Comic Review – “Marvel Universe: The End #2”

We’re getting closer to the end of the Marvel Universe.

General Information

Title: Marvel Universe: The End #2
Script and Pencils: Jim Starlin
Inker: Al Milgrom
Original Publication Date: March 26, 2003
Cover Price: $2.99US, $4.75 Can

Premise

The could-be tale of the end of the Marvel Universe continues. This
issue develops the villain’s past and culls the herd of potential
opponents a little bit more.

High Point

The plan to use stealth rather than brute force. It’ll be a nice
change from previous Starlin cosmic efforts.

Low Point

The repetition. We learned some of these past revelations in the last
issue. We could have heard pieces of it this time instead of the
whole thing. There are three or four pages that simply aren’t
needed.

The Scores

This is still feeling original in a few ways. First of all,
instead of knowing that the Universe will somehow be reset and all
will be good, we know that dead means dead. We also get to see Doom
doing the work heroes generally do. Finally, the villain was
recruited and granted power by characters who might be considered
heroes in other circumstances. (It’s that whole “road to hell”
thing.) I give it 4 out of 6.

The artwork seems better than last week, but that may just be
because the character’s Starlin isn’t completely comfortable with are
gone. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story is shaping up. It still feels like a prologue to a
story, but at least this one gives me the strong desire to come back
for issue 3. I give it 4 out of 6.



The characterization was a bit weak. We know that the Hulk’s
a hothead, and that Thanos is no longer a nihilist. The most
meaningful characterization was a bit of exposure to why the Pharoh
does what he does. Still, I’d have preferred it if that wasn’t
revealed by eavesdropping on the Pharoh while he speaks out loud to
himself, explaining why he’s doing what he does. I give it 3 out of
6.

The emotional response this produced was getting a bit better
than last week. This has a few interesting moments, and certainly
peaks my interest about a couple of story lines. I’m actually
anticipating issue 3. I give it 4 out of 6.

The flow this week was smooth, probably because there was
little more than conversation and slow torture. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it’s good enough to make me want to come back, but
it’s not a strong recommendation. I give it 4 out of 6.

In total, Marvel Universe: The End #2 receives 29 out of 42.