Strange Tales #178 Feb 1975
"Who Is Adam Warlock?"
Sphinxor tells of Adam’s origin in the Hive, when he was only known as Him,
which occured in
Fantastic Four # 66 & 67.
He also tells of his battle against Thor in
Thor # 165 & 166.
Then he recaps his encounter with the High Evolutionary
and how he became the savior of Counter-Earth
and his epic battle against the Man-Beast in
Marvel Premiere # 1 & 2.
Finally he touches base with Warlock's short lived title,
Warlock # 1 – 8
and his final appearance in
Hulk # 176 – 178.
Then quickly the scene shifts to a barren planetoid in the present with three “hunters” pursuing a woman.
She trips and suddenly Warlock appears standing over her!
She quickly explains that she has crossed a dozen galaxies and searched a thousand worlds seeking him.
Warlock battles the three hunters but fails to save the girl before the three teleport away.
Warlock then is forced to use his Soul Gem to re-animate the girl from death, so that she can tell her story.
She reveals the reason she was searching for Warlock, and speaks of the Hell that is taking place across the universe.
The rise of the Universal Church and it’s leader, The Magus!
Somehow, The Magus imposes himself through the girl and appears before Warlock.
He reveals to Adam the secret of the Magus, which itself is a further mystery.
The name Magus in Latin means wise man, or magician, or warlock!
In a nutshell, Magus reveals that he is Warlock, that they are one and the same being!
Script and art by Jim Starlin