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5 Ways the Infinity Gauntlet Can Be Beaten


This May, in Avengers: Infinity War, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes will have their work cut out for them when they’re forced to deal with the menace who’s been lurking in the shadows of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the better part of the last decade: Thanos. Perhaps equally as frightening, though, is that the Mad Titan will be armed with arguably the most powerful item in the Marvel Universe, which is the all-powerful Infinity Gauntlet.

However, just because the Infinity Gauntlet is the ultimate weapon in the MCU doesn’t mean it’s incapable of being stopped. Here are 5 ways the Infinity Gauntlet can be beaten:

  1. By Disrupting the Unity Between the Stones

    The first time all six Infinity Gems (referred to as Infinity Stones in the films, and recently renamed to Infinity Stones in the comics, as well) were assembled in Thanos’ golden left glove was in the aptly titled 1991 miniseries The Infinity Gauntlet, by Jim Starlin, George Pérez, and Ron Lim. In that story, after Thanos assumes an astral form, the Infinity Gauntlet is stolen by the Mad Titan’s granddaughter (daughter in the MCU), Nebula. However, Adam Warlock is able to use his innate connection to the Soul Gem to effectively disrupt the unity between it and the other five, leaving the Infinity Gauntlet in a vulnerable state. Although Warlock isn’t likely to make his MCU debut until Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, perhaps someone such as Vision, whose very existence is derived from the Mind Stone, could serve a similar role in Infinity War.

  2. By Tampering With the Stones

    In the 1992 miniseries The Infinity War, by Jim Starlin, Ron Lim, Ian Laughlin, Al Milgrom, Jack Morelli, and Christie Scheele, the Magus – an evil version of Adam Warlock – discovers the Reality Gem housed within his recently acquired Infinity Gauntlet is actually an elaborate replica, which hinders the weapon from being used to its full potential. This revelation leaves Magus open for attack, and in the film with which this story shares its namesake, it’s entirely possible we could see a similar scenario unfold. Let’s not forget that in the final act of Thor: Ragnarok, we see Loki eyeing the Tesseract (aka the Space Stone) in Odin’s vault, and in the first Infinity War trailer, we learn he has the item in his possession. However, we’d be foolish to put it past the God of Mischief to present Thanos with an imitation rather than the real deal.  

  3. By Transporting it to Another Universe

    Every weapon needs a safety switch, and the Infinity Gauntlet is no exception. That being said, while the gauntlet can destroy an entire universe, the catch is that it can only destroy its own universe. In fact, the Infinity Gauntlet won’t even work in a universe other than the one it actually came from. This means in the comics, the dual gauntlets of Earth-1610 were merely expensive hand-warmers on Earth-616. Likewise, in Secret Wars, when Earth-616 and Earth-1610 were merged into a patchwork planet called Battleworld, the Infinity Gauntlet would only work in one domain because each fragment the world consisted of was essentially another universe. Obviously, we only know of one universe in the MCU, but given Marvel Studios’ increasing cosmic presence, who’s to say that won’t soon change?

  4. With the Aid of a Being More Powerful Than the Gauntlet

    Although it’s nigh-omnipotent, there are a few known beings in the Marvel Universe whose power exceeds that of the Infinity Gauntlet. Perhaps the most notable of these beings is the Living Tribunal – a cosmic entity entrusted with safeguarding the entire Multiverse. Although he’s yet to be seen on-screen, Baron Mordo does use the Staff of the Living Tribunal in Doctor Strange, which – if nothing else – confirms the character’s existence in the MCU. Another powerhouse who trumps the Infinity Gauntlet is the One-Above-All. Essentially the God of the Marvel Universe, the One-Above-All is responsible for creating all life in the Multiverse and is the only entity more powerful than the Living Tribunal. Should either of these make an appearance in Infinity War, unlikely as it may be, they’d be able to render the Infinity Gauntlet useless with the utmost ease.

  5. By Using the Gauntlet Itself

    Although the Infinity Gauntlet can’t be used to destroy itself intentionally, wielding it has caused it to be destroyed in the comics. A notable example is in 2013’s New Avengers #3, by Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting, during the buildup to the 2015 line-wide event Secret Wars. In that issue, the heroes of the main Marvel Universe (Earth-616) are desperately seeking a way to put an end to Universal Incursions – an event in which two worlds literally collide, causing the destruction of both. The Illuminati decide to use the Infinity Gauntlet to “push” the other Earth away from their own, but they want to ensure whoever steps up to the task won’t be corrupted by the gauntlet’s tantalizing power. Naturally, they turn to the incorruptible, iron-willed Captain America, but although he’s successful, the act causes the gauntlet, as well as five of the Infinity Gems, to be destroyed. That being said, it’s entirely possible that Thanos, or even one of the Avengers, could put an end to the Infinity Gauntlet, intentionally or not, by simply wielding it. Then again, that’d be a rather anticlimactic finale.

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