With the Guardians of the Galaxy series by Gerry Duggan temporarily coming to an end, Marvel has put a new series in its place to fit the grandiose scale of this story: Enter Infinity Countdown #1: Adam Warlock, the first in a series of Cosmic Proportions that is setting up big things for the future of the Marvel Universe (Read what’s going on with the Infinity Stones HERE). That being said, Duggan is continuing to write this cosmic epic but taking away the focus from the Guardians temporarily, with a focus on the infinity stones and most importantly, the newly resurrected Adam Warlock. With a gorgeous cover by talented artist Aaron Kuder and interior art by Michael Allred, Infinity Countdown #1: Adam Warlock does its job as being a fantastic set up issue as well as providing an entertaining solo adventure for Adam Warlock, as well as being able to familiarize new comic readers with the origins of Adam Warlock all at the same time.

While this may sound like this issue is balancing a lot at one time and may lose pace, worry not. Gerry Duggan, the talented writer behind books such as Deadpool, Uncanny Avengers, and of course this newest run of Guardians of the Galaxy, manages to balance all of it excellently and make exposition exciting and intriguing. Of course, the retro art by Michael Allred only adds to Duggan’s excellent writing. The art in this book is unlike anything in Marvel’s books right now, with the coloring and art providing a beautiful and different feel to it. Everything just pops out in the book, and this is without a doubt some of Allred’s best work, and is a true tribute to the history of the character that is Adam Warlock.

The dialogue written by Duggan adds a sense of vast scope to the story, as Warlock is give a tour of his life and many iterations as Warlock, and finally coming to the point of life he is at right now. It’s here that Kang warns him of a great cosmic calamity that is set to befall the Universe, and how Warlock must be ready to intervene and help. At this point Warlock’s journey through time takes him to Egypt, and sets up some exciting things to come in Duggan’s Infinity Countdown event. Although I was disappointed that the Guardians of the Galaxy was coming to an end, Infinity Countdown #1: Adam Warlock managed to fill my appetite for Marvel’s cosmic side, as Duggan brings all the charm, wit, and gravitas to the story that he has brought to Guardians and all other books he has written. Add to that the sense of wonder and nostalgia that Michael Allred’s art brings to the book with splash pages that will take your breath away, this is absolutely a book that you can’t miss. I am very much looking forward to seeing what comes next from Duggan and the rest of the team behind Infinity Countdown. – Ernesto Valenzuela

Grade – 9.5/10