The Infinity Gauntlet #6 (1991), titled "The Final Confrontation!", is the climactic conclusion to Jim Starlin's iconic Marvel event. It serves as the primary inspiration for the Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame films.
Here are some fascinating facts about this legendary comic book issue:
- The Cosmic "Meta" Illusion: In the climax of the issue, Adam Warlock tricks Thanos and manipulates reality, resulting in a panel that breaks the fourth wall. The perspective shifts to show you, the reader, holding the comic book as it bursts into flames. It was used to simulate the destruction of all existence—though Warlock had only caused the illusion of it.
- Cosmic Beings Get Wrecked: This issue features an incredibly massive gathering of Marvel's cosmic hierarchy. Thanos has already defeated and imprisoned heavyweights like Galactus, the Celestials, and the personifications of Eternity, Master Order, and Lord Chaos.
- Thanos' Downfall: Thanos' greatest enemy in the series is his own subconscious. Deep down, he does not believe he is worthy of ultimate power, which leads him to leave his physical body behind to ascend to the status of a living universe, leaving the Gauntlet vulnerable.
- Nebula Takes the Throne: Taking advantage of Thanos abandoning his body, his granddaughter Nebula strips the glove off and immediately uses it to undo all of Thanos' destruction. This inadvertently leads to a massive free-for-all as the cosmic beings attempt to reclaim the glove.
- Artist Switch-Up: While George Pérez famously penciled the first half of the series, artist Ron Lim stepped in for issues #4 through #6, cementing his legacy as a defining Infinity artist