"Thanos Wins" Comes to A Satisfying Conclusion

A couple weeks back, I wrote about Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw's run on Thanos, which is probably the best book of their respective careers and the strongest Marvel Cosmic book since the end of Abnett and Lanning's run on Guardians of the Galaxy. So I had fairly lofty expectations going into the final issue of the "Thanos Wins" story. And, naturally, they were met exceptionally well. 

#18 of Thanos's run opens with the two Thanos's victorious, having slain their foe, and now are apparently the last two beings in the entire universe. With their beloved Lady Death standing before them, the duo come to the realization that in order for them to be with Death, one of them must die. 

What ensues is a nearly issue-long fight scene, with almost no dialogue save for the opening narration, between the two Thanos's (Thanii? Thaneese?) as they engage in one final, knock-down, drag-out fight. Unlike the numerous other fights throughout the run, this one lacks the over-the-top visuals, which should've crippled it, but Shaw gives the fight an intensely personal feel. Every blow feels so visceral, it's hard not to wince at some of the more brutal hits. The entire fight feels resigned, destined to happen whether the two wanted it or not. 

These spills out into the narration as well, as Cates brings Thanos's arc full-circle. A frequent criticism of the series was that it lacked the character development most takes on the character had given him, but this issue makes it clear that the comic is all about Thanos's personal struggle, not just with the universe as a whole, but with himself. The final fight takes it to the literal extreme, but it ends on a poignant note for the character, who admits a seething self-hatred for himself that will hopefully be picked up on in Infinity Countdown, a Marvel Cosmic event that Cates ends the issue urging people to read if they want more of the Mad Titan.

Thanos was fairly brief, but it's such promising work from both Cates and Shaw they they've quickly become creators I'll read anything from. It's funny, creative, tragic, and most of all, fun. With one more Annual, where the Cosmic Ghost Rider narrates some of Thanos's most notable adventures, to go, there should be no reason why you aren't reading this. In fact, there's no reason why you haven't pre-ordered the upcoming Cosmic Ghost Rider book too, while you're at it.