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Warning: contains spoilers for Iron Man Annual #1
Marvel Comics just introduced a new term for those super-powered individuals bonded with the Infinity Stones: Stone-Bearers. As part one of the Infinite Destines event set to run across various Marvel annuals this summer, this issue features an appearance by the current wielder of the Space Stone, Quantum, a minor villain who previously battled Miles Morales.
Previously known in the comics as the Infinity Gems, each stone holds vast cosmic power over a primordial universal element. Space, time, power, reality, mind, and soul. Separated from one another and granted individual souls by Adam Warlock, the Infinity Stones have been slowly bonding with heroes and villains from across the Marvel Universe. Now in Iron Man Annual #1 from writer Jed MacKay and artist Ibraim Roberson, readers learn more about the newest generation of Stone Bearers.
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In a recent twist, those who bond with an Infinity Stone can only do so after they have mastered the properties of an opposing stone. For example, the teleporting villain, Quantum, was presumably chosen by the Space Stone due to his physical strength. While facing off against Iron Man, Quantum demonstrates his power by teleporting his limbs inside of Iron Man’s armor. Tony is only able to defeat Quantum after locking onto his teleportation signature and disrupting it through the use of his tech, showing that the power those inherit from the Infinity Stones are not as omnipotent as readers have been led to believe.
After the battle, the final scenes of the issue reveal that Quantum has made a deal with the mysterious villainous mastermind known as the Assessor to remove the Infinity Stone from his body, as it causes him great physical distress. Readers have previously seen the Infinity Stones bond with Ripley Ryan (aka Star) and Hector Bautista (aka Overtime), who possess the powers of the Reality and Time Stones respectively. The identities of those who will be chosen by the last remaining Infinity Stones have yet to be revealed, although solicitations of upcoming issues in the event, and an infographic in the back of Iron Man Annual provide hints as for what’s to come.
The infographic reminds readers which powers are tied to which Infinity Stones. Overtime is listed as a character who has achieved mastery over space and has therefore received the Time Stone. Presumably, this will be explored in the next issue of the Infinite Destinies event, Captain America Annual #1 on sale June 16th. Similarly, former Captain Marvel villain and current Thunderbolts member, Star is described on the infographic as having a mastery of time, which would explain her bond with the Reality Stone.
Forthcoming issues of the Infinite Destinies event are set to introduce further Stone-Bearers through the eyes of long-established Marvel superheroes such as Spider-Man, Thor, and the Guardians of the Galaxy. Considering the fact that those who are already in possession of the Infinity Stones are supremely powerful and villainous characters, the final assemblage of the Stone-Bearers may provide a major cosmic threat to the entire Marvel Universe.
