In the vast and ever-evolving multiverse of Marvel Comics, few entities evoke as much awe and dread as Oblivion, the cosmic embodiment of the void. While he doesn’t frequently appear across the pages of Marvel titles, his reemergence in Jonathan Hickman’s “G.O.D.S.” series signals something massive on the horizon. Oblivion isn’t just another cosmic character—he is the antithesis of existence itself, and his role in Marvel’s grand cosmic tapestry may be more important than ever before. Let’s dive into everything we now know about Oblivion, his chilling philosophy, and the immense power he holds.
Returns in “G.O.D.S.” Issue #3
Oblivion makes a rare but significant appearance in G.O.D.S. #3, part of Jonathan Hickman’s newest cosmic saga. The issue begins with Wi informing Doctor Strange that all the “Lesser gods” are on the move, hinting that the “Greater gods” are preparing as well. This distinction sets the stage: while gods like Thor, Loki, Hercules, and Mephisto are powerful, they’re dwarfed by the greater cosmic abstracts—beings like Eternity, Infinity, and of course, Oblivion.
We then travel to the Library of Worlds, where Dimitri Krov—who represents the scientific arm of cosmic order—sits with his companion Mia. Their quiet moment is shattered when Oblivion walks in, marking a momentous event: a universal abstract entity has entered this sacred space for the first time.
“You Were Made By Gods. You Were Not Gods.”
When Dimitri interacts with Oblivion, what unfolds is less a conversation and more a metaphysical reckoning. Oblivion doesn’t just speak—he manifests in Dimitri’s mind, offering a deeply unsettling yet profound monologue.
He accuses humanity of abandoning their belief in gods, exchanging divine faith for man-made ideologies and institutions. Politics, social dogmas, and personas became the new deities—“creations of pretenders,” as Oblivion calls them—built to fail. And fail they did, leaving mankind in a spiritual and moral vacuum.
“While you were made by gods, you were not gods yourselves. What you were wasn’t even close.”
This single line encapsulates the cosmic despair and disappointment that Oblivion holds. He doesn’t crave worship. He isn’t interested in praise. But he does recognize the chaos and nihilism that have grown from humanity’s arrogance. And now, his time has come.
The Gift of Annihilation
Oblivion goes further, offering his “gift” to humanity—not salvation, not power, but permission. Permission to do anything they want because, in his eyes, nothing matters. This chilling outlook reflects Oblivion’s core nature: he is not just death or destruction. He is the absence of meaning.
“Look closely, child. See my face and see the inevitable ash of annihilation. For I am the end. I am Oblivion. And my time is now.”
This sets the stage for what could become one of Marvel’s most terrifying cosmic arcs. Oblivion isn’t out to conquer or kill—he’s here to remind all of creation that it will one day return to nothing.
Oblivion’s Origins: Born of the Void
Oblivion doesn’t have a traditional origin story because, quite frankly, he predates origin. He first appeared in Iceman #1 (1984), but his essence existed long before comic panels ever tried to capture it.
He is one of Marvel’s four main cosmic abstracts, alongside Eternity, Infinity, and Death. These entities aren’t just powerful—they are the embodiment of cosmic principles. Oblivion represents the outer void, a realm beyond matter and energy. If Eternity symbolizes all that exists, Oblivion is everything that does not.
Interestingly, he’s considered the eldest and most powerful of his cosmic siblings. His opposition to Infinity mirrors Death’s rivalry with Eternity, making him a crucial part of Marvel’s cosmic balance. Yet, unlike his peers, Oblivion represents a concept that’s harder to grasp: non-being.
His Avatars: The Chaos King and Knull
Oblivion manifests through powerful avatars to interact with the universe more directly. Two of the most notable are:
- Amatsu-Mikaboshi, the Chaos King: A god of chaos and evil from Japanese mythology, he once nearly destroyed the entire multiverse. As an extension of Oblivion, he channels the destructive will of the void.
- Knull, the God of the Symbiotes: Before the birth of light and life, Knull dwelled in the void and created symbiotes from living darkness. His war against the light in King in Black echoes Oblivion’s eternal opposition to existence.
These avatars give us a taste of Oblivion’s might—and his desire to unmake reality.
Lonely God of Nothing: Mirage, the Daughter
Despite being the cosmic embodiment of emptiness, even Oblivion is not immune to loneliness. He created a daughter, Mirage, from his own essence. Not for conquest, but for companionship.
It’s a rare glimpse into something deeply paradoxical: the void yearning for connection. Mirage stands as a reminder that even the most alien concepts in Marvel’s cosmos can exhibit painfully human emotions.
How Powerful Is Oblivion?
To put it simply: he may be the most powerful character in Marvel Comics.
Oblivion isn’t bound by reality. He governs nothingness itself—something even the Living Tribunal (one of Marvel’s supreme cosmic judges) cannot control. In his own words: “How can one command nothing?”
Oblivion rules over:
- The Void Beyond Existence
- The Unborn (souls that do not yet exist)
- The inevitable return to non-being
And unlike other beings, Oblivion cannot be killed. You cannot destroy nothing. You cannot reduce the absence of being to… more absence. At the end of time, when everything else fades away, Oblivion will remain.
The Future of Oblivion in Marvel
With Jonathan Hickman at the helm of G.O.D.S., Oblivion’s reemergence feels deliberate and transformative. He’s not just another villain—he’s a cosmic reckoning. As the narrative unfolds, we can expect him to challenge not just heroes, but the very fabric of belief, existence, and meaning in the Marvel Universe.
Final Thoughts: When the Void Stares Back
Oblivion isn’t about action scenes or flashy battles. He’s about existential horror, the creeping realization that everything ends, and that end is him. His presence in G.O.D.S. adds depth to Marvel’s cosmic mythology and raises chilling questions: What do we worship? What gives our lives meaning? And what happens when even our gods are forgotten?
As Marvel continues to explore these themes, Oblivion stands not just as a villain—but as an eternal truth.
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