Reflections on the Marvel Universe

Warning. Ahead lies yet another entry about fandom. Also,  Captain America: The Winter Soldier spoilers and Agents of SHIELD. And the Marvel movies universe as a whole.

I mean it. HERE THERE BE SPOILERS.

SERIOUSLY DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU DON'T MIND BEING SPOILED.

*ahem*

One of the things I love about a franchise is its ability to have continuity across different mediums. I suppose this is why I have enjoyed the Marvel franchise as much as I have. While each story is a story within itself and can, more or less, be watched on its own, it's so much cooler to see how everything plays into each other.

For example, Iron Man 1 & 2, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: The First Avenger, and Thor all led up to The Avengers. Each story in itself was a story. But each story also planted the seeds of so much more. We learned what SHIELD was. We learned that it was run by Samuel L. Jackson Nick Fury, and that they were up to something. Each movie has told more of the story and uncovered more without revealing all. Loki was revealed as the villain in Thor, and then in Avengers we had a culmination of all of these stories into one.

And it was so cool.

In the aftermath of Avengers, we have stories focusing again on what has happened to the characters since. We have Agents of SHIELD with PHIL COULSON (who is NOT dead). And we have had so many more seeds planted...and a realization that there have been seeds planted from the beginning. Betrayals within SHIELD. People aren't who you think they are. And now with the latest installation of Captain America: The Winter Soldier...the dismantling of SHIELD....which when you go back and look at everything, you could have seen coming. But it was hidden *just* enough that we didn't notice it until it was too late.

Now, I'm not someone who has read the comic books. I will admit that. I have no idea what the storyline of the comics is, or if it mirrors what has happened on screen.

I just know that it has been a fun and enjoyable ride so far.