THE Marvel Cinematic Universe is now officially connected to the Marvel Comics continuity, with the debut of a new comic book series that acts as a bridge between the live-action universe and the comic book pages. Of course, within the multiverse everything is connected and crossovers between different media formats have been seen before, but the TVA the comic series directly unites the MCU and the main Marvel comics continuity.
TVA (2024) #1 – written by Katharyn Blair, with art by Père Perez – begins with Spider-Gween being recruited by the TVA to help launch the "New and improved TVA"after the events of the Disney+ series Loki season two, when the time loom was destroyed and the Marvel Multiverse was freed from the organization's control.
Gwen is currently hiding out at TVA after an incident in her home timeline, so she decided to help even the OB - the same OB who appeared in Loki – you can figure out what to do with it.
TVA (2024) #1 – Written by Katharyn Blair; Art Bt Père Perez; Color by Guru-eFX; Joe Sabino Lyrics
The Time Variance Authority, or TVA, is an organization created by a variant of Kang the Conqueror that exists outside of space and time, separate from any timeline; therefore, there is only one in the Marvel Multiverse. The characters in TVA #1, including Mrs. Minutes, Mobius, B-15, OB and even the Loki statue, all bear a striking resemblance to the Disney+ versions Loki series, because they aim to be exactly the same versions of the characters. THE TVA the comic series also follows the events of an MCU show, technically making it an MCU tie-in comic.
Only pre-existing MCU characters can be used in tie-ins, but this new concept of “bridge media,” where Marvel Comics delves into the MCU, could allow for some flexibility with this rule.
The MCU has had tie-in comics before, mostly movie prequels, but even some one-shots that tell a completely new story within the MCU and don't set up a movie. Even though the comics have become a staple, Marvel Studios still refuses to do an ongoing series set in the MCU as they want to keep storylines and character introductions for movies and TV. This also means that only pre-existing MCU characters can be used in tie-ins, but this new concept of “bridge media,” where Marvel Comics delves into the MCU, could allow for some flexibility with this rule.
The growing interaction between page and screen
TVA is becoming a kind of bridge between all media formats that make up the Marvel Universe. Existing outside of space and time, the TVA acts as a hub, in the middle of everything, and creates the opportunity for comics to transition into live-action and vice versa, and for all universes to connect with each other. In other words, characters from the main Marvel comics continuity can now visit the MCU. While it was technically possible before, it has now been officially confirmed on the page that the MCU and comics can freely intertwine.
In addition to the TVA, there have been other points of connection to the MCU between different forms of media within the Marvel Multiverse. One of these connection points was the Runes of Kof-Kol, the spell of Spider-Man: No Way Home which created a rift in the Multiverse and displaced Spider-Man's villains to the wrong universes. The result of this spell was seen in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and one of the displaced villains captured by the Spider Society is the MCU's Prowler, played by actor Donald Glover; Concept art for the film reveals that the live-action variant originates from the MCU.
More MCU tie-in comics that connect to the main Marvel continuity will likely be on the way
TVA It's just the beginning
There was another notable moment where the MCU and comics crossed paths. In Spider-Geddon (2018) #5, during the final battle, Tom Holland's Spider-Man appears in the background of one of the action scenes as a group of Spider-Totems come through a portal to fight the Inheritors. This means that the Web of Life and Destiny, the connection point between the Spider-Verse, is also a connection point with the MCU. Geddon Spider shows that the TVA The comic book series isn't the first time the MCU and comics have crossed paths, and I hope it won't be the last.
Marvel Studios turned down an ongoing comic book series set in the MCU, but that doesn't mean there can't continue to be comics that delve into the MCU, or vice versa. So far, TVA has been the greatest example, as a series that ties directly into the events of the MCU Loki. Kahhori: Reshaper of Worlds, a comic book associated with the MCU that crossed over with the comic book universe. Although technically from a And if...? timeline, this is another example of Marvel Studios connecting their timelines with the comics. These two examples could hint at more tie-ins and miniseries that will connect to the MCU soon.
How much will Marvel Studios allow Marvel comics to crossover into their universe?
Fans hope for greater synergy between media
Lately, there have been a few comics tied to Marvel Studios And if...? timelines, including Kahhori: Reshaper of Worlds and Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Manthe first of which brought an original Marvel Studios character into the comics' 616 continuity. The comics are much more likely to allow MCU characters to make the quick jump to the comics, but Marvel Studios is much pickier when it comes to which characters they want to appear in which projects. Even if Marvel Comics continues to publish comics without bridging connections, it's a step in the right direction.
Of course, there are a variety of reasons why crossovers between the MCU and mainstream Marvel Comics continuity are somewhat restricted, with the differences between the mediums being just the starting point. Additionally, developing a consistent and coherent story across multiple mediums is tricky, given that there are so many moving parts to the behind-the-scenes creative process of comic book production, and even more so when it comes to film and television. However, a coordinated effort on Marvel's part to at least try shows that they recognize fans' appetite for this.and wants each story to be as meaningful as possible.
For fans of Marvel's broader multimedia experience, we hope TVA's Ghost-Spider's jump into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is just the beginning.
Comic book characters have joined the MCU, and characters from the MCU have traveled to comic books and other forms of media, but the biggest question after all of this is whether comic variants of the characters will eventually start appearing in live-action. Especially with the MCU in its multiverse saga, and some great crossover films like Avengers: Secret Wars Coming in the next few years, anything is possible. For fans of Marvel's broader multimedia experience, we hope Ghost-Spider's jump from TVA to Marvel Cinematic Universe It's just the beginning.
TVA #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.
Having escaped from a different timeline, Loki stars in his own titular series, where he learns about his predecessor's life and discovers the truth about time and space. In the show, Loki reluctantly becomes part of the Time Variance Authority (TVA), an interdimensional governing body that keeps time in order. On the chopping block, Loki has a chance to save himself by helping the TVA hunt down someone more dangerous than him - another Loki.