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The Thanos Quest #1-2
The Thanos Quest
Thanos of Titan, the mad Eternal, has been released from Death's domain. In return, he's pledged to kill half the population of the universe. To do so, he sets out to secure the most powerful weapons in existence: the Infinity Gems!
Collects: Thanos Quest 1-2
Collects: Thanos Quest 1-2
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2012
103 people are currently reading
963 people want to read
About the author
Jim Starlin
1,334 books443 followersJames P. "Jim" Starlin is an American comic book writer and artist. With a career dating back to the early 1970s, he is best known for "cosmic" tales and space opera; for revamping the Marvel Comics characters Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock; and for creating or co-creating the Marvel characters Thanos and Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. Death and suicide are recurring themes in Starlin's work: Personifications of Death appeared in his Captain Marvel series and in a fill-in story for Ghost Rider; Warlock commits suicide by killing his future self; and suicide is a theme in a story he plotted and drew for The Rampaging Hulk magazine.
In the mid-1970s, Starlin contributed a cache of stories to the independently published science-fiction anthology Star Reach. Here he developed his ideas of God, death, and infinity, free of the restrictions of mainstream comics publishers' self-censorship arm, the Comics Code Authority. Starlin also drew "The Secret of Skull River", inked by frequent collaborator Al Milgrom, for Savage Tales #5 (July 1974).
When Marvel Comics wished to use the name of Captain Marvel for a new, different character,[citation needed] Starlin was given the rare opportunity to produce a one-shot story in which to kill off a main character. The Death of Captain Marvel became the first graphic novel published by the company itself. (
In the late 1980s, Starlin began working more for DC Comics, writing a number of Batman stories, including the four-issue miniseries Batman: The Cult (Aug.-Nov. 1988), and the storyline "Batman: A Death in the Family", in Batman #426-429 (Dec. 1988 – Jan. 1989), in which Jason Todd, the second of Batman's Robin sidekicks, was killed. The death was decided by fans, as DC Comics set up a hotline for readers to vote on as to whether or not Jason Todd should survive a potentially fatal situation. For DC he created Hardcore Station.
In the mid-1970s, Starlin contributed a cache of stories to the independently published science-fiction anthology Star Reach. Here he developed his ideas of God, death, and infinity, free of the restrictions of mainstream comics publishers' self-censorship arm, the Comics Code Authority. Starlin also drew "The Secret of Skull River", inked by frequent collaborator Al Milgrom, for Savage Tales #5 (July 1974).
When Marvel Comics wished to use the name of Captain Marvel for a new, different character,[citation needed] Starlin was given the rare opportunity to produce a one-shot story in which to kill off a main character. The Death of Captain Marvel became the first graphic novel published by the company itself. (
In the late 1980s, Starlin began working more for DC Comics, writing a number of Batman stories, including the four-issue miniseries Batman: The Cult (Aug.-Nov. 1988), and the storyline "Batman: A Death in the Family", in Batman #426-429 (Dec. 1988 – Jan. 1989), in which Jason Todd, the second of Batman's Robin sidekicks, was killed. The death was decided by fans, as DC Comics set up a hotline for readers to vote on as to whether or not Jason Todd should survive a potentially fatal situation. For DC he created Hardcore Station.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
March 24, 2018
As Marvel's crazy juggernaut, Infinity Wars is entering this realm to conquer the mortals and their wallets, I wanted to reacquaint with universe's favorite Mad Titan and his shenanigans concerning the infinity gems. I've read Thanos quest in 2017 as part of the excellent Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus, and Thanos Quest blew me away with its sly tricks, fantastic characterization and trippy artwork.
This comic book from 1990 tells Thanos's cosmic odyssey to find and win the six powerful soul gems from the hands of its powerful keepers. While each of the encounters and matches between Thanos and the keepers is fantastic, it was the mind-bending old school art and the shades of Thanos's character created by Jim Starlin that elevates this limited series to a classic status.
Even though Thanos is a rip off of Darkseid historically, The purple god is not a generic brutish bad guy in this story. With his physique, he has an appearance of a thug, yet he uses his wits to win the battles. While other generic cosmic villains seek power to rule everything, Thanos seeks it for his love... and that does put a smile on my face.
This is a must-read for any infinite wars fanatic as the story provides an insight into the true powers of Infinite/soul gems and gives you a close profile of the Mad Titan Thanos.
I did not force you to fight me. I gave you the chance to surrender the gem. You forced me into doing what I did. I had to be faithful to my nature.
For, after all, I'm THANOS.
This comic book from 1990 tells Thanos's cosmic odyssey to find and win the six powerful soul gems from the hands of its powerful keepers. While each of the encounters and matches between Thanos and the keepers is fantastic, it was the mind-bending old school art and the shades of Thanos's character created by Jim Starlin that elevates this limited series to a classic status.
Even though Thanos is a rip off of Darkseid historically, The purple god is not a generic brutish bad guy in this story. With his physique, he has an appearance of a thug, yet he uses his wits to win the battles. While other generic cosmic villains seek power to rule everything, Thanos seeks it for his love... and that does put a smile on my face.
This is a must-read for any infinite wars fanatic as the story provides an insight into the true powers of Infinite/soul gems and gives you a close profile of the Mad Titan Thanos.
February 4, 2021
In my opinion no one does a grand cosmic tale better that Jim Starlin. Beautiful art and this Infinity War prequel is a great read. Very recommended
April 5, 2018
One of my all-time favourites.
August 10, 2021
Me: What the hell is the deal with you, you potato-chin?
Thanos: Infinity is clay for me to mold—
Me: No, I know! I read the *bleep*ing comic! It was so good! A purple alien who wants to court Death shouldn't be allowed to be this strong and smart and sympathetic at once! Not to mention badass!
Thanos: Whose is all that badassery to claim but mine? For I am Thanos, and reality is my—
Me: SHUT UP!
Thanos: Infinity is clay for me to mold—
Me: No, I know! I read the *bleep*ing comic! It was so good! A purple alien who wants to court Death shouldn't be allowed to be this strong and smart and sympathetic at once! Not to mention badass!
Thanos: Whose is all that badassery to claim but mine? For I am Thanos, and reality is my—
Me: SHUT UP!
February 3, 2020
Buddy read with The Cavalier Nerd. Check out our discussion here: https://thecavaliernerd.com/2020/01/2...
June 27, 2021
Mad titan Thanos attempts to appease his gal pal Death by acquiring all six of the Infinity stones from the six Elders in the Marvel universe who have them in their possession. Starlin writes a really solid story and Ron Lim provides really good and spacey art to compliment.
I was always a big fan of baddie Thanos way before the Avengers movies were a thought so anything that comes out featuring him is a must read and buy for me.
It was interesting to see how Thanos was always a step ahead of each of the elders and to me this read more like a space noir drama with all the machinations, double crosses and deceits going on.
I was always a big fan of baddie Thanos way before the Avengers movies were a thought so anything that comes out featuring him is a must read and buy for me.
It was interesting to see how Thanos was always a step ahead of each of the elders and to me this read more like a space noir drama with all the machinations, double crosses and deceits going on.
April 29, 2019
Thanos. This character always amaze me with his intelligence.
November 13, 2017
4 1/2 stars
¡Qué buena historia!
En este tomo se cuenta como Thanos consigue las Gemas Alma, también conocidas como Gemas del Infinito. Thanos deberá derrotar a seis Primigenios para conseguirlas, y para ello se valdrá de sorprendentes estrategias que lo mostrarán como un personaje con más profundidad que un simple supervillano galáctico. Su motivación, su amor incondicional por la Muerte.
Grande Jim Starlin y muy bien por Ron Lim y el resto del equipo.
¡Qué buena historia!
En este tomo se cuenta como Thanos consigue las Gemas Alma, también conocidas como Gemas del Infinito. Thanos deberá derrotar a seis Primigenios para conseguirlas, y para ello se valdrá de sorprendentes estrategias que lo mostrarán como un personaje con más profundidad que un simple supervillano galáctico. Su motivación, su amor incondicional por la Muerte.
Grande Jim Starlin y muy bien por Ron Lim y el resto del equipo.
November 6, 2024
Romanian review: Este prima dată când citesc o bandă desenată Marvel și probabil că ar fi existat volume mai bune cu care să încep, dar am văzut acum câteva zile "Avengers: Infinity War" și mi-a plăcut atât de mult, încât simțeam nevoia să mai citesc ceva cu Thanos. Deși motivația lui Thanos din film este mai bună, el rămâne același villain carismatic și interesant pe care l-am văzut în film.
Am spus că probabil ar fi trebuit să încep cu altceva deoarece apar foarte multe personaje de care nu am auzit în viața mea. Să fiu sincer, cred că în cartea asta l-am recunoscut doar pe Thanos.
Un aspect negativ al cărții este faptul că Thanos obține mult prea ușor cele 6 infinity stones. Aș spune că intriga putea fi mai bine gândită, dar, oricum, povestea a fost foarte interesantă.
Mi-a plăcut foarte mult design-ul destul de vechi al acestei benzi desenate- a fost publicată în anii 90, iar desenele sunt foarte mișto realizate.
Sper să citesc în curând ''The Infinity Gauntlet'' și ''The Infinty War''. Presupun că, dacă voi întâlni personajele cu care sunt familiar din filme, îmi vor plăcea mai mult.
English review: This is my first time reading a Marvel comic, and there were probably better volumes to start with, but after watching "Avengers: Infinity War" a few days ago and loving it so much, I felt the need to read something else with Thanos in it. Although Thanos’s motivation in the movie is better, he’s still the same charismatic and interesting villain from the film.
I mentioned that I might have started with the wrong comic because there are so many characters I’d never heard of before. To be honest, in this book, I think the only character I recognized was Thanos.
One downside of the comic is that Thanos acquires the six infinity stones way too easily. I’d say the plot could have been better developed, but regardless, the story was very engaging.
I really enjoyed the classic design of this comic—it was published in the ’90s, and the drawings are really well done.
I hope to read "The Infinity Gauntlet" and "The Infinity War" soon. I assume that if I come across more familiar characters from the movies, I’ll enjoy them more.
Am spus că probabil ar fi trebuit să încep cu altceva deoarece apar foarte multe personaje de care nu am auzit în viața mea. Să fiu sincer, cred că în cartea asta l-am recunoscut doar pe Thanos.
Un aspect negativ al cărții este faptul că Thanos obține mult prea ușor cele 6 infinity stones. Aș spune că intriga putea fi mai bine gândită, dar, oricum, povestea a fost foarte interesantă.
Mi-a plăcut foarte mult design-ul destul de vechi al acestei benzi desenate- a fost publicată în anii 90, iar desenele sunt foarte mișto realizate.
Sper să citesc în curând ''The Infinity Gauntlet'' și ''The Infinty War''. Presupun că, dacă voi întâlni personajele cu care sunt familiar din filme, îmi vor plăcea mai mult.
English review: This is my first time reading a Marvel comic, and there were probably better volumes to start with, but after watching "Avengers: Infinity War" a few days ago and loving it so much, I felt the need to read something else with Thanos in it. Although Thanos’s motivation in the movie is better, he’s still the same charismatic and interesting villain from the film.
I mentioned that I might have started with the wrong comic because there are so many characters I’d never heard of before. To be honest, in this book, I think the only character I recognized was Thanos.
One downside of the comic is that Thanos acquires the six infinity stones way too easily. I’d say the plot could have been better developed, but regardless, the story was very engaging.
I really enjoyed the classic design of this comic—it was published in the ’90s, and the drawings are really well done.
I hope to read "The Infinity Gauntlet" and "The Infinity War" soon. I assume that if I come across more familiar characters from the movies, I’ll enjoy them more.
April 15, 2018
This one has got some mad artwork! I never thought I’d like a villain such as Thanos in my life, but this comic made me feel for him. Great characterisation that shows not only the kind of scheming thug that he is, but also his wit and love for Death. Cannot wait to read Infinity Gauntlet.
June 23, 2017
The Art is beyond compare. Space looks extraordinary. Thanos is a brilliant character. The world building is top notch. Love epic!
April 17, 2019
Timeless classic. The prequel to the Infinity Saga. Must read. The artwork, world and character building is amazing.
March 2, 2025
Hard to believe it’s been 35 years since I’ve read this. It’s actually better than I remember it being. I think my initial reading was tainted by the disappointment that Starlin hadn’t done the art as well as the writing. Now, as I’m reading it as included in the The Infinity Gauntlet Prologue volume, it’s place in continuity makes much more sense and I am fully enjoying the narrative. On the other hand, the second half of the narrative is not as good as the first half, so I suppose it balances out. In any case, it is still wonderfully entertaining.
April 11, 2019
With the recent successes in both comic and film, I wanted to go back to experience the origins of the Gems and the Gauntlet. Starlin comes through, as always, with this first quest to gather the true power of the universe...
Thanos, recently resurrected by Death herself, is given a task to eliminate half the population of the universe. After staring into the Well of Infinity, he learns that his task can be achieved MUCH faster if he gathers all six Infinity Gems (Note: They are originally called Soul Gems, then, as Thanos realizes their powers are different, he dubs them Infinity Gems.). She gives him permission and he sets out.
As he gathers them, most of the beings don't understand their true powers as Thanos takes them.
Soul - Stolen from the In-Betweener when his powers vanish after being "freed" from his prison by Thanos
Power - Bartered from the Champion of the Universe when Thanos tricks him into destroying the planet he is on, stranding him. Thanos will give him a ride to the nearest inhabited planet for the price of the Gem.
Time - Taken from The Gardener by using the Power Gem to overpower The Gardener's control over his Gem.
Space - Taken from The Runner by using the Time Gem to make him incredibly old and slow.
Reality - Bartered from The Collector by bringing him an infant version of The Runner for his collection
Mind - Tricked from The Grandmaster by using the Gems to alter the game they are playing for possession of the Gem.
With all 6 in hand, he goes off to take his place at Death's side, but while she allows him to do so, she will not treat him as equal because he far surpasses her power and she claims to be his servant, angering him. It is at this place where we pick up the classic story of the "Infinity Gauntlet".
Really loved seeing how Thanos originally got the Gems. Pretty much know where the Gems go from there, but seeing his conniving and plotting shows how great of a villain Thanos really is.
High recommend.
Thanos, recently resurrected by Death herself, is given a task to eliminate half the population of the universe. After staring into the Well of Infinity, he learns that his task can be achieved MUCH faster if he gathers all six Infinity Gems (Note: They are originally called Soul Gems, then, as Thanos realizes their powers are different, he dubs them Infinity Gems.). She gives him permission and he sets out.
As he gathers them, most of the beings don't understand their true powers as Thanos takes them.
Soul - Stolen from the In-Betweener when his powers vanish after being "freed" from his prison by Thanos
Power - Bartered from the Champion of the Universe when Thanos tricks him into destroying the planet he is on, stranding him. Thanos will give him a ride to the nearest inhabited planet for the price of the Gem.
Time - Taken from The Gardener by using the Power Gem to overpower The Gardener's control over his Gem.
Space - Taken from The Runner by using the Time Gem to make him incredibly old and slow.
Reality - Bartered from The Collector by bringing him an infant version of The Runner for his collection
Mind - Tricked from The Grandmaster by using the Gems to alter the game they are playing for possession of the Gem.
With all 6 in hand, he goes off to take his place at Death's side, but while she allows him to do so, she will not treat him as equal because he far surpasses her power and she claims to be his servant, angering him. It is at this place where we pick up the classic story of the "Infinity Gauntlet".
Really loved seeing how Thanos originally got the Gems. Pretty much know where the Gems go from there, but seeing his conniving and plotting shows how great of a villain Thanos really is.
High recommend.
May 6, 2017
Like all of Starlin and Lim's Marvel epics, Thanos Quest is quite a spectacular installment in the long running saga of Marvel's most powerful super villain. What always catches me off guard in all of the Thanos tales is his reliance on logic, willpower, and imagination over brute force when engaging with his cosmic foes, something numerous other comic villains tend to go the other way on, and it makes for one of the fresher plots in the Marvel canon. Bolstered by some of the most beautiful artwork, Thanos Quest makes for a fantastic addition to the titular character's mythology.
April 20, 2019
4.5/5.0.
La búsqueda de Thanos por las seis gemas del infinito comienza aquí y me ha encantado. Lo único que me ha disgustado es que en ningún momento sientes que él llega a correr un gran peligro, incluso con el poder de sus némesis, sabes que los derrotará fácilmente.
La búsqueda de Thanos por las seis gemas del infinito comienza aquí y me ha encantado. Lo único que me ha disgustado es que en ningún momento sientes que él llega a correr un gran peligro, incluso con el poder de sus némesis, sabes que los derrotará fácilmente.
March 30, 2019
De los pocos cómics antiguos que han envejecido bien.
May 3, 2018
Releído a causa de la última película de Márvel, para ver a uno de los villanos más complejos del universo infinito.
September 28, 2018
The Book where you start to appreciate Thanos as the Power Hungry, Death Loving, masterful tactitian he is, more than the Infinity Gauntlet saga does. Super recommended.
January 11, 2019
Still hate that purple grape.
September 30, 2019
This comic is very significant in the history of Marvel Publications as it leads to the gigantic and supper coloring story or eh infinity gauntlet, The infinity War and Infinity Crusade, this a where the seeds of Thanos' cosmic domination are sown and it works very well for me. I enjoyed this comic so much, watching Thanos go about on his personal quest to putrid the universe of it's scum and outhink the wierldders of the Infinity Stones (yes, the gems also get their individual name and introduction in this comic so holds the significance) with his intellectual prowess. Sorry for my expression but I wasn't aware that the comic artists held science and is theories with great respect and scrutinized them and embedded the scientific terminology in the comics. It really is a great work and the artwork on this is just stunning, for a comic written in the early 90's this is indeed a masterpiece of art and writing combined with great characters that will surely I down in history as the greatest fictional personas ever. The reason this comic outdoes itself is because the art paired with a great storyline with a very popular villainous diety out to grab all the power the universe has to offer and I'm all for it. Jim Starling deserves a lot more popularity, credit and attention. The full page art paired with the edgy and hardcore dialogues by the Titan just seal the deal, I'll be continuing the exploits of the mad Titan in the infinity Gauntlet as soon as I'm done writing this. Nice Reading!
November 15, 2018
Thanos busca y encuentra y se apodera de todas las piedras del infinito , todo para tratar de complacer a la muerte, de la que esta enamorado, pero al final se da cuenta que todo su esfuerzo no es recompensado como se merece porque el poder que asimila con las piedras es superior al de la muerte y esta lo ve como un ser supremo y por logica no es digna ni siquiera de hablarle directamente.
No me gustó la trama, ni la facilidad con la que derrota a los arcanos, no es un Quest porque nunca estuvo en desventaja todo parece muy facil para thanos, ademas lo deja con el final abierto, que es algo que detesto en este tipo de historias.
No me gustó la trama, ni la facilidad con la que derrota a los arcanos, no es un Quest porque nunca estuvo en desventaja todo parece muy facil para thanos, ademas lo deja con el final abierto, que es algo que detesto en este tipo de historias.
August 11, 2019
Omawiana pozycja to tak naprawdę prolog do większego wydarzenia jakim jest Infinity Saga. Czuć tu trochę naftaliną, ale sam dwuczęściowy komiks czyta się przyjemnie, mimo wszechobecnych archaizmów.
Thanos, Szalony Tytan. Niegdyś pokonany i zgładzony, wraca raz jeszcze za sprawą Śmierci. Fioletowo gęby jest w niej "szaleńczo" zakochany, dlatego za zgodą wybranki rusza w podróż, której celem jest zebranie sześciu kamieni nieskończoności...
Byłem zdziwiony, bo momentami komiks jest dość brutalny, ale i pomysłowy. Każdy z kamieni jest w posiadaniu innego potężnego bytu. Thanos będzie musiał wysilić nie tylko swoje muskuły, ale i szare komórki. W wstyd przyznać, ale w tym miejscu skrycie mu kibicowałem. W końcu któż nie chciałby zaimponować wybrance serca...
Dalej się nie będę już rozwodził nad fabułą, bo warto ją samemu ogarnąć. Komiks ma swoje wady, wynikające z wieku, ale warto dać szansę temu staruszkowi. By zobaczyć "jak to kiedyś robiono".
Thanos, Szalony Tytan. Niegdyś pokonany i zgładzony, wraca raz jeszcze za sprawą Śmierci. Fioletowo gęby jest w niej "szaleńczo" zakochany, dlatego za zgodą wybranki rusza w podróż, której celem jest zebranie sześciu kamieni nieskończoności...
Byłem zdziwiony, bo momentami komiks jest dość brutalny, ale i pomysłowy. Każdy z kamieni jest w posiadaniu innego potężnego bytu. Thanos będzie musiał wysilić nie tylko swoje muskuły, ale i szare komórki. W wstyd przyznać, ale w tym miejscu skrycie mu kibicowałem. W końcu któż nie chciałby zaimponować wybrance serca...
Dalej się nie będę już rozwodził nad fabułą, bo warto ją samemu ogarnąć. Komiks ma swoje wady, wynikające z wieku, ale warto dać szansę temu staruszkowi. By zobaczyć "jak to kiedyś robiono".
Read
January 29, 2024This was an interesting read. I originally watched someone do a retelling of this story over YouTube back when I was living at the dorms at USU, in 2014. I was really obsessed with the Marvel Universe for a long time. This is a story about how Thanos got the Infinity Gems in the first place, or how they call it in the comic at the beginning the Soul Gems. It is nothing even close to how Thanos got it in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it is a good story. It shows that Thanos is very smart, and not just a strong bodied man.
January 8, 2018
Awesome Thanos tale about how he gathers the Infinity Stones. This could have been spread out over 6 issues instead of 2, a tale for each stone, however, in the brief story, you capture the essence of Thanos, his scheming, his engineering, his madness... This is the perfect lead-in to Infinity Gauntlet, and a great precursor to the MCU Infinity War for anyone interested in reading the source material prior to the movie coming out.
January 20, 2018
Thanos would do anything for love
The quest for the Infinity Gauntlet begin with a single goal: to convince a woman to love a man. For all of his scheming and cleverness, Thanos's true desire is the love of a good woman. Learn of how the mad Titan won each Infinity Stone from some of the eldest and most dangerous beings in the Marvel Universe. Share in his triumph and prepare yourself for the battle that is coming next.
The quest for the Infinity Gauntlet begin with a single goal: to convince a woman to love a man. For all of his scheming and cleverness, Thanos's true desire is the love of a good woman. Learn of how the mad Titan won each Infinity Stone from some of the eldest and most dangerous beings in the Marvel Universe. Share in his triumph and prepare yourself for the battle that is coming next.
May 4, 2018
I read this classic comic from 1990 in preparation for Avengers: Infinity War. I never read much on the Infinity Gauntlet or that whole story line. I plant to read through the rest of the Saga, but this first, two-part graphic novel was amazing. The artwork was really awesome. I love the cosmic Marvel comics and this one has such a huge scope. I really loved seeing what motivates Thanos and how clever he is. I can't wait to tackle the rest.
June 17, 2018
A nice fast read and an interesting one for anyone who hasn't read a Thanos book but has seen Infinity War. How this simple yet complicated story of a man on a mission to impress someone he loves could get so expansive in the cinematic universe just by making the characters who possess the gems different, and the motivation behind Thanos's quest broader on film, is why I'm endlessly fascinated with the MCU.
May 9, 2019
Horrible. Can I give it negative stars?
100% Marvel style:
* Shameful plot.
* Ridiculous characters.
* Dudes full of themselves.
* Awesome, awesome, awesome.... more awesome than you!... and that's all I do! you, not-as-awesome as I AM. Look at me, I'm AWESOME. ...probably the best way to describe 90% or Marvel comics. Ugh...
After reading this, I'm not sure of wasting time to read the Infinity Gauntlet saga.... pffffff.....
100% Marvel style:
* Shameful plot.
* Ridiculous characters.
* Dudes full of themselves.
* Awesome, awesome, awesome.... more awesome than you!... and that's all I do! you, not-as-awesome as I AM. Look at me, I'm AWESOME. ...probably the best way to describe 90% or Marvel comics. Ugh...
After reading this, I'm not sure of wasting time to read the Infinity Gauntlet saga.... pffffff.....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews