When Marvel published their May solicitations back in February, Bleeding Cool Rumourmonger-in-Chief Rich Johnston noted, "Well, no Thanos which is a surprise." In a followup, he wondered:
But Thanos? Thanos has become a smash hit for Marvel with Infinity War heading to the cinema. It feels like this has to be a skip month. However Thanos #18 did describe itself as "When there is nothing left to kill, Death comes…to the one who loves her most – KING THANOS. How will the fantastic saga of Thanos, King Thanos and the Cosmic Ghost Rider end?"
Will Thanos transform into something else? As ever, Bleeding Cool will keep its ear to the ground. And try not to get it chopped off.
Today on Twitter, writer Donny Cates confirmed that April's Thanos #18 will be the final issue of his and Geoff Shaw's run, and the final issue of the series for now.
THANOS #18 will, in fact, be @GeoffShaw12 and I's final issue, and the final issue of the Thanos run for the time being. I want to emphasize that this was OUR call, and it serves a higher story-related reason. Expect to see BIG Thanos stuff this summer. And thank you all SO MUCH.
— DONNY⚡️CATES (@Doncates) March 22, 2018
Cates is careful to note that the ending was a creative decision and that it serves the story. He also promised "BIG Thanos stuff" for the Summer, which of course should be expected with a super-mega-crossover event named Infinity Countdown happening now and Avengers: Infinity War hitting theaters in a few months.
Cates also reassured fans that were saddened by the news:
Don't be sad. Im not sad. There's SO much crazy cool stuff coming from @Marvel this year. Seriously. You're all in good shape. Promise. :) https://t.co/01DkBn1JRn
— DONNY⚡️CATES (@Doncates) March 22, 2018
Here's the solicit for April's Thanos #18, which, in retrospect, does sound quite final.
THANOS #18
DONNY CATES (W) • GEOFF SHAW (A/C)
VENOM 30TH VARIANT COVER BY TBA
AT LONG LAST…THANOS WINS!
When there is nothing left to kill, Death comes…to the one who loves her most – KING THANOS. How will the fantastic saga of Thanos, King Thanos and the Cosmic Ghost Rider end?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
