Okay, here are summaries of the post-Civil War storylines for key Marvel characters, primarily focusing on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) but also touching upon major comic book developments where relevant.
Important Note: Marvel's narrative is complex and constantly evolving with movies, TV shows, and comics. These summaries cover major points up to late 2023/early 2024.
Key MCU Storylines & Characters:
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The multiverse and the Darkhold:
- Central Conflict: The MCU is now firmly in the "Darkhold Era." The magical book of spells, the Darkhold, has been unleashed across multiple universes, causing immense chaos and destruction. Its primary wielder is the villainous Doctor Doom (specifically, the Doom from the Inhumanity Dimension).
- Key Characters:
- Doctor Doom: The primary antagonist, seeking to impose order through the Darkhold's power, often allying with variants of himself and other powerful beings like Kang the Conqueror. His goal is to reshape reality.
- Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff): Forced into hiding after the events of "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," Wanda is the only one with the power (the "Heart of the Universe") to effectively counter the Darkhold's magic. She's struggling with the immense burden of this responsibility and the trauma of her actions.
- Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange): Has returned from the void, seemingly defeated by Doom, but his fate is ambiguous. His past actions might have inadvertently helped release the Darkhold. He is a key figure in the conflict.
- Sam Wilson & Captain America (Steve Rogers): Leading the defense against Doom's forces, trying to protect humanity and find a way to stop the Darkhold. Sam is also dealing with the responsibilities of being Captain America and the father of a child with Betty Ross.
- Shuri & The Dora Milaje: Leading the resistance on Wakanda, utilizing advanced technology to combat Doom's army.
- Black Panther (T'Challa): Deceased in the comics (killed by Doom using the Darkhold), but his legacy and the throne of Wakanda continue to be a factor. His sister, Nakia, is a key player.
- Ant-Man (Scott Lang) & The Wasp (Kate Bishop): Actively fighting alongside Captain America and Shuri against Doom's forces.
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Captain America:
- Status: Now officially Captain America 95, taking over the mantle from the deceased Steve Rogers.
- Sam Wilson: Having fully embraced the role, Sam is depicted as a highly capable and mature leader, carrying the weight of the title and its responsibilities. He's focused on protecting the world from the escalating threats, particularly Doom.
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Iron Man / Tony Stark:
- Status: Deceased in the comics (killed by Doctor Doom using the Darkhold). His legacy, particularly his artificial intelligence J.A.R.V.I.S. (which evolved into F.R.I.D.A.Y.), continues to play a role in supporting Sam and the fight.
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Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff):
- Status: Deceased in the comics (killed by Doom using the Darkhold). Her death is a significant loss for the heroes.
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Spider-Man (Peter Parker):
- Status: Peter is still a student at High School, guided by Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers). He is developing his powers under her mentorship but is still relatively inexperienced. He has become a new partner and friend to Kate Bishop (the new Wasp). He is aware of the cosmic threats but is focused on his personal growth and responsibilities.
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Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers):
- Status: Now operating under the name Ms. Marvel. She is actively mentoring Peter Parker and leading the Ms. Marvel Corps, a team of powered individuals (including Kamala Khan, Kamora, Phyla-Vance, and Genn) working to defend Earth from cosmic threats, including those related to the Darkhold. She is a key ally in the fight against Doom.
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The Guardians of the Galaxy:
- Status: Still active but largely operating in their own space. Rocket and Groot are dealing with the aftermath of their son, Quill (Star-Lord), being killed by Doctor Doom. They are grieving and seeking ways to avenge him, potentially leading them into conflict with Doom's forces or seeking ways to use the Darkhold's magic (like the Infinity Stones) for good.
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X-Men:
- Status: The X-Men are re-established as a major force, led by Professor X (Charles Xavier) and Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr), who have formed an uneasy alliance to combat the Darkhold and Doctor Doom. They are operating from a base in Westchester. Key members include Storm, Bishop, Shadowcat, Quicksilver, Iceman, and Psylocke. They are dealing with their own internal dynamics and external threats.
Other Major Developments:
- Secret Wars (Comics): A major crossover event is teased, potentially bringing together characters from different universes (including the MCU's multiverse) in a massive conflict, possibly centered around the Darkhold and Doctor Doom.
- Spider-Verse: The concept of the Spider-Verse continues to be explored, with Peter Parker now being the primary defender of Earth-616 alongside Ms. Marvel and the Ms. Marvel Corps, facing threats from other Spider-People and dimensions.
In essence, the MCU is in a state of high-stakes cosmic conflict driven by Doctor Doom and the Darkhold, forcing heroes to confront immense power, loss, and the consequences of their actions, all while the boundaries between different realities are constantly shifting.
