His father was the greatest of Heroes, saving the entire universe from subjugation time and time
again! Now he must continue that tradition , his powers are the same, but his outlook is
different. He wields the mighty Nega bands and has the Celestial insight of Cosmic Awareness.
The universe is his inheritance, for he is its Protector as he struggles to find his place amidst the
Heavens, his buds call him Genis, but he's known and feared by his enemies as........
Splash Page : Genis stares up at his father, the original Captain Marvel smashing his way
continually through a space vessel above central park.
Genis: (I-I Don't believe it! Right in front of me-I never thought I'd ever see him, my FATHER!)
Page 2
Narrator: What has gone before.....Last issue Genis-Vell awoke after battling the seemingly
infinitely powerful "Black Sun"* to find himself in an unknown field somewhere. After some
confusion , he discovered he had actually been thrown backwards through time several years.
Now above him he watches as his father, Captain Mar-Vell smashes a space fairing vessel to
shreds.
*See last issue and Ish #77
Genis: (No matter how much this hurts, I have to use my Cosmic Awareness to "tag" him, so I
can catch up to him later on.)
Genis knits his brow, concentration rivets him as he reaches out, trying to touch the very being
of Mar-Vell oh so subtly . Above Mar-Vell suddenly turns his head and stares intently at Genis
so far below him, then reaching inside the space craft, grabs the female blue skinned pilot and
streaks away.
Genis: (H-he felt my mind touch, he knew I was probing him.)
Page 3
Peter Parker* approaches Genis.
*Genis has been staying with Pete since he was stranded here.
Pete: "You okay buddy?"
Genis:" Uh yeah. I'm still having those headaches* but they're no where near as severe. Watching
this Captain Marvel here triggered one, that's all."
*Again, see last issue
Pete: "Well Gerry, you just take it easy. Maybe we should all get out of the sun then, and let you
relax.*
*Gerry is the name Genis is using as he seeks to hide his I D from others in this past, but Peter
Parker/Spider-Man knows who he is anyway, having saved him twice as Spidey last issue.
Page 4
Genis: "Thanks buddy, but I think I'm going for a walk right about now. I'll catch up with you
and your friends later. I need to clear my head a little. By the way, thanks for everything the last
day or two."
Pete: "No problem Gerry, I'll catch you later."
Genis says his goodbyes to the others at the picnic and makes his way deeper into the tree lined
park.
Genis:( Wow, Peter was very cool to me. All his friends were. To bad Mary Jane is his chick, but
they do make a good couple. I wonder if they're still together in my time? )
Genis walks deeper in to the park, then once he's sure he's alone, he slams his Nega bands
together.
K-TANG!
Instantly he's transformed in a blast of light to Captain Marvel!
Page 5
Genis: ( Okay, time to find him, find my father. I'm not leaving here until I at least speak to him,
no matter what ANYONE thinks.)
He rockets over the New York skyline, his headaches all but forgotten as he reaches outwards
with his Cosmic Awareness to pin point Mar-Vells location, when suddenly a voice behind him
awakens him from his reverie.
Voice: "Hello there. Can I help you?"
Genis turns around quickly
Genis: "Wha??? YOU ???"
There , floating in mid air is the man he was looking for, his father, the original Captain Marvel
!
Mar: "You seem surprised to see me, yet I felt you were looking for me. What can I do for you?"
Genis: "Uh see this is kinda hard for me to put into words. Use your Cosmic Awareness and scan
me, okay?"
Mar-Vell nods slowly, and does as Genis asks, suddenly shock registers on his face.
Mar: "Y-you're my SON?? But how?"
Genis: "Uh, I'm from the future. I got thrown back here after battling a major baddie who was
trying to take control of the Universe. After his defeat this , uh other bad guy blind sided me and
I got dumped into the past."
Page 6
Mar-Vell: "Hhhmm, I've fought a few power hungry megalomaniacs myself in my time. I
understand. Fly with me."
Mar-Vell flies away, photon trail glittering behind him, Genis shrugs and follows.
Mar-Vell: "So what can I tell my future son? Am I helping you in the future? Are you continuing
my legacy as I sit in some cosmic old age home in retirement? "
Genis: "Well uh, yeah. You've always been an inspiration to me. And t-to see you like this, well
it's a dream come true."
Mar: " So I guess I must be old and grey at this point in time, considering you look to be about
twenty two or so."
Genis: "Well uh, lets say you're retired and leave it at that. It's good to see you so young and vital
here."
Page 7
Mar: "Look Genis, I'm not afraid of the future and what it holds. I want to know , have I
succeeded in making the universe a safer, better place?"
Genis: "Absolutely. Time and time again. I have a large image to live up to, believe me."
Mar-Vell smiles .
Mar: "Good. Now, have you any questions you need answered, things you need to know That I
haven't filled you in about in the future? You seem a little bit, I don't know, awed I suppose.
Almost as if we've never met before. Am I still alive in your future?"
Genis is stunned . Mar-Vells intuitive ability is almost beyond belief !
Genis( WOW! H-he almost figured it out. I can't do that to him, he'll be looking over his
shoulder the rest of his life.) "Look Mar- uh ....Dad, you're fine, just a lot...older. You're retired
actually, and I don't really see a lot of you. I've never seen you this way is all. It's been a real
pleasure, that's all."
Page 8
Mar: "I understand son. "Son", how odd. I never thought I'd be able to say that word before. Who
is your mother?"
Genis: " That one you're going to have to figure out, and no using the ol' cosmic awareness to
cheat."
Mar-Vell grins.
Mar: "No son, I wouldn't dream of cheating. If there's one thing I've taught you , I'm sure its to
act honorably."
Genis: "Yes, you have. Along with so much more. I just want to say thank you for all you'll do
for me. There's so much I've learned from you, so much that I've gained from your ...experiences.
. Without your knowledge, I would've been just another screwed up kid, and the whole universe
would've suffered for it."
Mar: "Well I almost doubt that Genis. You seem to be very responsible, as well as , from what I
can glean from you without being to intrusive, a fine warrior, a fitting replacement for me as
universal protector."
Page 9
Genis breaks into an ear to ear grin.
Genis: "To hear you say that....well it's almost more then I can handle. I've felt basically like a
loser more times then I can tell you."
The two continue to fly through the clouds as they speak.
Mar: "Why?"
Genis: "I've fouled up a few things in my time is all."
Mar: "As have I. You think you're alone? You're not. We're not Gods, we may play in their arena,
but we're not immortals."
Genis inwardly cringes at this, but hides his emotions well.
Mar-Vell continues,
Mar: " Think about it this way Genis-Vell, Life is a learning experience, from our first breath, to
our last. We always are learning. By learning we improve our lot in life, and that of those around
us. Of course there are bound to be mistakes and failures. Without them we could not have
victories and successes ."
Mar-Vell stops and hovers before his son, clasping him on the shoulders.
Mar: "What I'm saying is do not be afraid to fail. If you do , use that knowledge to succeed next
time, to win."
Page 10
Genis smiles, and suddenly embraces the father he's never met before.
Genis: "Thank you , for everything ...father."
Mar: "I'm sure you can tell me that just as well when you get back to the future, where you
belong."
Genis: "Well, I don't even know how to accomplish that at the moment."
Suddenly the very air around them begins to change ,as they seem to find themselves surrounded
by an inky blackness, but there is no danger here, both can sense that with their Cosmic
Awareness. There is only....
Genis: "Chaos and Order! What do you two puppeteers want? I've had it with you floating heads
mucking with my life."*
*See issues #63-69
Page 11
Chaos: "Have a care Universal Protector, we have come to help you, not suffer you insults."
Genis: " Yeah, I remember how you "helped me" last time* . Unless you can get me back to
when I belong, I want nothing to do with you two freaks."
*Issue #69
Order: "Lord Chaos and I can , and will do exactly that. For the eternal balance to be maintained,
you must not be here, and your father must not know of you , ever. His memory of this meeting
will be erased from his mind as you depart."
Mar: "What? What are you saying Master Order? Why must I not know of my son? Why must
I-.."
And suddenly Mar-Vell knows, he knows that he will never meet his son, his heir. He knows he
will be dead.
Mar-Vell turns to Genis, ignoring the two cosmic entities.
Mar: "What have you learned from me my son?"
Genis: "To never surrender, no matter how the odds are stacked against me, to always fight on.
To fight with, and to believe in honor. And to value life above all else. To value, and to protect
that life, All life against any and all foes who would seek to end it."
Page 12
Mar-Vell again smiles, as both continue to ignore the countenances of Chaos and Order.
Mar: "Then you have learned well Genis-Vell, well indeed. Never forget that I am proud of you,
even if I have only known you for a few paltry minutes."
Mar-Vell extends his hand towards his son, but Genis doesn't clasp it, instead he hugs the father
he's never touched before, hugs him and never wants to let go, as he fights and fails to stop a
single tear from rolling down his cheek.
Genis: "I -I just want to tell you that you are the biggest inspiration on my life, and that I am
very, very proud to be the son of Captain Mar-Vell. Very proud."
Lord Chaos: "The time has come Genis -Vell, for you to be returned to your correct era"
Master Order: "Yes, as all time is linear to such as we, the exact moment of your dismissal from
the future will be your point of return as well."
Page 13
Genis turns to his father once more.
Genis: "I love you Dad. Without you, I wouldn't be here. Thank you for making me the man I am
today. "
Mar-Vell embraces his Son once more.
Mar: "I have not known you long Genis-Vell, but what I have seen of you fills me with pride.
Continue to do so, but most importantly, do not live in the shadow of my past, instead forge your
own future, your own legacy."
Lord Chaos: "We take our leave of you Captain Mar-Vell, and with us we take any memory you
may have of your meeting with your son from the future."
The area around them seems to fill with mist, as Mar-Vell begins to fade from view, as Genis
looks on longingly at the father he never knew disappears from sight.
Page 14
Master Order: "You will arrive shortly where you belong Genis-Vell, our agent. Make good use
of your abilities. We will be watching you."
Lord Chaos: "Yes, and we leave you with one more gift, that you will learn of momentarily."
They fade from sight as the world around Genis slowly begins to go from pitch black to vibrant
with color and life, as Captain Marvel drops disoriented from the sky to land with a thud on a
verdant field.
Genis: "Man, the take off was okay, but I have to work on the landings."
Suddenly a voice filled with contempt sneers from behind the dizzied hero. Genis turns, his
cosmic awareness already alerting him to who his mysterious foe is, and Genis-Vells blood
boils!
Voice : "Well ain't this sweet. The boy from mars drops into my lap. After the way I finished off
your old man, you'd a think you would've had the smarts to avoid me, but I guess smarts ain't big
in your family, if they were, you'd a known ta avoid NITRO, the living Bomb!
End Part I
Fathers and Sons
Part II
Page 15
Mentor of Titan watches a holo vid we have all seen before, a vid of himself and his family
playing on Titans inner surface. During a happier time, when suddenly a flash of light behind
Mentor heralds a voice that sends shivers down his spine speaks.
Voice: "Still watching those old family vids, eh father?"
Mentor continues to stare straight ahead, not looking at the intruder.
Mentor: "Still you break past my defenses , eh Thanos? No matter how I work to make this
world off limits to you, still do you return. Why Thanos? Why must you make me suffer by
being present in my innermost sanctum?"
Thanos: " Do you not know what the date is Father? Are you not aware of the significance of
today?"
Mentor turns, angrily. His hands spark energy as he angrily leaps towards his evil son.
Mentor: "OF COURSE I KNOW WHAT TODAY IS ! TODAY IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF
THE DAY YOU KILLED YOUR MOTHER!"
Page 16
Thanos: " Yes. The day I bombed Titan on my road to conquest."
He grabs Mentors hands and pushes his father away as he speaks.
Mentor: "The day you murdered so much of our population. Including dear sweet Sui-San. My
wife, your mother."
Thanos: "That is why I am here, to honor her memory."
Mentor: "You dishonor it with your presence here."
Thanos: "Perhaps, or perhaps that is merely the way you seek to view things."
Mentor: "Leave now monster, lest I use all my considerable energies to bodily hurl you from this
world I love so much."
Page 17
Thanos: "Please father. Any battle between us will only have one foregone conclusion. We both
know that."
Mentor: "I would see this world I created sundered and all within its core dead if it meant your
destruction as well Thanos, such is my hatred of you."
Thanos: "Hatred? Yes, I suppose you do hate me. It's not something I didn't know of, rather it is
something I rarely consider."
Mentor: "How can you not? You killed she who brought meaning to my life. The only woman
who ever was my equal in all things. My love, my Sui-San."
Thanos: "Yes, I did kill her, and then I resurrected her as well."
Mentor: "You mean Elysius? FOOL! She is not your mother! Yes her image is the same, a
carbon copy of perfection. But the soul is different. Elysius is her own person, not your mother
brought back to life. "
Thanos: "That too is in how you consider things ."
Page 18
Mentor : "NO! Elysius is her own person, she is not Sui-San! She has grown and matured along
different tragedy filled paths."
Thanos: "Ah , the love of Mar-Vell, I see."
Mentor: "Do you? Do you know what she endured when Mar-Vell died? He was the greatest of
heroes. He stopped evil such as yourself time and again. And yet the one foe he could not defeat
was his own body."
Thanos: "Yes. He was my greatest enemy, the closest enemy to an equal I have ever found. I
honor his memory as well."
Mentor: "Phagh ! You honor NOTHING! . You destroy all before you with your insane love and
worship of death. You are indeed mad Thanos. You are my largest failure, my most bitter
disgrace."
Page 19
Thanos: "Am I? What do you know of me mentor of Titan? What have you to say to a son who
has lived for centuries as have you. A son who speaks to you on this day every year since your
wives, my mothers passing, and on this day alone are we sworn to non hostility."
Mentor: "I know you are an evil hell-spawn who is beyond redemption. Your final death would
be a welcome relief to all of creation."
Thanos: "Would it? Perhaps. But remember, there have been times when I have fought on the
side of the angels as well."
Mentor: "Yes, but only for your own foul purposes."
Thanos: "True. But the result was still the same, was it not?"
Mentor: "Why are you here today Thanos? There is more to this then your yearly visit ."
Page 20
Thanos: "I am here to tell you that there is a change brewing here in the universe as we know it.
A change that will be both subtle and grand. You will not know of its passing father, but you will
be affected by it."
Mentor: "What evil are you perpetuating now you vile devil? More of your death worship?"
Thanos: " You know me not Mentor of Titan. My days of worshiping the dark lady are over and
done. Today I seek power for powers sake alone. Not for the dark queen."
Mentor: "You will be stopped. Captain Marvel will stand against you, as his father did before
him."
Thanos: "I would not think so my father. Genis-Vell has disappeared , and won't be returning
anytime soon. In fact , I would prepare a second marker on Titans surface if I was you."
Mentor: "Perhaps so Thanos, but the boy is not to be taken lightly. If you are involved in his
disappearance, then perhaps you are the one who should be concerned."
Page 21
Thanos: "I think not old man."
Mentor: "Leave here now vile creature. I have had more then enough of your continual tortures
over the years. First your murder of your mother, then her cloning to inflict yet more pain upon
me."
Thanos gestures and an aperture in the room begins to open, as he begins to step through it he
turns towards his father one last time and speaks.
Thanos: "Have you ever considered the return of Sui-San in the guise of Elysius to be more then
a "torture"? But instead to be a .....gift? Perhaps an admission of guilt from a son trying to make
amends to his father?"
Mentor says nothing, his back to Thanos, who stands staring impassively at his father, before
stepping silently through the portal , as it closes behind him. Mentor reactivates the holo-Vid, as
a single tear rolls down his cheek.
Next: Captain Marvel Vs. Nitro !
Link to our next great ish!
Captain Marvel #80Kree-Lore C/O [email protected]
Hey Ralph! Hoo-Boy we have a great story here. Seeing Genis as a lost
> time-traveller was great. Even better, we have him interacting with Spider-Man
> which is something I wanted to see. Great stuff here. And of course the thought
> of him meeting his father. I really hope it happens. I believe it would add to
> Mar-Vell's tale if he knew of the Legacy he leaves behind after his death. On a
> down note, it's too bad the ten-year timeline had to rear it's head. Thinking of
> Marvell as alive in 1990 gives me a headache. Anyway, great work here Ralph and
> you can bet I'm eager for installment 2!
Thanks TJ, I agree with your thoughts on the timeline, but it was something I had to deal with,
either that or Peter Parker would have to be around 40 today, and I don't think randy would've
appreciated that. Glad to hear you liked this one. I hope you liked the follow up even more. Let
me know TJ. Catch you later.
Ralph