Key characters in the Thanos universe: Mistress Death (eternal obsession), the Infinity Gems, the Black Order (Corvus Glaive, Proxima Midnight, Ebony Maw, Cull Obsidian, Supergiant), Gamora, Nebula, Starfox/Eros, Adam Warlock. Essential sagas: Infinity Gauntlet, Infinity War, Infinity Crusade, Thanos Quest.
Thanos, the Mad Titan created by Jim Starlin in 1973, is at the heart of a cosmic Marvel universe that has been built over five decades. From his earliest appearances in Iron Man and Captain Marvel to modern-day Infinity events, Thanos' obsession with Death and absolute power has generated some of the most epic, and most collected, sagas in comics.
The cinematic success of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame has propelled the ratings of many Thanos-related issues. For the informed collector, understanding the chronology of this cosmic universe allows us to identify the real historical keys beyond the MCU hype.
Thanos' Allies and Court
Mistress Death: the original obsession
The cosmic entity embodying Death is Thanos' primary motivation. Their tortured relationship is the narrative engine of all the great Infinity sagas. Starlin's personification of Death in the comics gives a unique depth to the villain, absent from the film adaptations.
The Black Order
Created by Jonathan Hickman in Infinity #1 (2013), the Black Order (Corvus Glaive, Proxima Midnight, Ebony Maw, Cull Obsidian and Supergiant) serves as Thanos' armed wing. Their first appearance in New Avengers #8 (2013) and Infinity #1 jumped in value after the MCU. A Black Order miniseries followed in 2018.
Gamora and Nebula
Thanos' adopted "daughters" have each had a distinct collecting journey. Gamora (first appearance: Strange Tales #180, 1975) and Nebula (Avengers #257, 1985) became major keys thanks to Guardians of the Galaxy. Gamora got her own series in 2017.
Cosmic Rivals
Adam Warlock: the eternal nemesis
Created in Fantastic Four #66-67 then redefined by Jim Starlin, Adam Warlock is inseparable from Thanos. His possession of the Soul Gem and his role in Infinity Gauntlet make him a key character. Marvel Premiere #1 (1972) and Strange Tales #178 (first Starlin Warlock) are highly rated issues.
Starfox / Eros
Brother of Thanos and Avenger, Starfox (first appearance: Iron Man #55, the same issue as Thanos) is a secondary character whose popularity has risen with rumors of an MCU adaptation. Iron Man #55 (1973) remains one of the most important Bronze Age keys.
The Infinity Gems
The six Gems (Soul, Time, Space, Reality, Power, Spirit) are at the heart of the Thanos universe. Thanos Quest #1-2 (1990), where Thanos gathers the gems, is the direct prelude to Infinity Gauntlet. These two prestige format issues are major collector's items often underestimated compared to Infinity Gauntlet #1.
Collection strategy
Iron Man #55 (1973, first appearance of Thanos AND Drax AND Starfox) is the absolute key: a first-rate Bronze Age investment. Complete with Thanos Quest #1-2, Infinity Gauntlet #1-6, and Starlin's runs on Warlock. For the modern, Infinity #1 (Hickman) and Thanos #13 (2017, first Cosmic Ghost Rider) are must-haves. Find these numbers in our guide to key numbers to have.
Thanos' cosmic universe spans 50 years of Marvel-track your Bronze Age keys, your Infinity Sagas, and your modern ones with precision.
Follow my Thanos collectionThanos's cosmic saga in reading order
The Thanos universe reads best in chronological publication order, because Jim Starlin built his story in layers, from 1973 to the 1990s, before other authors took over. Here is the sequence to follow so as not to get lost.
First period: the birth and the Thanos War (1973 to 1977)
- Iron Man #55 (1973): first appearance of Thanos, Drax the Destroyer and Starfox.
- Captain Marvel #25 to #33 (1973-1974): the Thanos War, where Starlin develops the character's cosmogony and the Cosmic Cube.
- Avengers #125 (1974), then Warlock #9 to #15 (1975-1976) and Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2 (1977), where Thanos is defeated by Adam Warlock.
Second period: the return and the Gems (1990 to 1991)
- Silver Surfer #34 (1990): Thanos returns after a long absence.
- Thanos Quest #1-2 (1990): Thanos gathers the Infinity Gems, a direct prelude to what follows.
- The Infinity Gauntlet #1 to #6 (1991): the saga that makes him one of the most feared archvillains of the multiverse.
After Infinity Gauntlet come the Infinity War and Infinity Crusade sagas, which extend the universe of the Gems and their bearers.
Third period: the modern era (2013 onward)
- Infinity #1 (2013, Jonathan Hickman): creation of the Black Order, with New Avengers #8 for its first appearance.
- Series devoted to members of the family, such as Gamora, who got her series in 2017, and the 2018 Black Order miniseries.
The court characters to place
Gamora first appears in Strange Tales #180 (1975) and Nebula in Avengers #257 (1985). Adam Warlock, Thanos's eternal nemesis, comes from Fantastic Four #66-67 and was then redefined by Starlin, with issues such as Marvel Premiere #1 (1972) and Strange Tales #178.
Reading advice
If you are starting out, read Thanos Quest first, then The Infinity Gauntlet: these two series stand on their own and give the best overview of the character. Then go back to Captain Marvel and Warlock to understand his origins. Note that Mistress Death, Thanos's primary motivation, gives his sagas a depth that screen adaptations have not carried over.
Frequently asked questions
The Mad Titan was created by Jim Starlin in 1973. His obsession with Mistress Death, the cosmic entity embodying Death, is the narrative engine of all the great Infinity sagas.
Corvus Glaive, Proxima Midnight, Ebony Maw, Cull Obsidian and Supergiant. Created by Jonathan Hickman in Infinity #1 (2013), the group serves as Thanos's armed wing. Its first appearance is in New Avengers #8 (2013) and Infinity #1.
Gamora in Strange Tales #180 (1975) and Nebula in Avengers #257 (1985). Both became major keys thanks to the Guardians of the Galaxy. Gamora got her own series in 2017.
A two-issue series (1990) in prestige format where Thanos gathers the Infinity Gems. It is the direct prelude to Infinity Gauntlet, and its issues are often underrated compared with Infinity Gauntlet #1.
With Iron Man #55 (1973), the absolute key, which introduces Thanos, Drax and Starfox. Then complete with Thanos Quest #1-2, The Infinity Gauntlet #1 to #6 and Starlin's runs on Warlock. For the modern era, Infinity #1 is a must.