MCU: MOOSE CUDDLING UATU No, wait… that’s not right…


KC Carlson

KC Carlson


How about MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE?

A KC COLUMN By KC Carlson

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (or MCU) is, of course, what the Marvel Studios call their ongoing line of movies based on some of Marvel Comics’ favorite and best characters. It’s very similar to the Marvel Universe of the comic books (now some 60 years strong) but not quite as complicated story-wise.

Since 2008, the MCU has produced 20 feature length films (and several short films). Here’s the lineup (by release date):

2008    Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk

2010    Iron Man 2

2011    Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger

2012    Marvel’s The Avengers

2013    Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World

2014    Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy

2015    Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man

2016    Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange

2017    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok

2018    Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp

Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years HC

Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years HC


Why talk about this now? This week, Titan Books is releasing Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years, a celebration of the first decade of the the studio, featuring all of the films listed above.

The book also includes new interviews with Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, and more — plus Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and Co-President Louis D’Esposito.

Besides the stunning photography and detail-packed sections on each film, there are also guides to each film’s hidden “Easter Eggs” and surprise end credit scenes. (You did stay for the whole movie, right? If not, here’s how you can catch up!)

Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years

Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years


Note that there’s a hardcover, book-like version as well as a newsstand (softcover with square spine) edition.

ANOTHER KC “Uh, Duh!” MOMENT

After discovering this new MCU Guide, I suddenly remembered something I bought a few months back that I meant to talk about, but I misplaced the book. (Yes, I can misplace a 1,304-page book. If you could see my “office,” you’d understand completely.) It’s called The Marvel Cinematic Universe: The Marvel Comics, and it was published by Marvel Books in conjunction with Marvel Studios in celebration of their first 10 years. The reason it’s so big is it collects every single comic book that Marvel published related to the Marvel Studio Films (and even a couple things that (I think) only appeared online)!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe: The Marvel Comics

The Marvel Cinematic Universe: The Marvel Comics


For the record, it collects: Iron Man: I Am Iron Man! 1-2, Iron Man 2: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 1, Iron Man 2: Public Identity 1-3, Iron Man 2 Adaptation 1-2, Thor Adaptation 1-2, Captain America: First Vengeance 1-4, Captain America: The First Avenger Adaptation 1-2, The Avengers Prelude: Fury’s Big Week 1-4, The Avengers: Black Widow Strikes 1-3, The Avengers 1-2, Iron Man 3 Prelude 1-2, Thor: The Dark World Prelude 1-2, Captain America: The Winter Soldier Infinite Comic 1, Guardians of the Galaxy Prelude 1-2, Guardians of the Galaxy Prequel Infinite Comic 1, Avengers: Age of Ultron Prelude Infinite Comic 1, Ant-Man Prelude 1-2, Ant-Man Infinite Comic 1, Captain America: Civil War Prelude 1-4, Captain America: Civil War Prelude Infinite Comic 1, Doctor Strange Prelude 1-2, Doctor Strange Prelude Infinite Comic 1, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Prelude 1-2, Spider-Man: Homecoming Prelude 1-2, Thor: Ragnarok Prelude 1-4, Black Panther Prelude 1-2, Avengers: Infinity War Prelude 1-2, and Ant-Man and The Wasp Prelude 1-2.

Avengers: Infinity War Prelude #2

Avengers: Infinity War Prelude #2


Warning: This book is heavy enough to be a murder weapon in Doc Ock’s hands! I strongly suggest using a table while trying to read it. (So don’t try reading it on an airplane, wiseguy! They’ll probably charge you extra for the weight!)

Well, I’m not really hoping for a blizzard this season, but if one were to happen… what a perfect time to re-watch all the MCU films over a week or two! They’re the perfect companion to these two books! (Wha-?!)

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KC CARLSON: This one’s for Stan — my old convention buddy from the ‘80s and ‘90s. He never could remember my name, but a lunch invite actually got me into the Marvel offices for a few minutes!

WESTFIELD COMICS is not responsible for the stupid things that KC says. Especially that thing that really irritated you. Excelsior!