Review: Silver Surfer Epic Collection- The Infinity Gauntlet

Quick Summary

Pros: Most of the tie-ins to the Infinity Gauntlet event are pretty good. Some of the average quality stories still hit some interesting science-fiction concepts. The artwork is mostly positive.

Cons: Some of the stories are just average. Some of the stories are below average.

Overall: This is an alright volume that tells a few interesting stories but also tells a few mediocre ones as well. In some of the stories, the narrative dives into some unique themes and some creative cosmic concepts. However, in other places it focuses on more generic adventures or plot points that fail to develop into something worthwhile. This is a volume for big fans of the Silver Surfer, ones who don’t mind reading some lackluster chapters here and there, not for fans looking for great comics from the past.

Story

Silver Surfer Epic Collection: The Infinity Gauntlet, by Ron Marz, is a mediocre collection of Silver Surfer stories. Many of the chapters here range from just average to below average. The average ones focus on decent science-fiction adventures that are interesting in a few places, while the below average ones fail to live up to expectations and are occasionally clumsy. The biggest draw here comes from the tie-ins to the Infinity Gauntlet (Review) event. These tie-ins are still not incredible comics but are mostly compelling and expand on the event in a way fans of the event may find interesting. Because of all of this, Silver Surfer: The Infinity Gauntlet is mixed when it comes to quality and mixed when it comes to appeal.

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A large portion of Silver Surfer: The Infinity Gauntlet is comprised of tie-ins to the Infinity Gauntlet (Review) event. For the most part, these tie-ins are mostly compelling and provide a unique expansion for the event. Some of the issues elaborate on specific plot points, providing interesting twists and different ways to look at the event. One of these even depicts an entirely alternate conclusion, which was really interesting to see. Another issue shows how Thanos’ actions are having an impact on the entire universe, depicting how the dissolution of half of all life is creating chaos on places like Earth or within the Kree Empire. For the most part, these tie-ins are worthwhile for readers who have read the main event.

However, other chapters end up being pretty lackluster. The Surfer’s quest to stop an alien virus, his team-up with Mr. Fantastic and the portions of the volume following Nova feel like straightforward and generic science-fiction. In this way, they are interesting at points but not enough to stand out in any significantly positive way.

In addition to the lackluster chapters, there are a few that end up being even worse. The presence of Midnight Sun is built up throughout a number of chapters yet, once he opposes the Surfer, he is almost immediately dealt with and has almost no impact on the narrative. In addition, the exposition surrounding the Collection Agency is clumsy and is generally not that interesting. These chapters and plot points bring down this collection even further and contribute to its overall mediocrity.

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Art

The artwork in Silver Surfer: The Infinity Gauntlet is mostly positive. Ron Lim’s pencils and Tom Christopher’s inks make a solid pair and produce work that matches the subject material. Like in previous collections, this artwork looks creative and helps bring the wonders of space to life. It also has a level of polish that makes the entire work look well put together, with detailed character depictions and solid structures. 

The downside here is that there are more places where the quality of the artwork dips than there were in the previous volume. When other artists step in for a chapter or two, there are noticeable places where things end up looking worse. The collection, as a whole, is still visually pleasing but it has moments where it feels wanting.

Continuity

Silver Surfer Epic Collection: The Infinity Gauntlet continues the story from Silver Surfer Epic Collection: Thanos Quest (Review). 

The story here continues in Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #67, currently uncollected.

This volume also makes references to other comic books, detailed below:

• Silver Surfer Annual #4 is part of the “Korvac Quest” crossover event. This crossover stretches through Fantastic Four Annual #24, collected in Fantastic Four Epic Collection: The New Fantastic Four; Thor Annual #16; Silver Surfer Annual #4; and Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1, collected in Guardians of the Galaxy by Jim Valentino Vol. 1. 
  • This crossover is a sequel to the “Korvac Saga” story arc from Marvel Masterworks: Avengers Vol. 17 (Review).
• The Surfer defied Galactus and was trapped on Earth in Fantastic Four #48-50, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 5 (Review).
• The “Dawning” story from Silver Surfer Annual #4 references Marvel Special Edition #16.
• Midnight Sun was used as a pawn in Avengers #131-132, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Avengers Vol. 14 (Review). 
• Midnight Sun and the Silver Surfer fought in Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #29.
• Silver Surfer #51 references Galactus’ fight with the In-Betweener from Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #18.
• Romantic troubles between Nova and Silver Surfer are explained across Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #18-19.
• The cave paintings from Silver Surfer #51 were mentioned back in Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #11, collected in Silver Surfer Epic Collection: Freedom (Review).
• Silver Surfer #52-59 are tie-ins to the Infinity Gauntlet (Review) event. How these relate back to the main event will be explained in our upcoming “Infinity Gauntlet Reading Order”.
• Drax was killed by his daughter in Avengers #220, collected in  Avengers: The Trial of Yellowjacket (Review).
• Thanos was turned to stone back in Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2, collected in collected in Marvel Masterworks: Adam Warlock Vol. 2 (Review) or in Marvel Masterworks: Avengers Vol. 17 (Review).
• Mantis died in Silver Surfer Vol. 3 9, collected in Silver Surfer Epic Collection: Freedom (Review).
• Silver Surfer previously encountered the Collector in Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #19.
• Silver Surfer #61 references the Collector’s role in Avengers #334-339, collected in Avengers Epic Collection: The Collection Obsession. 
• Captain Marvel died in Marvel Graphic Novel #1, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Captain Marvel Vol. 6 (Review).
• Silver Surfer #65 references a few pieces of Captain Reptyl’s past.
  • He first fought the Silver Surfer in Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #11, collected in Silver Surfer Epic Collection: Freedom (Review).
  • He killed a Skrull in Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #28.
  • He survived an assassination attempt in Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #29.
  • And he was “killed” by the Super-Skrull in Fantastic Four Annual #24, collected in Fantastic Four Epic Collection: The New Fantastic Four.