Who Are Thanos’ Black Order in Avengers: Infinity War?

Last weekend’s D23 Expo revealed a fair amount of details on Marvel’s upcoming ensemble film Avengers: Infinity War, including an exclusive extended footage in which every Marvel superhero so far bands together to finally face Thanos — the cosmic villain that’s been continuously teased since the first Avengers film.

In addition to the footage, another big reveal was made on the exhibition floor in the form of statues – a first look at Thanos’ Black Order.

Photo courtesy: Louis D’Esposito/Marvel

So, who are they? The Black Order is a group formed by Thanos consisting of alien warriors that help him in invading worlds or retrieving the Infinity Stones. Unlike Thanos however, they are a relatively new group in Marvel’s mythos, having first introduced in New Avengers #8 (2013) by Jonathan Hickman, Jerome Opena and Jim Cheung. The members of the Black Order are Proxima Midnight, Ebony Maw, Corvus Glaive and Black Dwarf.

In his tweet, Louis D’Esposito referred to them as the “Children of Thanos” so we can probably expect them to have the same familial relationship with Thanos as that of Gamora and Nebula.

Corvus Glaive

Thanos’ right hand man, Corvus Glaive joined the Black Order along with his wife Proxima Midnight and brother Black Dwarf. He has enhanced strength, speed, durability and endurance, and uses a spear-like weapon that can cut through anything, even atoms. As long as his he wields his weapon, Corvus Glaive has the power of immortality.

He once led the Black Order in Thanos’ absence in the comics, much to the dismay of Thanos. To avoid facing the wrath of the Mad Titan, he committed suicide.

Proxima Midnight

Considered as the most-skilled fighter in the group, Proxima Midnight is an expert at hand-to-hand combat and wields a spear created by Thanos. The spear transforms into light energy when thrown and proved powerful enough to immobilize the Hulk, even reverting him back to Bruce Banner.

In addition to enhanced speed, strengh and durability, she is nigh invulnerable. In the comics, she was killed by Hela.

Ebony Maw

Unlike the rest of the members of the Black Order, Ebony Maw is not a fighter. Instead, he relies on his genius-level intellect to persuade and manipulate his enemies to do his bidding. Considered as the most dangerous member, he was able to gain control over Doctor Strange and turn him into a double agent against the Illuminati.

To protect himself, he utilizes a teleportation device and a force-field generator.

Black Dwarf/Cull Obsidian

The powerhouse of the group, Black Dwarf has superhuman strength, durability, density and impenetrable skin. The brother of Corvus Glaive, he wields an axe and has power levels comparable to that of the Hulk. In the comics, however, when sent by Thanos to Wakanda, he and his army were defeated by Black Panther.

Thanos gave him another chance to prove himself by reassigning him, but he was subsequently killed by Ronan the Accuser.

His name was seemingly changed to Cull Obsidian when announced at the D23 Expo.