Editorial: The Infinity Gems and The Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Infinity Gems have played a large role in Marvel comics throughout the years. They have been heavily linked to the villain Thanos, as he has strived to obtain them time and time again. With rumors of the Infinity Gems being introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we have decided to give an "Infinity Gems 101" lesson for those who know nothing about them.

What are the Infinity Gems?

What started out as the "Soul Gems" in the comics, eventually were named "The Infinity Gems." The gems are essentially the remnants of a former omnipotent being named Nemesis, who could not bear to be alone, so she committed suicide. 

When first appearing in the comics, they were wielded by the Elders of the Universe, as a means to destroy Galactus, a being who devours complete worlds. Among the Elders was The Collector.

What do they do?

Each gem gives a different ability to its current owner. *The following are their descriptions.

• Soul Gem - "Allows the user to steal, control, manipulate and alter souls, living or dead, and is the gateway to an idyllic pocket universe. The Soul Gem is sentient and has a hunger for souls."

• Time Gem - "Allows the user total control over the past, present and future. Allows time travel, can age and de-age beings and also be used as a weapon by trapping enemies or entire universes in unending loops of time. Also at full potential grants Omniscience."

• Space Gem - "Allows the user to exist in any or all locations, move any object anywhere throughout reality and warp or rearrange space. At full potential it grants Omnipresence."

• Mind Gem - "Allows the user to greatly strengthen and enhance mental and psionic power and access the thoughts and dreams of other beings. Backed by the Power Gem, the Mind Gem can access all minds in existence simultaneously. When searching for it, the Illuminati apparently discovered that the Mind Gem was the personification of the universal subconscious."

• Reality Gem - "Allows the user to fulfill wishes, even if the wish is in direct contradiction with scientific laws."

• Power Gem - "Accesses all power and energy that ever has or will exist, and can boost the other gems effects. Allows the user to duplicate almost any physical superhuman ability and grants Omnipotence."

What is the Infinity Gauntlet?

The "Mad Titan" Thanos is somewhat obsessed with The Infinity Gems. So much that he has tried to claim them for his own on numerous occasions, often succeeding. The second time Thanos possessed the gems, he put them into a silver glove, called The Infinity Gauntlet. Any being who wears this Gauntlet, complete with all six jewels, is given omnipotence and is able to alter the fabric of the universe itself.

Thanos used the Gauntlet to wipe out half of the life in the universe, before being defeated by the "perfect human" Adam Warlock and The Avengers. Adam Warlock wore the Gauntlet himself, before deciding that he couldn't handle the power. He separated the gems and gave each one to a different being for safekeeping. This group of safe-keepers were named The Infinity Watch. The "Watch" included current Guardians of the Galaxy team members, Gamora and Drax the Destroyer.

Infinity at the Movies

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2011 saw the release of Marvel Studio's Thor. In the film, the Infinity Gauntlet made a brief appearance in "Odin's Treasure Room" (as seen above). The room was filled with many powerful weapons, including the Cosmic Cube, which played a large role in Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers.

After the release of Thor, Marvel Studios took the Infinity Gauntlet prop (pictured to the left) to Comic-Con, showcasing it in all its splendor. However, the question remains: Was this merely an "easter egg" for fans of the comics, or are Marvel setting up for something bigger? 

When Thanos appeared at the end of 2012's The Avengers, many fans "put two and two together," and speculated that Marvel was leading their "Cinematic Universe" towards an Infinity Gauntlet storyline. This, however, remains to proven, although certain evidence points towards it.

What evidence do we have?

The biggest piece of evidence we have is the casting of Benicio Del Toro as The Collector in the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy film. If you remember from the beginning of this article, The Collector is a member of the Elders of the Universe, a group of "last survivors" belonging to otherwise extinct and ancient alien races. The Elders were the original wielders of the Infinity Gems and have been closely connected to them ever since. 

Although it's merely speculation, I suspect that The Collector will be trying to "collect" the Infinity Gauntlet (as seen in Thor) from "Odin's Treasure Room." Now, before you get confused, let me explain. Benicio Del Toro not only signed on for Guardians of the Galaxy, but for a "multi-picture" deal with Marvel Studios. With Del Toro being such a high profile actor, we can assume that Marvel is taking advantage of that deal. When actor Clive Russell (who plays Tyr in the upcoming Thor: The Dark World) let the beans spill that he had shot a scene with Del Toro, our minds went ablaze with many questions. The main question being, "What is The Collector doing in Thor: The Dark World?"

First off, here's the quote from Clive Russell (pictured to the left):

"I worked with Benicio Del Toro on a scene in which he was meant to be quite angry, and sitting fifteen feet away I couldn't hear a word he was saying. But you look on at the screen, and it's absolutely there."

 In the comics, Russell's character Tyr has betrayed Odin and Thor on numerous occasions. If that pattern continues into the movies, and Tyr shares a scene with The Collector, could the two characters be forming some kind of coup against Odin? And what does Odin have that would be of value? The Infinity Gauntlet, of course! After all, that's what The Collector does. He collects stuff! He's called THE Freakin' Collector for Pete's sake!

Although this is all speculation, our theory also crosses over into Guardians of the Galaxy. As we know, Thanos will be playing a large role in the film, as well as previous Infinity Gem keepers, Gamora and Drax the Destroyer. But that's not all. There has also been rumors that Adam Warlock himself will be making an appearance in the film. If this is true, all of the pieces are in place to adapt The Infinity Gauntlet storyline in one way or another. Also, there's this orb (pictured to the left) that everybody in the film seems to want. Could it possibly contain an Infinity Gem? I guess we'll have to wait to find out.

In the meantime, if you haven't already, fork out some cash for The Infinity Gauntlet trade paperback by Jim Starlin. It's essential reading for any Marvel Fan.

*Source: Wikipedia