In 2023, Marvel Comics reprinted a Warlock story from 1975 in Strange Tales featuring Warlock #178. With the ads and Stan Lee's Soapbox in place, the issue reminded me of the ones that I used to buy as a kid. The story even began with Sphinxor being asked by Mr. Lee to give a quick origin story to Warlock. Jim Starlin shows off his versatility by handling the writing, artwork and colors in this book. Actually born in a lab, Warlock's parents created him to take over Earth for them. However, just like any Frankenstein or Rocky Horror story, the creation began to think for himself and not wanting to do their bidding destroyed the lab along with his parents.
Also like the aforementioned stories, Warlock even found it hard finding a mate. Warlock eventually assisted the Hulk in defeating Man-Beast on Counter-Earth, which was created by the High Evolutionary. Even though Warlock is in possession of the all-powerful Soul-Gem, he comes across something even more powerful while trying to save a young girl who is being hunted,
This adventure brings Warlock face-to-face with members of the Universal Church of Truth, who believe in wiping out all nonbelievers. The problem is that their leader is Magus, but Magus lets Adam Warlock in on a secret. Magus and Warlock are one and the same, which presents a very interesting conundrum. How does one defeat themself?
The issue looked very familiar but I couldn't remember if I read this story in its original book. Bits and pieces were beginning to come back to me as I read further into the book. Even though I am more familiar with the modern layouts used in the comics now, it was refreshing to relive my own multiverse back in the days when I was a very young man.
