Tanos performed by Josh Brolin in the movie “The Avengers: The War of Infinity”

Before the release of the blockbuster “Avengers: War of Infinity” in Russia, we tell about the main villain of the picture, with which Marvel studio has already started to introduce us in the previous series. Who is Thanos, why does he need the Infinity Glove and what are the characters next to him? We tell, relying on comics, because in the movie there will still be a version.

Death to his face

For the first time, Thanos appeared in comics in 1973, so he is a relatively young character (compare with the Iron Man, created 10 years earlier, or with Captain America, whose output dates back to 1941). He was invented by former soldier Jim Starlin at the lessons of psychology. He incorrectly remembered the word “Thanatos“- this is not only the name of the god of death of the ancient Greeks, but also the concept of” attraction to death. “

Thanos is a native of the planet Titan, a child of high-ranking representatives of the eternal race, created by extraterrestrials celestial. Violet color and unattractive face the child has inherited because of the genes of deviants – also created by the Celestial race of superhumans.

Newborn baby Thanos in the comic book “Thanos: The Beginning” / Illustration: Marvel Comics

Perhaps the best way to understand this character is from the Jason Aaron comic “Thanos: Beginning”, which is translated into Russian. In it there is no discrepancy with the canon. Rather, it is expanding. Once barely born, Thanos nearly gets stabbed by his own mother: she sees in him something terrible and wants to kill the baby. The boy remains alive, and the mother is declared insane. Thanos grows intelligent and inquisitive child, showing a special interest in the natural sciences. He is sick of the sight of dead animals, and his classmates turn from his purple face. However, soon Tanos has a nice girlfriend, with whom he can always talk heart to heart.

Trying to understand who he is, Thanos conducts experiments on living beings, overcoming his disgust – he still does not like to kill. But in the end, questions about one’s own origin prevail over disgust. He dissects the couple in love and even his own mother and runs from Titan. Thanos rides around the universe, asking existential questions and leaving the child on each planet. He has long been trying to achieve reciprocity from a childhood friend, but it is very difficult to do, because his lover is Death herself. Realizing this, the nihilist Thanos begins to make sacrifices to the lady of the heart, because only she alone in the whole universe is able to love him in return. Thanos destroys all life in its path, leaving behind the ruins for the sake of insatiable Death, which continues to keep its fan in the Frenchzone.

For the sake of Death, Thanos is ready to destroy universes / Illustration: Marvel Comics

The stories about Tanos continue, and recently released a release in which the hero finally realized what it takes to reunite with his beloved. Thanos must die, like everyone else. Unfortunately, the movie of the Rousseau brothers will lower the whole complex history of the Mad Titan, but instead give us a touching episode about his relationship with his adopted daughter Gamora. And, of course, will show the Infinity Glove.

Stumbling blocks

The stones appeared in 1990 in the comic book “Mission of Thanos” by Jim Starlin. He led to the limited series “Thanos: The Glove of Infinity” (1991), which became a crossover, where the most diverse characters of the publishing house met, just like in the movie “The Avengers: War of Infinity” there are heroes who have never met before on the screen.

Cover of the comic book “Thanos: The Glove of Infinity” / Illustration: Marvel Comics

Stones collected on a glove are a kind of macgaffins of the Marvel universe. In comics, the Infinity Stones were first called the Soul Stones. Their possessor acquired omnipotence and absolute knowledge. Collected by the elders of the universe, they were destined for the murder of Galactus (the rights to this character were at the Fox studio, but thanks to her sale to Disney, we have a chance to get to know this megazlodeem), but their plan failed and the stones got lost.

In the movies, Infinity Stones (though not all) have already appeared. According to the Collector’s explanation in the “Guardians of the Galaxy”, these are six singularities that existed before the beginning of time. In the formed after the explosion of the universe, their remains were pressed into ingots – the Infinity Stones. In other words, they are so powerful that a mere mortal, taking a stone in his hand, will instantly explode. To manage them, super abilities are required.

Peter Quill in the “Guardians of the Galaxy”, taking the Stone of Power, survived thanks to his father-celestial

According to the story “Gloves of Infinity”, Thanos collects six Infinity Stones (about them a little lower) and attaches them to a specially made mitten, because all together the stones have incredible power. Why is he doing this? Trying to impress my beloved woman, Ms. Death. Destroying half of the universe, Thanos encounters resistance, headed by Adam Warlock (the most final scene of “The Guardians of Galaxy 2” hints at his appearance in the movie). He leads all the heroes of the Earth. When Infinity’s Glove is stealing from Thanos’s granddaughter, Nebula (yes, family ties in comics are a terrible thing), Warlock directs the heroes to battle with her, recaptures the glove and uses her power to restore everything destroyed by Thanos and bring back to life all those he killed. Just remember this property of the detail of the image of Thanos – useful when you look at the “War of Infinity”.

In the films of the studio Marvel to date, the stones are distributed as follows:

Stone of Space (Tesseract) appears in the “First Avenger”. Red Skull uses it in the development of the sinister organization Hydra, and Loki – to negotiate with the leader of the alien race chitauri about the attack on Earth. Stayed in Asgard, where Loki stole it in the movie “Thor: Ragnarok.”

Red Skull and Tesseract in the “First Avenger”

The Stone of Reality (Ether), penetrating through space and time and turning matter into a dark matter, is at the Collector, where he was taken to the finale of the painting “Tor 2: The Kingdom of Darkness”.

The Dark Elf Malekith absorbs the power of Ether in the movie “Thor 2: The Kingdom of Darkness”

Stone of Power (Sphere) increases the power of the owner, and to contain it requires a huge willpower. Located at the Nova Corps on the planet Zandar – thanks to the Guardians of the Galaxy.

The Stone of Power in the film “The Guardians of the Galaxy”

The Stone of Reason (scepter Loki) suppresses will power, manipulates thoughts. He was at the disposal of Baron von Strucker and the Hydra in Europe and was used for experimenting with people. Only Mercury and the Scarlet Witch survived. Now the Stone of Reason shines in Vanya’s forehead.

Paul Bettany in the image of Vision

The Stone of Time (Eye of Agamotto), capable of showing the past and future to the owner, and also manipulating time in every possible way, is carried by Dr. Strange.

Dr. Strange and Oko Agamotto

Soulstone gives its owner the power over all living and dead souls – in other words, gives complete control over all life in the universe. His whereabouts are unknown.

In principle, Thanos can collect all six stones in complete isolation. But why, if every solid villain has henchmen?

The new droog is better than the old two

The participants of the Black Order, perhaps, are the most mysterious characters of the new Avengers. They were invented by Jonathan Hickman for the comics “Infinity” in 2013 (published in Russian), so these guys are not just young, they are almost supernovas. A team of brutal aliens who help Tanos deal with unruly worlds.

In comics, the order is called the beautiful phrase Cull Obsidian and consists of five aliens. In the movie left four and called the children of Thanos. Here they are.

Corvus Glave

Corvus Glave / Illustration: Marvel Comics

Favorite army general of Thanos. Cruel, spiteful, impudent. In search of glory, he betrayed his people and sold his soul to the Mad Titan. Outwardly, the complete opposite of his boss is lean and agile. Immortal. Very strong, fast and hardy. An excellent tactician. After several encounters with terrestrial superheroes, he fled home and organized his own Black Order, gaining an army throughout the galaxy. He committed suicide, then rose again to die anew. In the film Corvus plays Michael James Shaw, known for the series “Constantine.”

Proxima Midnight

Proxima Midnight fights with Shuri in Wakanda / Illustration: Marvel Comics

The only woman of the Black Order in the film, the wife of Corvus Clive. Impressive fighting ability. Was sent to Earth to take the Stone of Infinity from Namor (spoiler: he had no stone), but came across new Avengers. I went in search of Mjolnir with Heloy, who later killed her in front of Thanos. In the film, it is played by Carrie Coon, the star of the TV series “Fargo” and “The Left Ones.”

Ebony Mo

Ebony Mo / Illustration: Marvel Comics

Brain of the army of Thanos. The frail body of Mo combines sophisticated intelligence and the ability to telepathy, telekinesis and management of the minds of others. In comic books, when the Mad Titan set his sights on Earth, Mo went to Dr. Strange, successfully enslaved his mind and made him summon the demon Shuma Gorat. In the film, Ebony Mo is played by Irish actor Tom Von-Lolor from the series “Love / Hate” and “Sharp Peaks.”

Black Dwarf

Black Dwarf attacks Wakudu / Illustration: Marvel Comics

Fists of the army of Mad Titan. Very strong, with impenetrable skin. When Thanos charted the Earth as the next victim planet, the Black Dwarf arrived in Wakidu, where, to his surprise, he met resistance and fled. Thanos ruled out a loser from the Black Order, but in the film we’ll see him. The role was played by Terry Notori, the star of the Cannes hit “Kvadrat”, starring in the franchise films “Planet of the Apes”.

Apparently, Ebony Mo will have to torment the hero Benedict Cumberbatch, and the rest will fight with other Avengers. Can you expect that someone from the Black Order will go over to the side of good? No. Betray Thanos himself more.

Thanos on the screen

The first appearance of Thanos in the big movie is in the scene after the credits of the Avengers. He is played by Damion Poitier, in titles designated as male No. 1. The leader of the chitauri reports to him, bowing: “People … They were not as cowardly as we were promised. They resisted. They are disobedient, and therefore they can not be ruled. To challenge them is like looking for a location near Death. ” In response to this, Mad Titan only grins – he’s just right with Death.

“The Avengers”

The second time we see Thanos in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” already in the film itself. He comes to Ronan the accuser, demanding serious attitude to the mission of the Crees. Thanos answers him, sitting on the flying throne: “I’m not serious about you, boy! Your intrigues tire me. Behave like a disgruntled child, and as I can see, I lost the favor of my beloved daughter Gamora. ” In the final scene Nebula, before silently watching the dialogue, recommends that Ronan do not go for trouble. Here, Thanos already looks like Josh Brolin, who voiced it, but on the site of Mad Titan played the brother of director James Gunn, Sean Gunn. He also moves in the frame like a Rocket and plays one of the space pirates.

“Guardians of the Galaxy”

Finally, the third film, where the purple villain appears, is “The Avengers: The Age of the Altron.” And again on the credits. “Well, I’ll do it myself,” says the Mad Titan, putting on the Infinity Glove. On it there are no stones, and behind them he will come in the film “The Avengers: The War of Infinity”.

“The Avengers: The Age of the Altron”