Marvel Comics have done exceptional work for decades to create both superheroes and villains that defy expectations and possess incredible powers. However, in addition to the strength that individuals possess, there are also many items and weapons in the universe that are even more immense, with the Infinity Gauntlet being one of the most powerful and famous examples.
The Infinity Gauntlet is a relic that’s frequently on Thanos’ radar, but he’s not the only character who’s become obsessed with the rare glove. In fact, some of the individuals who have had the honor to wear the Infinity Gauntlet are downright shocking.
10 Santa Claus
The Marvel universe is so large vast that it doesn't seem ridiculous that a figure like Santa Claus would exist within it, but 2009's Marvel Holiday Spectacular settles the debate once and for all. A ridiculous holiday-themed storyline leads to Tony Stark learning that Santa's reindeer are actually Skrull, so when Santa becomes desperate for a way to deliver all of his presents in time, obviously the Infinity Gauntlet is the only solution.
Surprisingly, someone as altruistic as Santa actually succumbs to the Infinity Gauntlet's temptations and he needs to be taken down before he gets out of control.
9 Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom is one of the biggest threats in the entire Marvel universe, but he's not purely evil. Doom often thinks that he's the hero of his own story, justified in his extravagant actions. Desperate times call for desperate measures and a temporary truce is formed between Doom and the Fantastic Four.
This alliance results in Doom being trusted to not only wield one Infinity Gauntlet, but two, as he bends universes and guarantees the safety of Valeria Richards. Most people can't handle the power that comes along with the Infinity Gauntlet, but Doom scoffs at such concerns.
8 Black Panther
Marvel's Secret Wars features a memorable run of events, both for better and for worse. Secret Wars doesn't hold back with its story and one of its larger events is that T'Challa acquires the Infinity Gauntlet and uses it to defeat Doctor Doom. What's so entertaining about Black Panther's use of this powerful tool is that he works together with Namor to achieve this goal. T'Challa doesn’t get corrupted with power and after he accomplishes what's necessary, he uses the Gauntlet to go back in time to try to prevent the crossover between parallel worlds in the first place.
7 Spider-Man
Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe got to see Spider-Man get up close and personal with the Infinity Gauntlet in Avengers: Infinity War, but the comics actually allow Peter Parker to con the powerful glove and put Thanos to shame. Avengers and the Infinity Gauntlet tells an entertaining story that again puts Thanos on the rampage. A unique team-up between Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, and Wolverine results in Spider-Man unexpectedly getting the Gauntlet, which he promptly uses to wish that Thanos never had it to begin with, which is an incredibly diplomatic use of its powers.
6 Silver Surfer
The Infinity Gauntlet is one of the most powerful items in the entire Marvel universe and it's able to turn the weakest of characters into world-ending threats. For that reason, it seems rather unnecessary for someone as all-powerful as the Silver Surfer to wear the glove, but that’s exactly why such an interesting question needs to be explored in one of Marvel's What If? issues. Norrin Radd's tenure with the Infinity Gauntlet sees the hero try to create a utopia for the universe, but the responsibility quickly proves to be too much for even someone of his strength and resolve.
5 Nebula
The Infinity Gauntlet is most commonly associated with Thanos and it's compelling to see how the tyrant slowly alienates those around him, including his family, to achieve his goal. The relationship between Thanos, Gamora, and Nebula is one of the deepest and most complicated in all of Marvel Comics, but the Gauntlet acts as a tool of power and respect between Thanos & Nebula. The Mad Titan uses the Gauntlet to essentially turn Nebula into an undead zombie, but she retaliates by stealing the Gauntlet from him, even if she's not able to hold onto the relic for very long.
4 Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is one of the most important Marvel villains because Norman Osborn is a brilliant, yet megalomaniacal mind, but his costumed alter ego is truly terrifying. The Goblin acquires the Gauntlet in the hypothetical What If? Infinity - Dark Reign. What's fascinating about this story is that Norman ostensibly succeeds by defeating Spider-Man and becomes nearly omnipotent, but it's personal pain and daddy issues that lead to his downfall and keep him from fulfillment. The Infinity Gauntlet can change the world, but not how people truly feel deep down.
3 The Interdimensional Council Of Reeds
The multiverse can seem like a bit of a gimmick at times, but one of its most creative uses has been with the Interdimensional Council of Reeds. Reed Richards is one of the greatest minds in the universe, so it's only logical that the Richards from other universes would be just as brilliant. Richards turns to this powerful brain trust for advice, only to learn that several of the most competent Richards come equipped with Infinity Gauntlets that they've used to improve their respective universes. It's encouraging to see this power not corrupt and actually help better the multiverse.
2 Lockjaw
The Marvel universe is full of such unbelievable characters that it shouldn't come as a surprise that even many of the animals in the world are special. Marvel definitely knows how to have fun and Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers is a prime example of how stories can be both silly and suspenseful. Lockjaw inadvertently stumbles upon the Mind Stone so he calls forth the rest of his Pet Avengers team to locate the rest of the gems and defeat Thanos before the proper superheroes realize that anything is amiss. Lockjaw’s Infinity Gauntlet collar is also particularly adorable.
1 Darkseid
The most surprising and overlooked character to wield the Infinity Gauntlet is a villain that's not even from Marvel Comics. 2003 marked a momentous crossover event between Marvel and DC in JLA/Avengers. The novelty of this crossover is the sight of characters who are never together who now get to help and fight each other. Naturally, the craziest idea out of this crossover is to equip Darkseid, not Thanos, with the Infinity Gauntlet. However, since Darkseid attempts to use the glove in the DC Universe, he learns that its powers are absent, which leaves the villain out of luck.