Being a Marvel fan is no easy gig! It seems like every time you turn around, there’s a new version of events unfolding in Marvel comics or Marvel movies or Marvel TV series that seem to contradict themselves. The Marvel Universe, which includes beloved characters such as Iron Man, Captain America, Loki, Spider-Man, and many (many!) more, first began with the Marvel comics series, created by Stan Lee in 1961. Since then, the Marvel franchise has expanded rapidly to include the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which depicts your favorite superheroes on screen. While many of their stories are inspired by comics series or story arcs, some go their own way—which explains why the comics and cinematic universes are sometimes viewed separately. And with the popularity of the comics and the movies and TV shows, plus so many crossover events, the Marvel universe has expanded into the Marvel multiverse!
Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the Marvel franchise.
What is the Marvel multiverse?
Put simply, the multiverse is an endless collection of universes full of possibility. Therefore, each Marvel universe is just a single instance in the larger Marvel multiverse. Most events that we are familiar with in Marvel comics, movies, and TV shows occur on Earth 616, which bears a close resemblance to our own planet. The countries and history are pretty much the same with a few notable variations, such the existence of the country Wakanda and, oh, the supernatural elements. The most popular heroes and villains of the Marvel franchise call Earth 616 their home, and alien races such as the Kree are also a part of the Earth 616 universe. Other versions of Earth have official designations and are identified in various stories, such as Earth-1610, which is the home Earth of Miles Morales. According to the Marvel Multiverse, we ordinary humans live on Earth 1218: the version of Earth without any superheroes or supernatural forces.
When was the multiverse introduced in the MCU?
The concept of the multiverse was officially introduced in 2016 in the first Doctor Strange movie, when Dr. Stephen Strange (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) witnesses a multitude of realities playing out. However, many hints that the multiverse exists can be found in previous films. For example, in Thor: The Dark World (2013), a scene with an astrophysicist makes mention of many other worlds and references a nexus in the Florida Everglades where all the worlds converge. Then, in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), the villain Mysterio is introduced, claiming to come from another universe. Finally, Avengers: End Game (2019) blows the multiverse wide open for the characters we know and love with the introduction of time travel. We learn then that each instance of time travel for the characters causes a splinter universe to appear—so, for instance, there is a world where Captain America remains in the 1940s and marries Peggy Carter.
But it was the ending of the Disney+ show Loki that saw the multiverse taking shape in surprising and shocking new ways. When we first meet Mobius of the Time Variance Authority (TVA), we learn that there is an order to the multiverse and a body of authorities working to ensure that they don't cross in dangerous ways. But things get especially interesting with the introduction of the mysterious He Who Remains, also known as Kang. Many Marvel fans claim that this is what kicks off Marvel's fifth phase (more on that below!), although we might have to wait for the next Doctor Strange movie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, to be released in 2022 before that's confirmed.
If that sounds like a lot to keep track of…well, you'd be correct! Between comics, spin-offs, movies, and TV shows, there's a whole lot of story juggling going on at Marvel. In fact, there are people at Marvel whose entire jobs are dedicated to maintaining continuity throughout the various comics and cinematic universes.
One way that Marvel keeps things tidy in the MCU is by organizing the various movies into phases. Each phase consists of multiple movies and stories that stand on their own, but the phase also has an overarching plot arc that is hinted at in subplots throughout the movies.
Phase One kicked off with the Iron Man movie and lasted until The Avengers.
Phase Two introduced the Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant-Man and saw many sequels for original characters.
Phase Three saw many of the characters crossing over and their storylines converging, introducing Black Panther and Captain Marvel, and culminating in Avengers: Endgame.
We're currently seeing movies and TV shows that exist in Phases Four and Five, such as WandaVision, Black Widow, Loki, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and more.
If you want to get caught up before more movies release, here are three audiobooks we recommend to help you revisit some key plots and origin stories, and lay the groundwork for some exciting multiverse potential down the road.
Marvel's Phase One Box Set
Get caught up on the important characters and plots of Phase One with this omnibus edition, which includes the stories of Captain America: The First Avenger, The Incredible Hulk, and Thor. Head back to the 1940s and see Steve Rogers face off against Hydra and Red Skull. Join Bruce Banner as he undergoes a transformation from an unassuming scientist to the Incredible Hulk. Follow Thor as he becomes a defender for humanity. Narrated by Tom Taylorson, Jim Meskimen, and Ray Chase, these stories are necessary listens if you're looking for some of the first Marvel origin story refreshers.
Marvel's Phase Two Box Set
Go even deeper with the Phase Two box set. Here, you'll meet Steve Rogers again as he joins the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in modern-day Washington, DC, and adjusts to a completely new life—and new threats. In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk work together for world peace, but find that the Avengers are needed to stop Ultron from destroying the world. Meet Ant-Man, aka Scott Lang, a former criminal who's looking to reform his ways but discovers that the criminal tactics he knows might be his best asset as a superhero. Finally, travel to the widest reaches of the galaxy to meet a group of misfits who are thrown together to try and save the universe…and stumble upon a higher calling none of them ever saw coming. MacLeod Andrews and Tom Taylorson share the narration of these stories.
Marvel's Phase Three Box Set
Phase Three sees heightened tensions, both in the MCU and among the characters. In Captain America: Civil War, the consequences of Ultron's havoc weigh heavily on the Avengers, and Steve Rogers finds himself torn. Meanwhile, Doctor Strange is introduced as his origin story is revealed, and the mysteries and possibilities of multiple dimensions become apparent. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Peter Quill, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and a sapling Groot find themselves in some serious trouble with some giant forces…and learn just how valuable their resources are. Joined by Bradford Hastings, MacLeod Andrews and Tom Taylorson return for the narration of these stories.
While these collections are adaptations of MCU adaptations and don't strictly adhere to the comics story arcs, you'll see some familiar faces and catch up on pivotal moments and events throughout the history of Marvel's superheroes. The more Marvel movies and TV shows released, the more complex these stories are going to become as different universes intersect and mingle in exciting ways, leading to more action, more danger, and even more intrigue. What will be the next exciting adventure in the Marvel multiverse? Keep listening and stay tuned!
