How Major Avengers Villain’s Death Sets Up Marvel’s Biggest Event of 2026

(Image Source: Marvel / Ryan Stegman)

There are few things more effective at establishing the power of a villain than pitting them against another established villain. The trope effectively sets a standard and establishes the new challenge the heroes face on a narrative level. Now, Marvel has set the stage for one of its big Summer 2026 crossover events by killing an infamous Avengers villain.

The death came in Knull #5 by Al Ewing, Tom Waltz, and Juanan Ramirez. The series thus far has detailed the conflict between the former god of the Symbiotes and Hela. The Norse goddess of death recently usurped Knull’s position, declaring herself the Queen in Black. (This is also the title of the aforementioned upcoming Marvel crossover event.) Knull, in turn, sought to claim the power of the Enigma Force, a power of light that countered his own darkness.

(Image Source: Marvel / Juanan Ramirez)

To do this, Knull battled the mad titan Thanos, who had sworn himself into Hela’s service. Thanos was unsuccessful, but returned in Knull #5 seeking to redeem his previous failure. However, the Avengers’ adversary failed again, this time losing his life as Knull impaled his head upon the All-Light spear.

How Thanos’ death sets up Marvel’s next big event

Observing Thanos’ death from a distance, Hela began to grow concerned. While dismissing Knull as a fool before, she had to acknowledge he now had light powers strong enough to counter the Darkforce she commanded. Her general, however, had devised a backup plan should Thanos fall — a strategic retreat to Earth.

(Image Source: Marvel / Juanan Ramirez)

Unfortunately, Knull’s was already heading toward Earth for a different reason. The battle to claim the Enigma Force pit him against the Illuminated — the redeemed Eddie Brock of another reality. Recalling the original Eddie Brock and the problems Earth’s heroes caused him in the past, Knull resolved to seek revenge on Earth before confronting Hela. This prepares the battlefield for the war that will form the core of Marvel’s Queen in Black crossover event.

Queen in Black #1 releases on July 1, 2026.

Originally reported by Matt Morrison for SuperHeroHype.

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