Maelstrom and Deathurge return. Don’t remember them? That’s because you’re not Mark Gruenwald, who is a living Marvel encyclopedia.
The Avengers sent Maelstrom into space many years ago, and we now see how he’s trying to get cosmic elder sized power through Infinity, Kronos, and other cosmic characters–and to return to a corporeal form.
And speaking of corporeal forms, Doctor Strange tries to return the Squadron Supreme to their home dimension, but ends up splitting them literally in two.
Quasar has to help put them back together again.
This is all very heady stuff–unusually deep for Mark Gruenwald.
And speaking of “half” people, Jack of Hearts has a face that’s half exposed…
He’s towing a bunch of homeless aliens towards Earth, which triggers Quasar’s mission of protecting Earth from hostile aliens. He beats up Jack.
I love that Jack is whining.
But JoH recovers, defeats Quasar, and we learn that Jack is employed by Presence, who is coming after Eon. They’re both being tricked by Maelstrom into believing Eon and Quasar are a threat to Earth–not its main defense system against aliens.
The cast of the issue continues to increase as the threats of Maelstrom and Presence reach Earth. And because it’s 1991, the characters involved have to include…
Ghost Rider. Sigh.
And the story gets increasingly bizarre–in a cool, cosmic way. We learn that Infinity is female.
I think that’s the first time we’ve seen Infinity. She’s been referenced a lot as a cosmic being, but hasn’t appeared in a body.
It’s a very, very “big” story featuring all kinds of D-listers–and because of that, it’s kind of fun. As with the best issues of Quasar, focusing on virtual unknowns offers a lot of entertainment for old nerds. There’s even some ties to the upcoming Infinity Gauntlet event. Moondragon and Sersi even have a bathing suit competition.
But the major even here is Quasar losing his hands.
Which he gets back, along with a lady-impressing power level upgrade.
There’s also Kid Reaper.
Not sure if he’s a manifestation of Death, but I tagged him that way.
It ends full circle, with Kronos having seen Infinity (as have we) in her full form, and happy about it.
This story is bonkers. I could write for days about it. Best not to spoil the whole thing, though, and let you read it for yourself.