Universe X #7

Background

Isaac Christians has been chronicling the prophesies of Kyle Richmond. Viewing the past, present, and future, the two work to record the events transpiring three years after the lighting of the first Human Torch which so far include the resurrection of the Invisible Woman and the journey of Captain America and the newly reborn Captain Mar-Vell to collect various artefacts of the Marvel Universe.

A group of individuals known as the Tong of Creel has assembled to collect the pieces of Absorbing Man (Crusher Creel) in order to rebuild the villain who had been shattered by Vision several years ago. Belasco has also been inadvertently awakened by Captain America and sent back in time from his prison in limbo. Immortus's church falls and Loki begins to make a move against the Asgardians.

While trying to retrieve a dimensional doorway, another one of the items that humanity might use against itself, Captain America is killed leaving Mar-Vell to continue his with a group of other heroes championing Cap's last cause. The Tong of Creel grows closer and closer to rebuilding Absorbing Man and Machine Man has unearthed the Supreme Intelligence on the moon.

Mr. Chruch begins to make his move as he seizes the followers of the Church of Immortus and uses Kyle's prophesies to help the Tong of Creel find the pieces of Absorbing Man.

Story Details

We're given a recount of how Galan became Galactus and are told that it wasn't a mysterious cosmic power that shaped him, but rather Galan possessing the Enigma Force and choosing to wipe out as many Celestials as he could to create a balance to preserve the universe. The deal the Watchers made with the Celestials is revealed as a slavery they opted into to save themselves from ever having to accept the consequences for not acting. Instead they became heralds of destruction, much like the Silver Surfer, and much like Isaac Christians.

The Supreme Intelligence informs Machine Man that one piece of the Cosmic Consciousness is present in the eyes of Kyle Richmond, giving him the power to glimpse other times and realities. Back in New York Kyle confronts Isaac with the truth of his betrayal to Mr. Church. Isaac rejects Kyle's notions and wanders through the streets pondering the weight of his actions.

Mar-Vell arrives on the moon and Machine Man directs them towards Uatu who has begun to flee from them. They travel through several rooms containing various historical images catalogued by Uatu over the millennia. Finally vowing to uphold his vow of not interfering, and apparently not being able to reach any of the other Watchers, Uatu allows Mar-Vell to take the Ultimate Nullifier.

In New York, Iceman arrives to build a barricade around the torch. Peter Parker decides that their best bet for victory is to have Spiders Man join their side. He webs his face up to make a blindfold and confronts Spiders Man with an opportunity to redeem himself.

In Japan and Latveria the Tong of Creel take the last two pieces of Absorbing Man, his hands and head. Meanwhile in the land of the dead Mar-Vell's companions continue to battle against the minions of Death as Mar-Vell informs Thanos of his plan to kill Death.

Isaac finally confronts Mr. Church in New York with the truth he's remorsefully accepted. He wants to reverse the deal he's made with Mephisto.

General Comments

This was definitely a busy one. The Tong of Creel has completed their goal and the powered up Absorbing Man should be appearing soon, Mr. Church is revealed to be Mephisto, and Mar-vell's plan in the land of the dead is revealed. And the series is only a little over halfway from being finished.

The recap in this issue is a bit confusing as it somewhat contradicts where Galactus has come from. Was Galan a resident of the Microverse, or did he live in the larger universe where the Celestials implanted embryos into planets around the universe? Perhaps it's the cyclical nature of time being presented. The Microverse supplants the regular universe as it collapses creating an endless cycle of universe's, each with its own set of Celestials and a Galactus. If that's the case, then what are the Celestials and how do they keep returning? There's also the question of how Galactus can posses the Enigma Force and how Mar-Vell can also seem to posses it at the same time. I suppose one being from the previous universe is the answer to that, but the Enigma Force still seems to be doing some time travelling as the Microverse was supposedly formed far in the future.

I should really create a checklist for all these questions because I have a feeling I'm going on so many tangents that I may not be given answers that satisfy them.

It's nice to see Spider-Man's role increasing as well. Considering he's easily my favourite character in the Marvel Universe (in case you didn't realize what site you were on), he's had a disproportionate role in a series that chronicles the largest facets of the Marvel Universe. Of course, he never was too big with the cosmic stuff, so it's understandable how a street level guy like him could be lost in the shuffle.

Overall Rating

So many major twists, and not a soft spot to be seen. It'd be unfair to penalize it for a concern that has yet to happen.