The 616 Universe in MCU: Reaching Consensus or Creating Confusion?

With the recent confirmation that the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) takes place in the 616 universe, fans can't help but wonder: does this mean the movies and the comics 616 Universe are one in the same?

Some theories suggest that the comics and the movies might not be in the same multiverse, with each having its own 616. Alternatively, the MCU and comics could share a larger "megaverse" that they avoid calling the multiverse because of trademark issues.

The possibility that comic book characters won't cross over into the movies makes the latter theory more plausible. Hand-drawn, non-moving characters don't fit well into modern film styles. This might also impact future comic crossovers into the MCU – instead of using the term 'Earth-199999,' they may have to rely on more creative storytelling.

It is worth noting that a similar shift was made by DC/Berlanti in the Arrowverse. Arrowverse Earth-1 was distinct from comics Earth-1, much like Arrowverse Earth-2 related to comics Earth-2. This decision worked well for them, indicating that altering the names can be a successful strategy.

Some argue that the MCU and comics should stick with different universe designations, such as '199999' or 'UN1' (Universe-1) instead of '616.' The current naming causes confusion for fans and leads to questions about the multiverse's nature.

No, it's not like that 616

Others suggest that the 616 designation in the MCU is simply a reference to Earth 838, where the people there have limited knowledge of the multiverse. They don't know its full extent, similar to how we call our planet 'Earth 1.'

They also propose that the numbers used are for reference. Despite Mysterio calling our Earth '616,' they have no understanding of the multiverse's true nature.

Key Differences in History and Characters

When examining the history of characters, significant differences between the MCU and the comics 616 become apparent. In the MCU, Thor and Hulk are much stronger and more powerful. Professor Hulk ended during the Onslaught saga, leading to his separation from Bruce Banner. X-Men, Fantastic Four, and the Avengers all appeared at roughly the same time, whereas in the comics, Peter Parker was a young teenager.

Thanos, without his artifacts, possesses godlike cosmic powers and is more deranged. Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne are founding members of the Avengers, and although Ironman and Hawkeye are close in age, Hank and Janet are nearly the same age as Tony Stark and Clint Barton. The Eternals and Deviants are not robotic beings but genetically modified humans created by the Celestials.

In conclusion, the 616 designation in the MCU raises intriguing questions about the true nature of the multiverse and the differences between the films and the comics. While some theories suggest a shared megaverse, others argue for distinct enteties with unique histories and characterizations.

Keywords: MCU, 616 Universe, Multiverse