AKA... My Soul Gem: Building a Mini-Set out of Adam Warlock

When it comes to collecting, I'm not much of a completist. Thankfully I don't have an insatiable need to own every issue of a run unless I'm so immersed into the storyline (but sadly, that's very rare). When it comes to collecting third party graded comics, I also have no desire to build and complete sets... partly because it requires a lot of time, effort, and most of all... money... which I need to spread and allocate to other endeavors. There's also the perfectionist in me who desires only the very best grades, and is immediately jealous of another collector with a superior collection or individual item. So, if I were to begin building a set with the intentions of completing it, I would be unsatisfied until I've collected only the highest grades possible... and that would really put me into a deep financial hole!

For the most part, my CGC collecting has been focused on buying single keys related to my favorite heroes... which, from my point of view, makes sense since it's easier to amass single keys and way more satisfying without that nagging feeling of... "I can't sleep until I find that missing issue to complete the set". Once I have the key that I want, I can move on. It's like scoring a lot of little victories in favor of the really big one. And in many ways I also look at it like an investment portfolio... it's better to have diversity than throwing all your eggs into one basket.

However, contrary to what I just said about building sets, I decided to embark on building a special mini-set or lot. And before you cry hypocrite, let me explain. I am building a complete mini-set of keys all related to just one character: Adam Warlock, aka Him. Why? Partly because I believe these keys to be sound investments with great potential, partly because these keys are currently affordable, and most importantly... to fulfill a fanboy need.

But why Adam Warlock in particular and not another character? I can't really say for sure. Warlock's never really been a best selling title, more of a secondary character with a cult following. I first read of his mystical exploits and got into the character back in 1980, when Adam Warlock was a back-up feature to the Silver Surfer. Marvel Comics reprinted the Silver Surfer's first 14 issues from his first volume, in Fantasy Masterpieces Volume 2 (1979 -- 1981), which carried a 75 cent cover price. As an added bonus, they also generously reprinted Jim Starlin's run as previously seen in Strange Tales 178 - 181, and Warlock 9-11. It was these particular Warlock stories which struck a chord in me. There's an esoteric charm to them... a sort of mystical philosophy... very existential and head-trippy... much like the storytelling magic in the Silver Surfer's first run... which is probably why Marvel chose to pair them up... they simply complement each other. I view both the Silver Surfer and Adam Warlock as Marvel Comic's messiahs... both mythologies are filled with great esoteric wisdom... each being evokes a sense and degree of inner peace ironically derived from the lessons learned from the chaos of the outside world, and each being makes a profound sacrifice for the greater good... such noble qualities. If I had the money, I would honestly collect all the issues from both characters... but that just isn't going to happen (not yet a least).

Anyway... from my perspective, I feel, Adam Warlock has only six distinct historical keys worth collecting (of which I currently own four), listed as follows:

1st Key: Fantastic Four Volume 1, No. 66: "Him's" origin as told by his creators The Citadel of Science. "Him" does not appear, save in Cocoon form, where he is gestating and awaiting full growth and development of his god-like powers.

2nd Key: Fantastic Four Volume 2, No. 67: Contrary to popular opinion, "Him's" origin is not discussed or covered in this issue, however, he does make his first actual appearance when his cocoon ruptures prematurely... albeit a very brief one panel cameo... but nonetheless we finally get to see "Him".

3rd Key: Thor Volume 1, No. 165: "Him's" first full appearance as he battles Thor for the hand of Lady Sif.

4th Key: Marvel Premiere Volume 1, No. 1: Not only is it the inaugural issue of the title Marvel Premiere, but it is also where "Him" is officially christened Adam Warlock by the Higher Evolutionary, thereby given an identity as well as a costume. Now he's a superhero! And, in addition, it's the first time Adam Warlock dons the Soul Gem: that vampire, soul-sucking jewel which contains a pocket universe: the Soul World... gifted to him by the Higher Evolutionary.

5th Key: Warlock (The Power of...) Volume 1, No. 1: Finally! Warlock gets his own magazine! This inaugural issue is a continuation of the storyline from Marvel Premiere 1 and 2.

6th Key: Warlock Volume 1, No. 10: The sixth and final key (to date), features the Origin of the Mad Titan: Thanos; his lovely green-skinned lethal assassin's origin, Gamora; the Death of The Matriarch; and the first appearance of the In-Betweener (created by Lord Chaos and Master Order and possessor of a Soul Gem... Thanos later conned him for it; that slick !)

To date, as I mentioned earlier, I own four of the six. As many of you have posted your goals for 2013, I too will go on record with one of my goals: acquiring the last remaining keys: Thor 165 and The Power of... Warlock No. 1.

Thanks for reading.

If you're building any particular sets, large or small, please share your stories and why you chose to do so.

Happy New Year and Happy Collecting!

SW3D

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