Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is one of several recently announced films for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Though Kang has already appeared in the MCU, he's yet to become a major threat in the way he is in the comics. Nevertheless, it's clear that he's the next Big Bad that Marvel Studios is teasing. And like many previous event movies, this one will also draw heavily from the comics.
Kang Dynasty was part of an acclaimed storyline from the "reconstruction" era of the Avengers line of comic books. Featuring mass destruction and an Earth that seemed conquered, the storyline was easily Kang's finest hour. With the movie adaptation planned to premiere in less than three years, here's what comic book and movie fans should know about Kang's dynasty.
What Was The Kang Dynasty Storyline in Marvel Comics?
Running for 16 issues throughout the main Avengers title, Kang Dynasty, also known as Kang War, was an epic storyline in Kurt Busiek's post-Heroes Reborn Avengers run. With the work of several artists, the storyline showcased one of the few times that an Avengers villain had a lasting victory. Kang and his son Marcus begin the story by seemingly destroying the UN building and announcing his invasion of Earth, stating that any villains who conquer in his name will get counted among his protected class. However, the reason for said invasion isn't merely selfish gain, as Kang claims he's saving the planet by taking it over, having seen the potential dark futures where he doesn't.
Of course, the Avengers form again to defeat the villainous Kang, though they have a more difficult time than usual. Numerous factions rise in the interim, including the Atlanteans and Deviants, with Kang knowing that, in such a fractured state, the Earth's creatures would be unable to defend against him. Upon learning of the Earth's conquest, Avengers who had been in space rally to take the fight to Kang, all as his Damocles base gets destroyed. Defeated by Captain America and with his resources depleted, Kang's conquest ends, but not before he reveals the true nature of his son Marcus.
How Will the MCU Adapt Kang Dynasty?
Obviously, there will be some changes from the printed page when the movie version of The Kang Dynasty comes out. For one, there will be some slight roster differences since Iron Man and Steve Rogers are a part of the Avengers in the comic storyline. They're both gone in the MCU, and though Sam Wilson is officially the new Captain America, it seems that no one will ever replace Tony as Iron Man. On the other hand, Carol Danvers (in her Warbird persona) was a big part of the comic book storyline, and it's possible that she, as Captain Marvel, would be elevated further in the film. The Deviants and Atlanteans are also factors in the comic book storyline, and with both groups now involved in the MCU, the upcoming movie could bring all of these disparate concepts together.
Given that a Secret Wars film has also been announced to end Phase Six, it's likely that this movie will essentially act as a continuation of The Kang Dynasty. With the latter potentially ending with the world's conquest, it would become the Infinity War equivalent to Secret Wars' Avengers: Endgame. It would also put a fitting end to the multiversal shenanigans of the past several MCU projects, namely the first season of Loki. That would make Kang the MCU's new Thanos, which, if his motivation gets lifted from the Kang Dynasty comic book, is a far more apt comparison than it would initially seem. As meandering as the current phase of the MCU may seem, the Earth getting conquered by Kang could be the thing needed to make everything up to this point make sense.