Hunger #2

Background

After the space/time continuum was broken in Age of Ultron #10, Galactus was transported from the Marvel Universe to the Ultimate Universe. He came in the least convenient time: while the Kree and Chitauri were at war. Right before Galactus arrived, a swarm of Gah Lak Tus attacked the battling ships and, guided by the Watcher, Rick Jones also showed up. When Galactus came, the swarm of Gah Lak Tus was absorbed by him and he became even more powerful!

Story Details

The Silver Surfer is lying on his surf board, thinking about how he has travelled for months without crossing a human soul. He decides that "death himself" has arrived and he must warn "all creatures." While he rides away, Galactus floats behind the Surfer, surrounded by his Gah Lak Tus swarm.

In the Raela System, the Chitauri have set up camp on Planet 3.1.4. Rick Jones brings two Kree soldiers into the medical treatment tent. At first, they refuse to treat them, but Admiral Kalxor orders them to do as Rick says. Then, Admiral thanks him for battling the Gah Lak Tus swarm. He suggests that if the Chitauri, Kree, and humans combined forces, they could stand a chance, but that's wishful thinking.

The Admiral asks Rick what technology he is using and he tells him that he really doesn't know what he's doing. Kalxor tells him that he "may have opened a pathway" but the conversation is interrupted by a sudden boom. The Watcher takes over all the Chitauri in the medical center and starts rambling about oncoming death. Galactus towers over Planet 3.1.4, about to eat it. Rick says, "I think we're...going to need a bigger armada."

Galactus shoots a swarm of Gah Lak Tus out of his chest and they attack Rick as the wounded Chitauri and Kree hobble away. They envelope his body quickly, overwhelming him. Thankfully, the Silver Surfer shows up and pulls him out. Surfer tells Rick that he is the "Watcher's chosen" while Rick barfs out Gah Lak Tus. With their combined forces, they are able to drive away the swarm. Surfer touches Rick's forehead and shows him who he is in two seconds. Surfer tells him that they are both cosmically aware and, in a way, everybody is.

The Watcher stands behind them, remembering the Silver Surfer from the 616 Universe. He picks Surfer up with an arm made of Gah Lak Tus. The Surfer tries to negotiate with Galactus so he doesn't eat the planet, knowing that Galactus is from another universe while Rick journeys down on his surfboard to attend to the wounded.

When Rick watches a Kree Flagship fly away, he transports aboard and the Kree commander (or whatever the **** he is called) tells him that they are going to make the star Galactus is eating go supernova in hopes of killing him. The explosion will destroy many systems around them, but Galactus and Gah Lak Tus will be gone permanently. The thousands of Chitauri will also die, which adds frosting to the Kree slaughtering. Rick pleads for the Kree commander not to launch the missile, but it is already done.

Meanwhile, the Surfer is having trouble convincing Galactus not to murder millions. He simply tells him that what he does is "necessary" and "natural." Surfer looks into Galactus' mind and is appalled to find that he truly cannot stop, asking, "How can you live with yourself?" Galactus tells him, "I am inevitable. I am...destiny. I am Galactus and I hunger."

As the Kree missile approaches, Rick pulls the Surfer into a teleporting portal with his surfboard. Galactus says, "This is new. So much new, and different. An entire universe unbalanced... Cracking apart at its seams... So much power... So much power within me and the stars--Tiny fools with their tiny weapons. Galactus will not yield to any attack."

As the star explodes behind him, Galactus stands, unconcerned of the attack.

Meanwhile, Rick and the Surfer land on the Bahama Islands, Earth. While startled tourists surround them, Rick and the Surfer sense all of the lives destroyed by the Kree supernova. "Murray-- I think these guys are on drugs, call the lifeguard--" a tourist says. The Watcher shows up and tells Rick that Galactus survived the supernova. Instead, the star just gave him more strength. Rick starts to beat himself up over the fact that so many people died when he was supposed to stop Galactus.

Sadly, a swarm of Gah Lak Tus managed to transport to Earth through Rick's portal with them. A Gah Lak Tus "bug takes over a crab, making it massive and robotic, and is taking over and killing nearby swimmers. “We've doomed your planet," the Silver Surfer tells Rick.

General Comments

Very good, Fialkov! First of all, I enjoyed the fact that Rick's narration is gone. It just gave me bad memories of the last three issues of Alpha. That past, things definitely seemed more grave in this issue than the last.

Actually, the whole issue mainly builds up Galactus as a threat. The Watcher's dialogue was actually purposeful building up Galactus and with depth, in oppose to him just saying "The End" over and over and over. I like how Fialkov has been representing Galactus and Gah Lak Tus as one and the Ultimate swarm makes him more widespread.

Also, I really enjoyed the Ultimate Silver Surfer's introduction into the story. Fialkov did a great job at introducing him to new reader of Ultimate events (myself) and using him to make Galactus more threatening. I thought it was genius to have the Silver Surfer look into Galactus' mind and be completely appalled. Galactus' conversation with the Surfer was brilliant.

Other than some strange shading on Rick Jones, Kirk does a fantastic job with art. He captures the whole cosmic feel terrifically and the panel layout is well-done. I specifically thought the panel where Surfer is pulling Rick from the Gah Lak Tus swarm was just awesome.

I really hope Mile Morales shows up next issue since Gah Lak Tus is on Earth now. Mainly, I bought this event for him and I'm getting the feeling that the point of this 4-part mini is to move Galactus to Earth to face off against the Ultimates and Spidey in it's spin-off series Cataclysm, which I will also be reviewing.

Overall Rating

Great issue. Great art. Great Galactus. Great Silver Surfer. Great everything. Four webs.