Thanos’ Iconic Death Immortalized in Jaw-Dropping Secret Wars Fanart

Thanos has suffered a number of defeats in Marvel Comics canon – with many of them being fatal – but none can match the gruesome end he faced at the hands of Doctor Doom in 2015’s Secret Wars. And now, that iconically brutal demise has just been immortalized in the form of absolutely jaw-dropping fanart.

Instagram user bosslogic posted an original piece of fanart depicting Doctor Doom (or, more accurately, God Emperor Doom) ripping the spine out of Thanos’ body, with the Mad Titan’s skull still attached. The image is an epic portrayal of the iconic Secret Wars scene, with an enhanced effect that somehow makes the fanart even more dramatic than the original comic panel itself.

Every brush of green cosmic energy, every rock turned to shattered glass, every dark cloud looming overhead only adds to the vibrant picture of hyper violence presented in this fanart image. The high quality nature of it almost looks live-action, and the awesome power surging from God Emperor Doom can be felt through one’s computer or phone screen. This fanart is as captivating as it is terrifying, and it’s certainly an outstanding tribute to one of the most hardcore moments in Marvel Comics history.

Secret Wars (2015) #8 by Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic

After an incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-1610, Doctor Doom and Dr. Strange were given the chance to reshape a new world in their image by the Beyonders. Strange denied this destiny, whereas Doom accepted it. So, using his newfound divinity, Doctor Doom became God Emperor Doom, and from the ashes of two destroyed universes, Doom created Battleworld, and ruled over it as if he were the physical manifestation of God Himself. However, not everyone accepts Doom’s unchallenged rule, including and especially Thanos.

In Secret Wars #8, Thanos leads a charge against Doom’s Citadel with the Annihilation Horde during a moment of mass chaos on Battleworld orchestrated by every hero and villain who wanted to see Doom fall. When Doom noticed Thanos, he teleported to his location and stood before the Mad Titan, stopping him and his army in their tracks. Doom says little to Thanos, only asking if he had the Infinity Gauntlet. Thanos said he didn’t, but that it didn’t matter, as his base form was more than powerful enough to handle a ‘pretender’ like Doom. Thanos was mistaken.

Thanos’ Death Wasn’t Permanent, but His Death Scene Will Live On Forever

While Thanos’ death in Secret Wars didn’t exactly stick, as the Mad Titan is still causing trouble for Marvel’s greatest heroes to this day, his death scene is certainly one that will last forever within the memories of Marvel Comics fans everywhere. In fact, this moment is often referenced in order to quickly convey how immensely powerful Doctor Doom was as God Emperor Doom. Thanos is a cosmic-level threat, even the most casual Marvel Comics fan knows that, and God Emperor Doom killed him like it was nothing, thereby immediately the unfathomable power Doom wields as God Emperor.

No matter how one chooses to look at or remember Thanos’ Secret Wars death, the fact remains that it will always be remembered, despite the fact that it wasn’t permanent. And now, that already iconic moment has been truly immortalized by an absolutely jaw-dropping piece of fanart that depicts Thanos’ Secret Wars death in a way that’s arguably even more dramatic than the original comic.

Source: bosslogic/Instagram