by Fans may be wanting to read some of the comics that inspire them as Phase 5 of the MCU approaches in order to get ready for the franchise’s upcoming wave of storylines.
Here are some comic book suggestions that seem to hint at what to anticipate from Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 5. Additionally, reading these comics will at least acquaint viewers with the characters and settings of these stories, even if they aren’t ultimately what the films and television programmes are about.
17 Marvel Comics storyline–
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Check out Alan Heinberg and Jim Cheung’s Young Avengers issues 1-6 from 2005 before February’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Cassie Lang and Kang are the key protagonists in this plot; Kang appears in several variation forms, much like he will probably do in the MCU movies.
The fact that Kang will be the major enemy in Cassie’s first superhero film may not be a coincidence given that the squad she usually fights for is one of Kang’s biggest rivals. Other members on the Young Avengers team that are well-known to MCU fans will be recognisable to readers, but there will be more tales about those characters in the future.
Secret Invasion
Although this tip seems rather apparent, it nevertheless merits mentioning. Read the 2008 Secret Invasion comic series by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu to be ready for the Secret Invasion programme that will debut on Disney+ in Spring 2023.
The comic examines the immediate effects of the news that several Marvel heroes have covert Skrull replacements.
You shouldn’t be concerned that the comic will provide spoilers for the programme, even if the show’s trailer suggests that a similar narrative would be addressed in the Disney+ series. The majority of the comic book characters identified as Skrulls have not yet been successfully converted into major roles in the MCU.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Fans now have a clearer understanding of the narrative of the May movie, and therefore, what comics may have served as inspiration, according to the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 teaser, which was released on December 1.
Here are two comic book suggestions for this movie, each of which focuses on a different component of the new movie. First, look at Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema’s Incredible Hulk #271 from 1982, which features Rocket Raccoon’s first appearance and describes the character’s origin tale. Fans may anticipate learning more about the fan-favorite Trash Panda’s roots in the upcoming film, origins that appear to follow their comics versions, since the movie’s trailer features pieces from Rocket’s past.
After reading that, read Jim Starlin and Josef Rubinstein’s 1977 Avengers Annual #7. Adam Warlock discovers Gamora within the Soul Gem in this comic. Even if this is not how Gamora rejoins the gang in the upcoming film, it is still worthwhile to read. MCU fans will at the very least have more understanding of Adam Warlock and Gamora’s characters as a result.
Echo
Fans of the MCU should read 1999’s Daredevil issues 9–17 by David Mack, Glenn Herdling, and Gregg Schigiel to get ready for the Echo programme that will air on Disney+ in the summer of 2023. Issue #9 tells viewers the story of Maya Lopez’s inspiration for the character Echo, which parallels the events of the 2021 Hawkeye television series on Disney+.
This will help everyone get ready for Echo’s standalone show in the summer by introducing them to her character by reading these issues. After reading these issues, move on to the recommendations for Daredevil: Born Again as they could also be relevant for Echo.
Loki Season 2
Fans of Loki’s first season may wish to brush up on the Time Variance Authority before Season 2 of Loki begins in the summer of 2023. What better way to accomplish it than with two related comic stories? Try 2005’s She-Hulk issues 1–5 by Juan Bobillo and Dan Slott first. These issues demonstrate how the TVA handles a temporal anomaly in a stand-alone plot that is enjoyable to both new readers and comic book veterans.
Then, Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #23 from 2007 should be read by MCU lovers. It was written by Fred van Lente and Clay Mann. Another TVA temporal anomaly narrative, but this one features Kang, who, according to Loki season one’s conclusion, will play a significant part in the show’s second season.
The Marvels
The Marvels, the follow-up to Captain Marvel, will be released in July 2023. For this entry, it’s difficult to suggest a comic that the film may be based on because few things immediately stand out as being a source of direct influence. Although one could be tempted to think that the comic book series with the same name will serve as inspiration for the 2023 movie, there doesn’t seem to be any relationship between the two.
Fans of the MCU who are anticipating The Marvels should read issues 4-6 of 2019’s Marvel Team-Up by Clint McElroy and Ig Guara. The adorable mentor-mentee bond between Carol Danvers and Kamala Khan is highlighted in this comic, and it will undoubtedly play a significant role in the Captain Marvel sequel. The comic also connects to the myths surrounding the original Mar-Vell, a hero who, like Ms. Marvel in the MCU, employs cosmic bands to influence and augment his abilities.
Ironheart
Fans who can’t wait for the Fall 2023 Ironheart Disney+ series may want to learn more about Riri Williams before the show’s debut date after falling in love with her in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Check out Eve Ewing and Kevin Libranda’s whole 12-issue 2018 Ironheart mini-series if that’s the case.
Given that Ironheart has already been presented to viewers, it is reasonable to infer that the Disney+ series in 2023 won’t be an origin story. This comic book takes up after Riri has started serving as Ironheart and follows her as she furthers this superhero persona, much like what the show will probably be.
Agatha: Coven of Chaos
One of the few Marvel Comics characters who would be virtually unknown to followers of the MCU alone is Agatha Harkness. This isn’t necessarily a negative thing because the MCU is a unique narrative medium that tells unique stories. But because of this, comics directly tied to the title character may not be the most useful reads ahead of the upcoming Agatha Disney+ programme Agatha: Coven of Chaos for fans searching for comics to prepare for.
Billy and Tommy Maximoff, the children of Wanda Maximoff, are two characters who are most likely to appear in the series and who have been extraordinarily faithfully transferred into the MCU from their comic book equivalents. As a result, MCU fans should check out the 2010 nine-issue miniseries Avengers: The Children’s Crusade, which is based on a Young Avengers story by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung and which Julian Hilliard, who played Billy in the movie, hopes may someday be adapted for the MCU.
Following the events of the 2005 miniseries House of M by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Copiel, which served as the basis for a large portion of WandaVision, this series follows Billy and Tommy as they attempt to mend fences with Wanda. A reconciliation with Wanda and her children seems inevitable in light of the conclusion of that programme and the events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Daredevil: Born Again
While a comic book with the same name as the Spring 2024 Disney+ series Daredevil: Born exists, The Marvels did not. Again, it seems doubtful that the programme would borrow heavily from the comic because the third season of Netflix’s Daredevil, which is now available on Disney+, has already covered the most of the comic’s narrative.
However, since the third season’s conclusion, which foreshadowed episodes involving the villain Bullseye, who was introduced in the program’s Born Again comic-inspired narrative, fans of the original show have been left in suspense. The cast and crew of the Netflix series had anticipated a fourth season, so maybe the Disney+ programme in 2024 will actually continue where the Netflix series abruptly ended. As a result, the first suggestions for Daredevil fans are 1991’s Daredevil issues 288 and 290, two Bullseye-related adventures following “Born Again,” written by Ann Nocenti and Lee Weeks.
Additionally, speculations suggest that Wilson Fisk (Kingpin) may run for mayor in 2024’s show, a plot that was taken from Charles Soule and Stefano Landini’s 2019 Daredevil issues 595–600. MCU fans may want to read this story before Echo as well because Echo’s plot lines may be connected to the Mayor Fisk comics narrative.
Captain America: New World Order
There was substantial criticism from many fans, some of which were motivated by racism, following the news in the comics that Sam Wilson would be taking up the Captain America shield—a scenario subsequently portrayed in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+. When the comic book tale was incorporated into the MCU, a similar reaction was seen.
Despite this, the MCU has maintained that “Sam Wilson is Captain America,” in the words of Chris Evans (Steve Rogers). As fans prepare to watch Sam reprise his Captain America role in the May 2024 film Captain America: New World Order, the 2015 television series Captain America: Sam Wilson by Nick Spencer and Daniel Acuna is still incredibly relevant today. This comic acts as a meta-commentary, using many of the words used by those who are against Sam Wilson assuming the mantle in the real world as story devices.
The debates this cartoon has are still pertinent and significant given all the criticism Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson continues to get today. Additionally, the comic has amusing and hilarious passages that any MCU fan would appreciate. With Redwing garnering a 93% approval rating, who could argue?
Thunderbolts
It seems sense to presume that the July 2024 Thunderbolts movie will be based on a comic book tale involving the Thunderbolts squad. As fans of Marvel comics are well aware, the cast of the movie is hardly recognisable from its most well-known comics equivalent. In reality, the identical Thunderbolts team from the film has never before appeared and engaged in combat in the comics as of publishing.
Similar to Agatha, this isn’t always a negative trait, but it makes comic book speculation challenging. However, reports claim that the major opponent of the film would be a fictional squad named the Squadron Supreme from comic books. The Squadron Supreme is a group that resembles DC’s Justice League nearly exactly. Check out Mark Gruenwald and Bob Hall’s 1985 12-issue Squadron Supreme miniseries to see that this isn’t an exaggeration. The squad is introduced to readers in this miniseries—or, reintroduced, if readers are followers of DC—and MCU fans will learn more about the opponents this new Thunderbolts team will be up against.
If the Squadron Supreme doesn’t seem intriguing, the enigmatic Sentry, whose comic book beginnings are described in the five-issue miniseries The Sentry by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee from 2000, is another suspected antagonist. The novella describes the origins of the Sentry, an all-powerful superbeing who has been entirely forgotten by the whole world, without giving away too much about the series. MCU fans will learn everything they need to know about this prospective Thunderbolts villain throughout this five-issue series.
Blade
Since there is so little information available to the public regarding the September 2024 Blade revival, it is impossible to make educated guesses about anything, from featured characters to plot points that could influence which comics viewers should read in advance of the film. As a result, the initial suggestion is founded only on one casting rumour. Fans are aware that Milan Ray has been cast in a significant but as of this writing unidentified role in the 2024 movie.
It’s interesting to note that Bloodline, Blade’s daughter, is reintroduced in the comics in February 2023. Furthermore, Fallon Grey, a discontinued comics character, was initially intended to be Blade’s daughter. In any case, it could be worthwhile to follow Danny Lore and Karen S. Darboe’s 2023 comic book series Bloodline: Daughter of Blade.
Fans eager for Blade may read the 12-issue miniseries Blade by Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin from 2006 till February. This series acts as a relaunch of the character’s book, making it a simple place for fans to begin when they are unfamiliar with the Daywalker and his tales.
Phase 6 and Beyond
Fans will still find more storylines that have been adapted from other comics as they look ahead to Phase 6 and beyond of the MCU. There is a vast collection of comic books waiting to be adapted in the near future, ranging from Fantastic Four to Avengers: Secret Wars. Who knows what is still to be revealed? Fans of comic books should be thrilled to see even more of their favourite tales adapted for the big screen.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which hits cinemas on February 17, 2023, will mark the start of Phase 5 of the MCU.
