Of all the powerful items in the Marvel Universe, the most dangerous has always been the Infinity Stones. Although they are now iconic for being gathered by Thanos to end all life in the universe, the stones are well known in the Marvel Universe, their real history is not as well known among comic readers.
The Stones have been around for a long time in Marvel history, and have enjoyed quite a journey in that time. Originally called the Infinity Gems or the Soul Gems, Marvel would gradually change their name, their powers and their purpose, even adding more stones to the original six. So fans can be forgiven for missing their full story. We are here to Explain the biggest events that defined the history and legacy of the Infinity Stones.
10
Thanos was the first to collect the Infinity Stones
Avengers Annual #7 by Jim Starlin, Joseph Rubinstein, Petra Golderb and Tom Orzekowski
The first time anyone gathered the Infinity Stones was back in Avengers Annual #7, and it was, not surprisingly, Thanos who did the deed. This was yet another attempt by Thanos to bring about the end of all life in the universe. But his attempt to do so was a bit crude: instead of using unyielding power to kill everyone in the universe, Thanos simply tried to focus the gems (through a weapon) to destroy all the stars in the universe. He then reasoned that without light or heat, people would eventually die naturally.
It was a nice, if convoluted, plan. But, thankfully, Thanos was defeated. This would be the first time the Infinity Stones were used for evil purposes, but it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Thanos would soon learn the stones’ true purpose and return even stronger.
9
Thanos collected the stones in his Infinity Gauntlet
Infinity Gauntlet #1 by Jim Starlin, George Perez, Josef Rubinstein, Tom Christopher, Max Scheele, Ian Laughlin and Jack Morelli
Perhaps the greatest achievement in his life, Thanos would next assemble and combine the Infinity Stones in his glove, with the goal of ending half of the life in the universe, and tell one of the most famous comic book stories of all time. After Thanos was killed and resurrected by death, he realized the true purpose and nature of the Infinity Stones. With the new goal of wanting to impress Death, he gathered the Infinity Stones once more.
This moment would be almost synonymous with Thanos and most interpretations of the character call back to this Infinity Gauntlet storyline, with the last two Avengers Movies in the MCU. But surprisingly, Thanos would not be the most dangerous person to acquire the gems.
8
Adam Warlock and the Living Tribunal Assemble Infinity Watch
Warlock and the Infinity Watch #1 by Jim Starlin, Angel Medina, Terry Austin, Ian Laughlin and Jack Morelli
After the disaster of Thanos trying to end the universe with the Infinity Stones (twice) Adam Warlock is summoned by the Living Tribunal and told that the Infinity Gauntlet is simply too powerful to be used. Adam Warlock then surrendered the Infinity Gauntlet and founded the Infinity Watch, a group dedicated to keeping an eye on the Infinity Stones.
Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out that way, as Adam Warlock’s evil persona, Magus, took over and manipulated Galactus into reactivating the Infinity Gauntlet. This almost led to another universal disaster before Adam was able to defeat his evil persona. This battle left Adam in a comatose state, and opened the door for Rune to try and steal the gems further.
7
Galactus was the next user of the Infinity Stones
Thanos #4 by Jim Starlin, Al Milgrom, Christie Scheele, Heroic Age and Dave Sharpe
A handful of characters would try to collect the stones, like the Vampire Rune and Adam Warlock’s evil alter ego Magus. During Infinity WarMagus tricks Galactus into reactivating the Infinity Gauntlet. This event would cause Galactus to turn his attention to the Infinity Stones, as he tried to find a way to use them to end his perpetual hunger.
Galactus tried to use the Infinity Stones, but he accidentally unleashed a monster known as Hunger, a universal-scale parasite that feeds on universes. Famine had been manipulating Galactus all along and very nearly destroyed the 616 Universe, but Thanos managed to intervene and prevent Famine from entering the Universe.
6
Marvel reveals the existence of the secret Ego Stone
Silver Surfer #45 by Jim Starlin, Ron Lim, Tom Christopher, Ken Bruzenak and Tom Vincent
While everyone thought there were only six Infinity Stones, there is actually a hidden seventh stone, which Thanos would learn from the demon Mephisto. He also learned the origin of the stones, beginning as the first being in the universe, named Nemesis. Trying to create something else to live with, Nemesis created demons, but since Nemesis has no concept of good or evil, neither do the demons, who chose evil.
Disappointed in her creations, Nemesis split her own being into the Infinity Stones, with the seventh stone lost to the Ultraverse known as the Ego Stone, which contained Nemesis’ own consciousness. The Avengers eventually destroy the Ego Stone, and Thanos never has to use the hidden gem.
5
Captain America used the stones to move a universe
New Avengers #3 By Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting, Frank D’Armata and Joe Caramagna
When the multiverse began to collapse, incursions began to occur when two universes began to physically collide with one another) either destroying both universes or having one universe replace the other. When the 616 universe was in danger from one of the incursions, unwilling to destroy the other universe, Captain America took the Infinity Gauntlet and the Infinity Stones.
He was able to use them then to physically push the approaching universe back. This was almost an ideal solution, as it saved both universes, at least temporarily. Unfortunately, it has the major drawback of completely wiping out most of the Infinity Stones, with every stone except the Time Stone shattering. This was the first time in the Marvel Universe that the Stones would be physically destroyed. But they wouldn’t last forever.
4
Thanos returns to collect the stones once again
Infinity Wars Prime #1 by Gerry Duggan, Mike Deodato Jr, Frank Martin Jr and Cory Petit
Infinity Wars was a major event in 2018, made to coincide with the release of the Avengers Movie with the same name. The most shocking twist of the event comes in the first issue, where Thanos is immediately killed off. Gamora manages to steal the Infinity Stones from the rest of the Avengers and seals them away in Warp-World, a strange pocket dimension inside the Soul Gem.
The fact that Warp-World also contained its own versions of the Infinity Stones, and Loki was able to assemble them and escape from Warp-World with them. This would lead to a conflict between the two, which Loki ultimately wins.
3
Marvel reveals the origin of the Infinity Stones
Infinity Wars #5 By Gerry Duggan, Mike Deodato Jr, Frank Martin Jr and Cory Petit
After the Infinity Stones were recreated from their previous origins as the Infinity Gems, they needed a new explanation. After all, if the Infinity Gems came about because Nemesis split into several different aspects, what are the new Infinity Stones, and where did they come from? Marvel had the answer when they revealed the new stones were placed by the Celestials. There are two groups of celestials: those who create and those who destroy. But those who destroy cannot do so directly, they can only provide the means to do so.
This results in the heavens “throwing stones” into the universes with the hope that certain beings, such as Thanos, will eventually discover the stones and use them to destroy the universe. This is a remarkably dark explanation, but it also perfectly shows why the Infinity Stones are so often used to destroy instead of create because, at the end of the day, they are used exactly as they were created for.
2
The Infinity Stones are given sentience
Infinity Wars #5 By Gerry Duggan, Mike Deodato Jr, Frank Martin Jr and Cory Petit
One of the biggest changes to Infinity Stones knowledge was the fact that Adam Warlock they were given sentience. They were no longer just objects of pure destruction that could be used by anyone, but actively choose their own hosts. This meant that there would be no point in fighting brutal wars over gathering and using them anymore, because they had to actively choose to connect with someone. It was a brilliant choice that permanently ended the threat of the Infinity Stones.
After they were given a feeling, they left the earth and looked for people to connect with. The Time Stone went to Hector Bautista, the Reality Stone was merged with Riley Ryan, the Power Stone ended up with others, the Space Stone merged with Quantum, and the Soul Stone was bound to the synthetic human known as Multitude.
1
Marvel introduced a final shocking rock
Thanos #4 by Christopher Cantwell, Luca Pizzari, German Peralta, Ruth Redmond and Cory Petit
The Death Stone is the last and most dangerous of the Infinity Stones. The Stone was created after Thanos was once again rejected by Death, and he managed to subdue and trap her in an Infinity Stone in response. While Thanos was able to trap death and turn the dead into stone, he was unable to control it. Which is great news for every living being in the universe.
The death stone would, presumably, allow the user control over life and death. The stone has not really been seen in action until now, with the only main thing that it was reviving the dead Phil Coulsin after it landed in a cemetery. Although the full power of the Death Stone has yet to be shown, readers can be sure that it will likely be shown again. While Thanos Hasn’t managed to unlock the power yet, he definitely created it for a reason.