[[{“value”:”
Believe it or not, Mario from Super Mario Bros. once infiltrated the Marvel Universe and stole none other than Thanos’ girlfriend. It sounds completely unbelievable, but it actually happened. This wild moment makes Mario’s hidden Marvel debut one of the strangest and most unforgettable cameos for the lucky few fans who managed to catch it.
Even the most hardcore Marvel fans will likely be racking their brains trying to remember when Mario infiltrated the Marvel Universe and stole Thanos’ girlfriend, but that’s exactly what happened in What The–?! #24 (1992) by Aaron Lopresti, Alan Kupperberg, and more.
This issue was dedicated to roasting the Infinity Gauntlet, which was hilariously renamed the “Infinity Mitten,” and featured a version of Thanos who was far more derpy than the iconic villain fans are used to. The comic also delivered some over-the-top relationship drama between Thanos and his girlfriend, Death.
It’s True: Mario Stole Thanos’ Girlfriend
What The–?! #24 (1992) Parodies Jim Starlin’s The Infinity Gauntlet (1991)
Something that MCU fans may be unaware of, but comic fans know, is that Thanos was in a relationship with Mistress Death, who is the physical embodiment of death in the Marvel Universe. Furthermore, Thanos’ infamous goal of wiping out half of all life in the universe was not for balance like in the MCU, but was solely to impress Death.
Because of this, comic fans often make fun of Thanos, calling him a “simp,” especially since in the classic storyline The Infinity Gauntlet (1991) by Jim Starlin, when Thanos commits mass genocide, Death still rejects him. What The–?! #24 is essentially a parody of this storyline and Thanos’ desperate attempts to win Death’s affection.
Related
Sorry, Thanos: The Infinity Gauntlet Era Is Over as Marvel Has Officially Found Its Replacement
The Infinity Gauntlet is one of Marvel’s most powerful weapons, but its time is drawing to an end, as the publisher unveils its awesome replacement.
What The–?! #24 ends with Thanos performing his ultimate grand gesture of killing a whole bunch of people to impress Death. However, when he turns to her, expecting her to fall into his arms in awe of his killing prowess, Death is instead cuddled up to Mario, saying, “So what? My new boyfriend is killing off the entire comics industry.”
Granted, Death doesn’t call him by name, and Mario’s design is tweaked just enough to avoid copyright issues, but the resemblance is clear. While this obviously is not a canon story, it still marks a hilarious moment in Marvel history, when Mario stole Thanos’ girl, which is exceptionally embarrassing for the Mad Titan.
What Is the Difference Between Marvel’s What If…? and What The–?! Series?
What The–?! Parodies Thanos, the Infinity Gauntlet & Even Marvel Itself
Marvel’s What The–?! series should not be confused with their What If…? series, as both are extremely different in tone, purpose, and canonical status. When it comes to What If…?, this is a more serious and speculative series that explores alternate realities and pivotal moments in Marvel history.
What The–?!, on the other hand, is essentially a parody series with a humorous and often silly tone that spoofs Marvel characters, events, tropes, storylines, and even the company itself. In the case of What The–?! #24, Thanos, the Infinity Gauntlet, and Jim Starlin’s iconic storyline were all parodied.
The two series also differ in their connection to Marvel canon. What If…? is considered part of Marvel’s broader multiverse, with its stories taking place on one of the many alternate Earths in the Marvel Universe. What The–?!, by contrast, is entirely non-canon, with no crossover or ties to the main continuity.
Has There Ever Been an Official Mario x Marvel Crossover?
Fans Are Picking Up Marvel’s Slack
Surprisingly, there has never been an official crossover between Marvel and Super Mario Bros. However, the collision of these two universes has still been explored by fans through fan art, fan fiction, and more. This ongoing fan interest shows that there is clearly an appetite for such a crossover and suggests it could be something Marvel might eventually explore.
Given that DC currently has an ongoing crossover series with Sonic the Hedgehog, it is very possible that Marvel will one day pursue a similar event with Super Mario Bros. Until that day comes, though, fans will have to settle for the single panel where Mario steals Thanos’ girlfriend.
What The–?! #24 (1992) is available now from Marvel Comics!
Hailing from the planet Titan, Thanos is a primary antagonist throughout the canon of Marvel Comics. First appearing in The Invincible Iron Man, Thanos is a powerful and calculating warlord primarily concerned with earning the affection of Death herself. In many of his tales, Thanos seeks to gather the six infinity stones in order to lay waste to half of all life in the universe.
“}]] Did Mario really steal Thanos’ girlfriend? Read More