Christopher Cantwell, writer of Marvel’s new Thanos limited series, called out the character’s consistent depiction as having absolutely perfect teeth in an interview promoting the new book – but longtime readers will recognize that there is, in fact, a very good reason for the character’s mouthful of flawless pearly whites.
In an interview with Looper, Cantwell was asked what the weirdest thing about Thanos is. The writer answered that he “always found it strange that Thanos has perfect white-capped teeth.”
However, there is a surprisingly reasonable explanation for Thanos’ dental perfection, coming from the character’s early history – and beyond that, a study of the character suggests that his teeth couldn’t be anything other than expertly maintained.
Thanos’ Body Is Enhanced With Magic And Technology
First and foremost, it is important to note that Thanos is a Titanian Eternal – his early history featured the character enhancing his body, and his power level, with the aid of both magic and advanced science. The Mad Titan, as he would come to be known, is a zealot for his own personal perfection; just as Thanos can’t stand for anything less than perfection from his followers, he would never abide by anything less than a perfect mouthful of teeth. Whatever combination of magic, technology, and dental hygiene regimen it requires, Thanos is too smart of a character to shrug off the importance of dental health.
This is the kind of minor detail that is overlooked in comic book storytelling, which understandably strives for a grandeur of scope and a high level of spectacle that leave little time to depict its cosmic villains flossing. Consider that Thanos’ backstory involves him falling in love with Death herself, eventually dying for her, and in turn, being resurrected in a new version of his body – at a power level far exceeding than even his formidable strength before, and presumably, at an even greater physical peak in every way. This is a huge, epic idea, one which leaves many of its particular implications to readers’ imaginations.
Thanos Is A Monster With A Perfect Smile
Prolific comic book artist Todd McFarlane, creator of Venom, once gave advice on how to draw the iconic symbiote. He stressed the importance of Venom’s mouthful of different sized fangs, stating, “I hate perfect teeth on monsters. They don’t go to dentists!” As undeniably monstrous as Thanos can be, he is seemingly one major exception to this otherwise salient rule. While Thanos’ teeth, or his dental hygeine program, likely won’t be elaborated on further in the pages of Christopher Cantwell’s Thanos limited series, the Mad Titan will likely continue to be portrayed with his sterling smile – proving that Thanos is at least the one monster in the Marvel Universe who does go to the dentist.
Thanos #1 is available now from Marvel Comics!
