Jim Starlin is one of my favorite comic book creators.
Dreadstar was probably my first exposure to his work (and I bought back issues of Epic Illustrated when I finally had my own comic shop), but I quickly became familiar with his Batman and Cosmic I really grew attached to his work as he continued to weave a tapestry of Marvel cosmic characters from The Silver Surfer to The Infinity Gauntlet.
At the time of The Infinity Gauntlet, I didn’t know that he had actually begun that story almost 20 years earlier. Thanos’ first appearance was not in Iron Man #55, but as Captain Marvel and then Warlock. It was the reprinting of the latter in the early ’90s after The Infinity Gauntlet that made me realize the broader scope of Stalin’s story. And it reinforced one of the interesting storytelling quirks of ongoing serialized novels in a shared world. That a huge story can be told through small fragments over many decades.
“Yes, I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you about hell!”
Strange Tales #178-181 by Starlin, Alan Weiss, Al Milgrom, Glynis Oliver Wein, Anette Kawecki, and Tom Orzechowski marks the beginning of the second major prequel phase of what will eventually become the Infinity Gauntlet Saga. However, calling this a prequel doesn’t feel like an accurate representation of the story itself. It’s one of Adam Warlock’s self-discovery, the basis for a major new antagonist, and the introduction of a number of characters that have become fan favorites for decades.
The story has a lot of explanation. Not only do we delve into all of Warlock’s backstory before he appeared in Strange Tales, but we also recap previous issues of the issue (every other month) for new readers. Still, this is one of the things I love about Stalin’s storytelling. He explains the new segments in interesting ways (such as making sure the narrator is clearly visible) and takes an engaging approach to layout in doing so. From grid presentations to more unique burst layouts. His page designs always have a sense of deliberate pacing.
It also includes the introduction of the characters, their designs, Warlock’s arc, and new people such as the Sorcerer, Gamora, and the Matriarch. Each chapter largely develops its own self-contained story, filling out the progression towards the sorcerer’s ultimate revelation. It’s a lot more fun sci-fi stuff than the usual superhero stuff.
Alan Weiss and Al Milgrom participated in the final two chapters leading up to the return of the Warlock books, further fleshing out the overall production. Glynis Oliver Wynne was responsible for the issue’s colors, and much of the arc was done by Stalin himself. Color also does the heavy lifting of differentiating time periods, types of narration, and bizarre sequences that were inside Warlock’s own head. And the large number of voiceover boxes, dialogue, and unique balloon lettering are by Annette Kaweki in the first issue, and by Tom Orzechowski in the remaining issues.
“…And I am Adam Warlock. Seeker of the light and enemy of darkness, but primarily…destroyer of false gods…”
Strange Tales #178-181 by Starlin, Weiss, Milgrom, Oliver Wein, Kawecki, and Orzechowski fed back into the Warlock series revival, rising again in #9. The anthology series introduced Magus, Pip the Troll, and Gamora, took more elements from Starlin’s Captain Marvel exploits as it set up the battle between Adam Warlock and the Soul Gem, introduced Thanos, and laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the Infinity Gems story. It’s still amazing how all these elements have come together little by little over the years. Especially when you consider what happens after that.
Classic Comics Encyclopedia: STRANGE TALES #178-181
Strange story #178-181
Writer & Artist: Jim Starlin
Inkers: Alan Weiss (#180) & Al Milgrom (#181)
Colorist: Glynis Oliver Wayne (#179)
Letterer: Annette Kawecki (#178) & Tom Orzechowski (#179-181)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Release date: November 26, 1974 – May 27, 1975 (original version)
Found in Warlock by Jim Starlin: The Complete Collection, Thanos Wars: Infinity Origin Omnibus, and Adam Warlock Omnibus.
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