Know Your Villians: 6 Must-Read Thanos Stories

by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Thanos! There are many names throughout the cosmos that instantly impart power, but few carry such immovable weight quite like the nihilist from Titan.

As the unyielding force known as Thanos brings his grand scheme to theaters worldwide, PREVIEWSworld wanted to introduce (or even re-introduce) readers to the stories that made his legacy. Some of comic books’ most revered talents have spent time in the presence of this Demigod and lived long enough to tell his tale. This is that tale…       

Avengers vs. Thanos

Created by Jim Starlin and Mike Frederich in 1973, Thanos’ story begins here with this collection of reprints.

Avengers vs. Thanos (NOV120791) kicks off with Drax, who carries a warning from the far reaches of space for Iron Man. As Tony Stark gets swept up into this spacefaring drama, he is brought to Titan, where he discovers the story of Thanos for the first time. But this is only the beginning…

Also check out: Avengers: Legacy of Thanos, Thor vs. Thanos, Deadpool vs. Thanos

Avengers: Legacy of Thanos 

Meet Nebula, a mysterious space pirate with an even more mysterious relationship with Thanos. As Nebula goes headfirst into full-on war with the Skrulls, she’s intercepted by The Avengers. In an unexpected twist, The Avengers must now defend the Skrulls from Nebula, but little do they know that Thanos is pulling the strings the whole time. Find out how the Mad Titan's plan comes together in Avengers: Legacy of Thanos  (MAR140778) 

Also check out: Thanos: Cosmic Powers

Infinity Gauntlet

This is it! The big one! George Perez, Ron Lim, and Jim Starlin’s Marvel epic! Infinity Gauntlet (JUL110745).

At the center of the universe’s greatest conflict (yet) is the Infinity Gauntlet, the only artifact that can house the Infinity Gems, giving its wielder total omnipotence. Thanos possesses this gauntlet, and with a snap of his finger, all of reality could stop at his command.  Most interesting of all, he’s doing it all in the name of love.

Also check out: Silver Surfer: Rebirth of Thanos, Infinity War, Infinity Crusade

Thanos: Infinity Revelation

Jim Starlin, Thanos’ co-creator, returns to bring his dastardly abomination full circle in a series of prestige graphic novels that begins with Infinity Revelation (JUL110745).

As you’ll discover throughout the story of The Mad Titan, Thanos and Adam Warlock are forever tied to each other no matter what. In Infinity Revelation Thanos finds Warlock’s soul afloat in Death’s domain (long story). Together, with the threat of merging universes at their heels, the duo will embark on a philosophical journey unlike any other.  

Also check out: Thanos: Infinity Relativity, Thanos: Infinity Finale, Thanos, Infinity Siblings

Thanos Imperative 

Behold! The chosen Avatar of Death…Thanos. Wait. That can’t be correct, right?

Sure enough, Thanos has been born and reborn more times than we can recall, but this go-round has the Mad Titan completely infantilized and under the control of another! However, as an invasion becomes imminent, the heroes of the Marvel Universe will turn to Thanos for protection. Can he be trusted? Thanos Imperative (JUL110744) has the answer.

Also check out: Thanos: God Up There Listening, Thanos Vol. 1 Thanos Returns, Thanos Vol. 2 God Quarry

Infinity War Prelude

Now that you’ve seen the movie (or before you see the movie), experience the full arc of evil with the Avengers: Infinity War Prelude (DEC170939). This harbinger of cinematic war brings all the key players of Marvel’s next blockbuster together with a comic book introduction to what got us to this point. Make no mistake, though. This is not a recap, but a completely original opening act to Infinity War.

Also check out: New Avengers by Jonathan Hickman HC, Thanos Rising, Infinity,

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Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the Consumer Marketing Digital Editor for PREVIEWSworld.com and Diamond's pop culture network of sites. His comics work includes BAMN, Fight of the Century, and the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics.