CosmicBookNews.com - Quasar, Cosmos In Collision Review

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Cosmos In Collision – A Review in 8 Parts

By Will Allred • 3/13/09

Overview

Quasar #19
Cosmos In Collision Part I
Feb 1991

Cosmos in Collision is simply the best cosmic epic that Marvel has produced in its 70-year publishing history.

No hype.

No exceptions.

No joke.

Not to take anything away from Annihilation, Infinity Gauntlet, or any of the various other cosmic stories that have thrilled readers over the years, but they simply don’t measure up. And while many of these other cosmic epics are indeed excellent stories, Cosmos is simply better.

Cosmos In Collision was published in Quasar #’s 19 – 25 (February, 1991 – August, 1991). Mark Gruenwald was the writer and talented rookie penciller Greg Capullo was teamed with veteran inker Keith Williams on art. Interestingly, this team would stay together for the entire epic…something not really seen today as creators seem to move from title to title fast enough to make your head spin. This team was also responsible for Quasar #18, an issue not officially part of the Cosmos In Collision, but absolutely vital from a plot standpoint as we’ll see in subsequent parts of this review.

My simply stating that CIC is the best doesn’t necessarily make it so, but I do intend to back that claim up, in part with this overview, but also with in-depth examinations of all seven parts of Gru’s cosmic epic. What makes CIC so great, though? Well, great writing and great art is the short answer.

The longer answer starts now.

Quasar #2
"Destiny Amidst The Ruins"
Nov 1989

The writing stands as the best work of his long career. These seven issues are tightly and intricately plotted and masterfully paced. Actually it’s not just these issues, Gru introduced plot elements as far back as Quasar #2 that pay-off during CIC some 20 issues later. This shows how much care and planning went into the series. CIC is the culmination of plots and characterization that were built upon for 18 issues…since the very beginning of the series. The progression of the plot shows a master at work as he carefully builds tension and shows the readers dramatic reversals and surprising reveals…all while utilizing the rich mythology of the Marvel Universe. Not only was the plotting top-notch, but the character development is also impressive. Gru really puts Quasar through the ringer as the Cosmic Assassin’s plans unfold, and Wendell Vaughn emerges a stronger, more three-dimensional character for it.

Gru wasn’t the only one at the top of his game, Greg Capullo and Keith Williams turned in some breathtaking artwork. Capullo excelled not just during CIC, but throughout his entire association with the title…especially when teamed with inker Harry Candelario. Here, Capullo and Williams utilized a nice, clean style with very strong panel-to-panel storytelling. Capullo, I think, doesn’t get enough credit for his page design. CIC contains some innovative page design that greatly enhances the story while never interrupting its panel-to-panel flow. Capullo and Williams contributed art that, when combined with Gru’s writing, actually created something greater than the sum of its parts.

Now, if only Marvel would issue this story as a trade paperback, a hardcover, an Essential, or some form of collected edition, then today’s readers would have a chance to see for themselves just how amazing this story really is. In the meantime, I hope to give those who have yet to read it a reason to search out those issues and immerse themselves in a truly cosmic epic and, for those who have already enjoyed the Cosmos In Collision, perhaps inspire a re-read.

Will

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