Thanos Rising (Marvel Now) Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Simone Bianchi
Publisher: Marvel Comics
From the moment we open our eyes into the world, unexpectedly every thing molds our destiny. This is true for Thanos. The Thanos we know recently has quite the decorated reputation. What if we are wrong? Can we truly see something human in a merciless brute who destroys planets and claims lives in his path? He decides who stays and who goes. Leaving a trail of tears and wrath at his feet.
This comic explores his origin; who he was leading to his destiny. At first, he was a child unlike any other innocent. Upon coming into his world his mother took one look at him and didn't want him. Constantly throughout his life he was swept under the rug and forgotten because he was different. Meaningless to his classmates and he found no one who wanted him. Until... a girl befriends him.
She sees his potential and accompanies him in his misfortune. She sends him to a cave to explore. Thanos convinces some classmates to come with. He is found days later after a freak accident that leaves his classmates dead. Naturally, everyone assumes he's to blame but this is not true. His friend plants a seed and manipulates his mind deeply seeping into the crevices of his mind a thirst. A hunger to figure out who he is and to pursue his love for science.
It grows internally to the point; the answers never come. He begins his quest for answers with animals at first feeling a link might exist but the questions go unanswered. Through deep persuasion, through his friend he turns his eyes on another source. As student's begin to go missing everyone suspects something sinister is lurking could it be Thanos? His experiments bring forth the first documented case of murder on Titan. Thanos begins to murder people left and right to figure out who he is. Yet, his experiments lead him to no answers. He finally turns his eyes on the least likely source...It isn't until he crosses the line of no return that he finally realizes he will never have those answers, answered. He was and always will be a monster that was painted into existence. Finally accepting this harsh truth he continues his journey elsewhere.
He turns his eyes to his friend from his youth and realizes through all this she never left his side. She was always there. He decides to try and win over her affections. After she rejects him he continues his quest into other worlds. His journey leads him to a insatiable path of blood lust with heavy emphasis on the lust. He schemes, he pillages, and slowly he becomes the very thing he was already assumed as. No matter the amount of "love" and rage he still feels this hollow emptiness. This never ending feeling of being completely alone. The life that continues to unravel is not the one Thanos had in mind. For her, his childhood friend anything to win her affection is justified. This never ending quest for blood seems to bring her closer but there is something bitterly familiar about her. He can't place it but when he does... the truth comes forward. There's a reason she has been there all along. Through every failure, through every tear she was his companion, and their sense of journey almost mirrors each other. For like Thanos she has a thirst for blood and unfortunately for him it's unquenchable. Will Thanos finally find love in his friend? Who will stop him?
It really painted a new perspective to me on Thanos. Quick read, solid illustrations, and deep writing. Thanos' story really plays on my empathy. You either live long to see yourself become the very thing people assume of you or you keep challenging those thoughts. Which will prove true for Thanos? You'll have to check this one out. Give this a read! 9/10
Comments