The MCU has a fun opportunity to introduce its own version of the Justice League thanks to the expanding multiverse. With the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Phase 5 of the MCU has officially commenced. While much of the Multiverse Saga has been criticized, sometimes haphazardly, for disted arcs and dipping visual quality, the MCU is still not slowing down. The official integration of television and introduction of Marvel Special Presentations has ensured a seemingly ceaseless flow of content - although recent updates on The Marvels and 2023’s Disney+ slate suggest that Marvel has noticed the ever-growing fatigue among audiences.
With each project, the MCU introduces more new characters. Naturally, some are significant to the ongoing narrative, while others are unexpected and random, but yet, there are certainly many more to come. In fact, many key Secret Wars villains are still missing, such as Doctor Doom, Molecule Man, and the Beyonder. Meanwhile, they’ve set up Kang the Conqueror as the central multiversal antagonist. Overall, the expanding multiverse unlocks nearly endless possibilities for the MCU. Even beyond that, they have been setting up the introductions and formations of several important, powerful, and interesting teams, including one connected to Marvel’s greatest competitor, DC Comics, and their headlining team, the Justice League.
The Multiverse Saga Can Introduce Squadron Supreme
The MCU can easily introduce the Squadron Supreme. The team was first introduced actually as Squadron Sinister in 1969’s The Avengers #69, a villainous pastiche of the Justice League formed by the Grandmaster to fight the Avengers. Initially, their roster included Hyperion, Nighthawk, Whizzer, and Doctor Spectrum as parodies of Superman, Batman, the Flash, and Green Lantern, respectively. However, in 1971’s The Avengers #85, Marvel Comics introduced the Squadron Supreme, a heroic version of the team hailing from Earth-712. They added Power Princess - based on Wonder Woman - to the mix as a main member, and over the years, they exponentially expanded just like the Justice League.
Kang’s death in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania led to the introduction of the Council of Kangs, that could be all the MCU needs to incorporate Squadron Supreme into the ongoing narrative opposing them.
What Would Squadron Supreme Mean For The MCU?
Squadron Supreme’s introduction could mean quite a deal for the MCU. Fortunately, while Squadron Supreme could be framed as heroes, they could be utilized yet as antagonists, fulfilling a different purpose compared to the likes of the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and Thunderbolts. In fact, the MCU could draw from their role following the Secret Wars arc and see them unite to take revenge on Namor or the Avengers for their actions that resulted in the destruction of many of their home universes. Conversely, were the MCU to focus on them as heroes, some could actually be part of the next generation of the Avengers Phase 6 will likely form.
Whether they’re heroes or villains, protagonists of their own film, Disney+ series or Special Presentation - of which they’d be deserving - or the antagonists of someone else’s story, one thing is certain. The MCU could do a lot with the Squadron Supreme, and above all, it would be fascinating to see if they could make it all work out given how expansive and convoluted the franchise already is. Nevertheless, if done yet as part of the Multiverse Saga, there’s a chance the MCU could introduce their version of the Justice League before the newly formed DCU ever gets around to doing so for themselves.
