Thanos vs Knull? Marvel Finally Reveals The Stronger Supervillain

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Knull #3Without a doubt, Thanos and Knull are two of the most formidable foes in the entire Marvel Universe. However, we finally know which of the two cosmic supervillains is the strongest.

Thanks to a brutal new showdown in Marvel’s new Knull series from Al Ewing, Tom Waltz, and Juanan Ramirez, the titular Symbiote God and Mad Titan square off during Knull’s attempt to reclaim the power he once had. As such, the brand-new Knull #3 provides the perfect scenario, proving which of the two villains is stronger once and for all.

It’s Official, Knull Is Superior To Thanos (Killing The Mad Titan)

Knull was destroyed by Eddie Brock in 2020’s King in Black event, with Venom taking the God of the Void’s place as the new King in Black. However, Knull was recently reconstituted after Venom gave up his King in Black title, albeit in a far weaker state, with Knull becoming the captive of Hela, Goddess of Death.

Seeking to make Knull’s power over the darkness her own, Hela released Knull in a bid to gain even more of his power. To that end, previous issues saw Hela enlisting the help of Thanos (her ex) in this effort.

Obtaining the Spear of Light aka All-Light (once wielded by Knull’s cosmic opposite), it initially seemed as though the Mad Titan had the upper hand against the Symbiote God, who’s nowhere near his typical strength derived from shadows and darkness. However, Knull flips the entire showdown on its head in an instant.

Despite the Mad Titan’s brutal strength and the Spear shining bright, the God of the Void manages to use the only source of shadow available: the darkness within Thanos’ own body. Knull bursts out of Thanos himself, a truly horrifying scene that results in the Mad Titan holding his own organs before falling to the ground.

A move as gruesome as Doctor Doom ripping out Thanos’ skull and spine from his body in 2015’s Secret Wars, one has to wonder if Knull’s incredibly dark murder was somewhat inspired by the viral Ant-Man/Thanos theory that rose ahead of Avengers: Endgame in 2019.

Basically, people started wondering online if Scott Lang’s Ant-Man could kill Thanos by shrinking and…entering through the Mad Titan’s butt before growing and similarly destroying him from the inside. Thankfully, Knull’s method isn’t nearly as gross (though the result is no less bloody and brutal).

Likewise, the fact that Knull was able to accomplish this feat despite not being at his full strength is quite remarkable, especially with Thanos wielding the Spear of Light. Claiming the All-Light for himself and taking command of Thanos’ outriders, it’s clear that Knull is looking to use the power of his enemies to eventually restore his rule.

Will Knull Ever Get The Live-Action Spotlight He Deserves?

While Knull may be more powerful than Thanos in the comics, the Mad Titan still has a much bigger on-screen presence in the movies.

Thanks to the MCU, Thanos has become one of the most recognizable superhero villains in modern pop culture.

Conversely, Knull’s cinematic journey may be over before it ever truly began. Making his brief live-action debut in 2024’s Venom: The Last Dance, Knull was portrayed by Andy Serkis, still trapped on the symbiote homeworld of Klyntar just as he was in the comics ahead of 2020’s King in Black comics event.

However, new changes and Spider-Man universe reboot reports from Sony Pictures mean it’s anyone’s guess if The Last Dance’s teases about Knull’s future on-screen will ever pay off. It’d be a pretty big bummer if it doesn’t, as the King in Black has all the makings to be a cosmic Marvel villain just as dynamic and sinister in live-action as Thanos himself.

At any rate, it’s going to be fascinating to see how Knull’s new comics series ends now that he’s definitively proven himself to be Thanos’ superior on the page.

Knull #3 is available now from Marvel Comics.