When it comes to iconic villains, Thanos stands tall, both in comic books and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). His quest for universal balance, as well as his absolute power and wisdom, made him a formidable foe. But a closer look at Thanos’ story from the comic books reveals another story, one that challenges the idea of his intelligence and shrewdness portrayed in the movies.
In the comic books, Thanos is a very complex character. Created by writer-artist Jim Starlin, Thanos first appeared in The Invincible Iron Man #55 in 1973. Unlike his portrayal in the MCU, where his primary motivation is balancing the universe in, by erasing half of all life, Thanos is such a complicated and extremely nuanced backstory in the comics.
While Thanos has immense cosmic power and god-like strength, his comic book plots rarely lack strategic depth.
The Comic Portrayal of Thanos is Unique to the MCU
There are some instances in the comic where Thanos is portrayed differently than he is portrayed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), particularly in terms of his intelligence and shrewdness. One storyline features a major “Infinity Gauntlet” arc where Thanos uses the Gauntlet with all six Infinity Stones. It shows great power but reveals its weaknesses and flaws.
While the MCU portrays Thanos as a master strategist, carefully planning and executing his master plan to acquire the Infinity Stones, the comic books tend to paint a different picture with more details. Thanos’ actions are impulsive and short-sighted, lacking the insight and cunning that is supposed to come from him on the big screen.
Furthermore, Thanos’ defeat in the “Infinity Gauntlet” is due not only to the efforts of the heroes but also to his arrogance and underestimation of his opponents. Despite having god-like power, he ignores the strength and intelligence of people like Adam Warlock and the Silver Surfer who eventually challenged him.
Theory Claimed Thanos Was a Brainwashed Deviant
While the Infinity War saga may be over, fan theories about its characters continue to emerge. Thanos, the saga’s central villain, left a trail of destruction across the galaxy. Despite the Avengers’ valiant efforts, he succeeded in wiping out half of all life. Amidst these discussions emerges a new theory proposes that Thanos might have been influenced by his Deviant origins.
The MCU never delves deeply into Thanos’ origins. This theory proposes that he belonged to an Eternal group tasked with safeguarding Titan, similar to how Ajak’s team protected Earth. His brother, Eros (Starfox), was also part of this team.
This theory gains traction because, in the comics, Thanos carries the Deviant gene, explaining his distinct appearance. The enduring intrigue surrounding these Marvel characters is a sign of the impact these movies have had on popular culture, sparking endless fan theories and speculation.
