Molecule Man didn’t die in this series like I predicted he was going to, but he does get depowered at the end of it. Which is a shame. To be honest, I had never even heard of the Molecule Man before reading Secret Wars and Secret Wars II, but despite the dysfunctional writing of these comics his character is pretty off-beat, unique, and interesting. The writers make it a point in saying he’s the most powerful non-cosmic character in the Marvel Universe, but physically he’s a feeble little nerd suffering from anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and several other emotional issues. Now all he wants is to do is wear turtleneck sweaters and watch sitcoms with his sweetie with a big bowl of Cheetos in between them. Like, he’s got the power of the gods at his fingertips, he’s won the lottery of all lotteries, and though he has walked the path of corruption in the past, now that he’s been through therapy he’s perfectly happy living within the confines of the mundane routine that the rest of us grow so discontent with. Typically in these stories of morality, such power corrupts and destroys. The lesson is always, “be happy the way you are, because fame, power, or money would change you into something awful and you could not handle it.” In this case, it’s this power that tempers Owen Reece. It’s what gives him just enough confidence to assert himself and demand a humble amount of happiness. If he was evil in the past, he no longer is here. He’s just very believable and relatable. I like him! It’s a shame to see him stripped down to the same mere mortal coils that bind the rest of us. Especially after he has proven he is so capable of carrying that burden of power so effortlessly.
Holy shit he was faking!! What a little bullshit artist!! Like he’s the Kevin Pollock of bullshit!! What a conniving little grifter!! What an evil little snake! I love him!!! Perfect ending. (Avengers #266 – April 1986 – Secret Wars II Tie In)