After years in the wilds of fandom, I finally understand how to use Infinity Gauntlet increases the powers of the Infinity Stones and why Thanos insists on using some version of the Gauntlet whenever he tries to obtain ultimate power. It's a question that has always felt like it should have some kind of official answer, but one that comics (and even other comic fans) have been frustratingly vague about.
In 1991 The Infinity Gauntlet - by Jim Starlin, George Pérez and Ron Lim - Thanos collects the Infinity Stones (formerly the Soul Stones, later the Infinity Stones), placing them in a golden gauntlet that gives him control of the building blocks of reality, with ultimate power over the fundamental forces of Time, Space, Reality, Power, Mind and Soul. Although he was defeated, the look quickly became established in Marvel mythology, making the challenge an essential part of any quest for the Stones.
But why? In the comics, the Stones can be easily used by anyone holding them. The Gauntlet is a practical way to keep them together, but that seems to be it. In adaptation Infinity Gauntletthe MCU apparently had the same questions as me - the films make it deadly for any individual to possess the Stones, with the Gauntlet being a powerful artifact forged by the Dwarves of Nidavellir to harness the Stones' immense power. It's a satisfying explanation, turning the Infinity Gauntlet into a kind of cosmic oven mitt, but it's also a new creation for cinema. So why, if the Stones are perfectly safe in the comics, do they need to be put through the ringer?
The Infinity Gauntlet combines the stones into a single shape
Fans have debated the purpose of the Gauntlet for years
Apparently someone working on The Avengers Annual #1 - by Derek Landy, Salvador Larroca, Cory Petit and Guru-eFX - had the same question as me. In the issue, Thanos fights the new Infinity Watch - a ragtag group of superhumans who have teamed up with one of the Stones. During the fight, Thanos conveniently explains what the Infinity Gauntlet really is he does - is used to forge the Stones into a perfect circuit, unlocking the full extent of their powers. Each of the Stones enhances the other and they become more powerful when they are in close proximity, but only when they become “one” through some type of habitation do they become omnipotent.
It's easy to accept that the Stones have always needed to be combined through an artifact because - following the model defined by the original Infinity Gauntlet - Marvel always treated them as if that were the case. And it's a better answer than the idea that the Stones were combined purely for convenience, and that most of the people who have gathered them since then - from Iron Man to the multiversal Council of Reeds - have done so with a golden gauntlet simply because they are copying Thanos' fashion sense.
It's true that the idea of the Infinity Stones as a circuit is a relatively new tradition (a result of 2015's recreation of the Marvel Multiverse). Secret Wars), but this still answers my question and fits well with previous comic tradition. Coming from Thanos, it's also an incredibly clear explanation of the authority over the Stones (other than the galaxy-wide feared Infinity Stone expert that Marvel introduced once and then forgot about forever).
This explanation works surprisingly well with previous knowledge of the Infinity Stone
Including its controversial 'origin'
The idea of the need to unite the Stones' works with their original origin, explored in the ill-fated and little-remembered Ultra Strength/Avengers crossing. There, it was revealed that the Stones were originally part of a single cosmic being who, suffering intense loneliness, sacrificed himself to create the universe. The story introduces the Ego Gem, which contains the consciousness of this original being and wishes to regain its former form and solitude. Of course things don't work out, not even for the cosmic being or for Marvel's acquisition of Malibu Comics' Ultraverse characters, who populated the crossover alongside Earth's mightiest heroes.
Thanos isn't the only character who has collected the Infinity Stonesand on other occasions, different characters have also combined them, albeit in different ways. Galactus inserted them into an 'Infinity Crux' to try and quell his cosmic hunger, while the Inhumans' teleporting dog Lockjaw wore them embedded in a collar and And if...?Ultron's Ultron made them part of his armor. Even Thanos doesn't always use a Gauntlet - Avengers Annual A new 'Infinity Crown' debuts with an extra space for the new Death Stone, and Thor has visions of Thanos dazzling Mjolnir with the Stones.
The Infinity Clock Can Really Stop the Danger of Stones
The stones are together again, but they are not a single force
What's gratifying about this new lore is not only that it answers my long-standing question, but it also establishes clear rules for the new Infinity Watch ahead of its solo series. These characters were created in 2018 Infinity Wars comical event, but only now have they come together as a team. The idea that they limited reality distortion because even though the Stones are to close together they're not really linked, it's a clever way to create a powerful new team without portraying them as omnipotent gods.
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The Infinity Clock |
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Infinity Stone |
Infinity Watch Member |
Powers |
Former Affiliation |
First appearance |
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Reality Stone |
Star (aka Ripley Ryan) |
Short-range reality manipulation |
Member of the Thunderbolts and enemy of Captain Marvel |
Captain Marvel #1 by Kelly Thompson and Carmen Carnero |
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Space Stone |
Quantum |
Teleportation and short-range portals |
The Advisor's henchman and enemy of Spider-Man/Iron Man |
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #7 by Saladino Ahmed and Javier Garrón |
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Mind Stone |
Asa Colleen |
Telepathy, mind ejection, dream invasion, and psychic katana |
Daughters of the Dragon and Iron Fist's ally |
Marvel debut #19 by Doug Moench, Larry Hama and Neal Adams |
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Soul Stone |
Crowd (also known as Ward) |
Summon realistic energy constructs from any Marvel character (including Hulk, Spider-Man, etc.) |
Individual operator |
Avengers Annual #1 by Jed MacKay and Travel Foreman |
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Time Stone |
Overtime (aka Hector Bautista) |
Time travel and time manipulation |
Individual operator |
Infinity Wars: Infinity #1 by Gerry Duggan and Mark Bagley |
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Power Stone |
Apex (aka Prince Otherone) |
Enhanced physique and ability to enhance the powers of others |
Galactic mercenary and ally of the Guardians of the Galaxy |
Guardians of the Galaxy #3 by Al Ewing and Juan Cabal |
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Death Stone |
Phil Coulson |
Omnipresence at the time of death and induction of pain/death |
Agent of SHIELD |
Battle Scars #1 by Chris Yost, Cullen Bunn, Matt Fraction and Scot Eaton |
To be a fan of superhero comics is to make peace with constant retcons, for better or worse, but in this case Marvel made the right decision by 'clarifying' (or more likely creating) the rules that make artifacts like the Infinity Gauntlet. . Thanos' logic fits in with the divine stones' previous appearances, as well as setting up the Infinity Watch with an impressive yet manageable level of power. It may have taken 33 years since Infinity Gauntletbut Thanos', the explanation really convinced me that the Gauntlet is an important (but not specifically essential) part of the Infinity Stone lore.
The Avengers Annual #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.