Surfer. Ronan relishes the opportunity to clash with the power cosmic, but will the unaware Surfer be so full of glee?
Mighty Thor #465 (August 1993)"Holy Sacrifice" Marz/Zick
When Adam Warlock took possession of the Infinity Gauntlet, he sought to attain ultimate indifference of judgment by expelling evil and good from his body.
These portions became the beings known as The Goddess and The Magus, respectively.
Though the Goddess was borne of good, she sought resolution against a sinful universe. Thus, she reached out to those mighty and of faith, and gathered them as her army against evil, and those who did not believe.
Though much of the Skrull race was persuaded by the Goddess' touch, the Super-Skrull was not so easily manipulated. Disgusted by the mania of peace that had been bestowed upon his people, he sets out on a mission of war.
A mission that would bring him into conflict with one of the Goddess' most powerful followers -- The Mighty Thor!
Marvel versus DC #3 (April 1996)"The Showdown of the Century!" Marz/Castellini
Life in the DC and Marvel universes has always been tough, but when cosmic events conspire to endanger both, the heroes of both Earths face a secret crisis that could destroy them all.
Before time two cosmic entities existed, sexless brothers representing the two sides of all that is, was, and will ever be.
Turmoil between the two brought about an end to things as they once were, but in the aftermath their energies were dissipated into space, becoming part of the multi-verse.
Cosmic instabilities, as a result of the actions of various beings of different realities, created instabilities. After eons of recollecting their fragmented thoughts, the two brothers turned, and remembered their existence.
Now they pit their warriors against one and other.
She-Hulk #8 (December 2004)"Engagement Ring" Slott/Bobillo
She-Hulk, having been appointed to the Magistrati, is employed to travel to the planet Skardon, where might makes right.
There she is to employ her strength as She-Hulk to battle Tryco Slatterus, the Champion of the Universe.
Entering the ring for legal battle, She-Hulk attempts to succeed where the Gladiator, Adam Warlock, Beta Ray Bill, the Silver Surfer, and Drax have all failed.
Needless to say, things do not go well, and the fight is stopped before She-Hulk is pounded into paste.
She-Hulk uses the brawn of her legal brain to request a rematch, as she claimed the fight had been stopped while she was still able to go on. Thus, she is granted an 'appeal' in three months.
Now she just has to figure out how to avoid that paste situation...
Annihilation #4 (January 2007)"Revelation" Giffen/Divito
When the expansion of our universe comes to impede on the dimensional space of the anti-matter universe called The Negative Zone; Annihilus, it's mighty ruler, marches an army of insectoid creatures in an act of war, thus beginning the path of the Annihilation Wave.
The Wave moves through the universe punishing both the ill-prepared, and those unwilling to pool their forces. Skrull, Kree, Nova Corps, and many other groups, are left decimated, leaving certain key figures from all to rally their forces in an unlikely alliance for the greater good of the entire universe.
Thanos, having allied himself with the destructive Annihilation Wave, sets about facilitating the creation of a weapon designed to imprison and harness the energies of the cosmic world devourer, Galactus. Fortunately, Drax is among the warriors pledged to the resistance, all too ready to fullfil his destiny of destroying Thanos. Great news for the good guys, until Thanos has a change of heart, and quickly goes from harbinger to saviour... Uh oh!
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