Thanos’ Replacement Arrives – Marvel Begins 2025 by Introducing the Infinity Gauntlet’s Newest Owner

In a bold change to Marvel lore, the Infinity Gauntlet has a new owner – and they couldn’t be more different from the iconic Mad Titan Thanos. Many of the most important beings in the galaxy – from Galactus to the Elders of the Universe – have wielded the Infinity Gauntlet, only to see complete control over reality slip through their fingers. Now, the Gauntlet passes to a mere mortal, marking the first big surprise of Marvel’s 2025 comics.

The Infinity Gauntlet Finds a New Owner in “Gary”

This 61st Century Hero Is an Ally of the Guardians of the Galaxy

In The Ultimates #8 by Deniz Camp, Juan Frigeri​​​​​​​, Federico Blee​​​​​​​ and Travis Lanham, the Ultimates (this reality’s version of the Avengers) meet the Guardians of the Galaxy – heroes from the distant future of the 61st Century. The team tell the story of how their future timeline was destroyed, sharing that an alliance of godlike heroes tried to save it, including the Phoenix, Captain Universe, the Starbrand, and “Gary, wielder of the Infinity Gauntlet.”

It’s a fun twist to show the Infinity Gauntlet in the hands of a regular person who doesn’t have any grand title or superhero codename. Sadly, even the all-powerful Gary couldn’t stop this utopian future going from happy ending to tragic memory. But what does Gary’s existence mean for Marvel’s new Ultimate Universeand the role traditionally held by Thanos?

Marvel Fans Won’t Be Happy Until They Know Everything About “Gary”

This Isn’t the First Time a Mortal Claimed Absolute Power in Marvel Lore

Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe continuity was introduced in 2023, as the villainous Maker used advanced technology to take over an entire alternate reality. The Maker went back through time, pruning the timeline to stop the emergence of any heroes who could stop him. The Ultimates #8 reveals that the cost of creating a dark new present was the literal destruction of the future – something that’s made all the more tragic by the reveal that this reality (Earth-6160) was destined for a genuine happy ending, with Earth living as part of a peaceful galactic community.

Thanks to the Maker’s efforts, many of the Guardians of the Galaxy who existed in this future were flung back in time, now marooned in the present and fighting to kill the Maker and restore their world. Whether Gary is among their number will be revealed in issues to come, and since he doesn’t appear to be based on any other pre-existing character, Marvel fans won’t be happy until they know everything about this seemingly young, normal human who somehow acquired godlike power.

It’s not totally unheard of that a normal human would wield the Infinity Stones, with both Tony Stark and Parker Robbins (aka the Hood) having done so in the past. However, rather than a failed grab at power, it’s clear that in the “post-scarcity, post-imperialist paradise-in-progess” of the 61st Century, Gary was the sole wielder of the Gauntlet, and trusted with its godlike might. One major question is how Thanos fits into this equation, and how Gary managed to claim the Mad Titan’s favorite toy for himself – did Gary somehow kill the Mad Titan?

Ultimates #8 raises a lot of questions about the future the Guardians came from, but “Gary, wielder of the Infinity Gauntlet”is the one that has immediately captured fan imagination, with future appearances of the Ultimate Guardians hopefully telling more of his unique story.

The Ultimates #8 is available now from Marvel Comics.