The Complete History of the Infinity Stones: The Time Stone

What are the Infinity Stones? Like, what are they...really?

Eons ago, the six Gems (as they were then known) were an essential part of an ancient entity called Nemesis, who chose to destroy itself rather than live as the only sentient being in the universe. From its destruction came the Stones—the six key building blocks of the universe: Mind, Reality, Power, Space, Time, and Soul.

As the INFINITY WARS are raging, we decided the time was right to break down the full history of the most powerful items in the Marvel Universe...

Next on our tour of the Infinity Stones comes the Time Stone, which allows its user control over the past, present, and future—including age manipulation and time loops! The stone allows its user to transport throughout time, see visions of all possible timelines, and—when used with the other Stones—even omniscience throughout all points in time simultaneously.

In the spirit of the Time Stone, we're taking a look at a few of the most iconic moments from the early days of Thanos and his time with the Infinity Stones. And there's no better place to begin than with the cosmic event that changed the Marvel Universe forever: the INFINITY GAUNTLET.
 

Thanos' Snap: INFINITY GAUNTLET #1

When the Infinity Stones first came into the possession of Thanos, he tested the waters with some death and destruction. Impressed with his results, on a whim Thanos then snapped his Infinity Gauntlet-clad fingers and erased half of the life in the universe in an instant. Next, he created a shockwave so destructive that even Galactus didn't dare interfere. By the time it reached Earth, it was at only two percent of its power (though it destroyed other planets when at full force), yet it still had enough might to wipe out entire countries. A string of apocalyptic events were triggered by the resulting changes in tides, giving way to volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and unheard of destruction.
 

Thanos' Death Wish: CAPTAIN MARVEL #26

What has been Thanos' greatest inspiration throughout his lifetime of destruction? The short answer is love. Thanos has long been in love with the personification of Death herself.

All the way back in his second-ever appearance, it was revealed that Thanos’ quest for galactic conquest was aided by his “only comrade,” a shadowy figure in a cloak. To impress his would-be lady love, Thanos quested to give her that which she loved most—death. And so it began...
 

"Come and Get Me": INFINITY GAUNTLET #4

Issue #4 of the event featured a cover with Thanos goading Earth’s mightiest heroes; “Come and get me!” With those words, Thanos' reputation as the Mad Titan were increasingly solidified. The issue then saw an ongoing massacre of strange, yet creative, attacks sourced in Thanos’ new, unlimited power. Thor, Hulk, Wolverine, and the rest of the surviving Marvel heroes went up against the villain, only to fall one by one.
 

Captain America's Last Stand: INFINITY GAUNTLET #4

After Thanos had wiped the floor with his comrades, Steve Rogers went face-to-face with Thanos to deliver one of the most iconic moments in Marvel history. Despite the fact that Thanos had defeated all challengers, even including cosmic entities, Captain America still refused to give in. His shield shattered, he still stood in defiance, making a statement that captured the essence of his entire being in just one sentence.
 

Usurper of the Stones: INFINITY GAUNTLET #5

Right after Thanos turned her into a living corpse, Nebula decided that she had finally had enough of the Titan's abuses and snatched the Gauntlet from his just as he left his body to become one with the universe.

With a triumphant cry, Nebula made the biggest move yet in the saga. But, as she was so damaged from the previous battle, she buckled under the weight of godhood. Total confusion then reigned as she tried to adjust to the deluge of such universal sensory input.

The Farmer: INFINITY GAUNTLET #6

In the wake of the battle for all of reality that took place throughout INFINITY GAUNTLET, Thanos retired to an unexpected place...a farm. Adam Warlock journeyed 60 days into the future where he found Thanos living a quiet, philosophical life away from the cosmic calamity that he'd just previously caused. He stated then that his search for the power of the Stones was over. But readers knew—and would eventually be proven correct—that his quest would continue into infinity.

Read up on the Infinity Stones with Marvel Unlimited now! Then keep an eye out for the final installment of the Complete History of the Infinity Stones as we look at the Mind Stone.