Marvel Studios has introduced a new phase 5 supervillain in the Secret Invasion series, making him even more powerful than Thanos. In this thrilling storyline, Nick Fury, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, returns to Earth to confront a Skrull uprising led by Gravik, portrayed by Kingsley Ben-Adir.
Gravik and his rebel forces plan to eradicate humanity and claim Earth as their own, utilizing the Skrulls’ shape-shifting abilities. With enhanced powers derived from Groot, Thor: The Dark World’s Frost Beast, Cull Obsidian, and Iron Man 3’s Extremis, Gravik poses a terrifying threat to Fury and his ally Talos (played by Ben Mendelsohn).
This article explores the reasons why Gravik surpasses Thanos in terms of power and menace.
Gravik’s Unyielding Invincibility Granted by Extremis:
In Secret Invasion episode 4, Gravik’s new superpowers, obtained through his “Super Skrull” machine, are revealed. Enhanced by the abilities of various formidable beings, including Groot and the Frost Beast, Gravik also harnesses the power of Extremis. This infusion grants him near-invincibility, showcased when he effortlessly heals injuries sustained during a confrontation with Talos. Gravik’s newfound resilience renders him an almost indestructible adversary, exceeding the level of difficulty posed by Thanos.
Gravik’s Ruthless Elimination of Heroes:
Throughout Secret Invasion, Gravik proves to be an unwavering and lethal warrior. In a shocking twist, he assumes the identity of Nick Fury and kills Maria Hill (portrayed by Cobie Smulders) in episode 1. In subsequent episodes, Gravik seemingly eliminates G’iah (played by Emilia Clarke) and engages in a final battle with Talos, successfully eliminating him as well. His merciless approach sets him apart from Thanos, who generally refrained from needlessly killing the MCU’s heroes.
Infiltration and Manipulation:
Skrull Disguise Reveals Startling Revelation: A major revelation in Secret Invasion episode 4 confirms fan theories that Don Cheadle’s James “Rhodey” Rhodes, also known as War Machine, is a Skrull imposter. This revelation implies that Gravik has potentially had a Skrull operative within the Avengers for an extended period, providing him access to critical information. The implications of this infiltration create a significant impact on the future of the MCU.
Complete Annihilation of Humanity:
While Thanos aimed to spare half the universe’s population to conserve resources, Gravik harbors no such compassion. In his quest for a new home, Gravik seeks to obliterate humanity entirely, leaving no survivors. His motive is driven by revenge and a selfish desire to transform Earth into the Skrulls’ exclusive domain. This uncompromising stance makes Gravik even more terrifying than Thanos, who at least showed some compassion for those left behind.
In the Secret Invasion series, Gravik emerges as a supervillain more powerful and menacing than Thanos. Enhanced by Extremis and possessing the ability to shape-shift into any living being, Gravik’s invincibility and ruthlessness make him a formidable foe.
His elimination of heroes, infiltration of the Avengers, and his complete lack of compassion for humanity raise the stakes to new heights. As Secret Invasion continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Nick Fury and his allies will overcome this unparalleled threat. New episodes of Secret Invasion are available for streaming on Disney+ every Wednesday.