Wanted TPB: The Jack of Hearts

Writer: Bill Mantlo
Artist: George Freeman
Publisher: Marvel Comics (1984)
Includes: The Jack of Hearts #1-4 

Clipped from The Mask Bookwyrm's D.K. Latta's review: Jack of Hearts was a super hero who contained vast energy-powers, but could only keep them under control via his costume. Knocking around for a few years as a perennial guest star, he finally landed his own mini-series. A morose Jack is kept confined as people (S.H.I.E.L.D., actually) try to figure out ways to prevent his ever escalating powers from destroying the world. But then he learns startling things about his origins -- like that his dead mother was actually from another planet, and said planet is in desperate need of a new energy source. Jack decides to leave for this new world with ex-girlfriend (and Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man supporting character) Marcy Kane, who reveals she's more than he knew. However, there are some Shakespearian-like agendas and betrayals being pursued by various factions on the planet in question, building to a cosmic -- but downbeat -- resolution.

Ultimately, thanks to Mantlo's seeming conviction, and Freeman's atmospheric art, Jack of Hearts is a pretty good read. Although the story was maybe intended to be a finale for the character, I think he's still around in Marvel continuity.

He actually is not around anymore...he died not just once, but twice! However, with the trend that is comics today, he will probably die several more times. I think Marvel missed an opportunity when he died those two times in Avengers #491 and #500 (as a Zombie) to reprint this mini-series as a TPB.

via Marvel 1980