Customer Reviews

The Life and Death of Captain Marvel (Marvel Comics)

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Don't believe the review that complained this book is an uncomfortable mix. The first half of the story is actually the highlight, teeming with energy, while Captain Marvel's death is, as you might imagine, quite depressing. This storyline is the one that started Jim Starlin's long career doing cosmic epics, and it is almost impossible to underestimate how important it was at the time. It starts out simply, in a couple of issues of Iron Man,where he stumbles upon creatures from space called the Blood Brothers, building nice suspense until it reveals Thanos, the Mad Titan. What follows is an imaginative space opera that was one of the great highlights of comic in the 70's, featuring characters like the the Controller, Drax the Destroyer and Eon, who grants Mar-vell cosmic awareness, a character that has to be seen to be believed. The passions and motives of the characters here almost leap off the page. First, there is Thanos, who wants to deliver all the universe to death, his mistress (who's identity, familiar to everyone now, is kept a secret to the end here). Then, there is Drax, the Destroyer, who hates Thanos and wants him dead at any cost, consumed by an insane passion. And then, there is Mar-vell, trying to make sense of it all, and not only trying to figure out what Thanos is up to, but trying to help the Titans, stop Thanos and save the universe. The final battle, where Mar-vell tries to destroy the cosmic cube, is some of the greatest graphic storytelling ever seen in comics.

The second part of this story is seen in Starlin's next work, Adam Warlock (hopefully that gets a decent treatment, too, someday). The stories in Captain Marvel and Warlock are still the best representations of Thanos by far and, unless one reads them, one really can't understand what he's really all about and how he has evolved - he seems to be used far more liberally these days. Those who don't get how great these two stories are don't really get comics either, and are probably better off sticking to the mainstream comics. These are comics done by adults, for adults, and not for everyone, certainly not for people who don't appreciate epic storylines. Personally, I get tired of reading reviews of comics by people who have no sense of the history of the genre, only picking up what happens to be the fad for the day, then try to comment on what has gone before. Starlin both writes and draws each of these books, by the way, and, while most comic artists are influenced by other comic artists, the main influence in Starlin's work is an artist by the name of Michelangelo (the cover to this book, by the way, is even Michelangelos' Pieta, in case it looks familiar).

The last part of this story is Captain Marvell's death, drawn years after the other one. It is true that it is poignant, but it's also depressing, too. Starlin's interest in death in the early days was actually pretty morbid, and Mar-vell is one of the few Marvel characters to actually stay dead (one of the others being Gwen Stacy). The current Captain Marvell, is an updated, hot-headed, mod version meant to appeal to a younger generation. The one here is noble, courageous and will risk all in order to triumph over evil - qualities that seem all too lacking everywhere these days. On the other hand, the death does bring about some closure in the book.

One last note - the original books have gone up quite a lot in price and are considered collector's items, it's lucky to have them all together here. Created three years before Star Wars, they more than match that trilogy in both sweep and sense of the epic. Just to look at the storytelling here, one can almost see the first Thanos epic made into a great movie, especially how special effects have evolved these days.

Unlike Superman, there was no miraculous return from the grave for Captain Marvel. Nor did Marvel die a heroic death in battle while saving the universe. But then he didn't need to, for he had already fought that great battle- against Thanos, the Titan who had become God Himself, and who sought to deliver the totality of Creation unto Death Herself....

No, Captain Marvel had already fought his great battles and was enjoying the hard-won fruits of semi-retirement. He had finally found the peace, and the love, that had eluded him for so long. And then he was diagnosed with what is known on Titan as Inner Decay, and among the Kree as Blackend- and on Earth as... Cancer.

Yet, the Captain faced this last foe with courage and dignity that put the rest of the Marvel Universe to shame. Hero after hero, from Captain America to Thor, came to wonder at the dignity and nobility with which the Captain faced a foe that could not be defeated. No, Marvel wasn't tired of living- he made that abundantly clear- but when he knew his time was done he accepted it. Not only that, he made sure that the comrades and loved ones around him accepted- and learned- from his example.

Of course, in a way, Marvel was the best prepared of any of the heroes for this final journey. After all, the bombastic Captain Mar-vell, super-soldier of the mighty Kree Empire had died once before- to be reborn as Captain Marvel, the cosmically conscious warrior champion of the entire universe. This was because Mar-vell had faced death once before with pride and power and ego- and he had failed.... After that, he was taken to a place beyond space and time by the being named Eon. Under the direction of this being, created by Kronos, the Cosmic Balance, some eight billion years before, Mar-vell the soldier died, or at least his colossal pride and ego did. After facing his inner demons, he was reborn as the champion of all-things. This was possible since he was now cosmically aware and he knew that he was truly part of all-things. The Universe had crystallized out an antidote for ultimate evil in its time of need- a cosmic champion.

You don't really have to he familiar with the saga of Mar-vell to enjoy this story. It is all spelled out right here. While I know of a number of graphic stories as good as this one, I really don't know of any that are BETTER than this one.

This compilation is an enjoyable treat for all Starlin fans. "The Life" portion focuses on Captain Marvel's evolution and the reader is treated to the issue in which Eon grants CM his "cosmic awareness." Issues center around an epic battle with Thanos (as always seeking to woo Lady Feath). Throw in the Cosmic Cube, the Avengers, Rick Jones and Titan's favorites (Eros, Mentor and Moondragon), and you've got a cosmic melee on the grandest of scales. Ten issues of CM (and related titles) are included in this section on CM's "Life" with classic art as only Starlin can draw.

"The Death of CM" is also included in full, Marvel's very first trade paperback, in which the powerful CM is forced to battle cancer, a foe he cannnot use his warrior prowess against, even as he reflects on his life and mortality. All in all, "Life and Death" is an enjoyable read, and an excellent bargain for the price. A great compilation for all CM and Thanos fans.

Long before DC shocked the world with "the Death of Superman" or "The broken Batman" Marvel produced this gripping graphic novel. To avoid any confusion this is a tale of Marvel's original Captain Marvel created in 1968, not to be confused with today's Captain Marvel or the character published by DC also known as Shazam.

In this story our hero Captain Marvel has fought bravely to defend Earth and our solar system more times than can be counted. Mar-Vell (his real name) has found that most of his enemies are now dead, or have joined the side of the good. Mar-Vell now finds himself able to enjoy a status of semi-retirement and move to the planet Titan to be with the love of his life, Elysius.

One of Captain Marvel's primary villains is Thanos who is now apparently dead, entombed in stone. One of Marvel's final tasks is to travel to Thanos's starship and reclaim his body for proper burial. The Captain is accompanied by Thanos's brother Starfox and his father Mentor. The trio quickly find themselves under attack from a mad cult bent of the worship of their dead leader, and after the skirmish it becomes apparent that Mar-Vell is seriously ill.

What really sets this one apart is that there is no built up villain, no new rogue with incomprehensible powers. Captain Marvel has cancer. With all of his vaunted powers and those of his friends they are powerless to fight THIS type of enemy. The cancer was caused by Marvel's exposure to a carcinogen while defending the Earth in the past. Although his powerful nega bands kept the cancer at bay, it also caused the cancer to mutate into something untreatable.

Mentor assembles the universes greatest minds. People like Dr. Strange, Mr. Fantastic, Iron Man, the Beast and more work tirelessly day and night in the labs on Titan to try and develop a cure. More and more of Mar-Vell's friends and even enemy's begin to venture to Titan to visit the ailing warrior, whom many consider to be a hero even to heroes.

Hopefully I won't offend anyone when I say that this is the best work Jim Starlin has ever done. I know that may not wash with some sci-fi and comic fans, but all I can say is read the book. This is by far the most heart wrenching and emotional story I've ever read in MAINSTEAM comics.

The art itself is wonderful. This puppy was made back when each page was actually colored by hand! And there was no need for perfect continuous tone. Each page itself is like a work of art, but without needing the hyper-realism of Alex Ross. The trained eye can recognize each spot where Starlin used marker, gouache, pen and ink, and the book looks better for it.

As for what happens, and whether the title prophesizes things to come all I can say is that you'll have to read it to fully appreciate it. Oh, and don't expect that old Thanos himself won't factor into the conclusion.
The Life and Death of Captain Marvel (Marvel Comics)

I love Marvel Comics for their quirky, outrageous, cosmic stories. Most of the time, they are so overblown and crazy that you just have to wonder what the writers were smoking at the time he wrote them. And they don't come quirkier or more outrageous than Jim Starlin and his 70's "cosmic-co-horts", Al Milgrom and Steve Englehart.

This TPB reprints the best of Starlin's run on Captain Marvel in the 70's (originally reprinted in "The Life of Captain Marvel") and the Graphic Novel (also by Starlin) "The Death of Captain Marvel". Oh yes, the first appearance of Thanos (Iron Man #55) is also included here - for those who love the rocky-faced Titan from all those "Infinity" crossovers! The high-points of this collection include the tale of Captain Marvel's acquiring "cosmic-awareness/consciousness", the Thanos War (involving the Cosmic Cube, the Titans and the Avengers) and finally the poignant story of Cap's death by cancer.

Read this and savour the delight of cosmic Marvel comics. They just don't make them like this anymore! And if you want more of the same, check out "Avengers:Kree-Skrull War", "Avengers:Celestial Madonna", "Avengers Forever" and "Infinity Gauntlet".

Thank you so much for getting back to me about my questions and sending it in a very timely fashion.

I have a first printing of this book, so hopefully Marvel has fixed the problems I'm about to discuss...

No hard sell necessary for the stories and art, right? Starlin was coming into his own in the first half of this book, and it's a wild, cosmic ride that's perfect for a 13 year old boy (the age I first saw these)... the art has some rough spots, but Starlin was still pretty young when he was doing these...

The downside to this is Marvel's horrible reproduction... the muddy look of the ink lines (particularly when you've seen the originals) is ugly and distracting... they really cheaped out on this collection!!! The second half fares a little better, but still not as good as the original GN... how could they not notice how bad the ink lines reproduced!?!?! The editor should be fired for allowing this mess to be published!!

Have been looking for this since the days when the series came out. Since i couldn't get the books, this is the next best thing. The best super hero of all time is dead, long live Captain Marvel.

A hero is ill, and despite all their power, the rest of the Marvel universe can do nothing to stop Mar-Vell from dying from cancer.

They all come to pay their respect to the brave warrior, including his archenmey, Thanos. This is really well done. So well done, in fact, that this is one character that has stayed dead.

In una nuova veste con colori sgargianti ecco raccolti i numeri di Capitan Marvel che vanno dal 25 al 34 (1972 - 1974)più un paio di extra (Iron man 55, Marvel feature 12)e l'albo unico intitolato "La morte di Capitan Marvel". Di quest'ultimo titolo parleremo in seguito, intanto diciamo che Jim Starlin viene incaricato alla sceneggiatura e alle matite del soldato Kree giunto sulla Terra per conquistarla ma che ne diviene il grande difensore dalle minacce aliene.
Membro dei Vendicatori, il suo alter ego civile è Rick Jones, col quale si scambia battendo assieme le "nega bande" che porta ai polsi. Gli episodi in questione vedono il nostro confrontarsi con Thanos, il titano pazzo che intende dominare l'universo tramite un cubo cosmico di inaudito potere.
Investito da una divinità cosmica di una non meglio definita "consapevolezza cosmica" che lo mette in contatto con l'intero creato, Marvel riuscirà a mandare a monte i piani dello squilibrato titano, ma poco tempo dopo, per salvare il pianeta, dovrà entrare in contatto e inalare una nuova tipologia di gas tossico, al quale sembra comunque immune.
Così si conclude la prima parte di questo volume da 300 pagine, che non aggiunge nulla di nuovo al supereroe se non una "cosmicità" che è il tipico marchio di fabbrica dello scrittore. Una carrellata, in definitiva, con un valore più storico e affettivo che narrativo.
La vera gemma di questa edizione è invece "La morte di Capitan Marvel", graphic novel del 1982 che dimostra una volta di più il valore di Starlin come narratore.
Anni dopo l'incidente col gas, Marvel scopre di essere malato di cancro per via di quella sostanza nociva. A nulla vale l'aiuto dei più potenti eroi della Terra e del sistema solare: uno dei più grandi campioni del cosmo è impotente di fronte al fato e si spegne tra l'affetto dei suoi amici.
La morte di un supereroe è oggigiorno una cosa piuttosto comune, ma raramente è stata ritratta al di fuori di un glorioso campo di battaglia, durante una lotta all'ultimo sangue per ciò in cui si crede.
Starlin dipinge invece una morte fin troppo triste e "umana" dell'eroe, niente scontri titanici ma il subdolo avanzare di un male incurabile.
Scadendo solo in minima parte nella retorica, l'autore ci presenta alcune tematiche toccanti e alcune domande fin troppo lecite: perché i potenti del mondo si arrabattano per accumulare armi e ad ammucchiare soldi per imprese futili, quando si potrebbe investire nella ricerca per debellare i mali dei nostri tempi? La domanda rimane senza risposta anche fra i geni del mondo Marvel.
Toccante, tristemente moderno, questo ultimo episodio vale da solo l'acquisto di questa pur notevole raccolta.