2023's Secret Invasion star Martin Freeman promises a new wave of Marvel television. In an interview with Digital Spy, the actor, who appeared in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, told the publication the new Marvel show will be a departure from the Marvel television formula in a big way.
While Secret Invasion is set to follow Nick Fury, Agent Ross, and the Skrulls from Captain Marvel, the current slate of Marvel television shows has already given audiences many characters to root for. Each of the main characters across the current eight shows has lines that sum them up perfectly.
"You Showed Me That Being A Hero Isn’t Just For People Who Can Fly..."
Clint Barton - Hawkeye
Clint Barton has established himself as an experienced fighter, and being an Avenger, he's constantly fighting evil as one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. His starring role in last year's Hawkeye saw him shooting into familiar territory, taking down crime as New York's resident archer.
This quote is said to Barton by his new protege, Kate Bishop, but it speaks to his character. While Barton was certainly not the flashiest Avenger, his time throughout the MCU has been spent as the everyman. His bravery inspired Bishop and shows that his heroism wasn't a result of his circumstance but is instead an intuitive trait.
"I’m Great At Controlling My Anger. I Do It All The Time."
Jennifer Walters - She-Hulk: Attorney At Law
Jennifer Walters is the MCU's newest superhero from the small screen, as her series, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, follows her antics as an attorney engaging in legal affairs on a superpowered scale. Navigating becoming a Hulk and defending varous zany criminals, she needs more restraint than the average lawyer.
Jennifer Walters' transformation into She-Hulk seemed pre-destined. Her stifled anger and aggression that she bottled up for most of her life come springing forth when she becomes a female Hulk. The show explores Jennifer's role of being a woman in the modern world and delves into Jens insecurities and how she struggles with which parts of herself to reveal to the world.
“My Body Wants To Get Up... I Don’t Even Know About It Until I Wake Up Wherever.”
Steven Grant - Moon Knight
Moon Knight is a unique show and explores the dynamic between mercenary Marc Spector and his alter ego, Steven Grant. The show opens the door to the supernatural through Steven's eyes, who begins to experience visions and strange delusions. His sleep-walking opens him up to Marc's life as a servant of an Egyptian god, Khonshu.
This quote not only explains Steven's lack of awareness concerning sharing a body but tells a lot about his naive demeanor. Steven's experiences are the lens through which the audience views the show. With Steven as a spectator to the supernatural world, he learns to accept the superhero persona and adopts an active versus passive role in his shared life.
“You Are The Only Real Superpower I Ever Had.”
Marc Spector - Moon Knight
Marc Spector is a powerful protagonist, entering the MCU not only as the titular Moon Knight but leading his alter, Steven Grant, into the mystical world of Egyptian deities. Marc's relationship with those around him is second to his relationship with himself, and learning to accept himself and show genuine appreciation for the Steven splinter of his personality is a major part of his character arc.
Marc's self-acceptance is really what this quote refers to and is the summation of his journey through the series. His connection to Steven initially was to bury childhood trauma. Once their lives begin to collide, he realizes Steven is less of a buffer and more of a companion. In accepting Steven, he's able to heal and accept his perceived weakness as a strength.
"No One Bad Is Ever Truly Bad, And No One Good Is Ever Truly Good"
Loki - Loki
The third entry into MCU Disney+ territory sees Loki face a far more challenging enemy than ever before. He's introduced to both the TVA and other Loki variants across space and time. This series is integral to the multiverse saga of Phase 4.
This quote sums up Loki's arc throughout the series and the wider MCU, where he has been both villain and a hero. His journey in his own self-titled show, both in falling in love and taking down the TVA, speaks to an in-between state for his character. There is a gray morality here the God of Mischief has always had.
"I Don’t Need You To Tell Me Who I Am."
Wanda - WandaVision
Wanda's journey through the MCU is perhaps the greatest Marvel character arc of them all. The events in WandaVision saw Westview become a vessel for Wanda's grief, but her circumstances also allowed her to reach her fullest potential.
This quote sums up Wanda's character, illustrating her coming into her power as viewers had never seen. The series explored the depths of her grief, but she is not one to underestimate. The moment Wanda becomes the Scarlet Witch and embraces her power is a turning point for her and allows her total control over herself, for better or for worse.
"I Have Been A Voice With No Body, A Body But Not Human ... What I Might Be Next?"
Vision - WandaVision
WandaVision reintroduced a dead-ish character to the masses and not only brought him back to life but gave Vision a starring role. Through Wanda's magic, Vision is made real temporarily, and his arc shows him becoming increasingly aware that he's trapped in Wanda's delusion.
While Vision's most popular quote, "What is grief if not love persevering?" is a thoughtful rumination on love and loss, this quote is better suited to Vision's complexity. Having transformed through many different forms across the previous films, he evolves again in WandaVision. This quote is telling about his constant awareness with an eloquence only Vision has.
“Sometimes Someone Can Come Out Of Nowhere And Do Something Amazing.”
Kamala Khan - Ms. Marvel
This year's Ms. Marvel follows Kamala Khan's rise to power as a Muslim Pakistani-American teenager in this coming-of-age Marvel series. Kamala discovers a family heirloom, which is the key to unlocking her heroic potential.
Not since Peter Parker has the MCU explored a teenage hero's origin story with as much relatability as Kamala. Her struggles as a superhero come second to the cultural and familial pressure she faces as she strives to believe in herself and her cause. This quote focuses on Kamala's unfailing positivity and journey in self-discovery.
"If [Steve] Was Wrong About You, Then He Was Wrong About Me."
Bucky Barnes - The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Bucky Barnes' journey from skilled soldier to HYDRA weapon to a hero in his own right makes him a conflicted character. Primarily supporting Steve Rogers' movies, Bucky gets the spotlight in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and viewers see a bit into his psyche.
The quote illustrates Bucky's crisis and how Steve has shaped him. Bucky's identity is intertwined with Steve, as he championed him when no one else would. Sam's reluctance at Steve's faith in him wavers Bucky's own belief. Bucky's personal journey to finding his moral integrity is the constant of his character, and he encourages that in Sam as well.
"Stop Looking To Other People To Tell You Who You Are."
Sam Wilson - The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Sam Wilson's journey from sidekick in Captain America: The Winter Soldier to hero proves how much he's grown. His journey through his own series explores his reservations and acceptance about being a Black superhero.
Sam's arc through the series traces his reluctance to accept the mantle of Captain America on the pretense that he's not worthy. While Sam has always been a leader, he felt unworthy of his sudden position of power, exacerbated by Isaiah Bradley's struggles. Accepting himself and choosing to uphold the ideals the title required meant rising above the preconceived biases about who he was.