Thanos (2003 series) #3

Thanos and Adam Warlock met as both were headed to the Rigellian Colonizers new home planet New Rigel-3. Thanos was trying to be a good guy after giving up control of the whole universe (in Marvel Universe: The End), and he wanted to make amends to the Rigellians for destroying their previous planet (or rather 1 of his clone Thanosi did in Thor Annual 2000). After putting down a military coup for them last issue, the Grand Commissioner asked him to solve a problem on Rigel-18. The problem turned out to be Galactus but he didn't seem to be getting ready to devour the planet. The (Mad) Titan decided to call in special agents to help him find out what was going on.

Galactus contemplates his history. He was born Galan of Taa in the previous universe. He remembers mainly being alone as he learned the advanced science of that time and later extended it. He remembers discovering that their universe would soon end. At 1st no-one believed him but soon it became obvious. He and some others set out in a spacecraft to study the Cosmic Egg that was killing the universe. The others all died from its radiation but he dove into its heart as his universe ended. But the spirit of the universe (Eternity) spoke to him and told him that he would survive changed through the Big Bang of the next universe. In this universe he would incubate for a long time getting very hungry before becoming Galactus who was driven to devour the energies of planets.

Big G continues to ruminate on his role in this universe. He initially felt guilt for the worlds he destroyed but eventually rationalised the necessity. As a coequal of Eternity and Death he was above morality, and he provided a balance in the universe - an uncertainty factor. But he still had bad dreams until he stopped sleeping. But now a review of past data has revealed to him a new source for the energy he acquires from living planets, which may free him from his hunger. Further study led him to seek out 6 objects, of which he has already retrieved 4. And in a little panel a familiar glowing mouth and eyes on a black background says "And so it began".

At this point he gets a telepathic message from Thanos. We see that the Titan is using the services of Moondragon, fellow ex-member of the Infinity Watch (as the Rigellian Recorder tells us). Galactus has a bone to pick with Thanos because he used some of his DNA without permission (to create the most powerful of his Thanosi clones in the Infinity Abyss series). The Titan apologises but proposes a meeting on the mental plane where G can better gauge his truthfulness. G agrees and they appear together at equal sizes. T says he represents the Rigellians and G replies that he has allowed them enough time to abandon Rigel-18. T comments that G appears currently well-fed and his machinery isn't set up to consume that world. G is angry that T dares to question his actions. T says that in his new role as a force for good he merely wishes to offer his services to help G's endeavour, seeking for himself only  increased knowledge which he has lately realised is a better pursuit than power. G agrees with that. But also becomes aware that G is sending (metaphorical) tendrils to wrap around him. T continues to hypnotically urge G to trust him and share his secrets as the 2 become ever more entangled. Until finally G breaks free and restores the correct disparity in their sizes. He tries to kill G but knows that he doesn't succeed as both return from the mental plane.

Galactus knows that Thanos hasn't learned all of his scheme, but he knows too much to be allowed to live. T also realises that G has previously undisplayed telepathic skill and is concerned that he might be able to home in on the telepathic Moondragon so he portals her away. Warlock contacts the Grand Commissioner who says that T's intervention gave the Rigellians time to complete their evacuation. T now claims that the whole mental meeting was merely a diversion while his other agent provided access to G's database. Enter Pip the teleporting Troll (another ex-member of Warlock's Infinity Watch) who's planted bugs where T specified on G's ship. And they now tell T that G has activated his machinery ahead of schedule because of G's interference.

Thanos sees that Galactus has tapped the core of the planet and directed the energy to his parabolic antenna where it is converted to an unknown form and transmitted to the heart of Rigel-18's sun causing it to go Nova. Thanos immediately takes his Sanctuary starship out of the system knowing that it's not only Rigel-18 that is doomed. Then his sensors tell him that Big G has transported *himself* to the core of the exploding star (now named as pulsar 1867-C) where an interdimensional portal opens up, which T reckons depended on the unique properties of this pulsar. G reaches through the portal and pulls something out. T can't tell what it is but it emits powerful energy. Then T teleports back to *his* ship.

We see that Galactus has a skeleton with fangs and a purple gem on its chestbone.

Thanos is annoyed that he's failed in his promise to save Rigel-18. Pip offers him the consolation that the Rigellians escaped.  But the Titan doesn't accept defeat gracefully and swears that this isn't over yet.

And the glowing face detects someone (us readers?) being aware of him.