Avengers: Infinity War Director Joe Russo Reveals Comic Book Influences

Thanos and Infinity Gauntlet

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for taking some of the best comic book storylines and putting their own spin on them. That’s not to say there hasn’t been missteps. Many were upset about the way the Mandarin was treated in Iron Man 3. But for the most part their adaptations have been really great and Avengers: Infinity War looks to be shaping up to be one of the best.

Joe Russo spoke to ComicBook.com to reveal which comic books have specifically influenced him and his brother, Anthony Russo, when it came to working on Avengers: Infinity War.

“Certainly the Starlin book was our jumping-off point. It’s a brilliant comic. The ideas behind it are so large, it’s what pushed us to go for the scale that we’re going for on these movies. Anthony and I love the post-modern comics, so we’re also drawing from Infinity, the newer stuff. We’re combining it all into, again, what’s our favorite stuff, and how do we see elements from each helping our story, and the story that we want to tell.”

The Starlin book Joe Russo is referring to is the Infinity Gauntlet storyline by Jim Starlin. Infinity was a mega crossover event helmed by Jonathan Hickman. It would feature artwork by Jim Cheung, Jerome Opeña, and Dustin Weaver on the main back. The main storyline would take place within Infinity, Avengers, and New Avengers. However, there were also tie-ins with Mighty Avengers, Nova, Secret Avengers, Thunderbolts, Superior Spider-Man Team-Up, Fearless Defenders, Captain Marvel, Avengers Assemble, Guardians of the Galaxy, Infinity: Against the Tide, Infinity: Heist, and Infinity: The Hunt.

As Joe Russo points out they were inspired by these two stories and are “combining it all into, again, what’s our favorite stuff, and how do we see elements from each helping our story, and the story that we want to tell.”

We’ve already seen hints from Infinity with the inclusion of the Black Order. There’s also a hint of Mighty Avengers from Infinity where The Ebony Maw attacks Doctor Strange. Obviously, the Infinity Gauntlet sees Thanos seeking out the Soul Gems as they were called in the comics in order to show his love for Death. He even whipes out half the Marvel Universe by snapping his fingers. In the latest trailer Gamora confirms this is possible and in fact is what Thanos wants to do.

However, we’ve already seen diversions from both these stories as Kevin Feige detailed a much more sympathetic version of Thanos than the one we’ve become accustomed to in the comics.

I can’t wait to see what Joe and Anthony Russo have cooked up for us in Avengers: Infinity War. The movie hits theaters on April 27, 2018. You can pre-order your tickets now!

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