The Most Powerful Artifacts in the Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe in the comics has been rich in history and lore. And like the entire universe of comics, decades of creators and thinkers have filled this universe with their imaginations. Marvel Universe has always had a strong affection for creating more and more powerful items. Many devices, artifacts, weapons, and tools grant their users unimaginable powers.
Avid comic book readers are well aware of some artifacts so powerful they’ve brought the entire multiverse to the brink of annihilation. These are of mystical, technological or cosmic origin. Some of them even made a live-action appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). ‘Nuff said, let’s take a look at some of the most powerful artifacts in the Marvel Universe.
7. Norn Stones
Primarily used by Loki in his cunning schemes, the Norn Stones are ancient artifacts from Asgard. They were originally created by the Celestials when the universe was created. This allowed them to cross dimensions, among other things. The stones have their own minds and their powers change depending on who uses them or what they desire. They were used to create portals and enhance magical abilities.
6. The Cosmic Control Rod
It allows the wearer to control cosmic energy. In the comics, Annihilus used it to slow his cellular degeneration. The Cosmic Staff grants the wearer authority over the Negative Zone, which is a dimension full of life and potential power. The staff was said to house the essence of a Tyannan spaceship’s stardrive, meaning the staff had incalculable power and abilities, which the wielder could use to increase their strength and power.
5. The Crimson Jewel of Cyttorak
The Octessence (a group of 8 mystical beings – Balthakk, Cyttorak, Farallah, Ikonn, Krakkan, Raggadorr, Valtorr, and Watoomb) put their essence each in an object. One of these items was – a crimson gem. He had the ability to Cyttorak and would grant its possessor superhuman strength and abilities. In the comics it was used by Cain Markothe half-brother of Charles Xavier. Upon touching the magic item, Marko was transformed into mastodon.
4. The Darkhold
Also known as the Shiatra Book Of The Damne, Book of Spells, or Book of Sins, the Darkhold is a book made of Dark Matter from the dimension of Hell. It supposedly holds infinite knowledge and grants its owner the ability to do whatever they want and instructions on how to achieve their goals.
Darkhold transforms to be written in the language the reader would understand best. It was originally written by the evil elder god known as Chthon. It contains all of his evil works and spells on indestructible scrolls. The darkhold appeared live in Agents of SHIELD, Wanda Visionand Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness.
3. Mandarin rings
Discovered by the Mandarin in the “Valley of the Spirits” in China, the Ten Rings of Power are actually the product of the dragon-like race. Axonn-Karr (or Makluans) from the planet Maklu-IV. Each of these ten rings contains the soul of a legendary long-dead cosmic warrior trapped in a fantasy state limited by their respective device. All of them have various powers and abilities.
They were called different names based on their abilities. The 10 rings have powers like ice blast, psychic power, electro blast, flame blast, white light, black light, disintegration beam, vortex (air) beam, impact beam and rearrangement of matter. They recently appeared in the form of 10 bracelets which Mandarin door in Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in MCU. However, their exact abilities and origin have yet to be clarified.
2. Infinity Stones/Infinity Gems
The six Infinity Gems (Infinity Stones, in MCU) are some of the most powerful jewels you can find. Each of them has a different array of magnificent abilities. The Soul Gem allows its user to control and alter living and dead souls. With the Time Gem, you can manipulate everything on a time scale. They can travel in time, reverse it or freeze it. The Space Gem allows anyone who holds it to literally exist in any location or create portals. The Mind Gem enhances their mental abilities, scraping its host’s psionic powers and controlling the minds of others. The Reality Gem can warp perception and create new worlds. Finally, the Power Gem gives its holder enough strength to knock out very powerful beings, even the mighty Hulk.
They can be wielded collectively in a gauntlet called the Infinity Gauntlet. One who can handle everything is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, that is, a god. Its most infamous wearer is the mad titan – Thanos. They were the basis of the MCU Phase 1, 2, and 3 storylines (collectively referred to as The infinity saga).
1. Heart of the Universe
The most powerful artifact in the entire Marvel Universe is the Heart of the Universe. Its genesis is still unknown, but it is virtually omnipotent and can be used to take on any cosmic being in the universe, even The Living Tribunal. It is kept under the control of a group of powerful primordial Cosmic Beings who call themselves The Celestial Order.
In the comic race The end, it was used by Thanos. Using it, he absorbed the entire Multiverse, literally making it one with all that has ever existed and will ever exist. Thanos, however, realizes that his beloved death would no longer exist without any living beings existing and came to regret his actions. He then decided to restore the universe to how it was before the series.
