Infinity Countdown: Adam Warlock #1

In the very first instalment of the Infinity Countdown mega event, writer Gerry Duggan reveals who is going to save the day: Perfect, mighty Adam Warlock. We learn, this early, who will eventually defeat Thanos.  But such disclosure does not ruin any surprises. Warlock being picked as the saviour of the universe? Of course. That's his job.

The real surprise comes at the end of this comic. Just like Adam, we're caught off guard when Tut, Kang's younger self, stabs Warlock fatally to allow for the hero's "time travel" into the future. Tut believes that a "normal" time voyage would alert Thanos, and would ruin all hopes of victory by the heroes. So Tut does it the old fashion way. Clever manoeuvre.

Michael Allred is at the artistic helm of the first chapter of the Infinity event where Thanos gathers all Stones and spreads havoc across reality. His stylized linework is somewhat cartoony yet ironically, one can find realism as well. Soothing style.

But, I found his double spread of the deceased heroes on the battlefield against Thanos not soothing but somewhat disturbing. Hulk is among the dead. His left hand appears in the bottom left corner. But his body is on the other side of the page... Plus, technically, the drawing looks flat. Would benefit much from subtlety and depth.

On a brighter note, I could not help but notice the abnormal walking poses of Warlock and Tut when they pass by the beehives. They move like Egyptian hieroglyphics. Nice touch. And Kang pushing Warlock through the time warp, a beautiful action panel. There are more examples of cool drawings. Nice artwork, overall.