Synopsis
Warlock (1998 series) #3 synopsis by
Rob Johnson
Rating:
A villain in the Negative Zone named Syphonn animated the corpse of Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) and sent it on a killing spree, starting with Mar-Vell's lover Elysius, and leaving clues that Drax The Destroyer was responsible. Drax's ex-Infinity Watch teammates Adam Warlock, Gamora and Pip The Troll investigated. As did Elysius & Mar-Vell's son Genis-Vell, recently stripped of his father's Nega-Bands (and the title Captain Marvel) which were now on the corpse. But it all turned out to be a plan to get the corpse to 'give' the Bands to Drax who became a superpowered puppet of the villain. And Warlock predicted this would doom their positive matter universe (because of what he learned when his Soul Gem connected his mind to that of Syphonn). Genis took his father's body home and the other 3 set off after Drax.
Now their spaceship has caught up with Drax at a position where Syphonn wants a portal to the NZ opened. Warlock leaves the ship to tackle Drax alone and battles forward against the energy emanating from Drax & portal. But the ship gets closer too and is destroyed leaving G & P in spacesuits. Adam diverts to rescue them despite Gamora's protest that she didn't need rescuing because the suits have flight belts. She complains that he never tells them what he's planning so why did he bother to bring them along. Adam says he's wondered the same thing, and Pip accuses them of having a (repressed) lovers' quarrel. AW leaves them and G complains (again) that his emotions are erratic since he regained his Soul Gem, and Pip suggests she doesn't like *any* of his emotional states. Warlock dives back in and reaches Drax intending to remove the Nega Bands-from his wrists.
In the Neg Zone Syphonn speaks to some unseen guests and says that when his Conqueror Wheel connects with the portal that Drax is opening they will be able to invade and conquer the positive universe. 1 of his minions objects that that's not what he told *them*, but he suffers the usual fate of anyone who speaks up against their lord. His Negative Zone allies, who we can now see are Annihilus and Blastaar, confirm that they have their forces ready. But Psyphonn goes off to have a megavillain monologue saying that what he really intends to happen is that the positive universe will be destroyed and the Wheel will deliver all its energy to *him*, and then he'll use it to conquer the *Negative Zone*. But now he decides that he must have Warlock's Soul Gem as well, because of the indignity of the pain their mental contact made him suffer.
Genis-Vell has taken his father's corpse back to Titan, moon of Saturn - the home of the Titanian Eternals like Elysius. They have reburied him in his grave and their leader Mentor gives a eulogy. His son Starfox/Eros consoles Genis telling him he's not to blame for his mother's death. In fact dying Mar-Vell asked Eros to look after her so it is really *his* failure. Mentor then has a chat with Genis who says he promised to go back to help Warlock. Mentor tells him that if he can get the Nega-Bands back he can keep them and once again have his father's title. Genis claims to still be unworthy and accuses Mentor of pitying him. But he's going now to atone for his failures or die trying. Mentor gives him their fastest spaceship.
Adam, Gamora and Pip are all failing to get the Bands off Drax as the portal grows larger. Warlock prepares to use his most desperate ploy, to absorb Drax's soul with the Soul Gem. Gamora won't let him kill their friend but he punches her away. But this makes him realise that he can't trust his wildly-varying emotions. So he tries a new tack and with brute strength manages to pull Drax free from the portal (which makes G & P wonder if the Gem has now made him much stronger than ever). Now the Bands easily come free, but Warlock can sense Syphonn still within them. However the portal shrinks.
This of course doesn't make the dark lord happy. His plan won't work without a powerful living host wearing the Bands. He blames Warlock for this and intends instant revenge.
Drax recovers his senses. Genis arrives too late to help, but Adam respects his intentions. But then 1 of Syphonn's tentacles snakes out from the closing portal and drags Warlock into the NZ. As he goes Adam warns no-one to put the Nega Bands on (and seems to be about to tell Gamora he loves her). And then the portal finally snaps shut. G is distraught and nobody seems to have understood what he said about the Bands. While G & P are bemoaning the fact that they don't know how to get to the Neg Zone, Genis puts the bands on and says *he* knows how.
Meanwhile Syphonn 'welcomes' Warlock to his base. They exchange threats and the villain introduces him to his associates Annihilus and Blastaar. Adam says he'll fight the 3 of them. Syphonn says he'll take the Soul Gem. Warlock says that's impossible. All 3 blast our hero and he falls. Syphonn *does* take the Soul Gem and Adam collapse (as if) dead.
And the portal starts to open again.
CharactersGood (or All)Plus: Mentor (
A'Lars).