Reading comics from my youth offers an intrinsic appeal modern titles do not have – a chance to revisit the stories and creators that shape much of what we find on the shelves today. I chose character instead of author or artist to begin this exploration of bygone titles, and Thanos immediately came to mind.  If one needs a starting point for learning about Thanos, one specific story arc needs to be experienced – “Thanos Quest” by Jim Starlin and Ron Lim.

I remember the story but not the intricate and disturbed nature of its demi – god protagonist/ antagonist Thanos.  Unlike his usual characterization as cosmic badass driven to conquest and destruction, Thanos is a superbly crafted complex character with all the emotions that accompany a journey of a spiritual, mental and material acquisition.  Though Starlin offers the reader cosmic battles and intrigue, he also allows us a glimpse into what can be mastered with focus and discipline.

Thanos is given permission by Mistress Death to find and unite the six Infinity Gems: Time, Space, Mind, Soul, Reality and Power.  Much like Hercules and his labors, Thanos must overcome powerful beings using strength of mind, body and spirit.  Control of emotion and application of logic is what allows Thanos to overcome each of the Elders, thus uniting the gems.  Starlin uses the battles with the Elders to showcase the many facets of Thanos personality, and highlight how unrelenting he is in pursuit of his goal.

Thanos’s ability to manipulate even the most cunning foes is shown in his dealings with the In-Betweener and subsequent acquisition of the Reality Gem.  Obtaining the Power Gem is simple for Thanos as it requires only strength of body.  This is apparent when he states, “These muscle bound types are all the same.”  Of all the Elders Thanos faces, my personal favorite is the Gardner not only because he exudes serenity through solitude, but also because of what the interaction reveals about Thanos.  Unlike the other Elders, Thanos seems to have an affinity for the Gardner in so much as his nature will allow.  “I have no wish to harm you Gardner” Thanos declares after praising the Gardener for the vitality of his gardens.  Unfortunately, the Gardner refuses to give up the gem and is soon destroyed by Thanos who then expresses remorse for having to destroy this particular Elder.  In this interaction we glimpse another side to the Titan, one that appreciates beauty and how fleeting it is.  Showing his mental prowess, Thanos trades another of the Elders, the Runner, for the Reality Gem, which is in the possession of Collector.  Defeating the Runner is a simple task as Thanos uses this Elders own arrogance against him showing that Thanos is capable of reading a beings’ weakness and then exploiting it. The Grand Master is the last of the Elders Thanos challenges.  As Starlin explains, “He (the Grand Master) is the champion gamesman, has spent a thousand lifetimes devoted to nothing but the contest.”  Possession of the Mind Gem belongs to the victor of the “game” between the Grand Master and Thanos.  Thanos has little trouble dispatching the gamer and has successful completed his quest to unite the Infinity Gems.

Returning Death’s throne, Thanos basks in his cosmic victory only to realize that it is hollow.  He is the most powerful being in the Cosmos, and even Death’s power pales in comparison.  His quest to become the mate and equal of death has failed, he has become too powerful and death is now his servant.
The ending of “Thanos Quest” comes full circle as the Titan stares into the Infinity Well contemplative and somber as only a new god can be.  Starlin allows the god a single tear shed that his goal is accomplished but his end game, the love of Death, is lost.

I argue that Thanos is a being completely deserving of the power of the Infinity Gauntlet.  He has proven himself to be well balanced in terms of physical, mental and spiritual strength.  Who among the pantheon of heroes and villains in the Marvel universe can boast such desire, drive, knowledge, wisdom and forethought to unite the Gems?  Though his intentions remain unclear as of this point, (they won’t in the next series “The Infinity Gauntlet”) how can any reader fault Thanos for attaining his goal?  Sure it is easy to say that he is “evil” and that “good” will ultimately triumph, yet what makes this arc so interesting is that it subtly makes us aware that concepts such as good / evil right / wrong are simply a matter of perception concerning only to humans and above the thoughts of gods.

I have left out much of the plot of the story as to not be a spoiler for anyone who may want to read a well-crafted and drawn series.  I also suggest continue reading “The Infinity Gauntlet”, a six issue mini series that will answer what does one do once they are a god.  As always, let me know what you think.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 14th, 2009 at 4:53 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.