Marvel Graphic Novel The Death Of Captain Marvel

Artist/writer Jim Starlin ended his run of Captain Marvel in the most dramatic fashion possible-the death of the character.

Back in the late 1960s Marvel Comics introduced a Kree soldier by the name of Mar-Vell.  After a few years he was transformed into the cosmic powered Captain Marvel.

His most memorable run was written and drawn by Jim Starlin.

Jim made the character his own with wild cosmic adventures and with some truly unique characters that both helped and hunted Captain Marvel.

In one issue Captain Marvel faced off against a villain who could literally blow himself up.

Unbeknownst to Captain Marvel (and his swapped dimensional partner Rick Jones) when the villain (Nitro) exploded he also detonated a nearby canister of toxic chemicals.  

As a result Captain Marvel was exposed to it and contracted cancer-a cancer that was killing him.  Since Rick was in another dimension the poison did not effect him.

Marvel’s greatest adversary was Thanos who was transformed into a statue of stone.

Without going into too much detail the story centered around Captain Marvel tying up a few loose ends, saying goodbye to friends-including Rick, his fellow space travelers and The Avengers.

The story was also a farewell to his fans.  Inevitably Marvel died at the end of the story.  Surprisingly Thanos, who worshiped Death, led Marvel to his final reward and rest.

Although they were bitter enemies Thanos had a great deal of respect for Marvel.  Together the two adversaries, with assistance from Death herself, entered the light and were gone.

The Death Of Captain Marvel marked a milestone for Marvel Comics.  Besides the death of Jean Grey, the death of Captain Marvel demonstrated even superheroes could die and that Death was an ever-present entity in the Marvel Universe. 

"For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." — Hosea 6:6