Issue #4 of “Thanos Rising” came out today. With a lot of story left to tell, I did not expect such a dynamic chapter. I thought it might jump all over the place, trying to catch up to the conclusion within the five issue arc. Instead, writer Jason Aaron was focused on the most profound incident at that point in Thanos's life. Fitting considering the point of the arc – Marvel's defining origin of Thanos.

Simone Bianchi illustrates with the same dynamic style I have lauded since EYC gave me the privilege to write. He has his favorite panels, we his fans can see, but no panel goes without his potent pen. His visual storytelling improves with every issue, and “Thanos Rising” has been a virtual masterwork.

In issue #4 Thanos is sacking a world, one of countless he has burned since strangling his last illegitimate child. He is in the throes of satisfying the insatiable Lady Death, the manifestation of death in the Marvel Universe. An interesting character trait is revealed within these pages about Lady Death, one that must be experienced to be appreciated (courtesy of Simone Bianchi). On the planet Thanos is assaulted by one of the surviving warriors, who stabs him in the chest. He tosses the assailant aside like a fly. The alien then curses Thanos, and asks the villain how he dares murder so freely.

“Would you believe.” answers Thanos, “For love?” Thanos challenges the alien to go to the captain's quarters and ask the woman if it is enough. Ask her when it will be enough! But the alien only finds a corpse in Thanos's bed. Telling.

On Titan, Thanos's father is suffering an illusion at the grave of his murdered wife. His own corporeal father is telling him what he already knows, that it is time to prepare for the homecoming of his son. It is time to stop Thanos before he destroys them all. His father is reluctant. Devastatingly reluctant, and pushing a denial even he cannot lie about, he wanders out into the cemetery having made his decision already.

The issue offers a treasure trove of surprises as it leads to one revelation after another until finally, Thanos finds someone he can't kill . . . himself. It is with that realization that he at last makes the decision that will define his character, and name him throughout the universe as the terror that he is.

If we start back in issue #1, and trace the story through to issue #4 the continuation and meaning within the evolution of Thanos is flawless. Marvel could not have chosen a better team up than Simone Bianchi and Jason Aaron. Issue #5, the final issue in the origin of Thanos the world killer comes out in August, and will go down in comics history as a significant achievement. Let it serve as a worthy prelude to the new Avengers movie, and let it define Thanos throughout all comicdom.