A good chunk of this one is the Rogue-shaped hole in everyone's lives...which, OK, fair.

Huh, I didn't think this one was that recent. From 2025, What If...? Galactus Transformed Rogue? #1, written by Ann Nocenti, art by Stephen Byrne.

This is set earlier in the continuity than you would figure: sometime after Fantastic Four #50, although the Surfer is Galactus's herald again at the start; and well before Avengers Annual #10 or what would've been Rogue's first appearances in Ms. Marvel. Young Rogue finds the fallen Surfer, recently again discharged from his job for having the temerity to try to steer Galactus to worlds without intelligent life. Charged with the power cosmic from kissing the Surfer, Rogue knows the score right away, and takes off into space, probably forever.

Rogue is seemingly then chosen, or more accurately conscripted, as Galactus's new herald; but she isn't real impressed with the new powers, costume, cosmic grandeur: she sees "Big G" as a toddler with no impulse control. Attempting to get out of the job by being bad at it, she takes him to a planet seemingly infested with dragons, which trouble Galactus for about a panel: he could see in her mind, and she needed to know her place. Swatted like a bug, Rogue crashes through the Watcher's house, and he gives her some advice, while seemingly sweeping ants out of his place. (Moon ants!) He suggests challenging Galactus, not directly, but with wit. Galactus lets her touch him, to see what the universe would be like if he didn't eat planets: namely, backsliding into the Big Bang; but he does grant her a boon. Rogue chooses, saving at least two from every planet Galactus destroys, a "Celestial Ark." Galactus agrees, but seemingly because he knows selecting who would live and who would die would change her...and Rogue wonders, about the possible life, love, and family she was leaving behind on earth. 

Pretty good, but I thought Galactus was already doing the ark thing? Or maybe more like Superman's zoo, just a few interesting specimens. I was thinking of ROM #26, but that looks like more saving some culture than any people.

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I don't think the Damage Control guys could...control my damage, around here; but today we've got the last issue of their third and final original mini-series: from 1991, Damage Control #4, "Cleanliness is Next to Godliness" Written by Dwayne McDuffie, art by Ernie Colón.

Clean-freak DC employee Rex Randolph accidentally handled a cosmic artifact at a clean-up site, which he used to turn himself into Edifice Rex. Galactus has sent the Silver Surfer to earth, to collect some of Damage Control for information: cheery Bart Rozum is having a swell time of it, while account exec John Porter is able stop screaming, eventually. They are taken before the "Cosmic Congress," a name I hope they don't use often; the usual big names like Lord Chaos and Master Order, the In-Betweener, Death and Oblivion, and Eternity and Infinity. All of whom seem to be a little snarky with the puny humans; why do we need to talk to them again? (Because like 99 out of 100 cosmic-doodad-weapons ends up on earth, duh.)

Summoned before the group, after doing Infinity's nails, Edifice Rex enlarges himself to equal status with Eternity and Galactus, to explain himself: the universe was basically one giant mess since the big bang, right? Just spreading like an orange juice spill on a clean countertop. Rex was going to clean it all back up, compress the whole universe back down into the cosmic egg, then maybe put it on a nice shelf or something. This sounds pretty terrible to everyone, except Master Order, who seems up for it. The big cosmic names seem unsure what, if any, action to take: fighting Rex could do more damage to the universe, or as foreman Lenny Ballinger points out, maybe they're just afraid of getting their asses kicked.

Earth's mightiest heroes are gathered (and the Punisher, who had met Damage Control before, because more cosmic events need a really angry guy shooting at them...) but John makes a suggestion to CEO Robin Chapel, who fires Rex. No longer a Damage Control employee, there was no longer any need for him to clean anything up; so that takes the wind out of his sails. And Damage Control gives out a lot of their cards, to the heroes as they leave.

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I feel like this was like the third, fourth time they tried a team with Daimon on it.

That might be because I'm the only one that remembers that Fantastic Four Annual with him, Margali Szardos, and "Mechamage." Here's hoping this issue's better! From 2011, Chaos War: God Squad #1, "Gods & Monsters" Written by Marc Sumerak, art by Dan Panosian.

This was from the Chaos War crossover, which seems absolutely dainty compared to War of the Realms, which appeared to have more crossovers in one month than the entirety of Chaos War! Here, the God Squad teams-up against Chaos King Amatsu-Mikaboshi, and I sadly don't know enough about Shinto mythology to say if this was based on something like Thor and Hercules were, or if he was made up whole-cloth. But, your 2011 God Squad starting line-up: along with Daimon Hellstrom, we get the Silver Surfer, Sersi, and Venus. The latter of whom points out, she wasn't a real god; which I can't remember if Venus was supposed to know or not: she's described as a "sea siren turned love goddess." But, as they journey to find any remaining gods of the far east, they are joined by a legit god: the Panther God of Wakanda! (What, no Khonshu? I don't think he was usually considered 'real' at that time like Thor and Hercules, but I didn't know the Panther God was.)

There are a few fun sound effects, but this isn't real essential, even for the crossover: I had to look up the Incredible Hercules, since I thought Chaos War predated it, but no.

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As usual, the first comic you read will set the tone for the year...as usual, hmm.

It's not a minty-fresh copy, but let's be honest, I'm not super-minty-fresh myself. (Spine damage, faded colors, pretty sure I too am missing a staple...) From 1968, Not Brand Echh #10, cover by Marie Severin.

This was a "worst of" issue, but it opens with a great one, "The Silver Burper!" from Not Brand Echh #1, by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Frank Giacoia. That was from May 1967, and it was a riff on Fantastic Four #57, on sale 09/08/1966! Well, it's probably easier to spoof a recent issue, the plot's maybe still fresh in mind. A picture of that one, rather than cramming it in the scanner, but that panel is a favorite.

Also this issue: "Peter Pooper vs. Gnatman and Rotten" Written by Stan Lee, pencils by Marie Severin, inks by Frank Giacoia. (With a guest-panel by John Romita!) Man, we mentioned Marie Severin last week with Alf, but she was on point for years! Posting this so you'll know when I inevitably steal "SKLUNCH!" and here's some panels that were maybe stolen--er, homaged--in my favorite Spider-Ham story in Marvel's later What The--?!:

Well, this bodes well for the rest of the year! (Something had to...) Read more!

Geez, Norrin, Homer Simpson has to go back to his old job less often than you.

Reading this one, I swear I could hear a cartoon bear mom imploring everyone to "roll it back!" But, some changes from this series maybe stuck? From 2018, Infinity Countdown #4, written by Gerry Duggan, pencils by Aaron Kuder and Mike Hawthorne, inks by Aaron Kuder, Terry Pallot, and Jose Marzan Jr.

After nearly being taken over by Ultron, the Silver Surfer seemingly ditched Adam Warlock mid-fight, as Ultron was about to launch rockets (which seems so old-school!) at the entire universe, spreading himself like an infection. The Surfer wasn't chickening out, though, as much as running to get his old boss to eat Ultron's planet: Galactus turns him down flat, since he was currently the fresh-maker er, "Life-bringer," and eating a planet...would be bad? Like him falling off the wagon?

Meanwhile, on Xandar, the Nova Corps is both surprised and mildly annoyed that Richard Rider and the Guardians of the Galaxy both survived the Chitauri and had the no-longer-planet-sized Power Stone. They may have lost Ant-Man, though...I'm pretty sure he turns up later, but couldn't tell you how: "But the important thing is, we're okay," says Rocket. Gamora wants to put together a new Infinity Watch, and Rich gives it a second, to see if maybe they did it and could go back in time and confirm...? No? All right. Rich has to take off, since his younger brother was now part of the Darkhawk-related Fraternity of Raptors. They briefly seem like they're going to pass the Power Stone like the Beastie Boys pass the mike: Gamora suggests maybe not taking it back into enemy territory, so Rich leaves the Stone with Star-Lord, although Gamora then firmly asks for it, followed by the Nova Corps claiming it was their property. With a saxophone blast, Drax takes the Stone, pissed at all of them. Then, Star-Lord is asked to consult for the Collector and Grandmaster, who have acquired the Reality Stone. Or rather, a Reality Stone: Phyla-Vell and Moondragon from a neighboring reality show up for it, explaining each universe's Reality Stone was hidden in the figurative next universe over. It didn't work here, so Star-Lord gives it to them; and they leave with a cryptic remark about "who Requiem is." (You'll be able to guess when they show; and it's not a secret for long.)

Warlock was unable to stop all of Ultron's rockets: he was rocking the half-Hank Pym face there; it's very Cyborg-Superman. I think elsewhere in the series Hank gets really got, like pretty definitively killed? His soul eaten, maybe? They briefly kind of tried to play up the metaphorical connection between Warlock and Ultron, as "sons of man." The Surfer arrives with Galactus, which Ultron laughs off; thinking it was a scam, since it was now well known that the Guardians had a fake-Galactus mech; but this was the real deal, who changes from gold to his traditional purple as he eats the planet. The rockets are destroyed, and Warlock shoots the Soul Gem out of Ultron's hand...by shooting his hand off; although the robot presumably still escapes. But while that disaster had been averted, was the price too high? Galactus now again hungered, and the Surfer was again forced into service as his herald. Which seems to happen a lot, when the Surfer doesn't have his own series? Well, like I keep saying, it's work, man. Gotta keep workin' it. Read more!

Yet another "The End" Week begins!

I started this bit 14 years ago, partly because the last week of the year was probably going to be a low-content area for comic book blogs...back when there were a lot of them, posting on the regular...and because last issues have always held an interest for me. It seems like even longer ago, but it used to be the last issue of a comic maybe meant the big goodbye, that you were not going to see those characters again, ever. Back when Star Wars was cancelled, I thought that was it; there would be no more Star Wars for me, in any way, shape, or form, forever. Really! When you're done laughing, yes, I was wrong. And comics being what they are, tons of books are cancelled, then retooled and relaunched later...sometimes by 'later' I mean 'immediately.' Every so often there might be one like Master of Kung Fu #125 or Micronauts #20 that seem like a hard stop, and they still come back! He hasn't got a new series yet, but Marvel's brought back Crystar; and I suspect are eying ROM. (Two last issues I haven't blogged yet!) 

So, we'll start with a title that's I know I've got two last issues for right here; but it's also had um, at least two miniseries, and like three more series since; and that's before you start throwing adjectives like 'Secret' or 'Fearless' into the mix. From 2002, Defenders #12, "Silent but Deadly" Story and art by Erik Larsen; and "Fooling with Mother Nature" Written by Jo Duffy and Kurt Busiek, pencils by Ivan Reis, inks by Randy Emberlin.

Even though Busiek and Larsen would've been pretty good gets as far as creative teams go, this series seemed to have a rough time of it: #8 features a blurb on the cover from a comics site (actually, a magazine!) proclaiming Defenders "The Worst Comic Ever Produced" but I've mentioned before, I liked the issues I read. The opener this issue isn't the strongest, as it was for 'Nuff Said month (like the Captain Marvel issue we mentioned the other day) and was silent: the cursed Defenders (Strange, Namor, Hulk, and the Surfer) get teleported to defend the earth yet again, this time in a mysteriously silent and rocky environment, which is shortly filled with rocky monsters.

Larsen's usually good for comedic touches, like the Hulk getting Namor's attention, by throwing a good-sized rock at him. It might be intentional: when the spell is broken, and sound returns, the guys still don't seem to have anything to say to each other, they were pretty over this...The second story, "Fooling with Mother Nature" includes the Defenders that did (usually) want to be there, Nighthawk, Valkyrie, and Hellcat; helping fight time-distorting baddie Chronarch. Who turns out to be a janitor that accidentally broke/created a time vortex, and gets wrapped up in a few pages; but the main four are again pissed that they had to show up for that, as the curse was getting to them. Back at Doctor Strange's Sanctum, Nighthawk's "spiritual advisor" Papa Hagg stops by to help, and gets bounced by Strange. The four then decide, if they can't get at the dead Yandroth to break the curse, they can go to Gaea, goddess of earth, and make her break it.

Nighthawk, somewhat dismayed, follows them and observes them petitioning a seemingly disinterested Gaea, who refuses to release them, even after they attack her. She teleports them away, dismissively; and when Nighthawk finds them again, the four have resolved to "tolerate this state of affairs no longer--and we will do what must be done!" This was setting up them going bad for a bit, in the Order, another name Marvel seems to trot out every so often. I'm not sure how much Nighthawk's relationship to the team was explored (or Patsy's, or Val's) as this feels like he's on a basketball team with four other guys who would barely let him sit on the bench.

Well, since I've got a moment, we might as well glance at another last issue that's been in the pile for some time: from 1986, the New Defenders #152, "The End of All Songs" Written by Peter B. Gillis, pencils by Don Perlin, inks by Dell Barras.

This is yet another last issue that's still part of a crossover event, so drink! It's a Secret Wars II tie-in, so of course we get the Beyonder midway through this just to muddy the waters, but this was straight-up editorial deck-clearing: Angel, Beast, and Iceman had to be reset and freed up to go to X-Factor #1, which I read when it came out, and can't recall if any of them so much as mention being part of the Defenders or losing all their teammates. Also, Beast had a dog, and doesn't get to bring it with him? Man. Moondragon, infected by the "Dragon of the Moon" and then empowered by the Beyonder, wants to do good, but also thinks killing the Defenders would be a good first step there. While Moondragon tortures the X-guys by threatening various supporting cast members, the other Defenders sacrifice themselves to destroy the Dragon, and are seemingly reduced to crumbling ash.

Valkyrie's pretty much the only one we really care about, and while Gillis may have intended to bring everyone back later, I think it was a spell for her. Despite being really vindictive and mean here, Moondragon is given a bit of an out in the end, that she helped save some supporting cast before her end; and she would be back in 1989, well before the others. I think Moondragon gets the bump because she was an Avenger; but Valkyrie had to be more popular?

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I thought this was going to be a lark, but it went to a dark place.

OK, I guess when we start with five supervillains, working for freakin' Thanos, I shouldn't be surprised, but here we are. From 1994, Secret Defenders #14, "Escape" Written by Ron Marz, pencils by Tom Grindberg, inks by Don Hudson.

Thanos had brought back to life Geatar, henchman of his alleged grand-daughter Nebula; and conscripted a quartet of super-villains for a mission: we saw the first part of this three-parter, um, seven years back? Anyway, the team is the Rhino, Super-Skrull, Titanium Man, and Nitro. And by this point, Thanos has got what he wanted, and hung them out to dry; blowing up their ship and leaving them to face a planetful of angry religious zealots. The guys manage to stick together enough to get to their wrecked ship, and could probably get away in the Super-Skrull's force-field...if he wasn't clipped from behind and knocked out. With few other options, the Titanium Man offers to push their escape pod into space. Not to another planet or anything, just maybe low orbit? That's the least-worst option at the time, so that's it.

With power gone, atmosphere failing, and virtually no hope of rescue; Geatar still makes a final log entry: he had been what, Nebula's first mate in her pirate crew? Making that entry is just him keeping things ship-shape. He loses consciousness, but awakens, saved by the Silver Surfer! And some jerk. To Geatar, that's not so much 'saved' as 'captured,' and he still holds a grudge over what the Surfer did to Nebula. (I believe she was injured, then came away with closer to her modern look!) Still, with his teammates badly injured, he grudgingly accepts help, and the Surfer heals Nitro and the Super-Skrull. Nitro quickly recognizes the Surfer's travelling companion, Legacy; the son of Captain Mar-Vell! Infamously, in a battle with Nitro, Mar-Vell was exposed to nerve gas, which directly led to his cancer. Nitro relishes the twist, since neither the Surfer nor Legacy knew that; and hams it up, asking to shake Legacy's hand. (The Surfer was shown at Mar-Vell's funeral, but was still trapped on earth at that time; it was a Skrull!)

Geatar was a known criminal, and the Surfer was going to bring him in; despite the Super-Skrull pulling for him, Geatar gives himself up to stay close to his captain. While the Rhino and Titanium man can catch a ride to earth, Nitro asks for a little energy for his pod, so he can explore space. Nothing left for him on earth...and he would've been recognized as Mar-Vell's killer on Titan, so he opts out of that.

The Surfer would've encountered Rhino fairly recently, in Silver Surfer #54. This was also probably the last readable issue of the title: the next issue features Cage, Deadpool, and...Dr. Druid? Oof.  

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I scanned one panel from this one, about 15 years ago, for an out-of-office post: long since time for a proper blogging! From 1991, Silver Surfer #48, "Confronting One's Maker!" Written by Jim Starlin, pencils by Ron Lim, inks by Tom Christopher.

Even though Thanos has just gotten the Infinity Gems and the entire multiverse was in danger, the Silver Surfer pauses on the way to earth with Drax the Destroyer, with the need to attend to a personal matter. He likewise sidesteps former fling Nova, on the way to see her boss and his former master, Galactus. Galactus notes the lack of deference in the Surfer's tone, as much as suggesting he check himself. The Surfer pauses, then presses on, for details of their initial alliance. To Galactus, what's to discuss? You saved Zenn-La and got a surfboard. Quit your bitching. It was a good deal for you.

Was it, though? A recent encounter with an alien murderer caused the Surfer to realize, he didn't seem to feel guilty for his part in Galactus destroying "hundreds of worlds," a death toll doubtless in the billions. (I was going to say that was from a seemingly throwaway story in SS Annual #3, but that story had as many pages as this one!) And a recent encounter with Adam Warlock had revealed "Alterations! Modifications! Tampering!" Someone had quite literally changed the Surfer's mind, and he had a pretty good idea who: Galactus. Who makes no bones about it: he needed his herald to do certain things, that Norrin Radd would not have been capable of. Without hesitation, the Surfer asks Galactus to "undo (his) handiwork," which warrants a somewhat gentler caution from Galactus: you sure about that? Your funeral...

There is no flash, no Kirby krackle for this change; merely as Galactus puts it, "a subtle epiphany." The Surfer is fine, for a moment, before the metaphorical blood seems to literally appear on his hands. And it's a lot. He sinks into a sea of blood, seemingly lost forever, until pulled out by Galactus. Galactus offers to put the mental barriers back, but the Surfer again refuses--is that three times he's denied Galactus this issue? I feel like that could be a Christ-metaphor in itself; no shortage of those here. Pulling himself together, the Surfer warns Galactus of the menace of Thanos, but he is as yet unimpressed.

After the Surfer resumes his journey to earth, Galactus calls Thanos out, he knew he was there. Thanos warns Galactus to stay out of it, and to underline his point, wipes away the world Galactus was about to eat, like it never was. His feeding cancelled, Galactus isn't done with the mad Titan. But closer than Thanos would think, in the Soul Gem, Adam Warlock tells the collected denizens within that he would be returning to battle him...

The cover of that one is still one of the most striking images of the Silver Surfer ever, y'ask me. As evidenced by the fact I knew exactly where I had this trading card of it! Let's check out the back:

Also, it's no laughing matter, but I find it darkly hilarious the Surfer thought he was fine--for about three seconds. "I feel nothin--OH CHRIST, BLOOD! BLOOD! AAAGH--!!"

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Ereshkigal is a lot more sympathetic now, I think.

I said I was going to do more of a write-up on this issue, um, twelve years ago. Better get started! Actually, maybe we'll appreciate it more now, since something else from it has come up since. From 1993, Quasar #50, "Horizon of Holes" Written by Mark Gruenwald, pencils by Andy Smith, inks by Ralph Cabrera. 

In the Man-Thing's swamp in Florida, the Nexus of Realities is visible today, which I think means the barometric pressure is dropping. No, it may be because of recent events in New York City: up until a couple minutes ago, Kayla Ballantine had possessed the Star Brand, accidentally passed to her by her boyfriend Wendell Vaughn, Quasar. Since she thought she misused it while lost in space, she gave the Brand to her friend Holly Steckley, who turned out to really be Ereshkigal! 'Holly Steckley' was the identity previously used by Moondragon to get close to Quasar; Ereshkigal picked it up when she stopped using it; there may have never been a real Holly. Ereshkigal claims to have tricked much smarter people over the millennia, but I didn't think Deviants lived anywhere near that long, usually. She also says she's not really evil, just "motivated in a very egocentric manner." (I like her motivation from the database better, trying to free herself from restrictions, even if the restrictions are from Eternity and the Living Tribunal. They're not the boss of her!) 

Quasar had been nearby in the hospital, visiting his mother; and was surprised to realize Kayla was back. After catching up with her and realizing what had happened, Quasar goes to check on Kismet, who had lost a fight with Kayla and was currently in a cocoon in the East River. (Think Adam Warlock!) Erishkigal hadn't just been sitting on her wings, though: she went to the Nexus of Realities, slightly annoyed that it was in a swamp. Attacked by Man-Thing, Erishkigal blows him up with the Star Brand, although not necessarily maliciously: she just didn't want it to stop her, and it was "a miserable creature doing a thankless job." Now, she had easy access to multiple realities, and checks a few out, before sending a pulse into several. 

The Silver Surfer cosmically notices something is up, and approaches a lava planet to use another Nexus of Realities, but finds it guarded by a creature calling itself Anakalak. (I didn't think there were multiple Nexuses here and there; just one per reality!)

Several extra-dimensional entities answer Erishkigal's summons, since the Star Brand was a power none of them recognized. She gives them the option of maybe doing something other than being multiversal custodians, and some side with her, including a big green cheese, and off-brand Starro and Ren & Stimpy! Erishkigal wipes out the rest. The Living Tribunal then appears, with Lord Chaos and Master Order; but that just tells her she's on the right track, and she's willing to destroy as much multiverse as she has to, to get out from under their thumb. Quasar and the Surfer arrive, as she starts using her power, increasing Lord Chaos and diminishing Master Order. The Tribunal doesn't let them hear the conversation, but offers a tournament of champions, because direct confrontation would do too much damage. With both heroes convinced the other was "fighting for little Miss Universe Wrecker!" they start the fight. 

Quasar may not have had the juice the Surfer did, but was adept at redirecting power. However, after taking a couple hits in a row, he notices Master Order grew when the Surfer hit him, and realizes he was going to have to throw the fight! He fights enough to not make it obvious, but gets thrashed. Erishkigal seemingly immolates herself with the loss, but I'm glad she would return. The Living Tribunal takes the Star Brand away, to determine how to dispose of it, and the Surfer and Quasar return through their Nexuses; Quasar to a ton of guest-stars that had come to help him out! (Pity they didn't squeeze Excalibur in there!)

This issue has a "foil enhanced prismatic cover," so I think it sold fairly well? You can probably find one pretty easily; even if I have more than one around here somewhere...

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Feel like there's something I should be doing today...defrosting the turkey? That's not it...

Well, I'm always thankful for a random-ass comic, so why not? From 2011, Spider-Man: Marvel Adventures #19, "Going Cosmic!" Written by J.M. DeMatteis, art by Clayton Henry.

It's a bit of a Freaky Friday, as Spidey finds himself careening through space on the Silver Surfer's board, and the Surfer finds himself passed out under a park bench in Central Park. A young fan finds the amnesiac Surfer and tries to help him out, while the suddenly-soliloquizing Spidey comes face-to-giant face with Sinistar Primordius, an angry cosmic tentacle-thing. While eating a hot dog, the Surfer remembers what happened to him: a cosmic probe tried to drain his energy, but as Spidey happened by he got the power cosmic. So it follows...maybe the Surfer got Spidey's webs? And they'll have to combine into a "Spider-Surfer?" Sure, why not! I am a sucker for other heroes borrowing Spider-Man's webs, since Doctor Strange did it way back in Marvel Team-Up #21.

In defeat, Primordius admits his grudge against the Surfer: he had been a herald of Galactus himself, before the Surfer, but had displeased Galactus and was sent away. Spinning him in a webline, the Surfer throws him out, to consider changing his ways; and he and Spidey have dinner with their fan and her mom. (This wasn't 616-continuity, but I suspect Galactus tried other means before settling on heralds; Primordius could have been a drone above his station.)

Also this issue: "The Hundred-Story Hunt" Written by Sean T. Collins, art by Pere Perez. A pleasant afternoon enjoying a slice, is interrupted by Kraven the Hunter, who chases Spidey all over an office building. Injured, Spidey armors up with...office supplies? With which he proceeds to clown Kraven; gotta spice up those fights sometimes.

No Mini-Marvels strip this time; that's mildly disappointing.

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Faux-Stranger Danger! Space girlfriend relationship trouble! And Definitely-Legally-Distinct-From-Lobo!

Oh, god, I don't have a good feeling about this one: from 1995, Cosmic Powers Unlimited #3, featuring "God Help the Mister -- That Comes Between Me and My Sister" Written by Michael Gallagher and Gregory Wright, art by Sandu Florea, and John Buscema and Geof Isherwood; and "Cutting a Deal!" Written by Lovern Kindzierski, pencils by Daerick Gross, inks by Jim Royal and Chad Hunt. That first title was so bad I think my eyes didn't let me see it at first...

The bones for this one were laid around 1993, when Jack of Hearts visited the Silver Surfer, and got a much-less-distinctive/far-easier-to-draw costume then shacked up with space warrior nun-type Ganymede. Ganymede had thought she was the last of the Spinsterhood, an order of warriors dedicated to destroying the cosmic menace Tyrant; but she and Jack are surprised by the sudden arrival of another, Persephone. She feels like Gany has been slacking off, and should have no time for love; and has a new ally against Tyrant: the Stranger Jakar! Creepy Stranger lookalike/rival. With a cast of Tyrant's hand made from the imprint in his victims, Jakar wants to break into his vault and steal some doo-dads. Without any permission, he uses Jack as a distraction, leaving him to fight Tyrant's Autobots (hey!) while the Spinsters get the thingus. At which point, Jakar ditches them! Then Ganymede ditches Jack, since she can't leave her mission against Tyrant, and a furious Jack takes off to kick Tyrant's ass himself.

And we should take an intermission between the first and second parts, so you can go find Silver Surfer #109. No rush. Tyrant and Morg were seemingly slain there (or at least sucked into a hole or something) so now Jack thinks he could maybe have another shot with Ganymede. The Surfer is more concerned about that sketchy Jakar, and they go take away the "globe of knowledge" he had taken, which the Surfer destroys, even though Jack thinks he could've used it to find his girl. As is often the case, the Surfer is somewhat emotionless, while Jack storms off in a huff. Jack wouldn't appear the next two issues of this series, and this might've been the last appearance of Ganymede to date. Maybe Jack never found her again. Weird that she doesn't seem to have appeared in the background in a Guardians of the Galaxy book or anything.

Also this issue: Lunatik and his mouthy sidekick Skreet shop for a new ride. Instead of a smancy space hog-cycle like Lobo, he's taken with a "pan-galactic dog sled": we saw the 'dogs' with Quicksilver, years back! Lunatik is pleased with himself for beating a good price out of the sales manager, but Skreet points out he only bought the sled, she won the 'dogs' playing cards. Which the dogs were also playing. Did they lose themselves? Ah, I'm giving this too much thought. Read more!