The Black Vortex, the last comic event before Secret Wars
changes the game (RIP Marvel 616 Universe 1961-2015), is a crossover primarily
between the Guardians of the Galaxy and the All-New X-Men in which they come
across an ancient artifact of unimaginable power. A mirror to the most powerful, yet
potentially darkest, reflection of whoever looks into it and submits to its
power, the Black Vortex is released upon the cosmos after being hidden away for
millennia.
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| Like a cool version of the Mirror of Erised |
The series begins with an ancient planet 12 billion years in
the past, where the inhabitants worship a Celestial who they call the Godhead.
One of these worshippers is a woman named Gara who calls out to the Godhead to
look upon them and allow her to explore the cosmos. Soon after this, the
Celestial leaves the planet and the Black Vortex mirror is all that remains.
Gara submits to the power of the Vortex and turmoil erupts across her planet as
we see she is the sole survivor of her species. In the present, Mr. Knife, a
villain who has been harassing Star-Lord in his regular series, has found the
Black Vortex and presents it to Thane, the son of Thanos who debuted in 2013’s
Infinity event. All of Knife’s
subordinates, the Slaughter Squad, have used the power of the Vortex and become
a major threat. Kitty Pride and her
boyfriend Star-Lord see that they cannot let the already powerful Thane use
this artifact and steal it and flee from the pursuing enemies.
