Warning! Spoilers for Fantastic Four #35 and Kang the Conqueror #1 by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is embracing the Marvel Cinematic Universe and officially adopting the term "variant" in their latest stories. In Fantastic Four #35 and Kang the Conqueror, the different versions of Kang not only refer to each other as variants, but the Sacred Timeline that also appeared in Loki has seemingly become Marvel Comics canon as well.
With Kevin Feige taking the lead for both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Marvel Comics, a new kind of synergy has been created between the two mediums. As new series, movies, and characters are introduced and revealed in the MCU, new comic projects have been announced simultaneously. It's why Marvel Comics has seen new series starring Moon Knight, Kang the Conqueror, and soon, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. While the comics have entirely different continuity, it's exciting to see them coexist alongside the MCU in a meaningful way that should help introduce new readers to the medium - as previously, there was little connection.
In last week's Fantastic Four #35 by Dan Slott, John Romita Jr., JP Mayer, Scott Hanna, Cam Smith, Rafael Fonteriz, Mark Morales, Marte Gracia, Erick Arciniega, different versions of Kang the Conqueror meet together to discuss how to destroy the Fantastic Four across different timelines. Among the variants include Immortus, the Scarlet Centurion, Rama-Tut, and Kang. Joining the meetings is Scion, who is introduced by being called a "variant." It's the second time the descriptor has been used, as it also appeared in the first issue of Kang the Conqueror's ongoing miniseries.
The term variant has clearly gained traction following its heavy use in the Disney+ series Loki. The phrase is used to describe alternate versions of the same character from different timelines. For example, multiple versions of Loki appeared in the series, including Sylvie, Kid Loki, and Alligator Loki. Interestingly enough, the same Fantastic Four comic featured multiple uses of the "Sacred Timeline," which played a key role in Loki and establishing the Multiverse in the MCU. While the Sacred Timeline has been mentioned once before in a Cable comic, it seems like the Marvel Comics Universe is reintroducing it as the version that appeared in Loki.
It's exciting to see the comics embrace variants and the Sacred Timeline. Who knows, maybe Marvel Comics will reintroduce "He Who Remains" next and debut a version that's more connected with Kang the Conqueror like the character was in Loki. Regardless, it's cool to see the variants and the Sacred Timeline go from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to becoming Marvel Comics canon.