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

Final Rating

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

Final Rating

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

Final Rating

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

Final Rating

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

Final Rating

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

Final Rating

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

Final Rating

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

Final Rating

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

Endgame status

Captain Marvel

Final Rating