Adam Warlock and Thanos with 40 villains, Starlin inspired original art by Lou Russo

Existentialism, nihilism, paranoid schizophrenia, suicide, faith, religion, and a messiah complex were some of the themes Jim Starlin explored as the writer and artist of gold-skinned pacifist Adam Warlock. These were heavy topics to cover in a comic book in the mid-1970s! I discovered Adam Warlock’s mind-blowing adventures in the 1980s when I was in tenth grade. Once again, Starlin, after the success of Captain Marvel, took another “cosmic” superhero with a sporadic publication history and created stories that would become timeless classics. Warlock, who was given the first name “Adam” as a Biblical reference, was the only superhero on his planet and was seen as the messiah by its people. Starlin took that concept further by sending Warlock on a psychedelic journey through space where he discovers the oppressive Universal Church of Truth, a cult-like region whose goal is to purify the universe of anyone they deem impure. Along for the ride with Warlock are other Starlin creations: Thanos, seen recently in the “Avengers” movies, Gamora, seen in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, and for comic relief, Pip the Troll (who I hope to see in a movie someday!). Warlock discovers that his “future self,” who is now named Magus, is the power corrupt leader of the Universal Church. He further discovers that, in order to stop the Magus, he must kill himself to prevent his future version from coming to power. Like I mentioned, heavy stuff for the 1970s….and a 16-year-old comic book fan in high school. So, this image is the second part of my nod to writer and artist Jim Starlin. Once again, I depicted our hero in the center, flying past 40 foes and a few friends. In the upper left corner is Thanos, the nihilist, and below him, his mistress, Death. Finally, it has been hinted that Adam Warlock will appear in the upcoming “Guardians of the Galaxy” film, so look for him whenever that hits the theatres! Until next time!

Adam Warlock Villains (and friends):
Magus
Man-Beast
High Evolutionary
Enclave Scientist - Shinski
Enclave Scientist - Morlak
Enclave Scientist - Zota
Star Thief
Star Thief’s Rock Creatures
Star Thief’s Demons
Kray-Tor
In-Betweener
Brute
Rhodan
Trax
Nebula
Mephisto
Goddess
Atlez
Akhenaten
Syphonn
Blastaar
Stranger
Annihilus
Madness Monster
Clown
Apollo
Doctor Doom (Counter Earth)
Zakaius
Domitian
Mole Man
Ultron
Matriarch
Galactus
Count Abyss
Kang
Death Ship assassin
Pip the Troll (friend)
Drax the Destroyer (friend)
Gamora (friend)
Thanos (center)
Mistress Death (center)