Writer: Donny Cates
Artist: Dylan Burnett
Letterer: VC's Clayton Cowles
Colorist: Antonio Fabela
Editor: Jordan D. White
Assistant Editor: Annalise Bissa
Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski
Cover Artist: Geoff Shaw
The Watcher narrates about Cosmic Ghost Rider and his decision to raise Thanos as a child, which has resulted in Cable and his Guardians of the Galaxy coming back in time to kill Thanos themselves. Galactus intervenes and kills all of the Guardians but Cable, who escapes into the timestream. He returns with a batch of Pym Particles that he uses to shrink Galactus, then proceeding to shoot him out into space. Cable disappears again, only to return with another group of heroes. Castle gives Baby Thanos to the Watcher and attacks the heroes, killing wave after wave of them as Cable continues to bring them from the future. Eventually Castle is overwhelmed and knocked unconscious.
When he wakes up, he sees Baby Thanos beating Cable to death with his own severed arm, having already killed the rest of the heroes. Castle stops the toddler and talks to Cable, who tries to tell him that the Thanos he raises turns out worse than before. Cable is then shot and killed by a new time traveler: an adult Thanos, wearing a Punisher shirt, who apologies to his "dad" for being late.
The Watcher narrates about Cosmic Ghost Rider and his decision to raise Thanos as a child, which has resulted in Cable and his Guardians of the Galaxy coming back in time to kill Thanos themselves. Galactus intervenes and kills all of the Guardians but Cable, who escapes into the timestream. He returns with a batch of Pym Particles that he uses to shrink Galactus, then proceeding to shoot him out into space. Cable disappears again, only to return with another group of heroes. Castle gives Baby Thanos to the Watcher and attacks the heroes, killing wave after wave of them as Cable continues to bring them from the future. Eventually Castle is overwhelmed and knocked unconscious.
When he wakes up, he sees Baby Thanos beating Cable to death with his own severed arm, having already killed the rest of the heroes. Castle stops the toddler and talks to Cable, who tries to tell him that the Thanos he raises turns out worse than before. Cable is then shot and killed by a new time traveler: an adult Thanos, wearing a Punisher shirt, who apologies to his "dad" for being late.
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| Cable, bodysliding since 1990. |
THE ROADMAP
Cosmic Ghost Rider's relationship with Galactus was revealed in Thanos (2017) # 16.
CHAIN REACTION
CHAIN REACTION
Cosmic Ghost Rider murders the Marvel Universe in an appropriately hilarious and brutal manner as the time travel shenanigans are ramped up to 11.
I can only imagine the manic glee that the creators must have experienced during the making of this comic, because it definitely shows on the page. Wild reimagined characters? Check. The blackest of humor? Check. Artwork that revels in the casual slaughter of beloved icons? Oh yes, double check. This comic throws so much shit against the wall, it's amazing how much of it actually sticks. Howard the Duck as the Juggernaut alone could have filled every page and still be excellent, but he's just the tip of the iceberg.
However, even though the absurdity is at the highest possible level, Cates is still able to ground the characters with unexpected moments of heartfelt pathos. In the middle of his hero massacre Castle laments about his dead wife and the Vietnam War, reminding you that yes, this IS still the Punisher. That was necessary, especially when he's spent the majority of the issue trying to show Thanos a better way than killing. Not every writer can strike that crucial balance with Cosmic Ghost Rider, as the "Destroys Marvel History" series illustrated horrifically.
Speaking of illustrations with a ham-fisted segue, the artwork by Dylan Burnett is perfect for this story. Not only does he unleash all the variant heroes, he shows them being annihilated in the most hilariously graphic ways. Like Cates, though, Burnett pulls off some stunning expression and detail work amidst the carnage. Cable visibly aging as he escapes each time and the eyes on Baby Thanos as he watches Castle work are small elements that add to the whole.
Each new issue of this mini just makes me more invested in it.
I can only imagine the manic glee that the creators must have experienced during the making of this comic, because it definitely shows on the page. Wild reimagined characters? Check. The blackest of humor? Check. Artwork that revels in the casual slaughter of beloved icons? Oh yes, double check. This comic throws so much shit against the wall, it's amazing how much of it actually sticks. Howard the Duck as the Juggernaut alone could have filled every page and still be excellent, but he's just the tip of the iceberg.
However, even though the absurdity is at the highest possible level, Cates is still able to ground the characters with unexpected moments of heartfelt pathos. In the middle of his hero massacre Castle laments about his dead wife and the Vietnam War, reminding you that yes, this IS still the Punisher. That was necessary, especially when he's spent the majority of the issue trying to show Thanos a better way than killing. Not every writer can strike that crucial balance with Cosmic Ghost Rider, as the "Destroys Marvel History" series illustrated horrifically.
Speaking of illustrations with a ham-fisted segue, the artwork by Dylan Burnett is perfect for this story. Not only does he unleash all the variant heroes, he shows them being annihilated in the most hilariously graphic ways. Like Cates, though, Burnett pulls off some stunning expression and detail work amidst the carnage. Cable visibly aging as he escapes each time and the eyes on Baby Thanos as he watches Castle work are small elements that add to the whole.
Each new issue of this mini just makes me more invested in it.
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| Parental guidance strongly suggested! |
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