Avengers 3 Prequel Confirms True Nature Of Infinity Stones

The Avengers: Infinity War Prelude comics have set the scene for Marvel's next blockbuster hit. The first issue focused in on the story of the Avengers after Captain America: Civil War, seeing Cap rescue his friends and comrades, Shuri learn how to cure Bucky's brainwashing, and Tony Stark preparing to save the world alone.

The second issue has taken a different approach - and revealed a lot more in the process. Told via Wong to Doctor Strange, it's essentially a guide to the Infinity Stones thus far, and along with several neat reveals, it also confirms a popular fan-theory.

Read More: Infinity War Prequel Comic Reveals Avengers 3 & Infinity Stone Secrets

Thor's Age of Ultron Vision Was True

In 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor submerged himself into the Water of Sight. Using this, he was able to return to the dream he was given by Scarlet Witch, and learned that the Infinity Stones were being brought into play. The vision was a haunting one, with Thor seeing each of the Stones revealed to date. Crucially, it suggested that most of the Infinite Six had been placed within receptacles to make them easier to use and wield; each ingot burst out of some recognizable object. That's why, for example, the Power Stone was contained inside the Orb - which could be opened, in order to access the Power Stone itself.

According to the Infinity War Prelude, the Tesseract is another such receptacle. Wong, who has studied the Infinity Stones, refers to the Tesseract as "an object of containment for what we know to be the Space Stone." It's a crucial, but subtle, point; the Tesseract itself is not the Space Stone, but rather contains it. That means Thor's vision wasn't a symbolic one - he was literally seeing the Tesseract shattered, with the Space Stone within revealed.

How To Safely Wield An Infinity Stone

With the exception of the Reality Stone, which is a fluid, every one of the Stones to date has been contained inside something else. The Space Stone is contained inside the Tesseract, the Time Stone inside the Eye of Agamotto, the Power Stone inside the Orb, and the Mind Stone within Loki's scepter.

It's clear that precious few beings can actually touch and handle an Infinity Stone. As we saw in Guardians of the Galaxy, even a human-Celestial hybrid can't safely handle the Power Stone directly; when the Collector showed scenes of the Celestials using the Power Stone to judge entire worlds, they too used tools to wield the Stone.

Related: Every Power Marvel’s Infinity Stones Will Give Thanos

The one exception to date is, of course, Vision. The Mind Stone is actually placed inside Vision's forehead, and he can sense its influence upon him. As he learns about the Stone, Vision works to try to control it. Should he prove successful and gain mastery of the Mind Stone, Vision's will may be able to manipulate it even after it is removed from his forehead. After all, Loki was able to use the Mind Stone from a distance in The Avengers.

The Infinity Gauntlet itself, then, is another receptacle, just one designed to link the power of the Infinity Stones. It forces the Stones into the same state and allows the wielder to manipulate the Infinity Six without harm.

This is only a subtle detail, but it's a fascinating one, confirming what fans already suspected. The Tesseract is not the Space Stone; rather, it contains the Space Stone. When that container is broken, the power of the Space Stone will be unleashed as never before. The Avengers better be ready.

MORE: The Last Infinity Stone Could Be The Avengers’ “Biggest Threat”

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