For Avengers: Secret Wars to be a success, the MCU adaptation needs to avoid falling into the same trap as the original Secret Wars comics. First released in 1984, the comics were mainly intended to promote a new toy line and create a setting for fantasy battles. With the film likely to adapt the 2015 comics instead for its more substantial content, the MCU must make sure that there’s a thorough setup for each of its characters and plots instead of something more insubstantial.

The original Secret Wars is regarded as one of the first crossover events in the Marvel comics, bringing characters from different storylines and universes together. With its nature, there will likely be a plethora of heroes the audience will have to follow. While Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War show that the MCU is no stranger to an ensemble cast of heroes, Avengers: Secret Wars will have a more difficult job of setting up its battles thanks to the sheer amount of diversity on display in the comic book source material. This makes it arguably an even greater challenge than anything the MCU has done before.

Related: Why Avengers: Secret Wars Might Not Be A Sequel To Avengers 5

The MCU Can't Copy Marvel's Original Secret Wars

Captain Marvel fighting against other heroes in Secret Wars comic

The 1984 Secret Wars is not a grand story like Civil War and The Infinity War. Although it introduced the concept of a crossover, the simple premise was that the powerful cosmic entity the Beyonder wanted to round up Earth’s heroes and villains to fight for his own entertainment. Released alongside the toys, the Secret Wars concept was originally used as promotion for the figurines so despite being a solid story, the MCU will likely have to stray away from the original storyline to give Avengers: Secret Wars more substantial content.

The big difference between the 1984 and 2015 Secret Wars is how the latter showcases the Ultimate Universe Earth-1610 colliding with Earth-616. Because of this, the 2015 Secret Wars is likely what the MCU will adapt for the Multiverse Saga, but probably not without its changes. So far, it has been clear that Kang the Conqueror will serve as the big villain of the Multiverse Saga. In both versions of the comics, Doctor Doom is the heavy hitter that the heroes must take down. While the MCU could still introduce him before Avengers: Secret Wars, Doctor Doom’s role will likely be taken over by Kang with how he has been set up.

Secret Wars Already Risks Becoming A Mess

Avengers Secret Wars She-Hulk

Both versions of the comics take place in the patchwork world “Battleworld,” which was created from destroyed remnants of different realities. The concept of the multiverse has already proven to be complex and messy if not handled correctly, and the setting of Secret Wars that combines different realities and universes will likely be no simpler. With a lineup of Marvel heroes and villains, from Doctor Doom to Miles Morales, who have not been introduced into the MCU yet, Avengers: Secret Wars has a lot of stories and a lot less time to set up than Infinity War or Avengers: Endgame had. Plus, with the sheer number of villains and heroes that take part in the Secret Wars plot, the MCU will have to be careful not to get carried away with character appearances and ensure the interactions aren’t overwhelming or forced.

While the MCU will likely take some liberties in adapting the Secret Wars comics, there is a lot of potential for some interesting storylines and important character setups. The MCU will have to make sure that the large cast of heroes and villains doesn’t get overwhelming while also working the story into what has been set up with Kang and the multiverse. Whichever direction the MCU takes, Avengers: Secret Wars must ensure that it is a cohesive conclusion to the Multiverse Saga and a thorough setup for phase 7.

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