Quasar, Cosmos In Collision Part 6 - Issue 24

Mar

Cosmos In Collision Part 6 – Issue #24

By Will Allred • Monday 3/23/09

Quasar #24
Cosmos In Collision Part 6
July 1991

Quasar Issue #24
Cosmos In Collision - Part 6
"Maelstrom Manifest"
July 1991

Writer: Mark Gruenwald
Penciler: Greg Capullo
Inker: Keith Williams
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Paul Becton

Quasar #24 begins with another great cover by Capullo showcasing Maelstrom with a bevy of cosmic characters set against a swirling energy maelstrom. It's a really nice shot of him as he symbolically makes his grab for ultimate power in the Universe. Capullo and Williams having Quasar appear so small (and still handless) works well with what's going on inside the book since he’s working behind the scenes and not facing Maelstrom directly...at least until the end. Also, the size discrepancy accurately represents the relative power of the two characters.

The prologue shows us Maelstrom contacting Unbeing and thanking him for temporarily unmaking Quasar. It also explains how he had taken over the Stromberg Estate and why. Now, that's it for the prologues...Gru used them perfectly to fill in all the blanks, and they've done their job well. From here on out, it's Quasar against Maelstrom for the sake of the Universe.

Maelstrom and Deathurge encounter Uatu (Earth’s Watcher) who beseeches Maelstrom to reconsider his plan. Maelstrom quantum-jumps away to set his plan, the collapse of the Universe, into motion.

Gru then cuts back to the beleaguered Earth. Internal tidal stresses have not yet torn the planet apart due to the efforts of Doctor Strange and a group of power mystics, but the strain is incredible, and they cannot maintain the stability for very long.

Back to Maelstrom, he finally begins his endgame by creating a super-massive black hole that will ultimately consume the Universe.

And finally, we learn what happened to Quasar. He jumped into the Quantum Zone because his Cosmic Awareness indicated it was the course of action that would allow him to figure out how to stop Maelstrom. While here, though, he encounters someone…someone whose identity will be revealed after a quick cut back to Maelstrom.

Maelstrom, supremely confident now that the Universe is collapsing, visits some of the most powerful cosmic beings in the Marvel Universe in order to taunt them. Again, this is Gru allowing his characters to show why they are so compelling. Maelstrom is a sadistic, evil man, and his acquisition of power hasn’t changed that fact. It’s just allowed him to be sadistic to much, much more powerful beings. Maelstrom visits and taunts Galactus, Thanos (with the Infinity Gauntlet) and Mephisto, and the Celestials. The encounter with Thanos is particularly compelling and well written. As Maelstrom approaches Thanos, he thinks to himself,

      "Still, I dare not dismiss him as an obsessive eccentric.
      The Infinity Gems in his possession may well surpass the power of the
      Quantum-Bands...provided Thanos was adept in their use...!

Gru establishes just how powerful the Quantum-Bands truly are here. He then has Maelstrom antagonize Thanos into blasting him, something he survives easily. Thanos shouts at him,

“Insolent speck!

God is everything and I am god!”

Maelstrom’s parting words to Thanos are wonderful,

“In that case, Thanos, you’ve just met an atheist.”

Beautiful! Gru has Maelstrom dismiss Thanos with style and in a manner that leaves Mephisto visibly shaken.

Quasar #24
Page 22

While Maelstrom is busy taunting and gloating, Quasar encounters Infinity in the Quantum Zone. She explains that she is the reason that he still survives. I love the infinite look given to Infinity. Those extra lines are like infinite reflections...a really neat way to depict her. She charges Quasar with ending Maelstrom’s threat and saving the Universe, and Wendell thanks her for the chance to redeem himself.

Maelstrom immediately attacks Quasar as he tries to stop the super-massive black hole, knocking both of them past the event horizon. They struggle until Quasar accelerates the collapse, crushing Maelstrom into oblivion. Now, however, the problem has become worse...the collapse is speeding up.

This is another great cliff-hanger ending from Gru, one that ups the stakes to the max as the very fate of the Universe hangs in the balance. Quasar is no murderer so I love the poetic justice of Maelstrom being killed by the black hole that he created. Also, Gru doesn’t end CIC in a conventional manner. Here the villain has been defeated, but the threat still remains. This issue is a standout. Gru deftly balances plot, backstory, character, and a surprising reveal.

Will

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