Top 7 Strongest Artifacts in The Marvel Universe

Marvel Universe in the comics has been rich in its history and lore. And like all the comic universe decades of creators and thinkers have

By Mohit Srivastava
August 8,2022
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Marvel Universe in the comics has been rich in its history and lore. And like all the comic universe decades of creators and thinkers have filled this universe with their imagination. Marvel Universe has always had a strong affection for creating increasingly powerful objects. Many devices, artifacts, weapons, and tools grant their users unimaginable powers.

Avid comic book readers are well aware of some artifacts so powerful that they have brought the entire Multiverse to the brink of their annihilation. These are mystic, technological, or cosmic in their origin. Some of these have even made a live-action appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). ‘Nuff said, let’s look into some of the most powerful artifacts in the Marvel Universe.

7. Norn Stones

Norn Stones in Marvel Comics
Norn Stones in Marvel Comics

Primarily used by Loki in his cunning schemes, Norn Stones are ancient artifacts from Asgard. They were initially created by the Celestials during the creation of the universe. It enabled them to traverse the dimensions, among other things. The stones have a mind of their own, and their powers change depending on who is using them or what they desire. They have been used to create portals and enhance magical abilities.

6. The Cosmic Control Rod

Annihilus with The Cosmic Control Rod in Marvel Comics
Annihilus with The Cosmic Control Rod in Marvel Comics

It allows the wielder to control cosmic energy. In the comics, Annihilus used it to slow his cellular degeneration. The cosmic rod grants the wielder the authority over the Negative Zone, which is a dimension that is full of life and potential power. The Rod was said to have housed the essence of a Tyannan starship’s stardrive, which means that the Rod had incalculable power and abilities, which the wielder could use to augment his or her strength and power.

5. The Crimson Gem Of Cyttorak

Juggernaut with The Crimson Gem of Cyttorak
Juggernaut with The Crimson Gem of Cyttorak in the Marvel Comics

The Octessence (a group of 8 mystical beings – Balthakk, Cyttorak, Farallah, Ikonn, Krakkan, Raggadorr, Valtorr, and Watoomb) put their essence each into an object. One of these objects was – a crimson gem. It had the ability of Cyttorak and would grant its possessor superhuman strength and abilities. In the comics, it was used by Cain Marko, the stepbrother of Charles Xavier. Upon touching the magical item, Marko was turned into the Juggernaut.

4. The Darkhold

The Darkhold in the MCU
The Darkhold in the MCU

Also known as the Shiatra Book Of The Damne, Book of Spells, or Book of Sins, the Darkhold is a book made of dark matter from the Hell dimension. It supposedly holds infinite knowledge and grants its owner the ability to make whatever they want and the instructions on how to achieve their goals.

Darkhold changes itself to be written in the language the reader would understand best. It was originally written by the evil Elder God known as Chthon. It contains all his evil works and spells on indestructible parchments. The darkhold has made its live-action appearance in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., WandaVision, and Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness.

3. Mandarin’s Rings

Mandarin's rings in Marvel Comics
Mandarin’s rings in Marvel Comics

Discovered by the Mandarin in China’s “Valley of Spirits,” the Ten Rings of Power are actually the product of the dragon-like race Axonn-Karr (or Makluans) from the planet Maklu-IV. Each of these ten rings contains the soul of a long-dead legendary cosmic warrior, trapped in a phantasmal state limited by their respective device. All of them have various powers and abilities.

They have been called different names depending on their abilities. The 10 rings have powers like ice-blast, psychic power, electro-blast, flame-blast, white-light, black-light, disintegration beam, vortex (air) beam, impact beam, and matter rearrangement. They have recently appeared as 10 bracelets that Mandarin wears in Shang Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings in MCU. However, their exact abilities and origin have not been made clear yet.

2. Infinity Stones/Infinity Gems

Infinity Stones in Marvel Comics
Infinity Stones in Marvel Comics

The six Infinity Gems (Infinity Stones, in MCU) are some of the most powerful pieces of jewelry one can find. Each of them possesses a different array of magnificent capabilities. The Soul Gem allows its user to control and alter both living and dead souls. With the Time Gem, one can manipulate anything on a temporal scale. They can travel through time, reverse it or freeze it. The Space Gem lets whoever holds it exists in literally any location or makes portals. The Mind Gem enhances their mental abilities, grating its host psionic powers and controlling others’ minds. The Reality Gem can distort perception and create new worlds. Finally, the Power Gem gives its holder enough strength to knock out the very powerful beings, even the mighty Hulk.

They can collectively be wielded in a gauntlet called Infinity Gauntlet. One who can wield than all is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient i.e. a god. Its most infamous wielder is the mad titan – Thanos. They were the basis of storylines of MCU’s Phase 1, 2, and 3 (collectively called The Inifinity Saga).

1. Heart Of The Universe

Heart Of The Universe
Heart Of The Universe in Marvel Comics

The most powerful artifact in the entire Marvel Universe is – The Heart Of The Universe. Its genesis is yet unknown, but it is virtually omnipotent and can be used to take on any cosmic being of the universe, even The Living Tribunal. It is kept under the control of a group of powerful prime Cosmic Beings who call themselves The Celestial Order.

In the comic run The End, it was used by Thanos. Using it, he absorbed the entire multiverse, making him one with literally everything that has ever and will ever exist. Thanos, however, realizes that his beloved Death would no longer exist without any living thing existing and came to regret his actions. He then decided to restore the universe to the way it was before the series again.