Artifacts of Infinity

Today we're covering a crossover between the Defenders and the Guardians of the Galaxy. This episode is about the Badoon who are extraterrestrial Bad-Dudes from our first Guardians of the Galaxy Coverage back in Episode 14. We’ve got a Time Travel Team-Up for you that goes into excruciating detail about how terrible the Badoon are! Dramatis Personae: Protagonists Defenders -Dr. Strange - Stephen Strange -Hulk - Bruce Banner -Nighthawk - Kyle Richmond -Valkyrie -Aragorn Guardians of the Galaxy -Vance Astro - Vance Astrovik -Charlie-27 -Martinex -Yondu - Yondu Udonta -Starhawk Jack Norriss Antagonists Eelar - YESSSS!!!!!!! Brotherhood of the Badoon Zoms Hard to Judge but… Good Grief Sisterhood of the Badoon -Queen Tolaria Giant Size Defenders (1972) 5 “Eelar Moves in Mysterious Ways Hulk is a whole mood in these issues and I love it. I don’t normally enjoy Hulk so much but Steve Gerber has a really fun voice for him throughout Why… why are the Defenders fighting… fish? Hulk doesn’t know, but he’ll do it! Eelar is kinda rad looking, actually These goons straight up shank someone in the beginning of this issue, and that’s surprising Charlie-27 sure is a slab-o-beef Going into this, my prediction is that Nighthawk is Starhawk I actually really like that the spaceship falling from the sky isn’t hidden from anyone. All the time in these stories they act like no one notices these things, but in this issue everyone notices, is kinda alarmed, then goes about with life as usual… which seems way more realistic to me Dude! Is it ever explained why the fish are involved? This kid… I feel bad for him and want Valkyrie to punch his dad in the stomach real good once I like this Vance Astro costume a lot Gerry Conway’s art in this is quite dynamic Hulk Punch Fire, not Fish… I’m crying! Getting the band back together to Mess Eelar Up! Oh boy, this kid is gonna cause trouble Defenders (1972) 26 -  “Savage Time” So, I gotta talk about this Valkyrie/Jack Norriss situation for a moment. There’s certainly backstory I’m missing but I feel terribly for everyone involved here. It honestly ripped me up reading this whole saga. I can’t imagine coming home one day and my wife legit didn’t know who I was. I’d probably act similarly to Jack here, honestly. Trying anything you can think of to spark a memory. At the same time Valkyrie is an entirely different person and has no memory. His forceful kiss is definitely line-crossing in very uncomfortable and bad ways… that said, again, were I in his shoes… It’s heartbreaking and tragic and I want the best for both of them and in 616, I just don’t expect it… All that said, Valkyrie is good peeps, she saves him without a second thought even after so remarkably uncomfortable a moment The Enterprise… I mean Captain America… nah, I mean Enterprise, is even more wrecked than it looked before and the News is covering it Oh man, an alien emerging from a space ship with a human kid… how are you still alive Martinex? Strange with the save! Major Vance Astro’s early recap is… pointed… at us… still… Humans raised as food, SNAP INTO A SLIM JIM! I had to go back to Two-in-One to see if Killraven was Wundarr. I’m still not sure, but refuse to google it Techno-Barrons is my new 80’s retro band Why is Aqua-Man in this issue? Dude, these Mercury dudes look Rad AF So… much… recap… Jack does need to back the heck off though The Enterprise is repaired and ready to head back to Stardate 1312.4 Defenders (1972) 27 - “Three Worlds to Conquer!” The Badoon are the worst Hulk is suspish of transport… AS HE SHOULD BE, DON’T YOU WATCH CGP GREY?!? Chill Jack, you still aren’t helping I kinda dig the half lizard half ape design here though Why is Valkyrie getting weaker? What the heck is happening? Woah… glowy person Planet of the Stereotypical 60’s Seriously, this issue has big Star Trek vibes I dig this robot design, and the bond between mama and babies Hulk don’t care though, HULK SMASH Dr. Strange-Tech is a thing I hope to see more if going forward So… how will it reveal that Nighthawk has become Starhawk? Oh good, it’s Denethor.... Wait, the Badoon Eliet Guard is 90% Zoms?!?! What the heck? Defenders (1972) 28 - “My Mother, the Badoon!” Excellent Opening Scene Hulk, I mean Charlie-27 SMASH So, Night enhances Nighthawks Powers? Cool! Will it enhance Starhawk’s powers though? How is this tied together? Digging future Nighthawk though Woah! Badoon Sisterhood City looks awesome At least we know the Badoon aren’t into corpse stabbing Techno-Bondage Hulk Action Figure! LOVING Super-Death Sweepstakes and ABSOLUTELY getting a Running Man vibe from it Yondu is one tough cookie The Badoon backstory is… yikes Starhawk is OUT Defenders (1972) 29 - “Let My Planet Go!” The Battle Royale between the Badoon and the Guardians and Defenders kicks off while Hulk and Yondu are still MIA Damsel is in distress and Hulk will SMASH (hyuck) Starhawk’s family is… normalish Hulk is indeed the strongest there is Hulk being teleported mid punch and absolutely leveling a Badoon is HILARIOUS slapstick comedy I really love how the battle royale begins at the start of the issue and just builds and builds throughout. It’s mostly just a fight issue but it’s so well done that it’s a ton of fun to read Strange and Jack to save the day! I’m starting to suspect that Nighthawk and Starhawk aren’t related That’s some cool eye-effect though with Starhawk Creators of these issues: Steve Gerber,Gerry Conway, Roger Slifer, Len Wein, Chris Claremont, Scott Edelman, Don Heck, Sal Buscema, Mike Esposito, Jim Mooney, Dave Hunt, Vince Colletta, Frank Giacoia, John Tartag, George Roussos, Irene Vartanoff, Glynis Wein, Al Wenzel, Dave Hunt, Artie Simek, Gaspar Saladino, Karen Mantlo, John Costanza, Joe Rosen, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Ron Wilson, Al Milgrom, Danny Crespi, Gil Kane, John Romita, Danny Crespi, Frank Giacoia, Gaspar Saladino Find us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

Episode 17: Episode Title Today we’ll be covering an introduction to HIM/Adam Warlock. This won’t be in depth because although we think of Warlock being Cosmic, that aspect of his character doesn’t develop until later on. We’ll be covering Thor (1966) 165-166 and Marvel Premiere (1972) 1 Dramatis Personae: PROTAGONISTS HIM - Adam Warlock The High Evolutionary Sir Raam Hulk - Bruce Banner The Watcher - Uatu Fantastic Four -Mr. Fantastic - Reed Richards -Thing - Ben Grimm -Human Torch - Johnny Storm Counter-Earth Disciples of Adam’s -Jason Grey -David Carter -Ellie Roberts Alicia Masters ANTAGONISTS Asgardians -Thor -Sif -Balder -Odin -Karnilla -Haag Man-Beast Kohbra Preface: HIM was created by scientists to be a “perfect being” in Fantastic Four (1961) 65-67 Pluto mentions that a powerful being is inside the Advance Science Research Center in Thor (1966) 163-164 Jack Kirby had intended HIM to be a perfect Objectivist. Roy Thomas was inspired by Jesus Christ Superstar to try and create a messiah figure. This likely explains some of the weird facets of the character in these early portrayals as well as possibly being one of the early dividing wedges between Kirby and Stan Lee. Thor (1966) 165: “HIM!” Thor, Sif, and Balder have defeated Pluto’s armies Thor and company investigate the Atomic Research Center, Thor is concerned because of Pluto’s foreboding Karnilla, still an absolute QUEEN, pines for Balder and is upset that Balder has spurned her love. She’s salty that Odin has protected Balder from her magic so she turns to Haag, the seeress Haag is prepared to snatch Balder directly to Nornheim but Karnilla bids her wait The Atomic Research Center begins quaking and all is engulfed in light. A figure emerges from a cocoon It’s HIM He recaps his origin and concludes with launching himself into space and cocooning himself. Uatu sees the cocoon, bemoans his interference in human affairs, then interferes again, returning the cocoon to Earth Thor criticizes HIM for despising mankind but HIM rebuts that he is a law and truth unto HIMself Thor is ticked off because he and Sif are in a relationship. Unfortunately for everyone he’s angry enough that he isn’t listening to reason as Sif entreats him to de-escalate. HIM runs off with Sif… not cool dude HIM teleports away with Sif but Thor and Balder catch up with them quickly. Haag takes this opportunity to strike, snatching Balder in her gigantic hand which Thor blasts out of existence. As Thor returns his attention to HIM and Sif he finds them gone. Completely enraged, Thor swears Vengeance against HIM! Thor (1966) 166: “A God Berserk!” Thor opens the issue pitching a fit and shattering mountains in the process. He has given in to Warriors Madness, a High Crime in Asgard Thor teleports himself and Balder to HIM again. Karnilla snatches Balder again but this time Thor, lost to Warriors Madness, ignores his entangled half-brother Thor and HIM begin brawling. Thor is so enraged that he sets down Mjolnir so he can beat HIM to death with his own bare hands Belder begs Thor to relent but Thor ain’t having that HIM is defeated and thus cocoons himself again, launching HIMself into space. Thor sobers up now that the conflict is over and Sif is back in his arms and is overwhelmed with guilt at the shame he’s brought upon himself Thor, Sif, and Balder return to Asgard and Thor prepares to face justice at the throne of Odin Marvel Premiere (1972) 1: “And Men shall call HIM… Warlock!” The opening page of this issue is an excruciatingly messianic image of HIM floating in space surrounded by roiling vapors of power with the High Evolutionary’s head in the bottom corner looking on An asteroid floats past the Earth, then the Moon but it’s no mere asteroid, it’s the hidden base of the High Evolutionary He recaps his prior adventures in Thor 134-135 and Tales to Astonish 94-96. He was a scientist named Herbert Wyndham who created a race of Nu-Men who were animals transformed into furries. Unfortunately his wolf furry was evil and became the dred Man-Beast, besmirching the good name of wolves the world over Thor overcame the Man-Beast so High Evolutionary exiled himself and the New-Men off planet where they revolted against him Facing his destruction he summoned the Hulk to defend him but High Evolutionary was ultimately forced to evolve into a form of pure energy which then merged with the eternal cosmos Later, loneliness overwhelmed him and his energy possessed his signature armor which catches us up to the present Sir Raam, one of the Nu-Men, informs H- E- that he’s found a strange thing floating through space. They bring the cocoon in and begin inspecting it enroute to the far side of the sun They telepathically communicate the Thor issues we just covered and H- E- is about to return HIM to the void but HIM asks what H- E- is upto and so he explains that he’s going to use his incredible power to create a Counter-Earth on the other side of the sun and populate it with peaceful, loving people. We then are treated to a dazzling fast-forward montage of the start of Counter-Earth At the critical moment where H- E- is going to purge mankind’s killer instinct, he’s overcome with exhaustion and falls asleep Man-Beast makes an appearance and corrupts the new mankind and then teleports to the planet below with some fellow evil Nu-Men High Evolutionary decides to just obliterate the new planet when HIM chimes in and says that he needs a chance to save Counter-Earth from Man-Beast’s influence as well as from their corrupt selves Before he departs, High Evolutionary grants HIM two gifts. The first is the glowing green gem which adorns his forehead and the second is a new name, Warlock! Warlock pops down to Counter-Earth ready to save them all Creators of these issues: Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Jack Kirby, Gil Kane, Vince Colletta, Dan Adkins, Artie Simek, Sam Rosen Find us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

For this episode, we have added a page to our site with resources for you to explore. There is a lot there to process and take in. Also, we will be adding to this as we come across works we believe are valuable to the conversation. https://artifactsofinfinity.com/social-justice-resources Find us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

coming soon... Find us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

coming soon...Find us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

coming soon...Find us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

Episode 12: Kree-Skrull War pt3: All’s Fair in Kree and Skrull Today we’ll be covering Avengers 95-97, the conclusion to the Kree-Skrull War Dramatis Personae: PROTAGONISTS Anelle Captain Marvel - Mar-Vell Carol Danvers Rick Jones Avengers: Captain America - Steve Rogers Goliath - Clint Barton Iron Man - Tony Stark Jarvis Quicksilver - Pietro Maximoff Scarlet Witch - Wanda Maximoff Thor - Thor Odinson Vision Wasp - Janet Van Dyne Yellowjacket/Ant-Man - Hank Pym S.H.I.E.L.D.: Dum Dum Dugan Nick Fury Rick’s Simpler Heroes: Captain America - Steve Rogers Human Torch - Jim Hammond Namor the Sub-Mariner Blazing Skull - Mark Todd The Vision - Aarkus Fin - Peter Noble Angel - Thomas Halloway Patriot - Jeffrey Mace Inhumans: Black Bolt Triton Kree Empire: Supreme Intelligence ANTAGONISTS H. Warren Craddock Mandroids Skrull Empire: Emperor Dorrek VII Super-Skrull - Kl’rt Kree Empire: Ronan the Accuser Sentry 459 Inhumans: Maximus the Mad Preface: We’ve been covering this story in three parts, this is part two If you’re new, we recommend starting with the prior episode Empyre is coming up and all of that drama starts with the Kree-Skrull War Avengers 95: “Something Inhuman This Way Comes” Best opening splash page in a long time, Triton looks EXCELLENT Unfortunately, he gets chased by a mob Triton arrives at Avengers Mansion as they are fighting the Mandroids Vision has conflicting emotions Flashback of Blackagar and Maximus parents being accidentally killed because MAXIMUS IS EVIL and this, somehow, is how we ended up with Mad Max Vision’s group rejoins the rest of the Avengers to rescue Black Bolt Black Bolt regains the crown Rick Jones is abducted by the Kree Avengers 96: “The Andromeda Swarm” The Avengers, fully reunited, land at a S.H.I.E.L.D. Space Base where Nick Fury gives them a ship to intercept the Skrull Armada Tony tries to gossip about Vision and Wanda but nobody has time for that The Avengers use a trick where their ship visually looks like a whole armada but it ends up only showing as a single ship on radar, so a single Skrull ship investigates Iron Man thirst poses aggressively at the Skrull Thor, Vision, and Iron Man take on the lone ship Meanwhile, Captain Marvel has agreed to work on the Omni-Wave Projector for the King Dorrek VII in order to save Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch Mar is tricksy and instead made a holographic projector, and ambushes the guards. Dorrek panics and orders “Execute Plan Delta” Vision has a TNG: Data moment and nearly beats a guard to death, but Iron Man and Thor pull him off Leather Daddy Clint is the sole Avenger left in a fightercraft so he boards the ship, but runs out of ideas Ronan villain monologues to Rick Jones but Rick is teleported to the Supreme Intelligence Supreme Intelligence explains that it’s been behind everything the whole time… Supreme Intelligence then shunts Rick back to the Negative Zone Avengers 97: “Godhood’s End!” Rick ponders life in the Negative Zone, visually excellent Annihilus attacks Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch buy Captain Marvel time to use the Omni-Wave Anelle tries to convince Dorrek to chill, but he’s never been chill about anything Mar destroys the Omni-Wave Rick escapes the Negative Zone through a portal, the Supreme Intelligence informs that it’s now time for Rick to glow up Ronan, Public Accuser tries to murder Rick and the Supreme Intelligence but Rick summons a ton of old Marvel heroes to fight for him Rick then deus ex machina’s all Kree and Skrull by freezing them all in place G.W. Craddock was a skrull all along and when that is revealed the crowd vents their rage, tearing him limb from limb Supreme Intelligence tells Rick that Rick isn’t important, any ol’ human would have done Captain Marvel thinks about Anelle. This brief moment is the entire basis for Empyre… one sentence… that’s it Supreme Intelligence teleports everyone home, real Craddock clears the Avengers of all charges and… that’s it Creators of these issues: Roy Thomas, Neal Adams, John Buscema, Tom Palmer, Sam Rosen, Alan Weiss, Gil Kane, Bill Everett, Stan Lee Find us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

My recording sounds like it's in a tincan and we couldn't get it fixed in time to release. Sorry about that. -JonathanEpisode 11: Skrulled into a False Sense Today we’ll be covering Avengers 92-94, the confrontation of the Kree-Skrull WarDramatis Personae: PROTAGONISTS Anelle Captain Marvel - Mar-Vell Carol Danvers Rick Jones Avengers Captain America - Steve Rogers Goliath - Clint Barton Iron Man - Tony Stark Jarvis Quicksilver - Pietro Maximoff Scarlet Witch - Wanda Maximoff Thor - Thor Odinson Vision Wasp - Janet Van Dyne Yellowjacket/Ant-Man - Hank Pym S.H.I.E.L.D. Dum Dum Dugan Nick Fury Rick’s Simpler Heroes Captain America - Steve Rogers Human Torch - Jim Hammond) Namor the Sub-Mariner Cat-Man (from Holyoke Comics) The Heap (from Hillman Comics) The Green Lama (from Prize Comics) Fighting Yank (Bruce Carter III) (from Nedor Comics) Fantoman (from Centaur Comics) Fantastic Four Mr. Fantastic - Reed Richards The Thing - Ben Grimm Inhumans Triton ANTAGONISTS H. Warren Craddock Mandroids Skrull Empire Emperor Dorrek VII Super-Skrull - Kl’rt Skrull Posing as a Cow & Human Torch Skrull Posing as a Cow & Mr. Fantastic Skrull Posing as a Cow & The Thing Kree Empire Ronan the Accuser Sentry 459 Preface: We’ve been covering this story in three parts, this is part two If you’re new, we recommend starting with the prior episode Empyre is coming up and all of that drama starts with the Kree-Skrull War Avengers 92: “All Things Must End!” Wanda flirts with Vision by dressing like him Normal life at Avengers Mansion is interrupted when Jarvis bursts into the room. He announces that someone leaked the Kree plot to turn back Earth’s evolution (see last episode) Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are definitely Mutants Goliath and his fabulous outfit come in and they are a whole lot. He thought everyone had agreed to keep those events a secret. The Avengers turn on the TV and see that H. Warren Craddock has been appointed head of the Alien Activities Commission, a comic counterpart to Joseph McCarthy’s House Committee on Internal Security. Also, with modern history for context it’s even more uncomfortable Mar-Vell and Rick Jones walk in and Mar offers to give himself over to the authorities. No one agrees except CLINT FREAKING BARTON… freaking guy… Vision, however, is having none of it and rightly points out how wrongly detaining anyone injured everyone A helicopter flies in piloted by Carol Danvers, as she crashes first Captain Marvel then Vision breaks her fall. Basically this scene is a mess. Captain Marvel’s powers are wildly inconsistent. A lot is happening and none of it really works Carol is saved but Wanda is concerned about her boy-toy Vis. Vision, however, as after pausing for dramatic timing, he re-emerges unscathed. SHIELD planes buzz Avengers Mansion searching for Mar-Vell. Carol and Mar slip out and head to Upstate NY to hide out. Mar is concerned that running will only confirm his guilt but Vision points out that he’s already been found guilty in the court of public opinion SHIELD tries to pursue but the Quinjet is too fast. Craddock yells at Fury for letting them escape in a prescient call-out of President Bush Sr. after his appointment to UN Ambassador in 1971 Fury chastises Craddock in the most important exchange in this issue Rick Jones has feelings about the complication of modern heroes. I find this really interesting having been through the 90’s emergence of Image comics and how the lack of this greyness was a large argument for the creation of Image. Clint sees a fight break out outside the mansion and heads out to break it up but it was staged to be able to serve a court summons. The Avengers head to court where Craddock is the worst… The testimony of Craddock’s witnesses is… slanted… to say the least. Reed Richards gives some good advise but BEN FREAKING GRIMM slags the Avengers hard Vision tries to testify but Craddock dismisses him out of hand for just being a robot… what a jerk Rick Jones gets a telepathic whammy from Mar-Vell, he’s under attack and Rick races off to help When they arrive at Avengers Mansion they find Jarvis distraught and the mansion trashed Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor show up and declare the current Avengers unfit, and disband them. Avengers 93: “This Beachhead Earth” Vision staggers into the Mansion and collapses, begging for help before shutting off Ant-Man shows up and explains that Vision isn’t dead, just needing some help There is a great bit where Ant-Man faces off against Vision’s immune system, Adams is an artistic LEGEND for a reason! As Vision wakes up he chastises the founders for breaking up the team but they have no memory of doing that. A mystery is afoot Team Drama because Vision/Wanda/Pietro each being too dramatic Remember the cows from Episode 1? The Skrull Cows we swore would never show up again? THEY SHOW UP AGAIN! WE ARE LIARS YA’LL! Skrull-McDoubles pose as the F4 and attack Captain Marvel and Carol Danvers have been captured by some Skrull Mar tries to escape. He recognizes that even though he’s been banished he’s still got to report whats going on with the Skrull on Earth. Our heros demolish the Cow-Skrull like some Double Doubles and then fail to stop the Skrull ship from escaping as it flees the farmhouse. Avengers 94: “More than Inhuman!” Super-Skrull nukes the Inhuman’s home but a forcefield protects it. He’s ticked Kl’rt decides to trade Mar-Vell for an end to his banishment Emperor Dorrek is afraid that Kl’rt is trying to usurp the throne… Anelle continues to be our favorite Emperor Dork tortures Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver to get Captain Marvel to fold which works, he’ll help build the Skrull a powerful weapon with Kree tech H. Warren Craddock is also the worst He unveils the Mandroids, basically people piloting armor suits to fight the Avengers. Iron Man uses his superior Roller-Derby tactics to demolish the Mandroids though, fear not. As all of this is going on, Triton climbs out of a manhole seeking help! Creators of these issues: Roy Thomas, Sal Buscema, John Buscema, John Romita Sr. Neal Adams, George Roussos, Tom Palmer, Sam Rosen, and Stan LeeFind us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

Episode 10: How do you Solve a Problem like Muh-Kree-A Today we’ll be covering Avengers 89-91, the opening act of the Kree-Skrull WarDramatis Personae: Captain Marvel - Mar-Vell Rick Jones Dr. Donaldson Mordecai P. Boggs Annihilus The Kree Supreme Intelligence Ronan the Accuser Sentry 459 Super-Skrull - Kl’rt (Flashback) Medic Una (Flashback) Avengers Quicksilver - Pietro Maximoff Vision Scarlet Witch - Wanda Maximoff Captain America - Steve Rogers Thor - Thor Odinson Iron Man - Tony Stark Goliath - Clint Barton Jarvis Wasp - Janet Van Dyne Yellowjacket - Hank Pym Fantastic Four Mr. Fantastic - Reed Richards Human Torch - Johnny Storm Invisible Woman - Susan Richards The Thing - Ben Grimm Inhumans Randac (Flashback) Preface: - We’ll be covering this story in three parts. - Everett is really good a planning this stuff out, our prior episodes lead perfectly to this - We’re heading into Empyre this spring and this is where it all startsAvengers 89: Chapter One - The Only Good Alien… This issue is potentially confusing as it contains a flashback but doesn’t let on right away. The issue opens in-medias-res, which means we’re in the middle of the story. Captain Marvel skulks through the Florida night. Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and Vision of The Avengers catch up with him and try to convince him to come with them but he won’t Mar fights them off but refuses to hit Scarlet Witch because of his acquired Earth prejudice of not hitting women. Rick Jones kill steals from the Avengers, blasting Mar with a ray gun. The Avengers & Rick bring Mar to the Quinjet where Wanda and Vision have a discussion on how Mutants and Aliens are both unwelcome on Earth which bums Vision out They land at Cape Kennedy Hospital where the Avengers rush Mar to see Dr. Donaldson. Mar is strapped into the chair. Rick feels responsible for the situation and as the machine crackles to life, BEGINNING THE FLASHBACK. While Captain Marvel was trapped in the Negative Zone he witnessed Reed Richards escape back to our world. These events are from Fantastic Four 109. Mar convinced Rick to go to the Baxter Building. Rick and the Captain swap bodies and Captain Marvel breaks into the Baxter Building because the Fantastic Four aren’t home (they are off fighting Psyklop) but the break-in summons the Avengers. Mar manages to activate the portal to the Negative Zone and frees Rick Jones so they are both back Earthside. While the portal is open, Annihilus escapes into our world but he’s quickly tricked back through the portal. While that was going on, Captain Marvel escaped in the Quinjet and headed to Miami. Quicksilver notices a radiation sensor that Captain Marvel was standing near is reading through the roof. It seems Captain Marvel has absorbed a huge amount of Negative Radiation. He’ll die, or worse, blow up the world, if he doesn’t get treatment soon! They only have three hours to resolve this before catastrophe. END OF FLASHBACK They made it in time. They fire up the machine but it doesn’t have the power to decontaminate Mar, so Vision straps into it to boost its power with his Solar Energy. It works but both Vision and Mar-Vell are exhausted from the ordeal. As this is going on, in the hall of the Kree Supreme Intelligence Ronan the Accuser overthrows the Kree, becoming the Emperor. He’s extremely Pro-Kree Ethno-Fascist. This is very bad you guys. He activates Sentry 459 to try to kill Captain Marvel again… It’s really hard being Sentry 459 and we feel bad for it, but 459 can’t resist orders and thus begins trashing Cape Kennedy. Avengers 90: Chapter 2 - Judgement Day! Shout Out to one of the best Title Pages we’ve covered yet, Sentry 459 breaks through the Bleed and into the panel as we see the hospital room where Captain Marvel remains unconscious. Negative space draws your eye in immediately and highlights the title. GREAT! Sentry 459 is hesitant to attack, it doesn’t know what the Avengers are all about so Scarlet Witch capitalizes by blasting the ceiling. As it collapses on 459 Quicksilver assaults it but gets caught with a backhand Android battles Android as Vision begins battling. They crush through the floor but Sentry 459 flies up through the hole and scoops up Captain Marvel as they then teleport away declaring that it is activating Plan Atavus! Carol Danvers shows up asking the avengers to sign paperwork. It’s an excuse to recap what’s happened before. If you’re curious, listen episodes 1-9, lol Vision comforts Rick saying that superheroes are often misfits: Captain America is an Anachronism, Thor is a Space-God, Iron Man hides his true identity The Avengers head home long enough to receive a message from Goliath, he got a call from Hank and Janet Pym about trouble in Alaska. The Avengers spring into action, running over Jarvis on the way out In Alaska, Goliath finds Jan, who is besides herself explaining that while they were investigating the effects of oil-drilling on Alaskan Wildlife (hint: it’s bad) FLASHBACK BEGINS A foot long dragonfly buzzed by and Hank took control of it. He and Jan discover a large structure in the middle of a section of tropical jungle. They reach the outskirts of the jungle but Hank says that he’s figured out what’s going on and HE KNOCKS JAN OUT WITH A BACKHAND, STRAPS HER TO THE DRAGONFLY, AND SENDS HER BACK TO CAMP!!! DARNIT HANK!!! FLASHBACK ENDS Clint then condescends to Jan who claps back that the dragonfly, who perished in the attempt to save her, isn’t a bad dream. Go Janet Van Dyne! Goliath heads to the jungle and is attacked by a large monster. He knocks the beast out but gets shot in the back by Ronan’s Universal Weapon! OH SNAP! The Avengers arrive with Janet and get surprised by an attack by Sentry 459. Goliath has been brainwashed off-panel and they attack the Avengers. Wasp gets knocked out again, man, she’s going to need a ton of brain-scans. Ronan monologues to Captain Marvel who he has in the structure, and explains that his plan is to wind the clock back on humanity by returning them to caveman status Avengers 91: Chapter 3 - Take One Giant Step Backward! A savage Hank Pym, under effect of the devolution beams, clubs Jan… I can’t even with this nonsense… he declares Janet pretty and drags her off Ronan believes that Cave-Hank want to mate, Captain Marvel chides Ronan into further monologues covering stuff we’ve covered before Meanwhile, Rick throws a rock at Sentry 459 which Wanda turns magnetic, confusing the Sentry and giving everyone time to take out Goliath, despite Quicksilver being terrible at fighting Sentry 459 recovers and takes out Vision and Scarlet Witch forcing Quicksilver and Rick to flee Sentry 459 gets some pathos recounting how he doesn’t hate the Avengers and he isn’t proud but he has to obey. Ronan binds Vision and Wanda in power nullifying energy shackles. They start to kiss but Vision is way too emo for that Ronan ships WandaVision We’re returned to Cave-Hank and Jan. A bunch of other cavemen want to steal Jan and Cave-Hank fends them off Ronan reveals that he actually plans on turning everyone back to amoebas. Quicksilver escapes and Ronan tortures Wanda to punish Vision… should I get a refrigerator yet? As the climax builds and the Ronan, Avengers, Captain Marvel confrontation builds to a head, they are interrupted by a message to Ronan. The Kree Galaxy is under attack by the Skrull Galaxy. Sentry 459 is left behind here while everyone else returns home. Hank is shaken by everything and quits the Avengers, Janet follows suit, and they depart. If you want to read the issues we covered today you can find them collected in: Avengers: Kree/Skrull War Avengers Masterworks Vol. 10 Creators of these issues: Roy Thomas, Sal Buscema, Sam Grainger, Sam Rosen, Mike Stevens, Artie Simek, and Stan Lee

Episode 9: Never a Skrull Moment! Today we’ll be covering Fantastic Four 37, Thor 142, and the backup story of Thor 146 & 147Preface: We’re prepping for Kree/Skrull War This is a grab-bag episode Fantastic Four, Super-Skrull, Thor, Kree Sentry Fantastic Four 37: Behold! A Distant Star! Ben and Johnny get blasted by Reed’s Power-Ray while prepping for Reed and Sue’s wedding Alicia tells Reed that Sue is distraught over the death of her father in issue 32/Episode 1 Reed decides that they need to go seek vengeance for Franklin Storm’s death On the Skrull Capital World, Princess Anelle and Warlord Morrat talk. Annelle is upset at how terrible Morrat is but she thirsty Reed convinces NASA to let the FF borrow a rocket, which is way better than Grand Theft Saturn They use the Power-Ray to punch a hole into subspace and arrive at the Skrull homeworld. The FF are immediately beset upon by Skrull soldiers, and their powers are out of control! Morrat captures the FF, Anelle tells him that he must inform her father, the Emperor. Morrat says he will but shifty dudes gonna shift. Anelle mentions to her father about Morrat capturing the FF and Emperor Dorrek suspects treason. Reed zaps Ben, Johnny, and Sue with the Power-Ray before Morrat can stop him, then Reed gets blasted with it, but now it’s revealed that the FF have all their powers back. Reed is quite heroic and smart in this scene The Emperor arrives with the Royal Guard and executes Morrat but Anelle is caught in the crossfire. She’s saved by Sue. The Emperor is grateful that his daughter is safe so he grants the FF a boon, they ask for Skrull responsible for Franklin Richards death and the Emperor is delighted because that was Morrat’s fault and Morrat is already dead. Thor 142: The Scourge of the Super-Skrull Loki is banished to another space-time continuum and decides to seek vengeance on Thor by tricking the Super-Skrull to attack him Kl’rt rushes to Earth and initiates a brawl with Thor Sif is awesome and doesn’t get enough respect, but she’s a LEGIT BOSS Super-Skrull threatens to go full on nova level so Thor hits him with some hurricain level rain and wind to knock him down a peg, see the visual companion for this rad image! It’s Hammer Time and Thor pummles Kl’rt before using Mjolnir to generate an Anti-Force to banish Super-Skrull from Earth Loki is extremely salty and it’s great Thor 146 Backup: The Origin of the Incomparable Inhumans This is a longer story but we’re only covering the first two bits In prehistoric times some humans developed faster than others and formed an advanced civilization. They called it Attilan, the hidden city Randac, the King of Attilan discovers the Terrigen Mists and through the process of Terrigenesis develops superpowers Thor 147 Backup: The Reason Why A Kree Sentry remarks that it’s time for the Second Phase as it’s heading to Attilan and being pelted by some of the primitive humans Sentry reflects that it’s been tasked to guard a Kree Base, even if it takes 1,000 years He finds Attilan and is glad that the Kree experiment of speeding the development of a group of humans was successful The Attilanians hope the Sentry comes in peace so they can learn from him. King Randac emerges from the Terrigen mist unharmed but with powers Turns out, the Sentry is none-other than Sentry 459! Randac blasts Sentry 459 with an energy blast from his hands and it has 0 effect on Sentry 459 Sentry 459 dubs these people Inhumans Randac establishes that every Inhuman citizen of Attilan will undergo Terrigenesis and that Attilan shall remain hidden If you want to read the issues we covered today you can find them collected in: Essential Fantastic Four Vol. 2 Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four vol 4 Fantastic Four Epic Collections vol. 3 Fantastic Four Omnibus vol. 2 Essential Thor Vol. 3 Marvel Masterworks Thor Mighty Thor Vol 6 Thor Epic Collections Vol 3 The Mighty Thor Omnibus vol.2 as well as digitally on Comixology As for Backups, however, they aren’t on Comixology in the Thor Volumes but are collectible in: Marvel Masterworks The Inhumans Vol 1 Marvel Unlimited Ask your local library. Creators of these issues: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Chic Stone, Stan Goldberg, Artie Simek, Sam Rosen, Vince Colleta, and Joe SinnottFind us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

Episode 8: Colonize This! Today we’ll be covering Thor 131-134Preface: We Love Thor Jonathan started reading Thor constantly at Thor: God of Thunder #1, though he also read Simonson’s whole run Everett started reading Thor with the Sif Journey Into Mystery run and then at Thor: God of Thunder #1 The numbering on Thor is so high because Thor initially takes over Journey Into Mystery with issue 83 and then becomes its own series at issue 126 Thor 131: They Strike from Space! We aren’t covering the Thor and Hercules adventure, but we freaking should! Jane is currently on a cross country bus, why? Tana Nile, Jane’s roommate bursts into crackling energy and transforms into an alien! She contacts Rigel, her homeworld, and stakes a claim on Earth as her first colony They send an inspection team, then FORESHADOWING HAPPENS warning of the Black Galaxy Some of the colonizers appear to have resemblence to racist caricatures of Asian people and there are some “Yellow Peril” overtones. Remember though, Stan Lee says DON’T BE A BIGOT! Thor demands that Odin allow him to marry Jane Foster, Odin agrees, and Thor takes off to propose (Awwwww!) Thor arrives at Jane’s apartment and gets immediately blasted out the room by Nile Nile monologues about how she’s now the Empress of Earth and threatens to used the Space Lock to move Earth out of orbit if the people don’t listen to her When Thor is attacked with a psionic Mind Thrust, he overcomes it only to be captured by the Coagulant Ray. These Colonizers sure have some gross sounding attacks Thor gets fed up and gives them The Hammer As they travel to Rigel the Rigelians increase their density and attack Thor again, but he knocks them out cold Thor 132: Where Gods May Fear To Tread Thor gets stopped by a Space Toll Booth which looks rad. Thor just wants the Space Lock removed, Rigelians attack, but Thor is too strong The thing you have to understand is, Mjolnir is a heck of a weapon On Earth Tana Nile tries to convince the police that she’s now Empress of Earth. They humor her by taking her to their leader… the Police Chief. It’s COMEDY GOLD! Thor gets attacked by robot of the week, an “Indestructable” They fight, Thor wins A deadly space beam destroys a Rigelien Space Cruiser, it’s an attack from the dreaded Black Galaxy The Grand Commissioner of Rigel is very tired you guys… he’s not here for this The Grand Commish makes a deal with Thor, if Thor will stop the threat of The Black Galaxy then they will leave Earth alone and never come back Jane’s continuing story isn’t covered because it doesn’t relate to the Cosmic stuff but it continues into 134 The Rigelians give Thor a humanoid android named Recorder so they can learn more about The Black Galaxy. Recorder is cool. Big Recorder fans around here! Thor heads to The Black Galaxy and discovers… Ego, the Living Planet!!! Thor 133: They Strike from Space! Thor and Recorder go to Ego and it looks STUNNING Ego claims to be the largest and most powerful intelligence in all of Infinity! He reads Thor’s mind and creates a simulacrum of Asgard, some horses, and gives himself a humanoid body to more easily interact with Thor and Recorder Ego announces that he’s going to leave The Black Galaxy and conquer all of space Ego and Thor smack talk each other Ego clones Thor and forms a being called an Anti-Body (good pun? Bad pun? You decide!) Ego doesn’t need Thor anymore since he cloned Thor and thus whisks them away. Then the Anti-Bodies attack! Back on Earth our girl Tana can’t convince anyone that she’s THE BOSS but she still looks fly as heck! Thor and Ego tussle With Ego bested, Thor heads back to Rigel. Rigel and Earth are saved Thor 134: The People Breeders! The bulk of this story isn’t covered because it has to do with The High Evolutionary but it’s BONKERS and this is where Jane continues her story. The Rigellians praise Thor for his handling of business There’s a huge energy reading OH MAH GHAWD IT’S GALACTUS!!! GALACTUS IS GONNA MONCH EGO Tana Nile returns to Rigel to… marry the High Commissioner??? Grats??? Thor and Recorder will have more Buddy Adventures and We Can’t Wait! If you want to read the issues we covered today you can find them collected in: - Essential Thor Vol. 2 - Marvel Masterworks Thor Mighty Thor Vol 5 - Thor Epic Collections Vol 3 - The Mighty Thor Omnibus vol.2 - Comixology and Marvel Unlimited - Ask your local libraryIf you would like to know more about Thor: The Lightning and the Storm podcast covers Simonson Thor and is PERFECT Jason Aaron’s Thor run begins with Thor: God of Thunder #1 and is EXCELLENT Stay Tuned! We’ll cover lots of Thor If you would like to know more about Ego: - Thor (1966) 228 - Nova (2007) 20-28 Nu-XandarCreators of these issues: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Vince Colletta, Artie Simek, Sam Rosen, and Irving ForbushFind us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

Episode 7: The Bomb In Man’s Heart Today we’ll be covering Fantastic Four (1961) 62 & 63, and X-Men (1963) 53 Preface: Covering the first appearances of Blastaar-The Living Bomb Burst Dark Ages of X-Men Fantastic Four 62: “--And One Shall Save Him!” Reed is in the Negative Zone following a confrontation with Sandman Ben talks to Reed on the Trans-Barrier Phone and tells Reed that as long as there is life there is hope but Reed is despondent Reed is headed for the Earth’s explosive belt! Crystal of the Inhumans seeks air from the Inhuman Royals In the Negative Zone, Art Deco red shirts pitch some dangerous cargo into the explosive belt fearing that he will still escape, but relieved that he is heavily sedated The discarded person ends up on the same space rock as Mr. Fantastic Reed pontificates Crystal convinces the Royal Family to send Triton to assist Automatic Translators are a thing, thank goodness! Reed is rescued thanks to the Inhuman! Fantastic Four 63: “Blastaar, the Living Bomb-Burst!” The F4 are immediately attacked Blastaar has followed Reed through the portal and has teamed up with Sandman Bedlam ensues Our heroes manage to get a disabling helmen onto Blastaar and knock him out and pitch him back into the Negative Zone X-Men 53: “The Rage of Blastaar!” Blastaar gets all kinds of extra while floating around in the Negative Zone This is our intro to the X-Men. Cyclops-Scott Summers; Marvel Girl-Jean Grey; Iceman-Bobby Drake; Hank McCoy-Beast; Warren Worthington III-Angel Professor X is recently inhumed and Jean is trying to learn to fill his shoes with some high-tech machinery which will change her thoughts into radio-waves This goes badly and Blastaar escapes into our world The X-Men try to stop him but he uses finger-blasts to fly into the air to beat up Angel Cyclops becomes Flyclops using his optic blasts… how is this not a thing he does more? Iceman gets extra YIKES Jean has Iceman make ice statues that she animates using her telekinesis to attack Blastaar with “Wherever men live with hate in their hearts--Blastaar lives there too!” If you want to read the issues we covered today you can find them collected in: Essential Fantastic Four Vol 3 Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four Vol 7 Fantastic Four Epic Collections Vol 4 Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol 3 Essential Classic X-Men Vol. 2 Marvel Masterworks The X-Men Vol 5 X-Men Epic Collections Vol 3 X-men Omnibus Vol 2 Comixology and Marvel Unlimited Ask your local library. If you would like to know more about Blastaar: Marvel Two-in-One (1975) 75 (Not available digitally) Annihilation, all of them GO READ X-MEN!Shout-out to Crushing Krisis, with ComicBookDB gone, his work is some of the most comprehensive!Creators of these issues: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Joe Sinnott, Stan Goldberg, Sam Rosen, Arnold Drake, Barry Windsor-Smith, Michael Dee, Herb Cooper, Mike EspositoFind us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

Episode 6: Mr. Tam-Bor-ine Man Today we’ll be covering Captain Marvel vol 1 issues 11, 15, and 16Preface: Sales of Captain Marvel were shaky but the title was important This caused the creative team to be inconsistent This is a much more modern storytelling method Captain Marvel 11: Rebirth Captain Marvel is going to be executed by Kree Firing Squad The Kree Firing Squad is vaporized by an Aakon raiding party Medic Una gets into the fray to defend her man The Aakon have changed appearance Mar-Vell waxes poetic, pining for justice and peace Medic Una is killed!!! NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Why Must She Be Fridged?!?! Mar-Vell and Yon-Rogg are gonna tussle Una is actually alive! Mar steals a spaceship from the cape to spirit her away. Nope, Una is dead again… out of the refrigerator and into the freezer Yon-Rogg’s ship yeets Mar’s ship faster than light into the cosmos Mar hallucinates as he is lost in space for months He awakens planetside healed and refreshed There is a giant building and a being calling to him… the being is ZO! Mar agrees to work for ZO in exchange for buffs to allow him to get revenge on Yon Captain Marvel 15: That ZO Might Live… A Galaxy Must Die! Captain Marvel demands that ZO prove that he’s as powerful as he claims ZO shows Mar a slideshow of Western History ending in Nuclear Holocaust It then shows Mar-Vell a vision of Mar destroying Kree-Lar There’s tons of awesome Black Light Poster Art Mar is convinced, it’s a good slide-show ZO tells Mar-Vell that Mar has to destroy the Kree Pagan God TAMBOR TAMBOR has magnetic powers, which we all know work by magic If Mar destroys Mag-TAMBOR-no it will destroy Kree-Lar so Mar is stumped Mar-vell is ultimately captured by the followers of Tam-Bor Captain Marvel 16: Behind the Mask of ZO! Captain Marvel is dragged before Tam-Bor Tam-bor brings the destructive magnetism which Mar overcomes with Jet-Belt Action Mar-Vel discovers that Tam-Bor isn’t a God but is a giant Kirby-esq machine! Mar-Vel defeats Tam-Bor with his Olympic Leaping Skills Ronan the Accuser teleports in and blasts Mar-Vel Ronan is finally shown as a Blue Kree (signaling that he tastes like Raspberry) Ronan thrashes Captain Marvel with his Universal Weapon but Mar activates his helmets self-destruct and lobs it like a grenade at Tam-Bor, destroying it. Ronan is about to execute Mar when the Supreme Intelligence intercedes with its Super Sentry Mar-Vel is teleported to the Hall of Judgement by the Super Sentry Turns out, Mar isn’t the one on trial, Zarek the Imperial Minister is. Mar knows him by another name though, ZO! Zarek, Ronan, and Yon-Rogg were conspiring together because of Racism… Yep, they were tired of the Supreme Intelligences dumb liberal policies of a peaceful pluralistic society and wanted to make Kree-Lar great again! Zarek and Ronan attempt to escape but the Supreme Intelligence captures them In reward for all he’s been through, the Supreme Intelligence gives Mar the Nega-Bands and a new costume. Mar-Vell tries to teleport to Earth but something goes wrong and he ends up in THE NEGATIVE ZONE! If you want to read the issues we covered today you can find them collected in: Essential Captain Marvel Vol 1 Marvel Masterworks: Captain Marvel Vol 2 Digitally on Comixology and Marvel Unlimited Ask your local library If you would like to know more about Captain Marvel: Avengers (1964) 89-97 The Kree Skrull War Marvel Graphic Novel #1: The Death of Captain Marvel Ronan: Inhumans Vol. 3 Annihilators (2012) Black Vortex (2015) Creators of these issues: Arnold Drake, Dick Ayers, Vince Colletta, Jean Izzo, Stan Lee, Barry Windsor-Smith, Herb Trimpe, Gary Friedrich, Tom Sutton, Dan Adkins, Jean Izzo, Marie Severin, John Verpoorten, Sam Rosen, Archie Goodwin, Don Heck, and Syd ShoresFind us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

Episode 5: Mar-Velous Today we’ll be covering Captain Marvel vol 1 issues 1, 2, and 3Preface: Discussion about how the Captain Marvel solo title got it’s start Legal history about Captain Marvel (Fawcett/DC/Marvel)Captain Marvel 1: Out of the Holocaust.. A Hero! Captain Marvel battles the Kree Sentry, luring it away from the Cape’s nuclear arsenal The Sentry’s self-repairing is too much for Mar Yon-Rogg is horrible to Una, boasting of Mar-Vell’s coming demise Hotel clerk Jeremy Logan snoops on Mar, discovering his Carry-All Cylinder Carol Danvers gets trapped in the Kree Cone of Shame Carol may get damseled by Una won’t take a damseling passively! Mar defeats the Sentry by puncturing its hull and hitting inside with a magnetic charge Yon-Rogg is salty but gets chastised by Ronan the Accuser for jeopardizing the mission Captain Marvel 2: The Space Man and the Super Skrull! Old King Skrull sees the Kree taking interest in Earth, thus he is now interested in Earth Old King Skrull summons Kl’rt (The Super Skrull) to figure out what the Kree want Super Skrull has the hots for Anelle, Old King Skrulls daughter Mar-Vell discovers that his Carry-All Cylinder is missing and it’s got a nuclear booby-trap Hotel clerk Jeremy Logan heads to the base with the Carry-All and is intercepted by Super Skrull, who knocks him out Captain Marvel and Super Skrull fight, Mar gets knocked out Captain Marvel 3: From the Ashes of Defeat Captain Marvel gets probed by Super Skrull (with the Psycho-Probe Mar escapes to the Kree ship after Kl’rt sees his memories Yon-rogg… still the worst, tries to let Mar die of neglect in space Mar-Vell convinces the Imperial Minister to allow him to return to Earth to diffuse the Carry-All Cylinder Kl-rt uses the information he’s gleaned to pose as Captain Marvels alter-ego Dr. Lawson but he isn’t fooling Carol Danvers Captain Marvel and Super Skrull fight again and Super Skrull is defeated… by self hypnosis… Mar-Vell diffuses the nuclear bomb Jeremy Logan is now in a coma If you want to read the issues we covered today you can find them collected in: Essential Captain Marvel Vol 1 Marvel Masterworks: Captain Marvel Vol 1 Digitally on Comixology and Marvel Unlimited Ask your local library. If you would like to know more about Captain Marvel: Untold Legend of Captain Marvel Mar-Vell and Skrulls: Young Avengers 9-12 Super Skrull: Annihilation: Super-Skrull Creators of these issues: Roy Thomas, Gene Colan, Vince Colletta, Artie Simek, Irving Forbush, Sam Rosen, and Stan LeeFind us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

Episode 4: Uatu You Lookin AtToday we are covering Tales of Suspense #53 backup and Fantastic Four 13 as well as discussing the Original Sin story more casually.Tales of Suspense 53 backup: The Way It Began Uatu breaks the 4th Wall The Watchers give matches to children They love to leave hoards of money and jewels laying around After debate they give nuclear power to a race clearly not ready for it Watchers take off to go sight-seeing and disaster befalls the children Recognizing their failure, they abdicate responsibility and refuse to help anyone else Uatu is displeased with this outcome Fantastic Four 13: The Red Ghost This story is anachronistic Commie space race Thing puts Reed in a time-out cylinder We meet Ivan Kragoff and his apes Kragoff exposes himself and his apes to cosmic rays to give each of them powers Apes do not like this 616 USSR has artificial gravity Uatu makes the FF and Kragoff fight it out because he doesn’t want shenanigans on the moon FF win, Uatu is salty and says he’s leaving but doesn’t Original Sin The lettering is terrible and small This story is wild Every 3 years Uatu goes blind to everything for 45ish min to upload to the Watchers Uatu gets killed Someone steals his eyes and unleashes their secrets on everyone Thor no-longer worthy of Mjolnir Nic Fury was the Watcher on the Wall but becomes The Unseen Bucky Barns was the Winter Soldier and becomes The Watcher on the Wall The Orb disappears with an eye from Uatu never to be seen again When read for the Thor bits, not great but important. When read on it’s own though it’s quite enjoyable If you want to read the issues we covered today you can find them collected in: Essential Fantastic Four Vol 1 Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four Vol 2 Fantastic Four Epic Collections Vol 1 Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol 1 Marvel Masterworks: Atlas Era Tales of Suspense #4 Marvel Masterworks: Marvel Rarities #1 You can find Fantastic Four #13 digitally on Comixology and Marvel Unlimited Tales of Suspense #53 is only available on Marvel Unlimited in its complete form. Or ask your local library. If you would like to know more about the Uatu and The Watchers: Fantastic Four (1961) 400: Even the Watchers Can Die! Original Sin (2014) 0-8 She-Hulk (2004) 7: Space Cases Captain Marvel (1968) 37-38 The Trial of the Watcher Creators of these issues: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Stan Goldberg, Art Simek, Paul Reinman, Larry Lieber, Jason Aaron, Mike Deodato, Frank Martin, VC’s Chris Elliopoulos, Ed Brubaker, Mark Waid, Javier Pulido, Jim Cheung, and Paco MedinaFind us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ArtifactsofI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

Episode 3: Kree-pyToday we are covering Fantastic Four 64 & 65 as well as Marvel Super Heroes 12 & 13Fantastic Four 64: The Sentry Sinister Reed and Ben wrap up closing a door to the Negative Zone from a prior adventure Reed and Sue argue leading Reed to suggest a vacation, Reed is being a jerk A professor and his guide are searching an island for remnants of an alien civilization Sentry 459 imprisons them Johnny and Crystal canoodle Reed, Sue, and Thing battle the Sentry Johnny and Lockjaw teleport in to save Reed, Sue, and ThingFantastic Four 65: From Beyond This Planet Earth! The Kree Supreme Intelligence telepathically finds the F4 guilty of destroying the Sentry Kree Justice is real weird Ben and Johnny share a bed… why? Reed is cheap Sue is real sick of super-hero life Johnny and Crystal are very cute together Ronan teleports the F4 to him and accuses them, bedlam ensues F4 team attack for the winMarvel Super-Heroes 12: The Coming of Captain Marvel! Kree need a breathing potion on Earth (this is no longer true) Yon-Rogg is a jerk Captain Marvel gets sent on a suicide mission by Yon-Rog Medic Una is sad about this because she and Mar-Vell are in love The radiation from Mar’s suit affects a missile test Captain Marvel evades the guards, escaping to a hotel. He signs the registry Marvel Yon-Rogg teleports a wrist monitor onto Mar-Vell’s arm The Supreme Intelligence tasks Mar-Vell with succeeding where the Sentry and Ronan failedMarvel Super-Heroes 13: The Coming of Captain Marvel Mar customizes his Uni-Beam by converting it to a wrist blaster Yon-Rogg tries to kill Mar while Mar is getting more breathing potion He instead downs a small plane, killing Walter Lawson Mar-Vell takes on Walter Lawson as an alternate identity Posing as Lawson, Mar works at the base for a week, learning what he can Carol Danvers works at the base as head of security A rebuild but inactive Sentry 459 is at the base Yon-Rogg re-energizes Sentry 459 and Mar-Vell rushes to help If you want to read the issues we covered today you can find them collected in: Essential Fantastic Four Vol 4 Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four Vol 7 Fantastic Four Epic Collections Vol 4 Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol 3 Essential Captain Marvel Vol 1 Marvel Masterworks: Captain Marvel Vol 1 as well as digitally on Comixology and Marvel Unlimited, or ask your local library.If you would like to know more about the Kree: Recently: Royals Annihilation: Conquest Historically: Captain Marvel volumes 1-6, Kree/Skrull War which takes place in Avengers (1963) 89-97Creators of these issues: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Joe Sinnott, Artie Simek, Gene Colan, Frank Giacoia, and Stan GoldbergFind us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

Episode 2: Galactus and PalsToday we are covering Fantastic Four 48, 49, and 50.Issue 48: The Coming of Galactus We skipped the beginning with the Inhumans and will come back to that later Silver Surfer actually surfing through the galaxy The Skrull see him and power down their ENTIRE EMPIRE There are two suns then the sky is on fire Johnny gets blamed due to his impulsiveness, gets beat up by a Marvel Crowd, and Thing rescues him No more Fire in the Sky, now it's Space Rocks Sue is tired of Reed's nonsense It's the Watcher causing the fire and space rocks The Silver Surfer lands and signals... GALACTUS! Thing sucker punches Silver Surfer right into Alicia Masters skylight Galactus gonna MONCH Issue 49: If This Be Doomsday The Fantastic Four are Haggard Galactus and The Watcher know each other Uatu pleads with Galactus to spare the Earth due to intelligent life, Galactus views us as ants. Each of the FF take turns trying to defeat Galactus to no avail The FF return home to freshen up while Alicia Masters teaches Silver Surfer about the inherent value of life The Human Torch gets a Side Quest for a McGuffin Galactus gets fed up with the FF's nonsense and sicks The Punisher on them! (not Frank Castle) We're confident that The Punisher is a Battletoad Issue 50: The Startling Saga of the Silver Surfer The Silver Surfer betrays Galactus and the fight and talk Human Torch returns from the McGuffin Side Quest with The Ultimate Nullifier As Galactus prepares to destroy Silver Surfer, Mr. Fantastic brandishes the Nullifier Galactus nopes out and implores humanity to live up to their potential Galactus banishes the Surfer to be stuck on Earth Ben tries to dislike the Surfer but can't do it Silver Surfer departs present company to explore the Earth If you want to read the issues we covered today you can find them collected in: Essential Fantastic Four Vol 3, Marvel Masterworks Vol 5, Epic Collections Vol 3, Fantastic Four: Behold… Galactus Hardcover, Silver Surfer Epic Collection Vol 1 as well as digitally on Comixology and Marvel Unlimited or ask your local library. If you would like to know more about Galactus: Ultimates (2016) #1-12 Thor (1966) #168-9 for the first telling of the Origin of Galactus If you would like to know more about Silver Surfer: Silver Surfer Black Silver Surfer Requiem Silver Surfer Parable if you like Moebius Creators of these issues: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Joe Sinnott, Stan Goldberg, Art Simek, and Sam Rosen Find us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com

Episode 1: All About SkrullsToday we are covering Fantastic Four 1, 2, 18, and 32.Issue 1: The Fantastic Four!Origin story of the Fantastic Four The summoning Flare Gun Sue Storm uses some sweet Rugby skills to tackle people while invisible Ben bursts through doors, streets, and walls Johnny slags cars and jets Reed has tremendous strength and toughness of hands Reed hugs people uncomfortably in the HUGS OF HORROR The military tries to nuke a city The F4 hijack a rocket Ben knows that cosmic rays are dangerous but everyone else doesn't care Why are they racing "the Commies"? Issue 2: The Fantastic Four Meet the Skrulls from Outer Space! The early Skrulls look like Muppet Fish, it's great! Thing's disguises often leave him looking horrific Johnny doesn't fear asbestos Everyone is jerks but they talk it out, because they are family Kludge The Skrull have WILD amounts of power but fear comic books Ben is sad and angry a lot due to his situation Three Skrull get turned into cows and definitely never show up again Issue 18: A Skrull Walks Among Us Thing looks much more like his current portrayal Their costumes look much more modern as well King Skrull has a great crown Flying in an ICBM is dangerous Super-Skrull is OP Super Skrull captures the Earth with clever flag usage Super-Skrull has a sense of humor Hypnosis Issue 32: Death of a Hero The "Photographs" from space are great Thing can't catch a break Reed is a jerk Marvel crowds are fickle Sue and Johnny's mom dies and their dad wrecks his life On the cover, the Impossible Man looks rad, in the comic he looks like a pickle man Death of Franklin Storm If you want to read the issues we covered today you can find them collected in: Essential Fantastic Four Vol 1 and 2, Marvel Masterworks Vol. 1-3, Epic Collections Vol 1 and 2, Secret Invasion Rise of The Skrulls TPB as well as digitally on Comixology and Marvel Unlimited.If you would like to know more about the Skrulls, their history and their importance in the Marvel Universe: Marvel: The Lost Generation Avengers (1963) #92-97 and others for First Kree/Skrull War Incredible Hercules #118-120 Fantastic Four #256 Fantastic Four (2018) #5 for retelling #1 Creators of these issues: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, George Klein, Christopher Rule, Stan Goldberg, Artie Simek, John Duffy, Dick Ayers, Paul Reinman, Sam Rosen, and Chic Stone.Find us on Twitter @ArtifactsOfI and ArtifactsOfInfinity.com