Proxima Midnight
Proxima Midnight is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Jonathan Hickman, she first appeared in New Avengers #8 (September 2013). She is depicted as one of the most ruthless and skilled warriors in the cosmos and a loyal member of the Black Order, an elite cadre of deadly aliens assembled by the Mad Titan Thanos to conquer planets and enforce his will across the universe.[1][2] As a natural-born fighter with an insatiable bloodlust, she plays a pivotal role in his campaigns of destruction, often leading assaults alongside her husband, Corvus Glaive, and showcasing her prowess in battles against Earth's mightiest heroes.[3][2]Background and Role in the Black Order
Proxima Midnight's origins are largely unknown in the comics, where she is portrayed as a devoted servant of Thanos and part of his found family of cosmic outcasts in the Black Order. (Note: Her backstory as an orphaned recruit raised by Thanos aligns more closely with her portrayal in adaptations like the MCU.) She forms the core of the original five-member Black Order—alongside Corvus Glaive, Black Dwarf, Ebony Maw, and Supergiant—tasked with subjugating worlds in preparation for Thanos's rule and retrieving artifacts like the Infinity Stones.[2] Her marriage to Corvus Glaive strengthens the group's familial bonds, with the couple often operating as Thanos's primary enforcers during incursions into realms like Earth.[2] Notable exploits include Supergiant's attack on the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning, where she clashed with the X-Men but was defeated, and Proxima's assault on Atlantis in search of an Infinity Gem, leaving it in ruins after Namor proved not to possess it; she later joined the Cabal—a secret alliance of villains including Thanos—to manipulate universal events.[2]Powers and Abilities
Proxima Midnight possesses superhuman physical attributes honed by her alien physiology and rigorous training under Thanos, including enhanced strength, durability, agility, and stamina that allow her to overpower multiple superheroes in combat.[3] She is a master tactician and hand-to-hand fighter, favoring brutal, close-quarters melee that complements her role as a frontline conqueror.[1] Her signature weapon, the Quantum Spear (forged from a star trapped within a quantum singularity), is a versatile and devastating artifact capable of transforming into three tracers of black light that can disintegrate targets almost instantly, piercing nearly any defense; its toxin and energy properties can severely injure and depower foes like the Hulk.[3][2] This spear's exotic energy properties make her a unique threat, enabling her to lay waste to entire teams such as the Avengers during the Infinity event's universal incursion.[3]Notable Appearances and Legacy
Prominently featured in the Infinity (2013) crossover event after her debut, Proxima Midnight established herself as a recurring antagonist in Marvel's cosmic storylines, clashing with heroes in titles like Avengers, New Avengers, and Uncanny X-Men.[1] Key moments include her temporary entrapment in cosmic amber by Thanos's son Thane, from which she later regenerated, and her death at the hands of Hela during an alliance to seize Mjolnir from Jane Foster.[2] Despite such setbacks, she has reformed as part of later Black Order iterations, continuing to embody Thanos's ideology of death and domination. Her character extends beyond comics into adaptations like Avengers: Infinity War (2018), where she is portrayed as an unrelenting invader of Earth, further cementing her status as a symbol of cosmic terror in the Marvel Universe.[4]Creation and publication
Creation
Proxima Midnight was created by writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Jerome Opeña as part of Marvel Comics' 2013 Infinity crossover storyline.[5] The character debuted in a single panel in New Avengers vol. 3 #8 (September 2013), written by Hickman with art by Mike Deodato Jr., where she was introduced as one of Thanos' elite lieutenants during his invasion of Earth.[6][5] This initial appearance tied into the broader expansion of Thanos' forces, establishing the Black Order—a cabal of deadly, culls from across the universe selected for their unparalleled skills in conquest and destruction.[7] Hickman conceived Proxima Midnight specifically as the premier combatant among Thanos' ranks, emphasizing her role as a lethal warrior unmatched in direct confrontation. "A predator in every sense of the word, Proxima Midnight is the greatest warrior in Thanos' army," Hickman stated, highlighting her as "the best actual combatant within not only Thanos' lieutenants, but within his whole army."[7] Her design and function were integral to the Infinity event, where the Black Order's dynamics amplified Thanos' threat as he exploited the Avengers' absence amid an intergalactic war with the Builders.[7]Publication history
Proxima Midnight first appeared as a member of Thanos' Black Order in New Avengers vol. 3 #8 (September 2013), written by Jonathan Hickman with art by Mike Deodato Jr., serving as part of the buildup to the Infinity crossover event. She received her first full and named appearance in the Infinity #1 miniseries (October 2013), also by Hickman and Opeña, where she and the Black Order invaded Earth under Thanos' command to seize the Infinity Gems. Throughout the six-issue Infinity miniseries (October 2013–January 2014), Proxima played a prominent antagonistic role, battling Avengers teams and contributing to the event's cosmic scale conflict against Thanos' forces. Following Infinity, Proxima Midnight featured in several ongoing titles as a recurring enforcer for Thanos and the Black Order. In Thanos vol. 2 (2016–2018) by Donny Cates, Proxima supported Thanos in battles against cosmic entities and the Avengers, emphasizing her loyalty and combat prowess in storylines exploring Thanos' god-like aspirations. Her resurrection arc was central to The Unworthy Thor #1–5 (2017), written by Jason Aaron with art by Olivier Coipel, where she confronted a depowered Thor alongside Corvus Glaive, highlighting her role in Thanos' schemes to claim Mjolnir. Proxima Midnight's most significant recent storyline culminated in the Avengers: No Surrender event (2018), a 16-issue weekly crossover in Avengers vol. 5 #675–690, where she and the Black Order allied with the Grandmaster in a contest against the Avengers, leading to her apparent death but later resurrections in tie-ins. By the end of 2018, she had appeared in 47 comic issues across various Marvel titles.[8] Post-2018 appearances have been more sporadic and minor, including a supporting role in Black Order #1–5 (October–December 2018) by Cullen Bunn, where the team operated independently before returning to Thanos' service. She made brief cameos in Star #1 (February 2020) and History of the Marvel Universe #6 (March 2020), recapping cosmic events. In 2024, Proxima returned in Phoenix vol. 1 #3 (October 2024), written by Stephanie Phillips with art by Alessandro Miracolo, interrupting Jean Grey's team and battling the Phoenix Force host as part of a Black Order assault.[9] As of November 2025, Proxima Midnight has appeared in 79 comic issues, with no major storylines published since the Phoenix arc, and her last significant antagonistic role in the Avengers: No Surrender event.[8]Key Comic Appearances
| Year | Title and Issues | Role and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | New Avengers vol. 3 #8 | Debut cameo as Black Order member. |
| 2013–2014 | Infinity #1–6 | Major antagonist in Thanos' invasion of Earth. |
| 2016–2018 | Thanos vol. 2 #1–18 | Loyal enforcer in Thanos' quests. |
| 2017 | The Unworthy Thor #1–5 | Key in resurrection and Thor confrontation. |
| 2018 | Avengers vol. 5 #675–690 (Avengers: No Surrender) | Central to event's deadly games. |
| 2018 | Black Order #1–5 | Team lead in independent mission. |
| 2020 | Star #1; History of the Marvel Universe #6 | Minor cameo in flashbacks. |
| 2024 | Phoenix vol. 1 #3 | Antagonist against Phoenix Force.[9] |