Infinity Abyss #5

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 'Errors in Judgement'

Spider-Man and Captain Marvel are caught up in some serious fighting with the Nihilists, as Gamora and Thanos can see on their monitor. X mentally takes control of Captain Marvel and Spider-Man, ordering Marvel to kill Spider-Man as he holds him still. In the classic nick of time rescue, Gamora appears through a gateway, stabbing X in the back. The poison-tipped knife isn't enough to drop X, as he assumes control of all three combatants.

Thanos contacts Pip, while Adam scores more details out of Atlez. Using the soul gem, Warlock would be able to receive, store, and then transfer all that Atleza needs to know to take her place as the new anchor of reality. It was when Adam took within himself this power and information, he lost who he was, and for two years was lost within his own mind. Pip picks up Moondragon, leaving Doctor Strange to pursue his original course.

Atlez goes on to say that when he had thought Adam was lost, he was the one who then freed the Thanos dopplegangers, in hopes of indirectly bringing Adam around, while he had only intended Armour to be freed, the four others also released were not part of the plan. While Adam was found and brought back, the dopplegangers had made things much more difficult by attempting to fulfill their Nihilistic goal of destroying the Universe.

As bad timing would have it, Warrior and Mystic show up and Adam knows he cannot leave Atlez alone. X still has Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, and Gamora under his power, and he uses it to such a degree that he causes each of them to explode from within! X then witnesses everything being swept away into oblivion... even himself.

What's this? Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and Gamora all safe? Why, it was Moondragon the whole time, giving X the fantasy of killing our heroes, who knew she could be so sneaky? Of course, since X thought he was dissolving into oblivion, he ended up killing himself without knowing it.

Adam is caught up in quite the intense battle between Warrior and Mystic, and would have fallen if not for the timely intervention of Doctor Strange. As Adam is getting pummeled by Warrior, Strange takes care of Mystic, but not quick enough to avoid Warrior. Strange down and Atlez in trouble, Adam calls upon the soul gem, a last resort to win the fight. Giving him warning, Adam does not wish to steal the Warrior's essence, but Warriors fight to the end, and this one is no different. Adam steals the very life out of Warrior, and he falls.

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.