Iron Man V1 #55 : “Beware the Bloood Brothers” was the first appearance of Thanos in the marvel comics. It was published in February 1973.

First Appearance of Thanos and Drax the Destroyer in Iron Man v1 #55

The story was created by Jim Starlin and co-scripted by Mike Friedrich.

This issue is also the first appearance of Drax the Destroyer within Marvel comics.

This issue explains the origin story of Thanos as well as the origin story of Drax the Destroyer.

Iron Man V1 #55 : Beware the Bloood Brothers

The issue begins with Drax mentally transmitting “a message of fear and dread” for Iron Man.

First Appearance of Drax The Destroyer

But be warned. If you only know Drax from his movie appearances or even the Guardians of the Galaxy comics, the original Drax will look drastically unrecognisable.

Iron Man Gets a Message From Drax the Destroyer

Drax, from his place of confinement is able to mentally transmit a message to Iron Man. The warning from Drax is “Beware the Bloood Brothers”.

We cut to Iron Man engaged in Battling the Blood Brothers, two burly red aliens as he contemplates the telepathic message from Drax.

The Blood Brothers manage to knock Iron Man unconscious and carry him into their flying craft to meet their “leader”.

The ship takes Iron man to seemingly desolate area of the planet which contains an alien fortress below its surface.

First Appearance of Thanos

Within this Earth Fortress we lean that Drax is held prisoner by Thanos.

From his chains of imprisonment Drax threatens to break free and fulfil is sole life mission – to annihilate Thanos.

The origin Of Thanos

Here we learn The origin Of Thanos.

In the form of a flashback we then see Iron Man receiving the telepathic messages transmitted to him by Drax the Destroyer.

Iron Man Learns about Titan

Drax transmits the story of a secret world within Titan, Saturns largest moon. The Titans live within a self sufficient paradise managed by a gargantuan computer named Isaac. The Titans are thus able to study art science and beauty.

This paradise world is ruled by Mentor and his sons Eros and Thanos. But when Thanos began creating weapons and tried to usurp Mentor in the Great Rift he was convicted of the “crime of crimes”.

As punishment, Thanos was exiled from Titan to never return. However within the usurper, “the seed of evil sprouted and flowered within him”.

Thanos builds an Army

Thanos was committed to vengeance against his home planet and he cris-crossed the galaxy collecting rebellious and dissatisfied warriors to join his army.

The origin of Drax the Destroyer

Once Thanos had amassed his “raging horde of interstellar malcontents“ he led them to attack his home planet of Titan.

In desperation, his father Mentor sought help from Kronos, the disembodied entity.

Drax the Destroyer in search of Thanos

To aid the plight of Mentor Kronos creates a being from the the earth of the planets surface. And from this unnatural birth emerged Drax the Destroyer, a being whose sole purpose was the destruction of Thanos.

Drax located Thanos on a planet far from the our solar system. He clashed so violently with Thanos that the planet exploded beneath their battle.

Thanos Defeats Drax

During the planetary explosion, Drax became injured and Thanos was able to capture him and brings him to Earth where he is held prisoner beneath the surface.

From this Earth prison, Drax begins his telepathic communication with Iron Man, who is then captured by the Blood Brothers and brought to the same prison.

Iron Man Meets Thanos

From up on Titan, Mentor observes the unconscious telepathic signals transmitting from Drax. He awaits Drax to recover full consciousness.

Iron Man learns of Drax’s position within the prison and breaks free of his captors. He locates Drax the Destroyer held in bondage by an alien devise.

Iron Man tries to blast the devise with his repulsor raxy which deflect back at him flinging him before the feet of Thanos who stomps on his hand.

Iron Man Meets Thanos

Thanos introduces himself to Iron Man as Thanos the First, near emperor of Titan with his sights next on Earth.

As the Titan computer Isaac detects the full consciousness of Drax, Mentor launches a blue blaze known as Project Freedom. The Azure flame beams directly into the chest plate of Iron Man which is redirected towards Drax’s prison.

Iron Man Frees Drax

The prison explodes and Drax the Destroyer is free. Iron Man and Drax swiftly dispose of the Blood Brothers.

Iron Man Defeats Blood Brothers

As Thanos is about to pull a self destruct switch, Drax is able to stop him by sending an energy blast from his hands. This gives Iron Man the chance to swipe a punch at Thanos’ head.

Thanos is a Robot

Only to discover that it is a robot Thanos. The real Thanos had escaped during the Blood Brothers fight.

This leads Drax and Iron Man to conclude that the robot was left as a distraction and that the base may be booby trapped.

Iron Man and Drax in Explosion

The heroes run to safety and exit Thanos’ Earth Fortress as it explodes behind them.

Iron Man Describes Thanos as Cheap

This article was part of the complete Thanos Chronological Appearances in Marvel Comics

There is a long way to go before we cover every Thanos story, and we welcome you to join us to uncover the history of the Mad Titan.

Next Thanos Appearance

Resources for the first appearance of Thanos in the Marvel comics:

marvel.fandom.com

marvel.com

Geek Hut are working on producing the full chronological order of every Thanos appearance in Marvel Comics. If you would like to watch the full playlist follow the link below.

Chronological Order of Every Thanos Appearance in Marvel Comics

You can also read more about Thanos on our page dedicated to the Mad Titan.

Everything you need to know about Thanos.