Artwork possibly associated with next year's Avengers 4 has leaked online, offering what may be our first glimpse of the big sequel. Marvel Studios is currently keeping every detail about Avengers 4 under wraps, refusing to even announce the film's title. That high degree of secrecy makes the image particularly exciting.

It's not possible to say for certain that this artwork is official. The website that originally published it didn't give away its sources, so it should be taken with a pinch of salt. What's more, an accompanying image actually seemed more likely to be concept art for Avengers: Infinity War, suggesting there may be a degree of confusion here.

Related: What The Title of Avengers 4 Definitely ISN'T

At the same time, though, this image is unlike anything we've seen before. It definitely shows all the heroes who survived the "snap," with some Avengers donning distinctive new costumes. That would make sense, as modern superhero blockbusters really make their money off merchandising, and new costumes mean more action figure sales. So, this does actually feel like it could be a real leak. Assuming it is, let's explore what this image reveals.

The Civil War Is Over

Captain America: Civil War left the Avengers divided, and Infinity War made it clear that there's still bad blood between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. Even when told of Thanos's impending attack, Iron Man was reluctant to give Rogers a call. No doubt the sheer scale of Thanos' atrocity has led the Avengers to put their differences behind them. Here they stand, assembled together for what may be the last time - and with some exciting new recruits.

The Russo brothers are determined to ensure there are consequences to Civil War. Earlier drafts saw Steve Rogers and Tony Stark meet in Infinity War, but that encounter was ultimately cut from the script. It was presumably moved to the sequel; given the magnitude of the schism between the two Avengers, we really need to see the reunion.

Captain Marvel As A Key Avenger

Captain Marvel Powers Energy

Avengers: Infinity War's post-credits scene showed Nick Fury send out a galactic Mayday to Captain Marvel. This art shows Captain Marvel - in her traditional colors, not green-and-gray! - as a key member of the Avengers. Carol Danvers could prove an essential ally in the battle against Thanos; as far back as 2016, Marvel Studios visionary Kevin Feige had insisted she was among Marvel's most powerful heroes. "Her powers are off the charts," he noted, "and when she's introduced, she will be by far the strongest character we've ever had." It's unclear quite where Carol Danvers has been between her '90s-set solo movie and the events of Infinity War; no doubt we'll get answers next year.

Related: Is Captain Marvel Worthy?

There's No Sign Of Wasp

Ant-Man and the Wasp international poster excerpt

Perhaps the most surprising omission from the image is Evangeline Lilly's Wasp. Although this year's Ant-Man & the Wasp is technically set before the events of Avengers: Infinity War, Marvel chose not to use her in that film, reserving her debut for her own movie. Wasp is confirmed to appear in Avengers 4 - but, crucially, she's not expected to play a major role. According to Lilly, Wasp "will appear in Avengers 4 [but] not very much."

Wasp's absence in this image suggests that she may actually be a victim of the "snap," killed at the cliffhanger ending of Infinity War. If that is the case, Wasp's small role in Avengers 4 must presumably be after the Avengers have either undone or averted Thanos' atrocity.

Page 2: War Machine, Hulk, Hawkeye & More

Don Cheadle as War Machine

War Machine Gets An Upgrade

Although he's never been the focus of a Marvel movie, James Rhodes has been one of Marvel's most important heroes; he played a crucial role during the Battle of Sokovia, and was one of the key players during the Battle of Wakanda in Avengers: Infinity War. There, the firepower of the War Machine armor cut a swathe through Thanos' Outriders.

Note that the artwork shows War Machine in a subtly different suit - one that's a little bulkier than usual, and with a shoulder-weapon more sizeable than anything he's used before. Infinity War closed with Rhodey in Wakanda, and if Shuri survived the "snap," it's entirely possible the young Wakandan genius will have given War Machine some Wakandan tech.

Related: Black Panther Reveals Secret of Iron Man's New Armor

One exciting possibility is that the War Machine armor now contains nanotech. Tony Stark was able to use nanotech armor to actually make Thanos bleed while battling the Mad Titan on his homeworld, but Rhodey is a military man; he'd be able to find far more creative ways to use a nanotech armor, and to lethal effect.

The Hulk Has A Costume

Bruce Banner next to the Hulkbuster Gauntlet in Avengers Infinity War

Avengers 4 is confirmed to be the end of a three-part arc for the Hulk - one that's brought the Hulk and Bruce Banner personas into head-on collision. In the comics, the two personalities ultimately merged into a single identity, which comic book readers jokingly refer to as "Professor Hulk." Notice that, in this art, the Hulk's face bears an unusually pronounced similarity to Ruffalo's, and he's stood in a pose that certainly isn't your typical Hulk.

Of course, the most surprising detail in the image is the fact that the Hulk is wearing a costume at all. One of the reasons the Hulk rarely wears a costume is because he typically transitions between the forms of Bruce Banner and the Hulk; clothes that fit one form do not fit the other. So the fact the Hulk is wearing a suit in this image is actually quite interesting, and perhaps hints that the two personas will accept a status quo in which Banner adopts the Hulk form for good. Again, that's a development that's tied to the "Professor Hulk" era, one of the few times the Jade Giant did adopt a costume in the comics. On the other hand, maybe he's just wearing a very stretchy outfit.

Steve Rogers Is Captain America, & Black Widow Is A Redhead

Avengers: Infinity War opened with Steve Rogers and Black Widow as fugitives, on the run for the last two years. Rogers had abandoned his Captain America identity and grown a beard, while Widow had dyed her hair blond. Both were presumably ways of changing their famous appearances, so as not to be identified. If this artwork is accurate, those changes will only last for the one film. Presumably the world has a lot more to worry about than a few unlicensed vigilantes after Thanos' "snap."

Related: Infinity War's Ending Was Shocking... When DC Did It First

Note that Rogers's costume includes the star on his chest once again. It makes sense for Rogers to reclaim the identity of Captain America, choosing once again to become a symbol of hope in a dark time. Remember that the entire world will have been shaken by Thanos's act, and a symbol like Captain America would give humanity a hero to rally around. One of the strangest details in the image is the fact he still isn't carrying the shield, though.

Hawkeye's Costume Looks Pretty Dark

Marvel - Clint Barton as Ronin

Set photos have teased that Hawkeye will adopt a new, darker costume - and that's typically associated with his "Ronin" identity. In the Ultimate Comics, Clint Barton became the masked vigilante Ronin after the tragic deaths of his family. Most fans assume that, in the MCU, Thanos's "snap" killed the Barton household. If this theory is correct, then Avengers 4 will see a very different version of Hawkeye, a darker one than ever before. It's possible it will fall to Black Widow to keep Hawkeye from falling into grief and rage.

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It's by no means certain that this image is an actual leak. And yet, the fact that a single image carries so many implications is itself telling; there are hints at major character arcs, featuring heroes like Hawkeye, the Hulk, and Captain America. Few fan-artists would create an image that carried quite so much potential.

More: Who's Alive At The End of Avengers: Infinity War?

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