Adam Warlock — power rating and matchups

These entries record encounters, feats and other events from the character's stories. Read each outcome with its version, sources and condition tags. Arena verdicts use the selected versions and matchup rules; a story result does not determine an arena result. This panel is for reference and does not feed the engine. The record is still being expanded.

Feat / note

Him emerges from the cocoonFantastic Four (1961) #66-67 (Sept-Oct 1967)

Energy blasts from Him force Hamilton back, then he knocks Hamilton and Alicia unconscious. The Enclave's fail-safe to eject him into space malfunctions, and he condemns his creators as unworthy to live. The Beehive is then consumed in a massive explosion.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Nick Peron: Fantastic Four #67 Adam Warlock Omnibus — Now Read This!

No decisive result

v Thor and BalderThor (1966) #165 (June 1969)

Thor and Balder attack and are knocked back by Him's mental powers. Him grabs Sif and teleports away to another dimension.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Adam Warlock Omnibus — Now Read This! Nick Peron: Thor #165

Feat / note

Soul Gem received; named WarlockMarvel Premiere (1972) #1 (Apr 1972)

The High Evolutionary gives him the Soul Gem to focus his powers, and he becomes Warlock, sent to Counter-Earth after the Man-Beast.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Adam Warlock Omnibus — Now Read This! Adam Warlock — Wikipedia

Loss

v Man-BeastIncredible Hulk (1968) #177 (1974)

Man-Beast defeats Warlock and kills him in a public execution (crucified). His body cocoons under the Recorder's watch.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Bronze Age Hulk, part 2 Adam Warlock Omnibus — Now Read This!

Win

v Man-BeastIncredible Hulk (1968) #178 (1974)

The cocoon glows and Adam re-emerges alive and at full power. He defeats Man-Beast and reverts him to a plain wolf, then leaves Counter-Earth.

Help: The Hulk occupied Man-Beast while Adam's cocoon recovered

Had help

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Bronze Age Hulk, part 2 Adam Warlock Omnibus — Now Read This!

Feat / note

The dying alien’s warningStrange Tales (1951) #178 (1975)

Brief restoration permits her warning.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked The Infinity Effect

Win

v AutolycusStrange Tales (1951) #179 (1975)

Gem consumes his soul against Adam’s wishes.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Adam Warlock Omnibus — Now Read This! The Infinity Effect

Win

v Kray-TorStrange Tales (1951) #180 (1975)

Soul capture is followed by Adam’s psychological collapse.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Adam Warlock Omnibus — Now Read This! The Infinity Effect

No decisive result

v Len TeansStrange Tales (1951) #181 (1975)

Adam frustrates the attempted mental reconstruction.

Fought weakened

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Adam Warlock Omnibus — Now Read This! The Infinity Effect

Win

v The MagusWarlock (1972) #9–11 (1975–1976)

Future-self soul intervention removes Magus’s path.

Help: Thanos's machinery and help made the future-self intervention possible

PreparedHad help

Evidence checked: plot summary checked The Infinity Effect

Win

v The Star ThiefWarlock (1972) #14 (1976) – Warlock (1972) #13–14 (1976)

Black-hole journey and apparent enormous size are reported; size is revealed as deception.

Help: Tom Vocson ended the Star Thief's bodily life

Had help

3 logged exchanges

Warlock (1972) #14 (1976)Adam uses a comet and feigned defeat to gain an opening. other secondary source checked Warlock #14 catalog synopsis
Warlock (1972) #14 (1976)Uses a large rock against the giant’s brain; possessor escapes. other secondary source checked Warlock #14 catalog synopsis
Warlock (1972) #13–14 (1976)Black-hole journey and apparent enormous size are reported; size is revealed as deception. plot summary checked Adam Warlock Omnibus — Now Read This! Warlock #14 catalog synopsis

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Adam Warlock Omnibus — Now Read This! Warlock #14 catalog synopsis

Loss

v ThanosAvengers Annual (1967) #7 (1977)

Thanos fatally blasts Adam; younger Adam collects the dying soul.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked The Final Threat The Avengers versus Thanos — Now Read This!

Win · team encounter

v ThanosMarvel Two-in-One Annual (1976) #2 (1977)

Released Adam spirit petrifies Thanos.

Decisive action: Adam Warlock's released spirit, petrifying Thanos · Adam Warlock’s part: delivered the finish as a released spirit

Special condition: Acting as a released spirit after his death in Avengers Annual #7

Evidence checked: plot summary checked The Final Threat The Avengers versus Thanos — Now Read This!

Feat / note

Warlock contacts Silver SurferSilver Surfer (1987) #55–56 (1991)

Mental contact reassures Surfer.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked The Infinity Gauntlet reading order

No decisive result

v Thanos (Infinity Gauntlet)Infinity Gauntlet (1991) #4 closing

Captain America is the last hero standing against Thanos. At that moment Warlock sends the Silver Surfer in to grab the Gauntlet. The Surfer misses, Thanos restores his full cosmic awareness and swats Cap away, and Warlock then summons the cosmic beings.

Prepared

Evidence checked: plot summary checked The Infinity Gauntlet reading order Wikipedia: The Infinity Gauntlet

Win · team encounter

v Nebula (Infinity Gauntlet)Infinity Gauntlet (1991) #6 (opening) – Infinity Gauntlet (1991) #6, middle

From Soul World, Adam uses his connection to the Soul Gem to create disharmony between the other gems and coerces Nebula into throwing off the Gauntlet. Thanos, Nebula and the heroes Strange summons race for it, and Adam seizes it.

Decisive action: Adam, using his Soul Gem bond to force Nebula to throw off the Gauntlet · Adam Warlock’s part: disrupted the gems from Soul World, disarmed Nebula and seized the Gauntlet

2 logged exchanges

Infinity Gauntlet (1991) #6 (opening); set-up in #5Nebula undoes everything Thanos had done in the last 24 hours. Wikipedia says Thanos tricked her into restoring the universe. Adam, whom Nebula has not noticed, touches the Gauntlet, and it zaps the Surfer, who wakes in Soul World with Adam. plot summary checked The Infinity Gauntlet reading order Wikipedia: The Infinity Gauntlet
Infinity Gauntlet (1991) #6, middleFrom Soul World, Adam uses his connection to the Soul Gem to create disharmony between the other gems and coerces Nebula into throwing off the Gauntlet. Thanos, Nebula and the heroes Strange summons race for it, and Adam seizes it. plot summary checked The Infinity Gauntlet reading order Wikipedia: The Infinity Gauntlet

Evidence checked: plot summary checked The Infinity Gauntlet reading order Wikipedia: The Infinity Gauntlet

Win · team encounter

v The Goddess and her followersInfinity Crusade (1993) #6

Goddess is confined in Soul World after the confrontation.

Decisive action: Adam, confining the Goddess in Soul World · Adam Warlock’s part: deceived her with the Cosmic Egg illusion and confined her in Soul World

Prepared

Evidence checked: plot summary checked The Infinity Crusade reading order Wikipedia: The Infinity Crusade

Loss · team encounter

v Thor (warrior madness) and the ValkyrieWarlock and the Infinity Watch (1992) #23 (1993)

Thor defeats Adam and Surfer’s attempt; they retreat.

Decisive action: Thor, defeating their attempt and forcing a retreat · Adam Warlock’s part: tried to remove the Valkyrie with the Soul Gem and fought Thor with the Surfer

2 logged exchanges

Warlock and the Infinity Watch (1992) #23 (1993)Gem detects her, but cannot remove a separate soul she lacks. plot summary checked Blood and Thunder reading order
Warlock and the Infinity Watch (1992) #23 (1993)Thor defeats Adam and Surfer’s attempt; they retreat. plot summary checked Blood and Thunder reading order

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Blood and Thunder reading order

Win

v OlikWarlock and the Infinity Watch (1992) #24 (1994)

Karmic blast concludes the duel.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Blood and Thunder reading order

No decisive result

v Thor (warrior madness, Power Gem)Thor (1966) #470 (1994)

Adam and Strange’s effort fails against empowered Thor.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Blood and Thunder reading order Thor #470 — MyComicShop catalog

Loss · team encounter

v Ultron and the PhalanxAnnihilation: Conquest (2007) #3

Adam damages Phalanx forces but Ultron overcomes him.

Decisive action: Ultron, overcoming Adam · Adam Warlock’s part: damaged the Phalanx forces before Ultron overcame him

Fought weakened

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Annihilation: Conquest reading order

Feat / note

Annihilation: ConquestAnnihilation: Conquest (2007) #6

Technarch Warlock expels Ultron; Quasar restores Adam; final victory is collaborative.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked Annihilation: Conquest reading order

Feat / note

The FaultGuardians of the Galaxy (2008) #17 (2009)

Rift stabilisation is followed by a surprise stabbing and Magus transition.

Evidence checked: other secondary source checked Guardians of the Galaxy #17 review

No decisive result

v Ultron and the Ultron-infected Silver SurferInfinity Countdown (2018) #2-3

Adam's hunt for the Soul Gem brings him to Saiph, which Ultron has conquered and where the Surfer is infected (#2). Adam heals the Surfer of the Ultron virus (#3). Ultron is wounded in the escape, and Adam claims the Soul Gem.

Evidence checked: other secondary source checked Wikipedia: Infinity Countdown

Loss

v GamoraInfinity Wars (2018) #2 (Oct 2018)

Gamora: "I know you will die before yielding. So let's get on with it." She sends her sword at him and beheads him, and the Soul Stone falls free. His body vanishes and his cocoon is shown ("you'll come back, anyway").

Evidence checked: other secondary source checked ComicBook.com: Marvel kills Adam Warlock (Infin… Adam Warlock — Wikipedia

No decisive result

v DevondraInfinity Wars (2018) #6

Adam grabs the Time Stone and freezes time around him, then locks in the universes with the Soul Stone. He has everyone enter the Soul Stone and goes through the portal back to the Marvel Universe.

Evidence checked: other secondary source checked Infinity Wars #6 review

Feat / note

Infinity Wars finaleInfinity Wars (2018) #6

Adam gives Stones souls; they depart.

Evidence checked: other secondary source checked Infinity Wars #6: Six New Souls

Loss

v Eve WarlockWarlock: Rebirth (2023) #1

Eve overpowers Adam and removes his Gem.

Fought weakened

Evidence checked: other secondary source checked Adam Warlock Meets Eve Warlock

Loss

v Eve Warlock and the High EvolutionaryWarlock: Rebirth (2023) #4, Preview-3/4 – Warlock: Rebirth (2023) #5, Preview-3/5

Restrained Adam is subjected to apparatus energy; excerpt supplies no escape.

3 logged exchanges

Warlock: Rebirth (2023) #4, Preview-3/4Eve hits and blasts Adam; he remains active and fires through his staff. scene checked directly Marvel preview: Warlock Rebirth #4, image 3 Marvel preview: Warlock Rebirth #4, image 4
Warlock: Rebirth (2023) #4, Preview-5Adam blocks a punch, contests the staff, then is blasted away. scene checked directly Marvel preview: Warlock Rebirth #4, image 5
Warlock: Rebirth (2023) #5, Preview-3/5Restrained Adam is subjected to apparatus energy; excerpt supplies no escape. scene checked directly Marvel preview: Warlock Rebirth #5, image 3 Marvel preview: Warlock Rebirth #5, image 5

Evidence checked: scene checked directly Marvel preview: Warlock Rebirth #5, image 3 Marvel preview: Warlock Rebirth #5, image 5

No decisive result

v Silver SurferSilver Surfer Rebirth: Legacy (2023) #2

Publisher preview announces their confrontation; outcome unverified.

Evidence checked: plot summary checked The Infinity Watch are after Silver Surfer — Le…

Tags describe recorded circumstances. They do not establish that the outcome depended on those circumstances, and an untagged entry does not guarantee equal conditions. Wins and losses include team encounters where indicated. Counts cover the entries listed here, not the character's complete fight history.