Infinity Gems
The Infinity Gems are six fictional gems that exist in the Marvel Universe. Originally referred to - erroneously - as Soul Gems, the six gems are in fact sentient[1] and can be used in unison to make the wielder omnipotent, and in complete control of the universe. A later story line added a seventh Gem, although this may not be in continuity (see below).
Description
Each gem is a smooth oblong and several inches in length. The seven Infinity Gems are known by their respective power:
| Name | Color | Description | Prior Owners | Current Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Space | purple | It allows the user to exist in any location (or all locations), move any object anywhere throughout the universe and warp or rearrange space. | Runner; Pip the Troll | Black Bolt |
| Mind | blue | It allows the user to boost mental power and access the thoughts and dreams of other beings. Backed by the Power Gem, it is possible to access all minds in existence simultaneously. It also inadvertently causes one's inner demons to surface when gathered. | Grandmaster; Moondragon | Charles Xavier |
| Soul | green | Arguably the most dangerous, this gem is sentient and has a hunger for souls. It allows the user to steal, manipulate and alter souls, living or dead. Adam Warlock has been the sole custodian of this gem for many years, feeling responsible for many of the souls that he himself has taken. Ironically, the gem is the gateway to an idyllic, pocket-universe. | Adam Warlock; In-Betweener; Count Abyss | Doctor Strange |
| Reality | yellow | Perhaps the most powerful and difficult gem to use, it allows the user to fulfill wishes, even if that wish is in direct contradiction with scientific laws. It can result in disaster if not careful with the nature of the wish. When pulled from the edge of reality, it causes catastrophic damage that can be barely stopped by the power of the Space, Soul, and Power Gems. | Stranger; Collector; Thanos; Amber Hunt | Iron Man |
| Time | orange/red | This gem allows the user total mastery of time and allows the user to be in any period of time. From the primordial past, to the distant future, any age is accessable or visible through its power. With enough knowledge, even more can be done, as time and causality can even be manipulated with this gem. This would allow a user to even use time as a weapon, trapping enemies or entire worlds in unending loops of time. It can also cause those nearby to revert to a physically older or younger state. | Gardener; Gamora | Namor |
| Power | red/pink | It contains access to all power and energy that ever has or will exist, backs the other gems and boosts their effects. It allows the user to duplicate almost any physical superhuman ability and become invincible, and therefore unbeatable, when using raw power alone. | Champion; Drax the Destroyer; Thor; Titania | Reed Richards |
| Ego | gold | The seventh gem, it contains the consciousness of Nemesis, which when merged with the other gems reforms the cosmic entity the gems were once an integral part of. Not one of the previously known six gems, this artifact was found in the Ultraverse when Loki attempted to steal the other gems from the existing users. It allows the holder to resist the effects of the other gems - its other powers, if any, are unknown.[2] | Sersi |
History
The first Gem to be seen in continuity is Soul,[3] with all six being seen for the first time during the first Thanos War. [4] They were seen years later by the Silver Surfer and referred to as the Soul Gems. [5] It is not until Thanos retrieves the entire set that the Gems are referred to as Infinity Gems. [6]
Discovering the true potential of the gems, Thanos explains to the Runner that the gems are actually the remains of a once omnipotent but lonely being. Attempts to create other life forms failed as the creations had no concept of good or evil and devolved into beasts. Realizing its error, the being destroyed the flawed creations and committed suicide, being unable to endure eternity alone. A fraction of this being remained, however, and became the Infinity Gems. Taking the Gems from the In-Betweener and the Elders of the Universe - a fatal experience for some - Thanos uses them to create the Infinity Gauntlet, a glove set with all six gems.
Thanos becomes the equivalent of God, but a series of doubts within himself spelled his downfall. [7] Nebula also tries to wield the Infinity Gauntlet, but her inexperience proves her undoing. Following the events of the Infinity Gauntlet, the Living Tribunal declares that the Infinity Gems can no longer be used in unison. When the gems are separated they are distributed to the individual members of the Infinity Watch[8]. The Magus later manages to have the Tribunal's decision temporarily overturned and collects and reunites the gems, although he is defeated when the Reality Gem proves to be a fake. [9]. Eventually, the gems are stolen by the extradimensional vampire Rune and dispersed through the Ultraverse[10].
The god Loki enter the Ultraverse and recollects the gems. He discovers the existence of a seventh gem - Ego -, and that all seven were originally extracted from the consciousness of a cosmic being known as Nemesis. The Ego gem, possessing the Eternal Sersi, merges with the other gems to reform Nemesis and battle the Avengers and Ultraforce. [2]. Upon Nemesis' defeat the gems temporarily gain independent consciousness, and some even manifest as physical entities, although the transformation has since been reversed.[11]
Recent Appearances
The World Devourer Galactus collects all six Infinity Gems for the purpose of ending his need to consume planets. The gambit fails, and instead allows a deadly, inter-dimensional parasite access into the Marvel Universe. In the chaos that follows the gems are scattered once more - save for the Soul Gem - which Thanos retains for Adam Warlock. [12]
In the JLA/Avengers crossover, the Infinity Gems were one of 12 featured items of power. The villain Darkseid obtains the Gauntlet, but discards it upon discovering that the gems do not work in the DC universe. [13]
Recently, the Infinity Gems are revealed to be in the possession of the Illuminati. [14] Reed Richards and the Illuminati gather the Gems and the Gauntlet and decide to will the objects out of existence to prevent them from ever being used again. The Watcher Uatu, however, reveals that the Gems must exist as part of the cosmic balance. The Gems are then separated and each is placed in the care of an Illuminati member, who have vowed to never use them or reveal their location. (See Description above).
Other Media
The Infinity Gems also feature in the arcade games Marvel Super Heroes: War of the Gems (based on the Infinity Gauntlet saga) for SNES and Marvel Super-Heroes. As a side note, in these games the Power Gem is erroneously colored pink and the Time Gem is colored red.
Other versions
Amalgam Comics
In Amalgam Comics, the Infinity Gems are combined with the Anti-Life Equation to form the Infinity Links.
References
- ^ Warlock Saga #1
- ^ a b
- ^ The Power of Warlock v1, #1-8
- ^ Avengers Annual v1, #7 & Marvel Two-In-One Annual v1,
- 2
- ^ Silver Surfer v3, #6 - 10, 16 - 17
- ^ Thanos Quest #1 - 2
- ^ Infinity Gauntlet #1 -6 (1991-92)
- ^ Infinity Watch #1 - 42
- ^ Infinity War # 1 - 6 (1992) & Infinity Crusade # 1 - 6 (1993)
- ^ Rune/Silver Surfer #1
- ^ The Ego Gem and Nemesis have not been mentioned since those events. As Malibu Comics was purchased and subsequently dissolved by Marvel, it is possible that this story was a one-off' experience and did not occur in mainstream Marvel continuity, although the Ego Gem and Nemesis are referenced in the Infinity Gauntlet profile of Marvel Legacy: The 1990's Handbook.
- ^ Thanos v1, #1 - 6
- ^ JLA/Avengers #1 and #3 & Avengers/JLA #2 and #4 (2003-2004)
- ^ New Avengers: Illuminati #2 (February 2007)
External links
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