Phase 3
Captain America: Civil War
The Story
After an unfortunate incident involving civilian casualties, the heroes are being asked to sign a military accord that will dictate their actions. Half of the team agree, and the other half do not…so they fight.
Final fight—Captain America versus Iron Man
MCU Introductions
T’Challa/Black Panther, Peter Parker/Spider-Man
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—None
- Appearance of The Watcher—as a FedEx delivery driver, with a package for Tony Stank
Post credit scenes
First we see Cap and Bucky in Wakanda, as Bucky determines that the best way for him to avoid hurting anyone is to go into cryo while they deprogram him. Next we see Peter recovering from the fight, noticing that Tony has given him some suit upgrades.
What you might have missed
Falcon refers to his drone as “Redwing” which is the name of his actual falcon in the comics.
Endgame status
Iron Man Captain America Hawkeye Black Widow
War Machine Scarlet Witch Ant-Man Falcon Vision
Black Panther Winter Soldier Spider-Man
Doctor Strange
The Story
Narcissistic doctor, Stephen Strange, is injured in a car wreck, effectively ending his career. In seeking out a cure for his condition, he discovers the Ancient One and proceeds to learn magic to help her defeat evil.
Final fight—Doctor Strange versus Kaecillius and Dormammu
MCU Introductions
Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange, Wong
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—Eye of Agamotto/Time stone
- Appearance of The Watcher—as a man on a bus
Post credit scenes
Thor visits the Sanctum Sanctorum and Doctor Strange quizzes him on the whereabouts of Odin.
What you might have missed
Before his accident, we hear Stephen on the phone with his nurse, who is talking about a “35 year-old Air Force colonel who crushed his spine”…Maybe Stephen can help Rhodey.
Endgame status
Wong Doctor Strange
Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2
The Story
While traveling through the galaxy, Peter comes across his father, who turns out to be a god bent on creating a universe in his image.
Final fight—The Guardians versus Ego the Living Planet
MCU Introductions
Mantis
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—None
- Appearance of The Watcher—as…The Watcher
Post credit scenes
While there were several post credit scenes in this one, the one that affects the larger MCU is the appearance of a Sovereign birthing pod containing…Adam Warlock.
What you might have missed
One of the post credit scenes shows the original Guardians lineup from the comics: The two Starhawks, Charlie-27, Krugarr and Mainframe.
Endgame status
Rocket Raccoon Nebula Peter Quill Gamora Groot Drax Mantis
Spider-Man: Homecoming
The Story
While dealing with the pressures of high school, and trying to be a neighborhood superhero, Peter Parker comes across a plot to rob alien technology and sets out to stop it.
Final fight—Spider-Man versus The Vulture
MCU Introductions
No one new.
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—None
- Appearance of The Watcher—as neighbor Gary
Post credit scenes
Nothing that affects the wider MCU.
What you might have missed
One of my favorite easter eggs was Donald Glover’s character of Aaron Davis, who is Miles Morales’ uncle in the comics.
Endgame status
Iron Man Spider-Man
Thor: Ragnarok
The Story
The death of Thor’s father, Odin, triggers the release of Hela, the goddess of Hel, who is bent on taking over Asgard.
Final fight—Thor, Loki, Hulk, and Valkyrie versus Hela, her minions of dead, and Fenris Wolf
MCU Introductions
Valkyrie, Korg
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—None
- Appearance of The Watcher—as the barber sent to cut Thor’s hair
Post credit scenes
After the destruction of Asgard, the escaping ship is overtaken by another…Thanos’ ship, the Sanctuary 2
What you might have missed
On the side of the Grandmaster’s palace, you can see a bust of Beta Ray Bill.
Endgame status
Thor Valkyrie Hulk
Black Panther
The Story
In the secluded country of Wakanda, the first real test of King T’Challa’s leadership comes when a disgraced Erik Killmonger returns to challenge for the throne.
Final fight—Black Panther versus Killmonger
MCU Introductions
Nakia, Okoye, Shuri, M’Baku
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—None
- Appearance of The Watcher—as a gambler at the Korean casino
Post credit scenes
After the fight, we see a recovering Bucky Barnes receiving help from Shuri in Wakanda.
What you might have missed
The actor who plays a you T’Chaka is actually the son of the actor who plays the current T’Chaka.
Endgame status
Okoye M’Baku Black Panther Nakia Shuri
Avengers: Infinity War
The Story
In his search to find all of the Infinity Stones, Thanos travels to earth for the two, and only the Avengers can stop him from wiping out half of the life in the universe.
Final fight—The Avengers versus Thanos and the Black Order
MCU Introductions
None.
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—All six.
- Appearance of The Watcher—as a bus driver, taking Peter on a field trip
Post credit scenes
After the snap takes out half of humanity, we see Nick Fury and Maria Hill also being wiped out. But before he goes, Nick fires off a page to…a mysterious Kree.
What you might have missed
When they arrive at the Collector’s palace, you can see Dr. Tobias Fünke as his Blue Man Group character from Arrested Development in one of the containers.
Endgame status
Iron Man Captain America Black Widow Thor Hulk Rocket
Nebula War Machine Scarlet Witch Ant-Man Okoye M’Baku
Falcon Vision Black Panther Winter Soldier Spider-Man Drax
Groot Mantis Star-Lord Doctor Strange Shuri Nick Fury
Maria Hill
Ant-Man and the Wasp
The Story
While Scott has been under house arrest, Hank and Hope have been building a quantum tunnel with the intent of rescuing Janet from the quantum realm.
Final fight—Ant-Man and the Wasp versus Ghost
MCU Introductions
Hope van Dyne/The Wasp, Janet van Dyne, Bill Foster
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—None
- Appearance of The Watcher—as a man whose car shrinks…definitely not because of the 60s
Post credit scenes
Scott enters the Quantum Realm to gather more energy, but while he’s immersed, the Snap occurs, wiping out his support staff and leaving him stuck.
What you might have missed
Bill Foster was the superhero Goliath in the comics.
Endgame status
Ant-Man Hank Pym Janet van Dyne Hope van Dyne
Captain Marvel
The Story
As a member of Starforce, Vers has incredible power, but can’t help wondering where she comes from. She lands on Earth where she starts to slowly learn about her past, and the secrets that can unlock her powers.
Final fight—Captain Marvel versus Yon-Rogg and Starforce
MCU Introductions
Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel
How does this affect the wider MCU?
- Infinity stones—None
- Appearance of The Watcher—as Stan Lee, rehearsing for his part in Mallrats
Post credit scenes
The Avengers that are still around post snap, are all crowded around the pager Nick Fury was last seen holding, when we learn who it was trying to contact. Captain Marvel.
What you might have missed
In what may be my favorite blink-and-you-miss-it Marvel moment, Carol runs into a woman as she steps off the LA subway. It’s Captain Marvel writer, Kelly Sue DeConnick