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Marvel’sThanosis one of the most democratic villains in the troupe ’s history , but his journeying to that point has been a little more artificial than most . The character has been accuse of being such an impossible - to - vote out scourge that he could well be considered a " Mary Sue"-like grapheme . The term is used often toward heroes , but Thanos fits the bill wellfor multiple ground .
In fable , a " Mary Sue " is a character who is notably miss in flaw or weakness , often possessing an unlikely range of skills , superpower or expertness that allow them to succeed in every scenario . The name was first used in a Star Trek fan - make poor story that itself lampooned the overuse of buff - insert grapheme ( thus , the first Mary Sue was herself anintentionalMary Sue ) . It must be noted that simple competence does not a Mary Sue make ; they must besupremelygifted to the point of straining the interview ’s credulity ( oddly enough , Wesley Crusher from Star Trek ’s ownStar Trek : The Next Generationshow is an splendid example of a Mary Sue ) . Often , a Mary Sue is score by a sense that the writer is to a fault concerned with showcasing one fictitious character , warping the narrative to show them in the sound light .
Related : Why Thanos Has So Many biologic Children ( And Where They Are Now )

Thanos is a gaudy comical book villain at first glimpse ; he ’s a purple - sputter , atomic number 79 armor - wearing megalomaniac who desire nothing less than to court Death ( who in the Marvel Universe is an actual entity ) . But unlike the various raving sore scientists from the Silver Age of Comics , Thanos is far more wide-ranging in his interests - a genius master of all scientific disciplines , as well as an intergalactic Lothario and near - unvanquishable battler . Hisplans involving the Infinity Stonescemented him as a terrific cosmic villain , but perhaps the good indication of his Mary Sue status is that when he turn a loss a fighting , it ’s rarely presented as an instance where he ’s outsmarted or outfought . For case , in 1991’sInfinity Gauntlet , the story begin with Thanos already in possession of the gems and successfully stamp down the universe . He only loses this force thanks to leave his physical consistence while he transcends - an error which is later explained as him subconsciously not believe he merit to succeed - and he still run to live out a pastoral retreat of his choosing .
This normal of Thanos reach ultimate exponent and defeating all enemies , only " lose " because he ’s too sassy and psychologically complex to be comfortable with godhood , returns again and again through creator Jim Starlin ’s time with the character . Under Starlin ’s influence , Thanos managedto take in the power of the Heart of the Universe , and gained the power to reshape and even make fresh realities , becoming the Marvel Universe ’s sovereign being before recreating it as it had been before . In 2018’sThanos : The Infinity Conflict , he consumed all cosmic entities into himself to become the defining force behind existence . Even in his base state , Starlin ’s stories casually drop the Revelation of Saint John the Divine that he caneasily go toe to toe with Odin(as get a line inWarlock and the Infinity Watch # 25 . )
Starlin ’s stories are thrilling space epics , but over a foresightful career , he ’s always revisited Thanos to emphasize just how unbeatable he is . Starlin even introduced theThanosi- selfsame ringer of Thanos - to explain away any meter Thanos was apparently defeated . This tier of Jehovah investment means that while ( like other heroes and villain ) Thanosisthe end result of many different God Almighty collaborating on his report , he ’s also do good from decennary of his creator consistently inflate his power and importance .

It must be noted thatThanos does n’t shareallMary Sue characteristics- namely , he surely is not universally adored . As a villain , however , this is part of the job description . Thanos is a fascinating character and a fitting villain for the Marvel Universe , but his rise to power has n’t been a happy accident . Seeing how many meter his " losses " are actually him overcome every enemy then have the determination to give up his newfound exponent , it ’s arduous not to seeThanosas Marvel ’s Mary Sue Supreme .
Next : Thanos Confirms The One Hero He swear ( For The Saddest Reason )


