That panel where Corvus and Proxima are talking in Wakanda made mee feel, that Proxima continues to be a part of the Black Order only because of her relationship with Corvus. What do you think?
Yeah, I get that impression a little. Though more likely she personally has no real loyalty at all to Thanos but does appreciate the opportunity to keep killing a lot of planets with her husband, along with the super-spear that Thanos.
Keep in mind, in the original story draft, the Black Order weren't even supposed to have anything to do with Thanos. Thanos was inserted last minute to make a big ‘event’ to sell issues. The Order pretty much did the same thing they eventually do, except for themselves.
So in that case, taking away the Thanos element, Corvus was likely leading the Order plus their armies instead of being second-in-command and subservient to someone else. So, Proxima was pretty much the co-ruler/queen in that power structure, and then you also had Black Dwarf backing Corvus up too. The 3 as a core likely helped secure Corvus’ position, and to keep Ebony Maw in line at least (who knows how Supergiant related to them originally though).
I get the feeling that’s kinda why Hickman wrote Proxima ultimately does not care really for Thanos’ philosophy or have any real loyalty to him, She has shown to hold Corvus’ well-being above that, like in the final fight in Infinity where Corvus got incinerated and she just stops fighting.
Right now, how the group dynamic is in Avengers: No Surrender is prolly closer to what they originally were. Even though they’re working for the Grandmaster, but I think the Elder isn’t as oppressive as Thanos was, and they have a lot more autonomy to do what they like. So now Corvus finally goes full leader mode, and does things like find loopholes in the contest to give them an advantage.
There is that bit just after the post-Secret Wars reboot where Corvus apparently got resurrected ahead of everyone else, tried to takeover Thanos’ old territory, but then fought him and lost. Then Proxima continued working for Thanos after Corvus was killed, and didn’t act like she even remembered him (both of them didn’t mention the other once in their few appearances of the run).
I personally think the writer for that run completely didn’t know the character dynamics, so both acted way out of character. Even if Corvus believed Proxima was dead since the multiverse reboot, he would have said something. Proxima definitely should have shown SOME reaction or reluctance at working for Thanos after he had killed her husband.
Prolly one in Avengers: No Surrender, Ewing double-downed on making it very clear they’re back together again and act exactly as they should. Dude’s a stickler for continuity, thank cripes he was in charge of writing them at the time.
