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14 Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet Besides Thanos

The Infinity Gauntlet is the most powerful weapon in all of reality. The glove is designed to hold six of ‘the soul gems’ better known as the Infinity Gems. When used in combination their already shocking powers can make the wearer do anything, in Avenger’s case wipe out half the earth’s population. In actual power, the wearer possesses control over soul, power, time, space, reality and mind.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

The first of the very stones had been teased since the very first ‘Thor Movie’ in Odin’s treasure room. The end of Ultron introduced a new villain Thanos who was also in possession of the mitten and planned to attack Earth. According to the Russo brothers, there were three drafts submitted all radically different. One draft involved Thanos as the narrator of the film which was nonlinear in structure. The script had backstories for the Black Order and introduced all cool sequences. The glove also has a comic book series written on its wearer Thanos.  On wiping half the universe, the survivors attempt to topple an omnipotent opponent.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

However not just anyone can don this powerful weapon, its power on the hands is contagious. It has the unbearable drive to make the wearer feel mad and the results can be catastrophic. That didn’t stop the golden hand from being passed around from a hero to a godlike villain or alien. Here are the 15 lot out of that bunch who had a special mention in the comic book history.

 14. Nebula

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

The character to first appear in The Avengers #257 issue is used as a pawn by the Mad Titan to impress Mistress Death, his paramour. The origin story of Thanos, going after the Infinity Stones was to please Mistress Death by killing half the living beings in the universe. The Mad Titan was succumbed to its powers and death that spurned his pledges for love. Nebula was used by Thanos as a revived burned up shell of herself to entertain Death; however, the lady would be lover was not so amused by his waste of god like talents.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

The Titan got distracted when the Superheroes and cosmic entities waged war with Thanos and in a shell Nebula stole the Infinity Gauntlet from Thanos healed herself and then undid his work, restoring lives of those who had been killed with the finger snap. Luckily she also revived the cosmic entities that were slanted. In the heated fury of things, Adam Warlock of Soul World attacked Nebula to which she had to surrender the Gauntlet, ending up in Warlock’s possession. Nebula was imprisoned, while Thanos went off to live the quiet life of a farmer, temporarily rid of his lust for power.

 13. Adam Warlock

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

Adam Warlock originally known as ‘Him’ or ‘Adam’ transferred himself into the soul gem while Nebula battled with the cosmic entities in #“Infinity Gauntlet 6” (1991). According to the Russos, they didn’t want audiences to anticipate exactly how the film would play out had Warlock appeared. Once Nebula got mad with power, Thanos helps take the Gauntlet from Nebula, with Warlock then using the weapon’s abilities to undo all of the damage of the mad titan. Once Warlock transferred himself he was able to defeat Thanos and Nebula once and for all by reaching out to other gems, disrupting Nebula or Thanos’s hold over them.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

Now Warlock granted with the power of omnipotence was able to undo all damage that Nebula and Thanos had performed. Like the others, the weapon doesn’t tend to stay long with any superhero for long. Once confronted by the living tribunal he either had to share the gems or disperse its powers forever. In “Warlock and the Infinity Watch” #2 (1992) by Jim Starlin and Angel Medina, he disperses the gems amongst Gamora, Drax, Pip, and Moondragon, forming the titular group of the book. Unfortunately, Warlock’s time with the Infinity Glove would have had repercussions as it did with other super beings.

 12. Magus

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

In comics, Magus is Evil doppelganger and Warlock’s bad side who believes good and evil are tools to chain the sentient beings. His goal is to provide all lifeforms a purpose; “To Worship him or to Die”. Magus had the error of creating a perfect world. His journey began with the gathering of the five cosmic cubes who had the power to create evil Doppelgangers of Earth’s many superheroes. His plan is to change the entire universe as he sees fit. Magus manages to collect the Infinity Gauntlet in addition to the gems still forbidden to work in unison.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

Of the certain attack on his base by Kang and Dr. Doom Magus is about to hand over the Infinity Gauntlet when he is suddenly able to reassert control over the Infinity stones. He finally gets the power he so desired when the Living Tribunal and Eternity allow the gems to work together again. Magus is unaware that his actions are being watched and the reality gem is easily replaced with a powerless facsimile with the help of Adam Warlock and Thanos. In his lust for power and the godlike condition he is under, he fails to notice the ruins of his own Gauntlet. On the battlefront Adam wins his fight against Magus fair and square, knowing the truth about the gems proves to make him more powerful. Magus is eventually defeated when he is sent into the Soul Gem.

 11. Reed Richards

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

After the apocalyptic events of the “Kree Skrull War” Iron Man formed the Illuminati which comprised of Reed Richards, Namor, Professor X, and Black Bolt. Their goal was to meet secretly and attempt to prohibit major catastrophes before they could occur. In New Avengers “Illuminati’ (2007)#2 issue reed Richards decide to take the Infinity Gauntlet matter in its own hands. Before the weapon turned out to be the catalyst for horrific events, he obtained the gauntlet and three of the gems himself but needed the groups help for the final three.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

Applying various methods they are able to open up a tear in reality, confront the collective consciousness of creating a time flux that granted them the last three gems. It was best decided that since more than one becomes unlikely for preservation the stones should be divided among each member of the Illuminati since it was best to keep them separate. Brian Michael Bendis, Brian Reed and Jim Cheung the writers of the Illuminati comic issue decide the fate of the stones much before it was used to destroy earth.

 10. Iron Man

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

Prison Time for the Hood wasn’t a bad time at all, in fact, he was able to locate one of the Infinity Gems that belonged to Black Bolt of the Inhumans. During the period of the time, the Black Bolt was deceased and the Inhumans unaware about the gem left it unguarded. Once the stone is in the hands of the Hood he leaves no stone unturned to acquire the remaining Gems. Having access to Norn stones since he was the companion in crime to Loki, he was desperate for power.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

The Avengers chase the Hood to the end of the universe only to confront him in #12 issue (2011) by Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita Jr. The Avengers try to sort it out but when the heroes lack the testament to bring Hood to his senses, the Iron Man is able to get the gems away from him and don the Infinity Gauntlet. In the real world, the Iron Man brought the Gems back to the Illuminati who then later decided to hide it away for good.

 9. Captain America

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

On findings of alternate earth about to crash with the existing one where Captain America delved he reported his findings to the Illuminati, recruited a new member. If two earths collided then both realities would have exhumed into thin air. The consequence of such an event was resulting in the slow condensation between the parallel worlds. The only way to avoid such pollution was to destroy one of the earths, or find a way to push back the incursion. The only way to do it was to assemble the Infinity Gauntlet and to use it to close the next incursion.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

In Avengers (2013) #3 issued by Jonathan Hickam and Steve Epting, Captain America was the chosen one because of his immense strength of the character. While he was successful in avoiding the collapse, he pushed the Gauntlet too hard and eventually destroyed it. This meant an incursion could be stopped from destroying the approaching it. Cap wasn’t ready to pull the trigger in terms of destroying earths so the Illuminati made sure that his memory was a total wipeout. The Illuminati wiped his mind of any knowledge of the group and of their actions.

 8. Black Panther

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

The incursions mentioned in the previous entry continued with their collapse of the multiverse and hence came Black Panther to the rescue. Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange discovered that Beyonders were the manufacturers of these incursions and hence faced them for the intrusion. Doom was able to snatch powers and was able to create a universe called the Battleworld where he ruled as a God. Doom not completely in the good trusts of Strange was left at the altar of the Gauntlet hidden from him in Battleworld.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

In Secret Wars (2015) #6 Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic HAD Black Panther and Namor find Strange’s Secret Island, where they find the Infinity Gauntlet. Panther uses the Gauntlet to attack Doom during the final battle in Secret Wars #9. After defeating Doom he transports himself back to the time when the Incursions were about to happen, this time Reed Richards is successful in defeating Doom and the apocalypse never takes place in the calendar.

 7. Darkseid

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

a duel between universes is challenged by the Grandmaster to Krona the world of DC and Marvel to compete against each other in “JLA Avengers” (2003) issued by Kurt Busiek and George Perez. Important items are taken from both universes only to be hidden in another. Each team is given a list of items and save their world. The Wand of Watoomb, the Cosmic Cube, the Evil Eye of Avalon, and of course, the Infinity Gauntlet were some of the collector’s items that were hidden away for the Avengers. To the horror of our Marvel heroes, the infinity gauntlet was hidden in Apokolips the home of the tyrannical ruler in the hands of Darkseid. To the good fortunes of the Avengers, the Gauntlet doesn’t have power in the DC Universe so it was just a fancy glove for Darkseid.

 6. Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

All superheroes need pet especially the super-powered kind. “Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers” #4 (2009) by Chris Eliopoulos and Ig Guara, featured Lockjaw as the’ Inhumans Dog who discovered the mind gem buried in the blue area of the moon, near the attilan home of the Inhumans. Coming in contact with the object increases animal intelligence as extras. Reed Richards happens to be at the same place looking for the same object as Lockjaw.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

With the aid of telepathically scanning Lockjaw learns how the gems work and when exactly to use them. He recruits five of his new smarts including Throg (a frog with a sliver of Mjolnir that turns him into a frog Thor), Redwing, Lockheed, Zabu and a cat named Hairball to help him in his quest to gather the other Infinity Stones. The pets travel through time and space and collect the gems eventually.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

Unfortunately, the animals run into a battle against Thanos since Thanos overestimated them as being just pets. A makeshift Infinity Gauntlet out of Lockjaw’s collar, with the aid of Throg’s fashion, granted Lockjaw the full power of gems. The animals massacred Thanos in his quest to grab the stone. As a final reveal, they hand the gems over to a shocked Reed Richards.

 5. The Incredible Hulk

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

In “Ultimate Comics: Ultimates” #25 (2011) by Joshua Hale Fialkov and Carmine Di Giandomenico, there were actually eight Infinity Gems, which means that there were two Infinity Gauntlets. SHIELD was originally the handler of both Infinity Gauntlet and the stones until their ship was attacked by Kang. With the release of Bruce Banner away from his container he immediately shapeshifted to being the green-eyed monster people always feared.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

The Ultimates found themselves against a fighting Hulk armed with two Infinity Gauntlets with a few stones missing. Meaning the Gauntlet wasn’t fully powered. The Hulk, as usual, was the Supreme Being that announced the misfortunes of the Ultimates even with a few gems missing. He was ultimately defeated by an armor built by Tony Stark’s sentient tumor. The tumor was an illusion created by Reeds Richards to bring along Quicksilver and Kang, to be teamed with the Hulk, they made up the Dark Ultimates.

 4. Spider-Man

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

A group of Earth’s heroes, comprised of Spider-Man, Wolverine, Ms. Marvel and the Hulk survive the snap of Thanos’s fingers in “Avengers and the Infinity Gauntlet” (2010) issue by Brian Clevinger, Lee Black and Brian Churilla who retold the “Infinity Gauntlet” story in a shorter, more humorous and kid-friendly way. During the fight with Thanos, the heroes are easily knocked around by the mad Titan. The Doom Bot, not realizing that it’s not the real Doom, separates the gauntlet from Thanos but is unable to power it. Spider-Man snatches it with a web line, dons the gauntlet, and finds himself back on earth with none of the heroes aware of what happened, a pretty typical Parker luck.

 3. Doctor Doom

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

During a period when Doom was working along well with Reeds Richards and the team, he actually helped save the universe sacrificing his life to hold off a celestial attack for just enough time to allow all of the right reinforcements to show up and save the Earth. Doom disappears at the end of “FF” 14 (2012) by Jonathan Hickman and Juan Bobillo but reappears in “FF” #16 (2012) by Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting, and Nick Dragotta.

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

With Earth saved he comes across a group of Reed Richards from multiple realities who don’t have the same morality as the mainstream Reed Richards. Waking up in the rubble of the headquarters of the International Council of Reed he discovers two Infinity Gauntlets from alternate realities and promptly puts them on. With a collection of captured Doctor Dooms from multiple realities, he decides to build his own Parliament of Doom with the use of the gauntlet.

 2. Dark Surfer

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

“The Super Hero Squad” was a popular cartoon based show named after a similar toy line aimed at younger audiences. In the ‘Al Dente’ episode, Iron Man gives Silver Surfer an Infinity Sword, unaware of the effects it would have on him. It’s later revealed that the sword corrupted the Surfer, turning him into the Dark Surfer. When Thanos assembled the Infinity Gauntlet in “Fate of Destiny!” (2011), the Dark Surfer betrayed the heroes and stole the gauntlet for himself. Finally, the heroes assemble, regroup and defeat the Surfer, succeeding in purging his dark evil to return to his true heroic form.

1. Santa Claus

Superheroes Who Used The Infinity Gauntlet

In the “Marvel Holiday Spectacular 2009” (2009) by Brian Reed and Val Semeiks, Santa Claus is not only real he’s seemingly friends with Tony Stark. Iron Man calls together the Illuminati, a group of heroes that secretly meets to solve the world’s biggest problems, and reveals to them that all of Santa’s reindeer are Skrulls. A device that once murdered half of the universe’s population, the Illuminati agreed to let Santa borrow it. Santa then, of course, goes insane with power and is only stopped when Namor uses his Atlantean might to throw a snowball at Santa, knocking the glove off. In the end, the Iron Man gifts Santa a robotic reindeer only to ask him this if he had an option of a robotic deer what would he need the Infinity Gauntlet for.

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