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Welcome to the main discussion thread for the Marvel Cinematic Universe! This pinned post is here to establish some basic guidelines. All of the Media Forum rules still apply.

  • This thread is for talking about the live-action films, TV shows, animated works, and related content that use the Marvel brand, currently owned by Disney.
  • While mild digressions are okay, discussion of the comic books should go in this thread. Extended digressions may be thumped as off-topic.
  • Spoilers for new releases should not be discussed without spoiler tagging for at least two weeks. Rather, each title should have a dedicated thread where that sort of conversation is held. We can mention new releases in a general sense, but please be courteous to people who don't want to be spoiled.

If you're posting tagged spoilers, make sure that the film or series is clearly identified outside the spoiler tagging. People need to know what will be spoiled before they choose to read the post.

    Original post 
Since Thor and now Captain America came out this year, I wanted to get what Tropers thought of the concept and execution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in general. Personally I love the idea and wonder why this idea hasn't been seriously tried before. It sorta seems to me like the DCAU in movie form (And well, ummm, with Marvel), and really 'gets' the comic book feel of a shared universe while not being completely alienating.

Edited by Mrph1 on Jul 29th 2024 at 3:09:00 PM

MatthewWayne The Tapestry Weaver from Camp Echo One Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
The Tapestry Weaver
#145276: Jul 27th 2022 at 10:49:38 PM

I think in a world where everyone takes these things seriously most of the time, I think it's nice to have a very, very small amount of cynicism by joking about the names.

Also, I'm not reading the Love and Thunder post because I still haven't seen it yet. I'm sorry.

"I'm Mr. Blue, woah-woah-ooh..."
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#145277: Jul 27th 2022 at 10:53:25 PM

[up] Its alright its nothing spoilery, just mentioning a minor gag in the film

[up][up][up] I also appreciate the Dune movie for being a totally self-serious sincere sci-fi film. Like there's one scene where the Atreidis make their grand arrival to Arrakis and as they walk down the ship they have the music guy playing bagpipes.

And no one makes any jokes about bagpipes or how dumb it sounds despite bagpipes being a universal punch-line in media. Its very impressive, no winks or gags to the audience about how stupid it sounds because after all why would the characters think its dumb?

Edited by slimcoder on Jul 27th 2022 at 10:54:01 AM

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
MatthewWayne The Tapestry Weaver from Camp Echo One Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
The Tapestry Weaver
#145278: Jul 27th 2022 at 10:55:08 PM

In fairness, the bagpipes weren't in the original book, no?

But yeah, I do agree that Dune is great because it's a pretty serious adaptation. I'm not advocating for Lampshade Hanging humor 24/7, I just think in some areas its important.

"I'm Mr. Blue, woah-woah-ooh..."
diddyknux Straw Hat Robin (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Straw Hat Robin
#145279: Jul 27th 2022 at 10:56:15 PM

The closest I can think of to catchphrases showing up is "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man." And I guess retroactively, now that its back to Marvel, Deadpool's "Maximum Effort."

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#145280: Jul 27th 2022 at 10:58:24 PM

The only superhero name joke that worked for me in the MCU was in Infinity War when Peter mistook Doctor Strange calling himself that as him insisting on using "superhero names". Stephen doesn't even bother explaining that Doctor Strange is his actual name.

Edited by M84 on Jul 28th 2022 at 1:58:48 AM

Disgusted, but not surprised
MatthewWayne The Tapestry Weaver from Camp Echo One Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
The Tapestry Weaver
#145281: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:00:40 PM

In that same film, Tony dismisses Strange as a wizard, even though the preferred term is Master of the Mystic Arts. Thor did that as well. And I thought it was perfect.

"I'm Mr. Blue, woah-woah-ooh..."
Nightwire Since: Feb, 2010
#145282: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:02:22 PM

And I will say this though, making fun of Black Bolt's name is totally valid. Blackagar Boltagon is very silly even by comic book standard.

It would be like if Spider-Man's real name is "Spiderobert Manuel."

ArthurEld Since: May, 2014
#145283: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:02:34 PM

The thing about making fun of Dr. Doom's name, aside from it being a very tired trope, is that it's not really something the Fantastic Four are likely to do. For one thing, they have a guy who calls himself Mr. Fantastic. For another, the Thing is basically deformed, which gives him a pass in making fun of Victor's face, something Susan and Reed would probably never do.

Plus, they know who he is. They've met him, his last name is von Doom and he just drops the von for his title. He's from a vaguely German nation and von Doom is a vaguely German last name.

Now if the climax of a movie has the Fantastic Four defeat Dr. Doom with his own weapon, turning his genius and power against him and then Reed mentions that "Doom" has its roots in a word for judgment, now that's in-character and would be much more satisfying than just "your name is Dr. Doom, hur dur".

Edited by ArthurEld on Jul 27th 2022 at 11:03:06 AM

MatthewWayne The Tapestry Weaver from Camp Echo One Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
The Tapestry Weaver
#145284: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:04:37 PM

I don't think it would be funny for the Fantastic Four to make fun of Doom's name. I'd prefer it if someone like Steven Grant, US Agent, Captain America or the Wasp made fun of it. Because the Fantastic Four and Doom have a very personal relationship, and that's important to keep in mind.

"I'm Mr. Blue, woah-woah-ooh..."
PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#145285: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:05:52 PM

I guess it's okay if it's Johnny, since he's kind of a jokey asshole anyway, but insults like that should just roll off of Doom's back, he's not gonna get bothered by insults unless they're personal, like the aforementioned "make fun of him for not being a real doctor" approach.

If Reed insults Doom for not being a real doctor, that's the kind of thing that would and should make Victor snap.

Edited by PushoverMediaCritic on Jul 27th 2022 at 11:06:46 AM

Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#145286: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:06:46 PM

Johnny would absolutely crack wise on Doom

Ben too although in a more wry manner

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
Nightwire Since: Feb, 2010
#145287: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:10:00 PM

[up][up]And Reed would not even do it in a jokey manner. Like, he would be legitimately baffled at why Doom would call himself Doctor.

"Victor, you haven't earned a Ph D. This is intellectually disingenuous."

Edited by Nightwire on Jul 27th 2022 at 11:12:31 AM

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#145288: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:10:45 PM

Man ya gotta wonder what Black Bolts parents were thinking of when they named him that

Granted Medusa is Medusalith Amaquelin, Karnak is Karnak Mander-Azur, Gorgon Petragon, Crystal is Crystalia Amaquelin, and Triton is....... Triton.

Huh that last one sticks out.

[up] This highlights the organicness of jokes. Reed can be funny but he wouldn't make quips, his brand of humor is more particular due to his specific character.

Edited by slimcoder on Jul 27th 2022 at 11:12:19 AM

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
lbssb The sleepiest good boi Since: Jun, 2020 Relationship Status: is commanded to— WANK!
The sleepiest good boi
#145289: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:10:56 PM

Doom never even earned his doctorate, he dropped out of college and just gave himself one after taking over Latveria.

[up]Well, they are super-isolationist (kinda) aliens who live on the moon, it stands to reason they'd have weird names. Names that sound like Earth things, granted, which is still weird.

Edited by lbssb on Jul 27th 2022 at 11:12:57 AM

Disney100 Marathon | DreamWorks Marathon
Synchronicity (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#145290: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:12:48 PM

Strange would quip something like "I busted my ass in residency and you just called yourself 'Doctor'?"

MatthewWayne The Tapestry Weaver from Camp Echo One Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
The Tapestry Weaver
#145291: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:15:16 PM

Y'know, given how Chadwick Boseman wanted the quippier version of T'Challa seen in What If incorporated into Wakanda Forever, I wonder if he would've gotten in on the Lampshade Hanging on the names of supervillains thing as well.

T'Challa was so regal and serious, I dunno if he could do it without it seeming forced.

"I'm Mr. Blue, woah-woah-ooh..."
lbssb The sleepiest good boi Since: Jun, 2020 Relationship Status: is commanded to— WANK!
The sleepiest good boi
#145292: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:16:11 PM

And to add insult to injury, Doom's hated nemesis did earn his doctorate legitimately... and calls himself "Mister". Doom probably thinks Reed does that to rub it in.

Edited by lbssb on Jul 27th 2022 at 11:17:03 AM

Disney100 Marathon | DreamWorks Marathon
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#145293: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:17:25 PM

[up][up] That yeah that would have been forced. I like T'Challa in part because he's a more regal and serious character. It serves to make him more distinct.

[up][up][up][up] Prolly the weirdest thing about Inhuman names is how there is a Medusa and a Gorgon, both entirely separate characters.

Curious what Kirby was thinking of when he named them.

Edited by slimcoder on Jul 27th 2022 at 11:17:55 AM

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
MatthewWayne The Tapestry Weaver from Camp Echo One Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Anomalocaris20 from Sagittarius A* Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: Love blinded me (with science!)
#145295: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:20:51 PM

Mister Fantastic the doctor, Doctor Doom the mister, Mister Doctor the Master of the Mister Arts.

You cannot firmly grasp the true form of Squidward's technique!
diddyknux Straw Hat Robin (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Straw Hat Robin
#145296: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:23:02 PM

Oh wait, does "I Am Groot" count as a catchphrase if its the ONLY thing he can say? tongue

Edited by diddyknux on Jul 27th 2022 at 1:23:36 PM

MatthewWayne The Tapestry Weaver from Camp Echo One Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#145299: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:38:30 PM

I think the MCU should include the face-burning incident, and I don't think it would be that hard to incorporate.

Have Reed and Victor be roommates in college, Doom is building a machine in their room to open a portal to the afterlife so he can see his mom again. Reed takes one look at the machine and deduces it's a machine for opening portals to other dimensions (modernizing it and tying into the Multiverse Saga), so he offers some advice because Victor's specs seem off.

Victor dismisses Reed's advice because Richards doesn't know its true purpose and tries anyway, but the problem is that it's literally impossible to open a portal to the afterlife with just pure science, and the machine explodes in Doom's face while he's distracted by Reed warning him about its dangers. Doom is expelled because of the explosion.

Reed and Doom blame each other for the explosion, Doom blames Reed that his advice was useless and he was distracting him, Reed blames Doom because the machine wouldn't have worked anyway and his advice would have made it not explode. Subconsciously, though, and he would never admit it, Victor realizes that Reed was right and his machine would never have worked, and that's why he dedicates himself to mastering and fusing both magic and science, in an attempt to succeed where science alone failed.

Edited by PushoverMediaCritic on Jul 27th 2022 at 11:40:16 AM

Nightwire Since: Feb, 2010
#145300: Jul 27th 2022 at 11:38:32 PM

[up] Incredible. Such a beautiful piece of literature. I am in tears.


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