Infinity Gems

Infinity Gems
Infinity Gems

An Infinity Gauntlet prop displayed at Comic Con 2010
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Soul Gem: The Power of Warlock #1 (Aug. 1972);
Power & Time Gem: Marvel Team-Up #55 (Mar. 1977);
All Six Gems: Avengers Annual #7 (1977).
In story information
Type Jewels
Element of stories featuring Adam Warlock; Thanos

Infinity Gems, sometimes referred to as the Soul Gems, are six immensely powerful gems featured in the fictional Marvel Universe. Whoever holds all six gems in the Infinity Gauntlet gains omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and God-like power, and has absolute dominion over the universe. In later storylines and cross-over media a seventh Infinity Gem is sometimes added to the primary six. However, a seventh gem has never been used in official canon.

Contents

Publication history

The Soul Gem first appears in the The Power of Warlock,[1] with all six appearing during the second Thanos War storyline in an Avengers and Marvel Two-In-One annual, with Thanos harnessing their latent energies to power a giant gem to extinguish every star in the universe.[2]

In the third volume of the Silver Surfer title, the character refers to the gems as Soul Gems,.[3] They are gathered by the Elders of the Universe, who intend to use their combined power to drain Galactus of his lifeforce and then recreate the universe with themselves with the oldest beings in it (Galactus having lived in the Universe that existed prior to the birth of the current Marvel Universe). This plot is thwarted by the Silver Surfer with several Elders and the gems lost in a black hole, while Galactus consumed other members of the Elders. However in a follow-up story, because the Elders of the Universe were barred from entering Death's realm due to prior machinations of the Grandmaster, Galactus soon found himself being poisioned from within by the Elders he consumed. Silver Surfer, Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman journeyed through the black hole to recover the gems, where Invisible Woman became possessed by the sentient Soul Gem and had her evil Malice persona awakened. She was later subdued and the gems were returned to successfully extract the Elders and save Galactus. The gems then fell back into the possession of the Elders before the beginning of their most famous story.

In the limited series Thanos Quest Thanos refers to the entire set as Infinity Gems for the first time. Thanos systemically subdues the Elders one by one to gather all six gems. Once reunited under his control as the Infinity Gauntlet. This series also reveals the origin of the Gems, with Thanos explaining to the Elder of the Universe the Runner that the set are actually the remains of a once omnipotent but lonely being. Unable to endure eternity alone, this entity eventually commits suicide, although a fraction of the being remains and becomes the Infinity Gems.[4]

Thanos becomes omnipotent and challenges the Silver Surfer and Drax in the former's title, handling the heroes with ease. He also reclaims his ship Sanctuary II from him his alleged grand-daughter Nebula and burns her nearly to death but uses the gems to keep her alive in immortal agony. He is then joined by Mephisto as an advisor as he sets about dominating reality, while the Silver Surfer makes his way to Earth to warn Earth's superheroes of the threat of Thanos and the gems, thus setting the stage for the Infinity Gauntlet limited series.

In the Infinity Gauntlet limited series Thanos exerts his will over the universe (by erasing half the population of the universe in a tribute to Death), He goes on to decimate Earth's heroes in combat (issue 4) and then battles Marvel's pantheon of cosmic entities and defeats them all by turning them to stone (issue 5) but eventually loses the Gauntlet to the space pirate Nebula when he uses the gems to supplant Eternity and forsakes his physical form. Nebula's attempt to wield the Gauntlet fails due to her inexperience and Adam Warlock's knowledge of the Gems' "sentience;" the character is debilitated after undoing an action performed by Thanos, who is defeated by Earth's heroes.[5] with Adam Warlock ending up as the new possessor of the Gauntlet. However, Warlock is judged unworthy of the power of the Gems by the Living Tribunal and the Gems are dictated to never work together again.

In the Warlock and The Infinity Watch title the Gems are distributed by hero Adam Warlock to the group the Infinity Watch.[6] with himself as guardian of the Soul Gem, Gamora guardian of the Time Gem, Pip the Troll guardian of the space gem, Drax the Destroyer guardian of the Power Gem, Moondragon guardian of the Mind Gem and an unknown member (later revealed to be Thanos) guardian of the Reality Gem. During the course of the series several enemies attempt to steal the gems. An early encounter sees the creature the Man Beast abducts the members and uses the combined Mind, Power, Space and Time Gems to create a monstrous energy humanoid called the Infinity Thrall, although both are eventually defeated by Adam Warlock. The cosmic entity the Living Tribunal then declares that the Infinity Gems can no longer be used in unison.[7]

This decree is overturned — courtesy of the machinations of Warlock's evil alter ego, the Magus — in the Infinity War limited series. The character unites the Gems and plans universal conquest until tricked and defeated, with Warlock revealing that the Reality Gem was a fake.[8] The Gems then feature in the Infinity Crusade limited series.[9]

Following the cancellation of the Infinity Watch series, In the one-shot title Rune/Silver Surfer the Gems are stolen by the extradimensional vampire Rune and dispersed throughout the alternate universe Ultraverse.[10][11][12] The Asgardian god Loki enters the Ultraverse and collects the Gems,[13] also discovering the existence of a seventh Gem - Ego. The character learns the Infinity Gems were originally part of a gestalt being known as Nemesis. The Ego Gem, possessing the Avenger Sersi, merges with the other Gems to reform Nemesis and battles superhero teams the Avengers and Ultraforce, before being dissipitated once again.[14]

In the mainstream Marvel Universe the cosmic entity Galactus collects all six Infinity Gems in the Thanos ongoing series, intent on ending his need to consume planets. He is seen taking the gems off a vampiric skeleton (presumably Rune) that he retrieves through an interdimensional portal. Galactus's plan fails, however, and instead allows a deadly inter-dimensional parasite access into the Earth-616 universe (it was this parasite mentally influencing Galactus's actions all along; as Thanos noted he could have simply used the Gems to finally wish away his hunger). After the threat is averted, the Gems are scattered with the exception of the Soul Gem, which the Titan Thanos retains for Adam Warlock.[15]

The Gems feature briefly in the JLA/Avengers limited series, when the Infinity Gauntlet is found by DC Comics villain Darkseid as it is placed on Apokolips, who discards it upon discovering that the Gems do not work in his own universe. The Flash is able to retrieve it.[16]

Following a story in the She-Hulk ongoing series, in which Titania gets possession of the Power Gem, all six Gems feature in the New Avengers: Illuminati limited series and become the possessions of the superhuman group the Illuminati. Reed Richards of the Illuminati attempts to will the Gems out of existence to prevent further misuse, but the entity the Watcher Uatu reveals that the Gems must exist as part of the cosmic balance. The Gems are then separated and each is placed in the care of an Illuminati member, who vow never use them or reveal their location.[17]

The Gems are reunited in the humorous Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers limited series, with the pets of various heroes finding the Gems and being forced to use them to battle Thanos. Lockjaw, pet of the Inhumans, then gives the Gems to Reed Richards.[18]

The gems were part of the ongoing Avengers series during the Heroic Age. Although The Hood managed to collect the Gems of Power and Reality in time to defeat the formidable Red Hulk,[19] his subsequent attempts to acquire the others resulted in the Red Hulk stealing the Power Gem from him while Thor beat him to the Space Gem, although he was able to acquire the Mind and Time Gems. He subsequently used the Gems to take him to the Soul Gem in the astral plane.[20] Fortunately, the Hood was delayed by an illusionary Thanos that Doctor Strange had created long enough for the Avengers to catch up with him. After a climactic battle, the gems ended up with Iron Man who after sending the Hood back to jail, seemingly wished the gems out of existence. However it was revealed that the gems were back with the Illuminati and Steve Rogers (replacing Black Bolt), who all vowed to hide them more securely than before.[21]

Description

Each gem is a small, smooth oblong, and known by their respective powers. The primary six Infinity Gems include:

Infinity Gems
Name Color Powers and Capabilities Current Owner Prior Owners
Soul Green This gem is sentient and has a hunger for souls. Allows the user to steal, control, manipulate and alter souls, living or dead. The gem is the gateway to an idyllic, pocket universe. Doctor Strange Adam Warlock; Gardener; In-Betweener; Thanos; Nebula; Count Abyss; Magus; Rune; Gemini; Loki; Galactus
Time Orange Allows the user total control over the past, present and future. Allows time travel, can age and de-age beings and also be used as a weapon by trapping enemies or entire worlds in unending loops of time. Steve Rogers Gardener; Thanos; Nebula; Adam Warlock; Gamora; Maxam; Magus; Rune; Hardcase; Loki; Galactus; Namor; Thor
Space Purple Allows the user to exist in any location (or all locations), move any object anywhere throughout the universe and warp or rearrange space. Iron Man Runner; Thanos; Nebula; Adam Warlock; Pip the Troll; Magus; Rune; Loki; Galactus; Iron Man; Hood; Namor
Mind Blue Allows the user to greatly strengthen and enhance mental and psionic power and access the thoughts and dreams of other beings. Backed by the Power Gem, the Mind Gem can access all minds in existence simultaneously. When searching for it, the Illuminati apparently discovered that the Mind Gem was the personification of the universal subconscious. Professor Xavier Grandmaster; Thanos; Nebula; Adam Warlock; Moondragon; Magus; Rune; Primevil; Loki; Galactus; Professor X; Hood; Ms. Marvel
Reality Yellow Allows the user to fulfill wishes, even if the wish is in direct contradiction with scientific laws. Mr. Fantastic Stranger; Collector; Thanos; Nebula; Adam Warlock; Rune; Night Man; Loki; Galactus; Black Bolt; Hood
Power Red Accesses all power and energy that ever has or will exist, and can back the other gems and boost their effects. Allows the user to duplicate almost any physical superhuman ability and become invincible. Namor Champion of the Universe; Thanos; Nebula; Adam Warlock; Drax the Destroyer; Thor; Magus; Rune; Lord Pumpkin; Loki; Galactus; Champion of the Universe; She-Hulk; Titania; Reed Richards; The Hood; Red Hulk

Additional gems have appeared in cross-over media and alternate universes outside the Marvel Universe (Earth-626). Their official canon within Marvel continuity is unknown.

Additional Infinity Gems
Name Color Abilities Prior Owners
Ego Gold The Ego gem contains the consciousness of the cosmic entity Nemesis, which when united with the other gems reforms the character. This gem is found in the Ultraverse when the Asgardian god Loki attempts to steal the other gems. It has never been referenced outside the initial cross-over except for the video game Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet, where it was revealed to be the Infinity Sword. Sersi; Nemesis
Rhythm

(Fake)

Diamond In the Marvel Super Hero Squad universe and related media a seventh "Rhythm" Infinity Gem exists. The acquisition of the Infinity Gems is the main focus of The Super Hero Squad Show's second season as well as the Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet video game. However, it was revealed to be a ploy made by Loki. Loki; Enchantress; Thanos

Other versions

The Reed of Earth-616, in an attempt to 'solve everything' meets with a council of alternate-universe Reeds. Three of them wear Infinity Gauntlets, which only work in concert with their respective universes.[22]

Avengers and the Infinity Gauntlet

In the miniseries Avengers and the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos's attempts to assemble the Infinity Gauntlet were opposed by a group of Avengers consisting of Wolverine, Spider-Man, Hulk, Ms. Marvel, U.S Ace and Doctor Doom, his attack on the universe ending when Spider-Man acquired the Gauntlet and used it to undo Thanos's godhood (Simultaneously erasing the entire event from the memories of all but himself and Thanos, much to his slight annoyance at the idea that none of the other Avengers would know of the role he played in thwarting Thanos's schemes).

What if?

In a reality where Doctor Doom retained the power of the Beyonder, he acquired the Infinity Gems from the Elders of the Universe and used them to defeat the Celestials in a 407-year-long war before finally forsaking his power.[23]

In an alternate reality where the New Fantastic Four- consisting of Spider-Man, Hulk, Wolverine and Ghost Rider- stayed together after the deaths of the original FF, this team- with Iron Man replacing Ghost Rider- were the only heroes available to fight Thanos. Despite Iron Man's use of Negative Zone-enhanced Celestial armor, Thanos still easily defeated the team, separating Bruce Banner and the Hulk just to show that he could. Fortunately, Wolverine was able to trick Thanos into erasing Mephisto from existence before proceeding to cut Thanos's left arm- and therefore the Infinity Gauntlet- off after tricking him into lowering his guard. With Thanos powerless, Wolverine gave the Gauntlet to Spider-Man, the web-swinger using it to undo the events of Thanos's godhood.[24]

In other media

Television

  • The Infinity Gauntlet appears in The Super Hero Squad Show. The effort to create and use it is the focus of multiple episodes of the second season.

Film

The Infinity Gauntlet at Comic Con 2010
  • The Infinity Gauntlet appeared very briefly in the film Thor, in the Asgardian vault.[25] During the 2010 Comic Con, Marvel unveiled the prop Infinity Gauntlet on the showcase floor.

Video games

Miscellaneous

The Gauntlet has been featured in the Impel Marvel Universe trading card set, the Fleer Overpower game, and the Upper Deck Entertainment Heralds of Galactus expansion set for the VS System.

References

  1. ^ The Power of Warlock #1-8 (Aug. 1972 - Jun. 1973: bi-monthly)
  2. ^ Avengers Annual #7 and Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2 (1977)
  3. ^ Silver Surfer vol. 3, #6-10, 16-17 (Dec. 1987-Apr. 1988 & Oct.-Nov. 1988)
  4. ^ Thanos Quest #1-2 (Sep.-Oct. 1990)
  5. ^ Infinity Gauntlet #1-6 (July-Dec. 1991)
  6. ^ Warlock and The Infinity Watch #1 (Feb. 1992)
  7. ^ Warlock and The Infinity Watch #5-6 (June–July 1992)
  8. ^ Infinity War # 1-6 (June-Nov. 1992)
  9. ^ Infinity Crusade # 1-6 (June - Nov. 1993)
  10. ^ Rune/Silver Surfer #1 (June 1995)
  11. ^ The Curse Of Rune #1 (1995)
  12. ^ Eliminator #1 (1995)
  13. ^ NecroManta/Lord Pumpkin flip book (April 1995)
  14. ^ Ultraforce/Avengers #1 (Sep. 1995) & Avengers/Ultraforce #2 (Oct. 1995)
  15. ^ Thanos #1-6 (Dec. 2003-Apr. 2004)
  16. ^ JLA/Avengers #1 & 3 (Sep. & Dec. 2003); Avengers/JLA #2 & 4 (Oct. 2003-May 2004)
  17. ^ New Avengers: Illuminati #1-2 (Feb.-Mar. 2007); #3 (July 2007); #4 (Sep. 2007) & #5 (Jan. 2008)
  18. ^ Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers #1-4 (July-Oct. 2009)
  19. ^ The Avengers #7 (November 2010)
  20. ^ The Avengers #10 (March 2011)
  21. ^ The Avengers Vol. 4 #12
  22. ^ Fantastic Four #570-574
  23. ^ What If: Secret Wars #1
  24. ^ What If: Newer Fantastic Four #1
  25. ^ Phil Pirrello (2010-07-25). "SDCC 10: Marvel's Secret Weapon". Movies.ign.com. http://movies.ign.com/articles/110/1108431p1.html. Retrieved 2010-09-17. 

External links


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