Thanos
Creation & Design
Thanos was created by writer Jim Starlin and first appeared in 'The Invincible Iron Man #55'. He was designed as a powerful cosmic villain with a complex personality and motivations.Early Years
Thanos made his debut as a villain in the early 1970s, primarily appearing in stories involving Iron Man and the Avengers. His character was developed further in the 1990s with the 'Infinity Gauntlet' storyline.Character Development
Over the years, Thanos has evolved from a straightforward villain to a complex character with philosophical motivations, particularly regarding death and existence. His portrayal in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has further cemented his status as a cultural icon.Cultural Reception
Thanos has been received as one of Marvel's most iconic villains, with a significant fanbase and critical acclaim for his depth and complexity.Character Details
Real Name:
Thanos
Aliases:
The Mad Titan, The Destroyer of Worlds
Species:
Eternal
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
The Black Order, Infinity Watch, The Avengers
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Telepathy, Energy manipulation, Immortality
Equipment:
Infinity Gauntlet, Cosmic Cube, Various weapons
Weight:
985lbs
Height:
6' 8"
Eye Color:
purple
Hair Color:
none
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Iron Man #55
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Thanos, an Eternal from Titan born with the Deviants gene
1st cameo appearance of Eros aka Starfox, brother of Thanos
1st appearance of Kronos, Grandfather of Thanos
1st appearance of Mentor, father of Thanos
1st appearance of Drax the Destroyer, created by Kronus to kill Thanos
1st appearance of the Blood Brothers
1st appearance of Thanos, an Eternal from Titan born with the Deviants gene
1st cameo appearance of Eros aka Starfox, brother of Thanos
1st appearance of Kronos, Grandfather of Thanos
1st appearance of Mentor, father of Thanos
1st appearance of Drax the Destroyer, created by Kronus to kill Thanos
1st appearance of the Blood Brothers
Captain Marvel #25
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
Debut art on Captain Marvel title by Jim Starlin
Cameo of Thanos referring to himself as Masterlord
Begins story arc 'The Thanos War', Captain Marvel (1968) issues #25 thru #33
Debut art on Captain Marvel title by Jim Starlin
Cameo of Thanos referring to himself as Masterlord
Begins story arc 'The Thanos War', Captain Marvel (1968) issues #25 thru #33
Captain Marvel #26
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
1st cover and 2nd appearance of Thanos
Death appears alongside Thanos as an ally
1st cover and 2nd appearance of Thanos
Death appears alongside Thanos as an ally
Captain Marvel #27
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance of Drax the Destroyer
3rd appearance of Thanos
1st full appearance of Eros, later named Starfox by Wasp in Avengers #232
[January 2022 - an unconfirmed Eros MCU spin-off project is rumored]
2nd appearance of Drax the Destroyer
3rd appearance of Thanos
1st full appearance of Eros, later named Starfox by Wasp in Avengers #232
[January 2022 - an unconfirmed Eros MCU spin-off project is rumored]
Captain Marvel #28
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
3rd appearance of Drax
4th appearance of Thanos
1st appearance of Eon, the cosmic entity that created the Quantum Bands
3rd appearance of Drax
4th appearance of Thanos
1st appearance of Eon, the cosmic entity that created the Quantum Bands
Captain Marvel #29
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
Captain Marvel chosen to be the protector of the universe
1st cameo appearance of Uranos, the uncle of Thanos
1st appearance of Sui-San, Thanos's mother
Origin of the Eternals and the Olympians
Captain Marvel chosen to be the protector of the universe
1st cameo appearance of Uranos, the uncle of Thanos
1st appearance of Sui-San, Thanos's mother
Origin of the Eternals and the Olympians
Daredevil #105
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
Madame MacEvil becomes Moondragon
1st cover appearance and origin of Moondragon, daughter of Drax
Thanos appearance by Jim Starlin, one panel
Madame MacEvil becomes Moondragon
1st cover appearance and origin of Moondragon, daughter of Drax
Thanos appearance by Jim Starlin, one panel
Avengers, The #125
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
Cover appearance featuring Thanos
Captain Marvel #33
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Thanos
Warlock #9
Marvel
•
1975
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Magus, the future dark version of Warlock
1st cameo appearance of the In-Betweener
First meeting of Thanos and Adam Warlock
Origin of Magus, the future dark version of Warlock
1st cameo appearance of the In-Betweener
First meeting of Thanos and Adam Warlock
Warlock #10
Marvel
•
1975
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Thanos and Gamora
Battle of Thanos vs Magus
2nd cameo appearance of the In-Betweener
Introduction of Sanctuary, Thanos' Citadel
Recap of Thanos, an interlude hosted by Captain Marvel that explains the character
Origin of Thanos and Gamora
Battle of Thanos vs Magus
2nd cameo appearance of the In-Betweener
Introduction of Sanctuary, Thanos' Citadel
Recap of Thanos, an interlude hosted by Captain Marvel that explains the character
Warlock #15
Marvel
•
1976
•
Vol. 1
1st cover appearance of Gamora
Partial origin of Thanos
1st appearance of Marr Garr, Lamilm Gor, Constable Trueheart and the Ancient Traveler
1st team appearance of the R'Malk'i, an alien race
1st cover appearance of Gamora
Partial origin of Thanos
1st appearance of Marr Garr, Lamilm Gor, Constable Trueheart and the Ancient Traveler
1st team appearance of the R'Malk'i, an alien race
Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2
Marvel
•
1977
•
Vol. 1
Death of Thanos
1st appearance of Lord Order and Master Chaos
Logan's Run #6
Marvel
•
1977
•
Vol. 1
First solo backup story featuring Thanos
Avengers Annual #7
Marvel
•
1977
•
Vol. 1
Death of Warlock
Death of Pip the Troll
Death of Gamora
1st appearance of all six Infinity Gems: Soul, Time, Space, Mind, Reality, Power
First battle of Thanos and Warlock
Death of Warlock
Death of Pip the Troll
Death of Gamora
1st appearance of all six Infinity Gems: Soul, Time, Space, Mind, Reality, Power
First battle of Thanos and Warlock
Spidey Super Stories #39
Marvel
•
1979
•
Vol. 1
Classic story that introduces the 'Thanos-Copter', a helicopter piloted by Thanos with his name decaled on the tail
Cover appearance of Thanos with the Cosmic Cube
Published for younger readers outside of Marvel continuity
Classic story that introduces the 'Thanos-Copter', a helicopter piloted by Thanos with his name decaled on the tail
Cover appearance of Thanos with the Cosmic Cube
Published for younger readers outside of Marvel continuity
Silver Surfer #34
Marvel
•
1990
•
Vol. 3
Resurrection of Thanos
Silver Surfer #35
Marvel
•
1990
•
Vol. 3
Reintroduction of Thanos and Drax the Destroyer
Thanos Quest #1
Marvel
•
1990
•
Vol. 1
Thanos gathers the Infinity Gems from the Elders of the Universe
Gem 1: Soul Gem taken from The In-Betweener
Gem 2: Power Gem taken from The Champion of the Universe
Gem 3: Time Gem taken from The Gardener
Thanos gathers the Infinity Gems from the Elders of the Universe
Gem 1: Soul Gem taken from The In-Betweener
Gem 2: Power Gem taken from The Champion of the Universe
Gem 3: Time Gem taken from The Gardener
Thanos Quest #2
Marvel
•
1990
•
Vol. 1
Thanos gathers the Infinity Gems from the Elders of the Universe
Gem 4: Space Gem taken from The Runner
Gem 5: Reality Gem taken from The Collector
Gem 6: Mind Gem taken from The Grandmaster
Thanos gathers the Infinity Gems from the Elders of the Universe
Gem 4: Space Gem taken from The Runner
Gem 5: Reality Gem taken from The Collector
Gem 6: Mind Gem taken from The Grandmaster
Silver Surfer #44
Marvel
•
1990
•
Vol. 3
Debut of the Infinity Gauntlet
Infinity Gauntlet #1
Marvel
•
1991
•
Vol. 1
"Infinity Gauntlet" Part 1
A popular six-issue limited series that effects the entire Marvel Universe
Thanos eliminates half of the world's population using the Infinity Gauntlet to impress the cosmic entity, Death
"Infinity Gauntlet" Part 1
A popular six-issue limited series that effects the entire Marvel Universe
Thanos eliminates half of the world's population using the Infinity Gauntlet to impress the cosmic entity, Death
Infinity Gauntlet #2
Marvel
•
1991
•
Vol. 1
"Infinity Gauntlet" Part 2
1st appearance of Epoch, a cosmic entity who selects champions to wield the Quantum Bands
"Infinity Gauntlet" Part 2
1st appearance of Epoch, a cosmic entity who selects champions to wield the Quantum Bands
Infinity Gauntlet #3
Marvel
•
1991
•
Vol. 1
"Infinity Gauntlet" part 3
1st appearance of Terraxia whom Thanos creates in an attempt to make Death jealous
1st cameo appearance of Master Hate, a cosmic entity and antithesis to Mistress Love
"Infinity Gauntlet" part 3
1st appearance of Terraxia whom Thanos creates in an attempt to make Death jealous
1st cameo appearance of Master Hate, a cosmic entity and antithesis to Mistress Love
Infinity Gauntlet #4
Marvel
•
1991
•
Vol. 1
"Infinity Gauntlet" part 4
Death of Captain America, Cyclops, Iron Man, Namor, Quasar, Spider-Man and others
"Infinity Gauntlet" part 4
Death of Captain America, Cyclops, Iron Man, Namor, Quasar, Spider-Man and others
Infinity Gauntlet #5
Marvel
•
1991
•
Vol. 1
"Infinity Gauntlet" part 5
Nebula wields the Infinity Gauntlet
1st full appearance of Master Hate aka Sire Hate
"Infinity Gauntlet" part 5
Nebula wields the Infinity Gauntlet
1st full appearance of Master Hate aka Sire Hate
What The--?! #24
Marvel
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Parody Marvel publication featuring "The Infinity Gauntlet"
Secret Defenders, The #12
Marvel
•
1994
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Cover art featuring prismatic foil
Green Lantern / Silver Surfer: Unholy Alliances #1
DC/Marvel
•
1995
•
Vol. 1
One-shot DC/Marvel crossover issue
Silver Surfer and Green Lantern vs Thanos and Parallax
One-shot DC/Marvel crossover issue
Silver Surfer and Green Lantern vs Thanos and Parallax
Annihilation #4
Marvel
•
2007
•
Vol. 1
Death of Thanos
Guardians of the Galaxy #25
Marvel
•
2010
•
Vol. 2
Final issue with cover art by Alex Garner featuring Thanos
Reprint of Thanos Quest (1990) issues #1 and #2 , a two-part limited series by Jim Starlin where Thanos obtains the Infinity Gems one-by-one
Reprint of Thanos Quest (1990) issues #1 and #2 , a two-part limited series by Jim Starlin where Thanos obtains the Infinity Gems one-by-one
Free Comic Book Day 2013: Infinity #1
Marvel
•
2013
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Corvus Glaive of the Black Order aka Cull Obsidian, an elite mercenary squadron under the command of Thanos
1st team appearance of the Outriders, an army engineered to serve Thanos
1st appearance of Corvus Glaive of the Black Order aka Cull Obsidian, an elite mercenary squadron under the command of Thanos
1st team appearance of the Outriders, an army engineered to serve Thanos
Thanos Rising #1
Marvel
•
2013
•
Vol. 1
Five-part limited series telling the origin of Thanos
Thanos Rising #2
Marvel
•
2013
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Thanos
Thanos Rising #3
Marvel
•
2013
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Thanos
New Avengers #9
Marvel
•
2013
•
Vol. 3
1st full appearance of the Black Order
1st appearance of Supergiant
Thanos Rising #4
Marvel
•
2013
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Thanos
New Avengers #10
Marvel
•
2013
•
Vol. 3
1st appearance of Thane, a healer and the son of Thanos
Thanos Rising #5
Marvel
•
2013
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Thanos
Infinity #4
Marvel
•
2013
•
Vol. 1
Thane transformed by Terrigen Mists from a healer into his current form
Thane transformed by Terrigen Mists from a healer into his current form
Variant cover art by In-Hyuk Lee featuring Thanos
1 of 6 connecting variants each featuring a general in Thanos's Black Order
Variant cover art by In-Hyuk Lee featuring Thanos
1 of 6 connecting variants each featuring a general in Thanos's Black Order
Variant cover art by Skottie Young
Cover art inspired by The Infinity Gauntlet #4 (1991)
Variant cover art by Skottie Young
Cover art inspired by The Infinity Gauntlet #4 (1991)
Thanos #1
Marvel
•
2017
•
Vol. 2
Premiere issue of the second Thanos titled series
Thanos #13
Marvel
•
2017
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Cosmic Ghost Rider, who was once the Punisher until he became a Herald of Galactus
1st appearance of King Thanos
1st appearance of Cosmic Ghost Rider, who was once the Punisher until he became a Herald of Galactus
1st appearance of King Thanos
Variant cover art by Mike McKone
Variant cover art by Rafael Albuquerque
Second printing
Copies ordered by retailers: 3,030
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