A Life For A Life!

Yikes! What would make Captain Marvel and the rampaging Thing come to blows??

We apparently have no further to look than the two figures in shadow, above; but technically, we have to point the finger to Skragg and the Super-Skrull--two of the Skrull race who follow the orders of the mad Thanos, who needs crucial information from Mar-vell in order to obtain the Cosmic Cube. It's Skragg's belief that if the Kree Captain can be tricked into slaying the Thing, he'll come to realize he's murdered an innocent--which will push him towards insanity and thus make him more susceptible to providing the information Thanos needs.

Now that we've heard from the brains of the outfit, it's time for the brawn--i.e., the Super-Skrull--to lure the Thing into a trap which Mar-vell and his human host, Rick Jones, have also been manipulated into investigating. And having had dealings before with the Super-Skrull along with the rest of the Fantastic Four, it's almost a given that the Thing won't be obliged to ignore even so obvious a lure as that which the Super-Skrull dangles before him.

But as the Thing arrives at the building where the Skrulls will spring their trap, there is another component to Skragg's plan that will complete his preparations for Mar-vell, who, as Rick, has already entered the premises. And as the Thing boldly makes his own entrance, Phase 2 of this plan is quickly utilized.

Still unaware that the Super-Skrull isn't acting alone, the Thing continues to search the building; but he has been spotted by one who has already had first-hand exposure to Skragg's attempts at deception and who suspects that he's being targeted again with the same tactics. And following Rick having made the deductions, it's Captain Marvel who attacks the Thing on sight.

It's interesting that, though Mar-vell is the experienced soldier here, it's the battle-savvy Thing who has put two and two together and considered the possibility that the one he's fighting may be the real deal, one who's also been manipulated by a Skrull. In fact, throughout this brawl, it's apparent that scripter Mike Friedrich has excellent insight into the Thing's manner and thought process--handling him well through every step of this encounter, from his ability to keep a clear head to his unflinching resolve.

In his control booth, Skragg is delighted to see Mar-vell so fighting mad, convinced that his plan for the Kree will succeed. Though with Thanos looking over his shoulder and implying in no uncertain terms that his failure means death, Skragg could understandably be attempting to bolster his profile, to say nothing of his courage.

But if, like Skragg, we're judging this plan's success or failure by Mar-vell's bloodthirsty attitude, our nervous Skrull may have cause to be optimistic about his chances for survival.

With Mar-vell's near-fatal attack, those in the control booth are riveted to the scene. And there is now another player in this drama--Death itself, the one being that even Thanos pays deference to. Her timing is all too appropriate, since by all appearances Mar-vell prepares to deliver the killing stroke to the one he still believes is the enemy--and frankly, even as a reader, I wasn't 100% sure whether or not he'd go through with it.

While Mar-vell and the Thing compare notes, the writing is on the wall for our friend Skragg, as Thanos virtually delivers his eulogy even before the death knell has rung:

"Instead of the promised shattered mind, you hand me a mentally strengthened foe! It is time for direct action--and perhaps what your life failed to achieve may be accomplished by your death!"

Mar-vell recognizes the blood-curdling scream that reaches him as one signifying the death of a Skrull; and as he and the Thing investigate the facility, they come across Skragg, transmuted to stone. Considering the fate of Thanos himself at the hands of Warlock, you have to wonder if he felt like someone were walking on his own grave.