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Thanos: Infinity Abyss #1-6
Thanos: Infinity Abyss
Spider-Man. Dr. Strange. Adam Warlock. Pip the Troll. Captain Marvel. Five classic costumed champions, whose combined strength can move planets and change the course of time itself. What threat could be dire enough to bring these heroes together? Only the most feared villain in the entire Thanos. For the vengeful Eternal seeks not only the death of his enemies -- he seeks the death of life itself. If Thanos attains his goal, the entire universe will face complete annihilation. INFINITY ABYSS follows in the legendary tradition of Jim Starlin's acclaimed INFINITY trilogy. Each of these cosmic epics features exciting heroic adventures on a fantastic scale. Compared to Hollywood blockbusters with limited special-effects budgets, INFINITY ABYSS has no boundaries -- showcasing Jim Starlin's wondrous imagination without limits.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
14 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Jim Starlin
1,336 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 42 reviews
January 21, 2025
The first of Jim Starlin's 21st century return to Thanos and Adam Warlock and the cosmic mythos.
A lot of fun, even if his art is a bit dated at this point. There are Thanos clones and Spider-Man is there, even the new Captain Marvel of the time who was a great character
A lot of fun, even if his art is a bit dated at this point. There are Thanos clones and Spider-Man is there, even the new Captain Marvel of the time who was a great character
April 12, 2018
Loved it. And I love Starlin!
So fun to read. And the way he's telling the story, and joins Thano's history from previous appearances even those he didn't write himself, it's so good.
Recommended if you're a fan of Thanos or cosmic stuff.
So fun to read. And the way he's telling the story, and joins Thano's history from previous appearances even those he didn't write himself, it's so good.
Recommended if you're a fan of Thanos or cosmic stuff.
May 25, 2018
Thanos: Infinity Abyss is truly abysmal. Ha! Goodnight, folks!
No, seriously, out of all the Thanos books I've been reading in recent months, this one could be alternately titled The Infinity Doozy. The tone and never-ceasing narration are nauseating. It's just SOOO many meaningless words piled on top of brightly colored scenes featuring unlikely characters throughout. I was able to read it mostly through issue 5, and then flipped through the last chapter, confirming that I was missing precisely nothing.
Just do yourself a favor and skip this one unless you're the most hardcore fan of Thanos, Adam Warlock, and cosmic gibberish.
No, seriously, out of all the Thanos books I've been reading in recent months, this one could be alternately titled The Infinity Doozy. The tone and never-ceasing narration are nauseating. It's just SOOO many meaningless words piled on top of brightly colored scenes featuring unlikely characters throughout. I was able to read it mostly through issue 5, and then flipped through the last chapter, confirming that I was missing precisely nothing.
Just do yourself a favor and skip this one unless you're the most hardcore fan of Thanos, Adam Warlock, and cosmic gibberish.
February 23, 2017
Jim Starlin is an awesome writer. how he combined all those superheroes togrthrr and produced a story that isn't just coherent but fluid is one hell of a marvel. Thanks and his five replicants, Gamora, Strange, Adam, Spiderman, Captain Marvel, Pip the troll, Moondragon, all vome together to give a beautiful story.
this was a fun delightful read.
this was a fun delightful read.
March 6, 2014
Disappointing would be an understatement. It was just. . . not good. A plodding plot with no surprises, overwrought dialogue, and empty characters. It would get one star but the art had some bright spots. This book reminds me of the things I don't like about comic books.
November 10, 2025
This came across as more coherent than some of Starlin's Thanos material. Thanos has made clones of himself and given them different powers based on other Marvel heroes, but then they escape and decide to try to end the universe. Thanos recruits some Earth heroes to stop them.
Starlin's art is always great, and this story was fairly easy to follow most of the time. One of the better Thanos stories.
Starlin's art is always great, and this story was fairly easy to follow most of the time. One of the better Thanos stories.
December 31, 2017
After the third part of his Infinity Saga (The Infinity Crusade Vol. 1 and Vol. 2), Jim Starlin continued his association with Adam Warlock et al a while longer (through the remaining issues of The Warlock Chronicles, the Silver Surfer and Warlock: Resurrection mini-series (which he also drew) and up until issue #31 (I believe it was) of Warlock and the Infinity Watch (which then went on for another 11 issues before cancellation), before leaving Marvel behind for a while, yet again.
In 2002, he once more returned to the Marvel characters with whom he has become synonymous to many fans (Adam Warlock and Thanos of Titan) in this six-part mini-series, which he both wrote and pencilled (with Al Milgrom on inking duty), and the result is quite frankly much, much better than I remembered it. Because truth to be told, when I decided to reread this (in order to bridge the gap between some cosmic Marvel comics that I have only recently picked), I had no real recollection of what this series was about (so it obviously did not have a huge impact on me the first time around, though I am sure I appreciated it (enough to pick up the sequel, of sorts, at any rate)). However, after having re-read the original Infinity Saga in recent years, and having been gradually less impressed (though none of the three parts are bad), this story centring around Adam Warlock (who also narrates the story) and also Thanos himself, really brings Starlin's Marvel touch back to the greatness of not only The Infinity Gauntlet but, even more importantly, his original run on Warlock back in the 70s ( Marvel Masterworks: Warlock, Vol. 2 ).
The fact that Starlin has once more taken on pencilling duty certainly does not hurt in this regard, and definitely adds to the sensation of an almost direct continuity with that good old stuff.
So what is it about then? Well, I do not want to spoil the plot, but let us suffice to say that weird intrusions of nothingness into the Marvel universe starts to be noticed by various characters – including Dr. Strange, Captain Marvel, and Spider-Man – and that organised nihilists seem to be involved in the action. What is the role of Thanos of Titan in this mystery? Has he reverted to his old nihilist ways? And what about Adam Warlock, lost (yet again) in his pupa stage?
This is classic cosmic Starlin action, thought-provoking and often surprisingly subtle, given the epic scale of the narrative. Highly recommended!
In 2002, he once more returned to the Marvel characters with whom he has become synonymous to many fans (Adam Warlock and Thanos of Titan) in this six-part mini-series, which he both wrote and pencilled (with Al Milgrom on inking duty), and the result is quite frankly much, much better than I remembered it. Because truth to be told, when I decided to reread this (in order to bridge the gap between some cosmic Marvel comics that I have only recently picked), I had no real recollection of what this series was about (so it obviously did not have a huge impact on me the first time around, though I am sure I appreciated it (enough to pick up the sequel, of sorts, at any rate)). However, after having re-read the original Infinity Saga in recent years, and having been gradually less impressed (though none of the three parts are bad), this story centring around Adam Warlock (who also narrates the story) and also Thanos himself, really brings Starlin's Marvel touch back to the greatness of not only The Infinity Gauntlet but, even more importantly, his original run on Warlock back in the 70s ( Marvel Masterworks: Warlock, Vol. 2 ).
The fact that Starlin has once more taken on pencilling duty certainly does not hurt in this regard, and definitely adds to the sensation of an almost direct continuity with that good old stuff.
So what is it about then? Well, I do not want to spoil the plot, but let us suffice to say that weird intrusions of nothingness into the Marvel universe starts to be noticed by various characters – including Dr. Strange, Captain Marvel, and Spider-Man – and that organised nihilists seem to be involved in the action. What is the role of Thanos of Titan in this mystery? Has he reverted to his old nihilist ways? And what about Adam Warlock, lost (yet again) in his pupa stage?
This is classic cosmic Starlin action, thought-provoking and often surprisingly subtle, given the epic scale of the narrative. Highly recommended!
February 12, 2016
Another installment in the Infinity mini series. Fantastic art and story by two greats. Very recommended
May 2, 2019
This number 12 of 18 books in the "Infinity Gauntlet" series. I love that Thanos is back as the central foe in the storyline but this time it's in a unique way. Thanos makes drones of himself and then someone adds a piece of code in the drones that can destroy the Universe. Thanos is trying to defeat versions himself that takes his beliefs and ideology further than he can imagine. I find it fascinating how Marvel uses someone as "evil" as Thanos to save the Universe, and this was not the first time Thanos has been called to do so.
It makes me think if in "reality" there are times where we must unite with "evil" for the overall common good. There are times in history were good has united with "evil" to combat a "worse evil." It interesting to think about and it is why I have grown to love comics because I am now having this ethical conversation in mind after reading this graphic novel. Another thing I enjoyed was seeing Spider-man play a big role through the storyline, which he has had rare appearances throughout the series.
It makes me think if in "reality" there are times where we must unite with "evil" for the overall common good. There are times in history were good has united with "evil" to combat a "worse evil." It interesting to think about and it is why I have grown to love comics because I am now having this ethical conversation in mind after reading this graphic novel. Another thing I enjoyed was seeing Spider-man play a big role through the storyline, which he has had rare appearances throughout the series.
April 17, 2018
Infinity Abyss was a really fun, short read. I didn't have to read any tie-in issues, or worry about keeping track of the usual groupings of characters that stand around a lot and get into pointless fights. It fixes most of the problems that riddled both Infinity War and Infinity Crusade so it's all round better than those events.
Economy of plot threads and characters aside, the basic premise of the saga is a fun one. Cosmic actors have manipulated Thanos' own experiments to turn on him. Again we get glimpses of personality and into the core motivation of Thanos that are tantalizing. Mr Starlin returns to exploring the two characters - Warlock and Thanos - that he seems to love best.
A worthwhile read, goes some way in undoing the aftertaste of the rather mediocre Infinity Crusade
Economy of plot threads and characters aside, the basic premise of the saga is a fun one. Cosmic actors have manipulated Thanos' own experiments to turn on him. Again we get glimpses of personality and into the core motivation of Thanos that are tantalizing. Mr Starlin returns to exploring the two characters - Warlock and Thanos - that he seems to love best.
A worthwhile read, goes some way in undoing the aftertaste of the rather mediocre Infinity Crusade
June 6, 2023
Infinity kitapları arasındaki okuduğum en kötü hikaye. Gereksiz uzatılmış laf kalabalıkları, bitmek bilmeyen anlatıcı metinleri, içi boş karakterler ve dahası bu kitapta mevcut. Anlatıcı kullanımı önceki infinity kitaplarının çıktığı dönemde çizgi romanların kullandığı bir şeydi fakat bu kitap 2002'de yazıldı. Anlatıcı kullanan hikayeler vardıysa bile hem sayıca epey azalmışlardı hem de durmak bilmeden yaptıklarını hiç sanmıyorum. Spider-Man bu hikayede niye vardı? Nihilizm duymaktan gına geldi şu kitabı okurken. Sanki bir çocuk bir yerlerden duymuş da diline dolamış gibi hissettim okurken. Thanos'un klonlarının olduğu ve darmadağınık yazılmış bir hikaye. Bitirmek için kendimi zorlamam gerekti.
September 4, 2025
Dopo Infinity Crusade (discreta, ma nulla di più) mi aspettavo di peggio. Invece, sono rimasto piacevolmente sorpreso.
In questa serie, cinque cloni di Thanos, tra i tanti che egli aveva creato tempo addietro e che si sono liberati, possedendo gli stessi ideali nichilistici che un tempo animavano il loro creatore, intendono causare l'annichilimento della stessa realtà.
Sebbene non ai livelli dei suoi lavori migliori, Infinity Abyss riesce a offrire una trama intrigante e che sicuramente può ben risultare di gradimento ai fan di Adam Warlock, Thanos e compagnia cantante (non scordiamoci del buon Pip, di Gamora e della sempre accigliata Dragoluna).
Inoltre, personaggi centrali della miniserie sono anche l'Uomo Ragno, Genis-Vell, Doctor Strange e... una famiglia di campagna?
In questa serie, cinque cloni di Thanos, tra i tanti che egli aveva creato tempo addietro e che si sono liberati, possedendo gli stessi ideali nichilistici che un tempo animavano il loro creatore, intendono causare l'annichilimento della stessa realtà.
Sebbene non ai livelli dei suoi lavori migliori, Infinity Abyss riesce a offrire una trama intrigante e che sicuramente può ben risultare di gradimento ai fan di Adam Warlock, Thanos e compagnia cantante (non scordiamoci del buon Pip, di Gamora e della sempre accigliata Dragoluna).
Inoltre, personaggi centrali della miniserie sono anche l'Uomo Ragno, Genis-Vell, Doctor Strange e... una famiglia di campagna?
July 14, 2018
Sometimes I give 3 stars to books I don’t like and sometimes I give 3 stars to book I do like. So that can be a little confusing and I will do something about that.
Anyway this is a 3 Star book that I do like. I generally like to read all the infinity related comics that starlin writes. For me, it’s his Comics that define the classic comic style that was around when I was a kid. These books don’t always hold up against books that are longer more expansive stories( y: the last man, sweet tooth for example) but I still find a lot of entertainment in these books and will continue to read.
That a pretty long review to have while not actually reviewing anything. So, it’s pretty good. 3 stars.
Anyway this is a 3 Star book that I do like. I generally like to read all the infinity related comics that starlin writes. For me, it’s his Comics that define the classic comic style that was around when I was a kid. These books don’t always hold up against books that are longer more expansive stories( y: the last man, sweet tooth for example) but I still find a lot of entertainment in these books and will continue to read.
That a pretty long review to have while not actually reviewing anything. So, it’s pretty good. 3 stars.
July 15, 2018
Poor. A bleak entry to the Infinity Saga. Hard to say that it's ok to skip, but pales in comparison to Gauntlet, War and Crusade. At this stage the expositioning and one liners are kitch and cliché. Starlin is very good at his philosophy, particularly existentialism and religious exploration, but this comic falls short. Clearly his foray into nihilism, but his ability to write Genis Captain Marvel and Spider-Man is found wanting - a fact which draws attention to itself. He sets up an interesting reveal with his familiar cosmic beings, but the journey drags on even though it's only 6 long comics. By issue 4 I just wanted it to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2025
Good book, much better than the recent volumes I read (Infinity Crusade). It’s fairly well-written, kept me reading issue after issue but at the same time wasn’t exactly a groundbreaking story.
I enjoyed it for the most part, but it’s not near as strong as some of the other books in the infinity series (Thanos Quest, Infinity Gauntelt or Infinity War), but it is better than all the other ones.
The art is pretty good, for the first time in this Indintiy series, the colours have a lot more effects etc. as opposed to being block colours.
Overall, would recommend this book and am now looking forward to the final book!
I enjoyed it for the most part, but it’s not near as strong as some of the other books in the infinity series (Thanos Quest, Infinity Gauntelt or Infinity War), but it is better than all the other ones.
The art is pretty good, for the first time in this Indintiy series, the colours have a lot more effects etc. as opposed to being block colours.
Overall, would recommend this book and am now looking forward to the final book!
August 20, 2018
It has it’s moments, and it’s always fun to see spiderman out of his depth dealing with cosmic stuff... but the story is so convoluted and quite frankly, silly.
I love Thanos, and nobody writes him better than Starlin, but how could someone as brilliant as Thanos behave so foolishly?
The fight at the end; this is a recurring comic book problem.
When a big bad villain is so incredibly powerful... more powerful than anyone we’ve ever seen... why does beating them still seem so routine?
I dunno... not my favorite story arc.
I love Thanos, and nobody writes him better than Starlin, but how could someone as brilliant as Thanos behave so foolishly?
The fight at the end; this is a recurring comic book problem.
When a big bad villain is so incredibly powerful... more powerful than anyone we’ve ever seen... why does beating them still seem so routine?
I dunno... not my favorite story arc.
May 29, 2018
Much like Marvel Univers: The End, this book left a whole lot lacking, and Jim Starlin was not at his best in either writing nor artwork duties. Warlock narrates this tale, and aside from looking very odd, and despite featuring some of Marvel's greatest heroes (Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, and others), the plot and overall story in this were just pretty dismal.
I'm working my way through Thanos/Warlock appearances, and this set is a must-miss for sure!
I'm working my way through Thanos/Warlock appearances, and this set is a must-miss for sure!
November 7, 2017
A estas alturas, el único vínculo con la saga Infinity, son los personajes centrales, porque ya el tema de las gemas infinity está olvidado. Lo que menos me gusta de esta saga son esas mega entidades cósmicas que son a la vez tan poderosas y tan vulnerables. Al final son el Deus Ex Machina de la historia, pero también son constantemente manipulables por los personajes.
May 13, 2018
Yet again, Thanos threatens the very existence of reality but this time, unintentionally. Still, there's a sense of 'been there, done that' when reading a story involving the Mad Titan. But unlike the Infinity trilogy, at least we have the delight of Starlin's own pencils to savour. Which makes Infinity Abyss still worth reading.
February 24, 2019
I like that I didn't have to read 3 different comic series to read this. Just 6 comics and a short little story line
But goddamnit... warlock starts in a coma and gets woken up.... WHY CAN'T HE JUST GO AWAY. Stop waking him up. Gah.
I'm apparently getting assigned some xmen next, I dunno if that's because they come next, or if glen has given up trying to make me like warlock lol.
But goddamnit... warlock starts in a coma and gets woken up.... WHY CAN'T HE JUST GO AWAY. Stop waking him up. Gah.
I'm apparently getting assigned some xmen next, I dunno if that's because they come next, or if glen has given up trying to make me like warlock lol.
June 17, 2017
I think this is the first thing by Starlin that I didn't like. The art was great, but the story was a bit of a mess. But I'm still glad I read it. He still writes Warlock well, and I liked his developments.
December 2, 2017
Dopo la sequenza dell'Infinity Gauntlet, War, Crusade, Starlin ci riprova a porre sotto i riflettori i suoi personaggi preferiti.
Ne risulta una storia gradevole, ma nulla di più.
Due stelle e mezza.
Ne risulta una storia gradevole, ma nulla di più.
Due stelle e mezza.
February 26, 2024
Enjoyable. Adam Warlock, Dr Strange, Gamora, Spider-Man, Moondragon and Pip the Troll combine to save the universe. One of them could have been left out of the storyline and it would have made no difference. Also, more Thanos than you could expect. Which was not a bad thing.
May 11, 2018
A passable story that earned the writer a passable paycheque (I hope).
March 12, 2019
Jim Starlin's work on this was really creative and the artwork was amazing.
June 6, 2020
interesting story, but it almost feels like too much is going on to manage all the characters and storylines it juggles
January 9, 2021
A cosmic struggle is at hand when Thanos created clones is freed
September 28, 2021
It almost has some interesting ideas, but those are probably not worth it to force yourself to read the whole thing.
March 7, 2024
2,5/5. It had some interesting parts and elements, but a very slow pace and lack of focus made me lost interest in it. I think it try too look more brilliant then it truly was!
February 26, 2017
Every once in awhile, Jim Starlin wants to play with the toys he's known best for. It's always a lot of fun. This was no exception. I read it in singles ages ago, so can't speak for the details. What I remember is Thanos, ever the arrogant ass, creates versions of himself based on other Marvel characters. (Some great tongue in cheek moments, of course, as comics are always copying themselves.) The only way to stop them is to bring together a very peculiar set of heroes, each of whom Starlin uses brilliantly.
A lot of fun, very solid art, and a good grab if you can find it.
A lot of fun, very solid art, and a good grab if you can find it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews