Madripoor's Comic History & MCU Future Explained

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier brought Madripoor to the Marvel Cinematic Universe; here's a breakdown of the location's history in Marvel Comics and what role it can play in Phase 4 and beyond. The second Marvel Studios show on Disney+ delivered a rousing adventure focused on Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) that explored the legacy of Captain America. The series gave fans a chance to understand both characters better, but Marvel also used it to expand different parts of the MCU.

Madripoor is one of the new additions to the MCU thanks to The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. The fictional island served as the primary location of episode 3, as Sam, Bucky, and Baron Zemo traveled there searching for answers to a new super-soldier serum. The neon-lit criminal hideout proved to be the base of operation for the Power Broker, with Sharon Carter living in Hightown. She is shown in Madripoor a few other times during The Falcon and The Winter Soldier's final episodes. The relatively small role for Madripoor in the series leaves Marvel with plenty of opportunities to revisit it in the future.

Due to Madripoor's history in the comics, fans became excited about the idea of its MCU introduction from the moment set photos linked it to The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. It would be quite shocking if Marvel doesn't have plans to revisit the location in the future, especially considering all of the X-Men connections it has. But what exactly is Madripoor, and what future could it have in the MCU?

Madripoor's Comic History Explained

MCU phase 4 could Wolverine hiding Madripoor

The comics version of Madripoor was created by Chris Claremont and Steve Leialoha in 1985 when it appeared in New Mutants #32. The small Southeast Asian island is located south of Singapore and is officially known as the Principality of Madripoor. It was originally a haven for pirates and outlaws, and that lawless experience remained a key part of its appeal and dangerous reputation. This makes it a perfect place for Marvel's biggest villains to visit, as Madripoor doesn't cooperate with international authorities to convict them of any crimes. Criminal organizations like Hydra and the Hand have used Madripoor as a base of operation.

Madripoor is both the name of the main island and its capital city. The capital of Madripoor is divided into two territories known as Hightown and Lowtown, which received their names based on the wealth of its residents. Hightown is where the extremely wealthy live a more lavish lifestyle. It is home to Madripoor's best hotels and the only airport. Lowtown is overrun with criminals and the poor. This is also where the Brass Monkey Saloon, the Princess Bar, and more can be found. Both parts of Madripoor have been featured plenty during the last nearly forty years, and all types of Marvel characters have traveled to it at some point. But, the location is undeniably best known for its connections to the X-Men.

Madripoor's X-Men Connections

The X-Men are well-connected to Madripoor, but Wolverine's adventures there are among the most noteworthy. Back in 1988, the X-Men were believed to be dead in the Marvel universe. Wolverine travels to Madripoor at this time and changes his identity. With his slicked-back hair, white suit, and eyepatch, Logan becomes known as Patch to everyone in Madripoor. He used this cover to try and clean up the streets of Lowtown, and the city's lawless nature allows Wolverine to become a bit more unhinged. Logan also forms relationships with some of the most powerful individuals in Madripoor, such as Tyger Tiger (the owner of the Princess Bar), to try and make Madripoor a better place. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier didn't feature Patch, but it's possible Wolverine is already hiding in Madripoor.

There was also a long period of time where Madame Viper was the ruler over Madripoor, which brought her into conflict with plenty of X-Men and other Marvel heroes. Ophelia Sarkissian is far from just an X-Men villain, but her fights with the New Mutants and Wolverine link her to the X-Men in major ways. Her path to ruling Madripoor even came after coercing Wolverine to marry her. Madame Viper instituted bloodspot tournaments too, which Wolverine, the demon Ogun, and many others participated in.

Recent comic events have also brought Magneto's version of the X-Mansion to Madripoor. This addition to Madripoor came in 2017 when Magneto began helping a group of X-Men from the past stuck in the present day. Magneto's X-Mansion has its own Danger Room and was where past versions of Jean Grey, Cyclops, Beast, Iceman, and Angel called home. They fought multiple villains at this location before returning to their original timeline. But, Magneto's daughter Polaris and Danger currently reside in the X-Mansion, where they train the mutant team known as Raksha.

How Madripoor Can Return In The MCU

Madripoor comic history MCU future Falcon and the winter soldier

With the various X-Men connections built into Madripoor, the introduction in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier should be only the beginning of its presence in the MCU. Future movies or shows can now easily revisit the location without having to completely introduce a new location. Even if Wolverine isn't already running around as Patch in Madripoor, that is something the MCU could look to do in the future. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier possibly included a reference to another mutant with Selby, so additional visits to the island could result in more mutants appearing. At this point, it won't be surprising if Madripoor is tied to multiple X-Men projects once Marvel Studios really starts developing them.

Even beyond Madripoor's X-Men ties, the island could be a frequently visited location in the MCU. The end of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier confirmed Sharon Carter is the Power Broker and teased her plans. Sharon might now be pardoned, but Power Broker's base of operation could remain in Madripoor due to the city's lack of laws and likely proximity to potential clients. This could allow Madripoor to be seen again in whichever MCU project Sharon appears in next, whether in Armor Wars, Secret Invasion, Captain America 4, or something else. Then again, if Sharon moves out of Madripoor, it could allow another villain - such as Madame Viper - to come in and take control. While we don't know for sure when Madripoor will be seen again, it is clear The Falcon and The Winter Soldier won't be its only MCU appearance.

MORE: Why Sharon Carter Became The Power Broker (& What She Wants Now)