Infinity Abyss #3

Background

In yet another tale of cosmic proportions, this one naturally involves Thanos, and many of the Infinity Watch characters. However, this time around, instead of an expected showing of Silver Surfer, Spider-Man plays a much bigger role in this particular series. In fact, when speaking in terms of a cosmic-type storyline, Spider-Man seems like the odd man out when compared to the likes of Thanos, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, Moondragon, Adam Warlock, Gamora, and of course, Pip the Troll.

But do not fret, SpiderFans, we finally get an Infinity series that has plenty of Spider-Man to go around! The basic deal here is, once again, the entire Universe as we know it is under threat. A being known as Atlez, apparently has the task of anchoring all reality, and Atlez's time draws near. For it seems while this being may be the 'glue' by which the Universe is held together, it is not immortal, in fact, the job requires successors.

The goal is to find the successor and replace Atlez before the Universe falls into the Abyss... basically becoming nothing. While that alone seems like a dire predicament, there is more trouble to be had. You see, Thanos has several dopplegangers intent on making the oblivion happen, and are willing to do whatever it takes to see that it does. Seven heroes with the aid of the original Thanos attempt to stop them, and save the Universe.

Story 'Memory Disorders'

Spider-Man doesn't initially see any threat, at least not until that team of Nihilists comes spilling into the yard thanks to one of those nifty teleportational gates. Spider-Man leaps into the fray, until Captain Marvel picks him up and away from the fight, the reason being another cube of nothingness appears, taking the Nihilists with its forming.

Back with the dopplegangers, they suspect Gamora might know a whole lot more than they like, and send Armour off to finish the job of killing her. They also suspect Doctor Strange snooping about, and opt to send mentally controlled Moondragon after him.

Thanos finally lays it all out for Gamora, telling her about his creations. Initially they were to be his allies, some specially constructed to face specific foes. Unfortunately, they were found highly destructive and too dangerous to control or rely upon, and Thanos was set to eliminate them. He tells Gamora a mystery player freed five of his replicants, all whose desire is fixated on ending all life in the Universe thanks to Thanos's Nihilistic personality phase. Armour, Mystic, Warrior, X, and now Omega, who we haven't seen yet, were the five released by this mystery player, directing them to seek out Adam Warlock.

While Doctor Strange gets waylaid by Moondragon, Pip and Adam are on Monster Island, seemingly at a dead-end. Adam hits on the idea to see Eternity, and he and Pip immediately depart. We also see what appears to be Galactus, feeding upon a Kree homeworld. As Thanos gives Gamora a few more details, they discover Armour has arrived and Gamora is picked to play bait.

Doctor Strange awakens to find himself bound by Moondragon. Not one to go down easily, Doctor Strange frees himself and battle ensues between mystic and psychic. In a very interesting battle, Doctor Strange barely comes out on top, but the strain of battle affects him too, and he falls.

Adam and Pip discover something they thought could never happen. Eternity and Infinity merged together as one, what could it mean?

General Comments

Cosmic stories are always mind-benders, and this one is no different. Perhaps because they are always set upon such a large scale, its not the city in danger or the world... its the whole flippin Universe! This one wasn't too hard to follow though, especially when you read all 6 issues at once.

I cant say I am real familiar with the cosmic characters, so for me they seem well portrayed in here, and nicely explain where they have been since no one else was writing a lot about them. The good news is, plenty of Spider-Man to see, and I like that, I never really cared for end-all-be-all stories that include nearly every character in Marvel's stable, and to accomplish that we get too much of half a dozen characters, and cameos of 100 others. Nice change of pace to see that this storyline kept a certain cast of players, and stayed that way, everyone having their own moments.

Entertaining for me, and I do suggest the average SpiderFan pick this up. It's not a Spider-Man story, but then he also doesn't just play a small role, hes part of the team here.

Overall Rating

Well-thought-out and well-executed Infinity story. Kudos to Jim Starlin for not only writing, but drawing all the nice pictures too. I give it 4 webs.