The secret seventh Infinity Stone was more dangerous than any other, and it proved as much by nearly destroying two comic book universes.
The Infinity Stones have long been known as the most powerful artifacts in the Marvel Universe. While each individual Infinity Stone imparts upon its wielder complete control over natural forces such as time and space, together they bestow abject godhood. Of course, there is an even greater power that the Infinity Stones hold, though it has only been seen with the addition of the long-lost Ego Gem. But there is a good reason it won’t be making a comeback.
1995’s Eliminator #3 (by Hank Kanalz, Roland Mann, and Mike Zeck) gave readers their first glimpse of the Ego Gem alongside the rest of the Infinity Stones. Though it was not in any setting they would have expected. Rather than merely being relegated to the Marvel Universe, the Infinity Stones were also affecting the Ultraverse, Malibu Comics’ own world of heroes and villains. As it turned out, this was tied to the Stones’ origins as the result of the death of an all-powerful cosmic entity whose consciousness was sealed within the Ego Gem. After their union, Nemesis was reborn, and her presence posed a previously unimaginable threat to both realities.
The Ego Stone Nearly Destroyed the Marvel Universe
In her short time as a living being once more, Nemesis set out to remake both the Marvel Universe and Ultraverse in her own horrifying image. As far as she was concerned, Nemesis had been spurned by each reality. This was even though they were largely unaware of her existence whatsoever. After reemerging, Nemesis was determined to make things right where she believed she had been wronged. Although the heroes of each world were anything but willing to let that happen.
Together in the pages of 1995’s UltraForce/Avengers #1 (by Warren Ellis, George Pérez, and Larry Welch), the heroes of Marvel and Malibu fought back against Nemesis, and they weren’t the only ones. Even the other Infinity Stones were unwilling to see Nemesis’ vision come to fruition, as the voices emanating from within them pushed back against her whims. This inner turmoil made it all the easier for Dane Whitman, aka the Black Knight, to land the final blow against Nemesis, shattering her crown and freeing the other Infinity Stones from her control.
The Ego Stone’s Destruction Changed Marvel’s Infinity Stones Forever
With the Ego Gem completely obliterated, Nemesis’ consciousness was split between the remaining Infinity Stones. Meanwhile, the Ultraverse was remade into something entirely unlike what she or readers were expecting. This also left the primary Infinity Stones free to find individual hosts rather than being commanded by a single entity. Not only did this mark a new era for Malibu Comics, it ushered in a new sense of purpose for Marvel’s all-powerful artifacts.
In the years since, the Ultraverse has slipped into the realm of obscurity, as has Nemesis herself. This isn’t particularly surprising considering it has been nearly thirty years since Malibu was shuttered, yet it does stand out as a testament to how even the grandest of events can be so easily forgotten. If nothing else, this all at least ensures that the likes of Nemesis won’t be making a comeback anytime in the foreseeable future, no matter how much she might be deserving of another shot at redemption.
