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Marvel Cinematic Universe: Disassembled

Why the Marvel Netflix Shows Shouldn't Be a Part of the MCU

By Steven BrinnPublished 6 years ago 6 min read
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2017 has seen a major shift for Marvel Comics and it isn't even over yet. When it comes to comics, after the controversial Secret Empire storyline, the popular company looks to begin anew with Marvel Legacy. On the big screen James Gunn and crew are returning for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Considered the first big movie of the summer went on to gross $145 million domestically with an additional $124 overseas. In comparison Fate of the Furious brought in $98.8M, Logan clawed its way to $70M and the original Guardians opening to $94 million in the US. Perhaps the most exciting Marvel project is the upcoming Netflix series, The Punisher.

Frank Castle has finally exacted revenge on those who killed his wife and children. Since killing Colonel Schoonover he has continued to distribute justice the only way he knows how with the help of Karen Page and tech wizard "Micro." As his legend grows throughout New York City he uncovers a conspiracy that goes beyond the city's criminal empires. Having to leave NYC The Punisher will have to take the conspirators down by any means necessary.

With a new Netflix show we have also seen the return of the biggest questions surrounding these streaming shows, how do they tie into the Marvel Cinematic Universe? It has been discussed many times and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has gone on record multiple times that the two will cross over. I understand when it comes to a show like Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter. Not only did it star Agent Coulson, who first appear in the movies, but S.H.I.E.L.D. has been an integral part to the MCU since the beginning. Naturally the same has been asked about shows like Daredevil, The Punisher and Defenders. The one thing nobody seems to be asking is should they?

A World of Their Own

Perhaps the biggest reason to keep the two separate is that the two universes don't need each other. Shows like Iron Fist don't necessarily need the movie universe and perhaps the best example of it working comes from Marvel's biggest rivals, DC Entertainment. Since 2012 DC have been an enormous success with their Arrowverse shows. Comprised of Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl these CW programs have created their own little universe independent of the movies. They even have their own versions of prominent DCEU characters such as The Flash, The Suicide Squad, and Superman. Similarly, while polarizing the Fox show Gotham has found its own following by being its own thing. Straying even further from the source material than any other DC show this Batman prequel series has gained a bit of a cult following a crazy alternate version of the Batman mythos.

A lot of the reason they work is that they are so different from the DCEU. While the DCEU films have tended to be darker and self-serious the shows have gone a different route. Wisely they have aimed to be a bit lighter and more like classic comic book stories. Providing audiences an experience that their more popular peers just can't provide. And despite their lower budgets they have been able to gain traction thanks to their distinct look, charismatic casts and spot on storytelling. Sound familiar? Not only do the Netflix shows do these things but they have thrived thanks to their distinctly different feel from the films.

A Completely Different Voice

The other big reason to keep the two separate is the tone of the Netflix shows. The Marvel movies have done an amazing job establishing a tone that is able to take the material seriously while still feeling lighthearted. Movies like Iron Man 3 and Captain America: Civil War were able to combine serious stories while still being family friendly. It's common to see families and and older fanboys at any given screening. It's popcorn entertainment in the best way possible. It is also the opposite of the shows Marvel does for Netflix.

While it is a cliché the term gritty is the perfect description for these Netflix exclusives. Dealing more with street-level crime than intergalactic threats shows such as Jessica Jones and Daredevil have more in common with CSI than Spiderman. The tone and pacing feels more like a police procedural than anything else. Even brighter shows like Luke Cage have a tendency to have a grimy look not often seen in the cinema. With such a different look it is hard to imagine the two worlds meshing well together.

Parental Discretion Advised

A big part of this is the Netflix format and the freedom it provides. Thanks to the less restrictive medium these Netflix shows have been able be more adult in its content. As much destruction as there can be in your average Marvel movie, they really aren't bloody. You are much more likely to see a city destroyed than bloodshed. It's a sharp contrast to the shows where side characters like Frank Castle have shed more blood in an episode of Daredevil than the first two Thor movies combined. And while Tony Stark is flirting with Aunt May and Pepper Potts, Luke Cage has explicitly hooked up with three major characters in the Netflix universe. That isn't to say it's all superficial things like blood and sex.

Like the heroes they are about the Netflix shows some of the issues tackled are darker and heavier than their big screen counterparts. Perhaps the best example is 2015's Jessica Jones. A superhero show on its surface it is more about control, addiction, sexual abuse and the emotional struggles that comes with it. Meanwhile Luke Cage was an unapologetically black show with the Hero of Harlem taking on gentrification, the struggles of the inner city and reclaiming the hoodie as a symbol of hope. Each show tackling tough and critical issues that need more than a single movie.

A Shared Universe Interferes With The Storytelling

Since Daredevil's 2015 debut, like their theatrical counterparts, the Netflix shows, have done a fantastic job creating their own universe. Wisely they have had characters like Claire Temple and Sgt. Brett Mahoney make appearances on multiple shows, connecting them all together. It may sound minor but it goes a long way in creating a mythology for each show. A mythology that is entirely separate from the MCU. Aside from passing mentions of other heroes and the Chitauri invasion in The Avengers the MCU doesn't really play a factor which works out for the best.

While Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. can be fun one the show's biggest issues is having to acquiesce to what happens on the big screen. Seemingly after every movie they must do an episode dealing with the aftermath the next week. Admittedly the influence has increased over time with the two interacting less and less. While usually handled well it can throw off the pace of a story arc going on by needlessly including links to the main movies. With the Netflix shows being such a hit I don't see why they should repeat the same mistake.

Defenders Disassembled

Now all of this isn't to say that the Marvel Netflix programs are hurt by their association with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In fact, they probably wouldn't exist without the success of movies like Iron Man and The Avengers. With that said the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn't necessary either. As the shows have evolved they have strayed more and more from the main Marvel universe and become its own thing. With The Punisher pushing the comic studio's violence quota to a whole new level it may finally be time for the two to go their own ways.

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About the Creator

Steven Brinn

Covering action movies, horror and assorted other wackiness. Follow me on Twitter: @douchebagbatman

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