For those us who felt the need to re-familiarize yourself with the “Infinity Gauntlet” comic series in the hope to better understand “Infinity War,” you were probably left with more questions than answers. I know I was. The first thing you found out was that “Infinity Gauntlet” was only a continuation of a another series. Those clever folks at Marvel made sure you would have to obtain the Silver Surfer series to see how Thanos obtained the “soul stones,” which was how they were referred to in that story. Marvel had long since discovered what Steve Martin in The Jerk realized when working for the Carny: “It’s a PROFIT deal!” Only he was trying to get you to win pencils and erasers while Marvel wanted you buy other book series to follow the story. But I digress. If you read my blogs long enough you’ll see that happens a lot. It’s part of the price of admission, folks.
In the Surfer story, Thanos laid out his plans for eliminating half the population that resembles his explanation from “Infinity War.” His theory was that over-population and waste buildup would eventually bring death to a planet since resources are finite. Suffering and death were sure to follow unless measures were taken to prevent it. His solution was to eliminate half the population to alleviate this possibility and “save” the planet. By implementing this universe wide, he was somehow being “merciful.” I doubt the people he was “eliminating” would see it that way.
The Infinity Gauntlet series had the same goal but not for the same reasons. The story here was that Thanos was only pursuing this task of eliminating half the universal population as a token of love to the “Mistress of Death.” So “Hela” was the Goddess of Death, here you have the Mistress of Death. You can’t keep track of your “Death Deities” without a program. Also in the comic book it was the Silver Surfer who crashed through Dr. Strange’s roof to warn of the coming of Thanos. It makes sense to change this to a character you already have in your roster so I understand that thought process. It is another example of the movie makers “cherry picking” elements from different stories.
It is Thanos purpose of 50% genocide, that brings in the hypocrisy. In neither the comic nor the movie does Thanos EVER include himself in that “random” selection of who would be eliminated. Like in his conversation with Dr. Strange on Titan:
Thanos: Titan was like most planets. Too many mouths, not enough to go around. And when we faced extinction, I offered a solution.
Dr. Stephen Strange: Genocide?
Thanos: At random. Dispassionate, fair. The rich and poor alike. And they called me a madman. And what I predicted, came to pass.
Dr. Stephen Strange: Congratulations. You’re a prophet.
Thanos: I’m a survivor.
Dr. Stephen Strange: Who wants to murder trillions.
Thanos: With all six Stones, I could simply snap my fingers. They would all cease to exist. I call that mercy.
Dr. Stephen Strange: And then what?
Thanos: I finally rest, and watch the sun rise on a grateful universe. The hardest choices require the strongest wills.
If it doesn’t include EVERYONE, how random or fair is it? In addition, as seen at the end of the movie in the post credit scene, Cars, helicopter, planes were suddenly crashing out of control because their drivers/pilots had went up in a cloud of ashes. Those vehicles had to land somewhere. Perhaps killing people who were “meant” to survive his “snap!” Expand that planet wide and suddenly that 50% leans more toward 45% or less. You would think that Mr. Omnipotent, Mr. “I am Thanos, I am Supreme” would have included that in his thought process. Not to mention that by eliminating the 50% he is merely “kicking the can down the road” where it would eventually happen again. Thanos should have run for Congress with that kind of foreword thinking.
Am I overthinking this? Of course I am, but it gave you something to read for a little bit. You’re Welcome.
Avengers Infinity War comes to digital on 7/31.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
