Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2

History

The issue's creation was largely serendipitous: Starlin had been doing animation work for Ralph Bakshi Studios and, upon returning to New York, ran into Marvel's editor-in-chief Archie Goodwin, who offered him the Avengers Annual as freelance work. Starlin saw it as an opportunity to close out his Warlock continuity and, after delivering that script, was offered the Two-in-One annual as well, allowing him to complete the two-part story. Starlin handled the full creative package — writing, breakdowns, and cover — with Joe Rubinstein providing finished inks, Petra Goldberg (Scotese) on colors, Annette Kawecki on letters, and Goodwin editing. Notably, Starlin has stated he did not inform Goodwin in advance that he intended to kill Thanos outright in this concluding chapter.

Trivia · 8 facts

• First appearances of the abstract cosmic entities Lord Chaos and Master Order, both created by Jim Starlin; they would go on to appear prominently in The Infinity Gauntlet (1991) and the 2016 Ultimates 2 series.
• Titled 'Death Watch!', the 34-page story is Part 2 of 2, continuing directly from Avengers Annual #7 (1977), which together form the conclusion of Starlin's multi-year Thanos/Warlock saga.
• Thanos is turned to stone by the freed soul of Adam Warlock in this issue — his first definitive 'death' — and does not return as a living character until Silver Surfer vol. 3 #34 (1990), over thirteen years later.
• The souls of Adam Warlock, Gamora, and Pip the Troll, trapped in the Soul Gem since Avengers Annual #7, are confirmed to inhabit 'Soul World' within the gem; they are not reborn into physical bodies until Infinity Gauntlet #1 (1991).
• Spider-Man plays the pivotal role in the issue's resolution — guided by his spider-sense to free the Soul Gem — despite being far outside his usual street-level milieu; in-story, Lord Chaos and Master Order claim responsibility for Peter Parker's entire destiny as Spider-Man so he could fulfill this role.
• Full creative credits: Written and drawn (breakdowns) by Jim Starlin; finished art by Joe Rubinstein; colors by Petra Goldberg (Scotese); letters by Annette Kawecki; edited by Archie Goodwin.
• The issue has been reprinted in numerous collected editions, including Marvel Masterworks: Warlock vol. 2, Avengers vs. Thanos (2013), Warlock by Jim Starlin: The Complete Collection (2014), the Adam Warlock Omnibus (Marvel, 2022), and The Death of Captain Marvel Omnibus (Marvel, 2025).
• A continuity discrepancy exists within Marvel canon: this issue depicts Warlock, Gamora, and Pip buried on a small asteroid, while Marvel Two-in-One #63 later shows their burial site as Counter-Earth, with no in-universe explanation provided.

Cast · 19 characters

Full credits

Key issues in Marvel Two-in-One Annual

★

#7 1st appearance — Tryco Slatterus