Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Infinity Watch #3! The character Thanos stands out as one of the most notorious figures associated with the Infinity Stones within the Marvel Comics universe. While others, including the recent antagonist Norman Osborn, known as the Green Goblin, have wielded these cosmic artifacts, Thanos remains historically significant. His narrative arcs surrounding the Infinity Stones are deeply ingrained in Marvel’s lore. Yet, due to his past mistakes, it is now Osborn’s opportunity to utilize their astonishing powers.
The current installment, Infinity Watch #3, penned by Derek Landy and illustrated by Enid Balám, introduces a group known as the Infinity Watch, composed of individuals who are bonded with the Infinity Stones, referred to as Stone Bearers. Led by Star, the wielder of the Reality Stone, they find themselves trapped within a pocket dimension created to shield them from the malevolent Avery Zavala. Zavala, a Stone Bearer from a destroyed universe, aims to seize the Infinity Stones of Earth-616 to reconstruct his own destroyed realm.
Avery Zavala’s plans nearly come to fruition; he assassinates most members of the Infinity Watch and merges their Stones into his sword, crafting what he calls the Infinity Blade—an instrument for wielding the Infinity Stones, comparable to the Infinity Gauntlet. In a timely move, Star manipulates her Reality Stone to forge a new dimension, capturing herself, her allies, and Zavala within a reality populated by alternative versions of legendary Marvel characters. Unfortunately, Zavala’s dark influence permeates this reality as well.
Why Norman Osborn is a Better Choice to Wield the Infinity Stones than Thanos
Norman Osborn Possesses Unique Qualities that Thanos Lacks
Often viewed negatively due to his Green Goblin alter ego, Norman Osborn showcases a different persona in Infinity Watch #3. Traditionally, the Green Goblin identity represented a deranged split personality focused solely on chaos. In contrast, this iteration of the Goblin serves more as a façade, allowing Osborn to operate covertly as a domestic terrorist, demonstrating strategic intent rather than sheer insanity. This distinction is significant; while the Goblin’s history suggests he might mismanage the Infinity Stones by escalating chaos, the cunning mind of Norman Osborn holds a different potential.
Historically, Osborn has exhibited a remarkable ability to manipulate his surroundings, effectively bending reality to his will, even against superpowered beings. During the Dark Reign storyline, he led a coalition of villains known as the Cabal, launched the Dark Avengers, initiated the Thunderbolts Initiative, and even staged an onslaught against New Asgard. Despite being an ordinary human in a world dominated by superhumans, his tenacity allowed him to orchestrate highly impactful changes, outmaneuvering supervillains such as Doctor Doom. With access to cosmic powers, his potential impact is amplified exponentially.
Conversely, Thanos has notoriously struggled with his ambitions. Though he commands legions and orchestrates vast army maneuvers, his plans often dismantle when faced with superior cosmic forces. Even when wielding immense power, such as that found in the Infinity Gauntlet or the Cosmic Cube, he has failed to achieve his ultimate objectives. In light of this, it’s arguable that Osborn’s accomplishments without superpowers surpass Thanos’s endeavors despite his godlike abilities, positioning Osborn as a natural choice for harnessing the Infinity Stones.
The Green Goblin is Actually More Powerful with the Infinity Stones Than Thanos
The Green Goblin Has the Exclusive Death Stone, Unknown to Thanos
The Green Goblin, equipped with the Infinity Blade, emerges as a more formidable figure than Thanos ever was with the Infinity Gauntlet. This remarkable power shift arises due to the introduction of a new Infinity Stone: the Death Stone. While the Infinity Blade encompasses the original six Stones wielded by Thanos, it also incorporates this newly introduced Death Stone, enhancing Osborn’s potential significantly.
Interestingly, Thanos himself is the architect behind the Death Stone’s creation, having imprisoned the essence of Mistress Death into a gem. He sought to wield it for control over Death—an aspiration he pursued for so long. However, the Infinity Stones have a certain autonomy in choosing their wielder, and the Death Stone notably rebuffed Thanos’ attempts to bond with it.
As it stands, the Death Stone empowers the Green Goblin beyond the capabilities Thanos possessed with the Infinity Gauntlet. This specific augmentation may be a mere detail in the grand scheme of things, yet it underscores a more critical reality: the Green Goblin, with his cunning intellect, is inherently more suited to control the Infinity Stones than Thanos ever could, especially since Thanos’s legacy is one of mismanaging his considerable cosmic powers.
Infinity Watch #3 by Marvel Comics is available now.