THE FINAL THREAT (1977)

Thanos has one last plan to win Death's affection. And it's pretty much the same as the last plan. Jim Starlin brings us the finale of Thanos' machinations in this classic '70s cosmic tale that wraps up the story of the 'Mad Titan' and also ends the saga of Adam Warlock...

Previous events that directly impact this story:

• THE THANOS WAR- Thanos makes his debut
• THE INFINITY EFFECT - Warlock & Thanos fight as allies
• HOMECOMING - Thanos prepares for the final battle

Crossover: This two-parter marks the finale of the original Thanos saga.

• Avengers Annual #7
• Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2

Avengers Annual #7
Adam Warlock is out for revenge when his former ally, Thanos, murders his own adopted daughter, Gamora. He reveals Thanos' plan to destroy every sun in the galaxy in Death's honour to the Avengers, Captain Marvel and Moondragon, and the heroes head into space to battle Thanos' fleet of alien mercenaries. Boarding Thanos ship, Sanctuary II, Warlock discovers a brain-dead Pip the Troll and absorbs his soul into his Soul Gem. Thanos has combined the power of five of the legendary Soul Gems into one giant, synthetic gem, adding power he secretly absorbed from Adam Warlock's gem when they fought against the Magus. 

Captain Marvel destroys the giant gem's projector that was intended to be used against Earth's sun. Warlock faces Thanos, but is mortally wounded with an energy blast. Thor picks up the fight with Thanos. Iron Man destroys the giant gem. Adam Warlock's emerges from his Soul Gem and absorbs the present day Warlock soul into his gem (as seen from his past-self's perspective during THE INFINITY EFFECT). The Avengers mourn the passing of a great hero, while Adam happily rejoins his friends in Gemworld.

Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2
Moondragon mentally summons Spider-Man from across the galaxy, informing his that the Avengers have been defeated and captured by Thanos! The Thing (of the disbanded Fantastic Four) agrees to fly them both into space in an experimental space shuttle. Spider-Man and the Thing are overpowered by Thanos on Sanctuary II, but Spidey manages to free the Avengers from stasis. Thor and the Thing tackle Thanos together while the other heroes fight the Titan's hordes. Spider-Man smashes the orb holding Adam Warlock's Soul Gem, freeing Warlock's soul from the gem long enough for his spirit to turn Thanos into stone.

Doctor Strange #28 (1978) 

Doctor Strange summons Lord Chaos and Master Order to restrain their creation, the In-Betweener, when he's used in a pawn in a plot to create universal insanity.

Captain Marvel #58 (1978) 

It's revealed that Thanos built a program into ISAAC (the near-sentient computer used by the Eternals of Titan) in the event of his death that would make the system turn against the Eternals who live there during THE DARK CORNERS.

Fantastic Four #200 (1978)
The Fantastic Four reform.

Marvel Two-in-One #63 (1980) 

The Thing and Moondragon are present when Her tries to resurrect Adam Warlock; she has the power to resurrect his body, but his soul remains trapped in the Soul Gem, so she returns his body to the grave. 

Incredible Hulk #247 (1980) 

Adam Warlock's gem is retrieved from his grave by the Gardener. 

Marvel Graphic Novel #1: The Death of Captain Marvel (1982)

Thanos and Death lead the soul of Captain Marvel into the afterlife after the hero dies of cancer. 

Avengers #252 (1985) 

Thanos' ship, Sanctuary II, reappears and the new Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau) is sent there to investigate its reappearance. 

Avengers #260 (1985) 

Nebula lays claim to Sanctuary II when she announces herself tas Thanos' granddaughter during SECRET WARS II / THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.

Silver Surfer #7 (1988) 

The Grandmaster is revealed to be the next bearer of the Mind Gem; having lost the Soul Gem, the Gardener becomes the next bearer of the Time Gem during WAR OF THE ELDERS OF THE UNIVERSE.

Silver Surfer #9 (1988) 

The Champion becomes the next bearer of the Power Gem; the Collector becomes the next bearer of the Reality Gem; the Runner is revealed to be the next bearer of the Space Gem. 

Silver Surfer #16-18 (1988) 

The In-Betweener becomes the next bearer of the Soul Gem. 

Silver Surfer #34 (1990) 

Thanos is resurrected by Death with the mission to fix the problem of the overpopulated universe during REBIRTH OF THANOS. 

Thanos Quest #1-2 (1990) 

Thanos gathers the six Soul Gems - forcibly removing them from their current owners and renaming them the 'Infinity Gems' - as part of his plan to wipe out half the population of the universe; affixing the gems to his glove, Thanos creates the Infinity Gauntlet during REBIRTH OF THANOS. 

Spider-Man #17 (1991) 

Spider-Man faces an even more powerful Thanos on his own during THE INFINITY GAUNTLET.

Silver Surfer #46 (1991) 

The Silver Surfer's soul is absorbed into the Soul Gem where he meets Warlock and his allies; Warlock learns of Thanos' return during REBIRTH OF THANOS. 

Infinity Gauntlet #1 (1991) 

Adam Warlock, Pip the Troll and Gamora return to the land of the living to oppose Thanos; Thanos uses the six Infinity Gems to wipe out half the population of the universe during THE INFINITY GAUNTLET. 

Infinity Gauntlet #5 (1991) 

Lord Chaos and Master Order are among the abstract beings who attempt to wrest the Infinity Gauntlet from Thanos; Adam Warlock confronts Thanos with the reason why his schemes always fail during THE INFINITY GAUNTLET. 

Infinity Gauntlet #6 (1991) 

Warlock thwarts Thanos' attempt to impress Death by taking the Infinity Gauntlet for himself and using the Time Gem to restore the dead during THE INFINITY GAUNTLET. 

Warlock and the Infinity Watch #2 (1992) 

Warlock shares the Infinity Gems out among his friends, including Pip the Troll, Gamora, Moondragon, Drax the Destroyer and a mysterious fifth gem bearer. 

Infinity War #1-6 (1992) 

Thanos calls on Adam Warlock as an ally when he discovers the return of Warlock's evil self, the Magus, during THE INFINITY WAR. 

Infinity Crusade #1 (1993) 

The personification of Adam Warlock's 'good side' creates a Cosmic Egg (similar to Thanos' synthetic Soul Gem, but powered by Cosmic Cubes); Thanos and Warlock become allies again to oppose the Goddess during THE INFINITY CRUSADE. 

Warlock Chronicles #2 (1993)

Thanos is revealed to be the secret sixth member of the Infinity Watch and bearer of the Reality Gem during THE INFINITY CRUSADE.

New Avengers ##3 (2013) 

The Infinity Gems shatter when the Illuminati attempt to use them to push another universe away and avoid a collision of realities during MARVEL NOW! 

Infinity #6 (2014) 

Thanos' son, Thane, traps Thanos in a block of amber, leaving him in a very similar state to his 'living death' statue state during INFINITY. 

Thanos: The Infinity Finale OGN (2016) 

Thanos finally feels Death's passionate embrace during THE INFINITY SAGA. 

Ultimates 2 #3 (2017) 

Lord Chaos, Master Order and the In-Betweener merge to becomes Logos.

See how this story fits into the wider Marvel Universe continuity with these reading orders:

• WARLOCK: Adam Warlock (1967-1992)
• ETERNALS: Gods Walk The Earth (1973-1983)

Avengers Epic Collection vol.9: The Final Threat
Avengers vs Thanos
Essential Avengers vol.8
Essential Warlock vol.1
Gamora: Guardian of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy: Solo Omnibus
Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers vol.17
Marvel Masterworks: Captain Marvel vol.5
Marvel Masterworks: Marvel Two-in-One vol.4
Marvel Masterworks: Warlock vol.1
Thanos Wars: Infinity Origin Omnibus
Warlock by Jim Starlin : The Complete Collection
Include Avengers Annual #7 and Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2.

Essential Marvel Two-in-One vol.2
Includes Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2.