The case for permanent death in the MCU

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR ‘AVENGERS: ENDGAME’ BELOW

In comic books, death is not permanent. But one major “Avengers: Endgame” (watch the trailer) (opening in theaters April 26) death must remain a death that should never been retconned, reversed or otherwise undone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

For every Thomas Wayne, Uncle Ben Parker or Gwen Stacy (characters who have died and stayed dead in the comics), there's a Superman, Captain America, Supergirl, Cyclops, Professor X, Jean Grey, Jason Todd, Wolverine, Bucky Barnes or Hal Jordan. In comic books, permanent death is the exception, not the rule.

“The side effect of this myth-based storytelling is that death in a comic book is essentially meaningless. ”

This makes sense from an elemental point of view: comic book characters are avatars. The best characters are actual, fleshed out characters of depth and dimension - they become personalities worth personal investment. But all comic book characters are symbols. The Joker and Batman keep defying death because the endless dance between chaos and order is profoundly entertaining. If one dies, the other is exposed as necessarily defined by his adversary.

The side effect of this myth-based storytelling is that death in a comic book is essentially meaningless. Some patient writers can resist the urge to resurrect a character for years - but more often than not, the "death" of a major character can be measured in months. This lowers the stakes for any story. Even when Wolverine had the adamantium ripped from his skeleton, it was just a matter of time before some contrived plot had adamantium re-bonded to Logan's skeleton. Actions don't have long-term, permanent consequences - this not a satisfying storytelling model, but it's actually almost necessary if comics are used as the modern myth. Wolverine necessarily needs an indestructible skeleton - not just because it makes him "cool," it also fundamentally defines Wolverine's psyche - and the pathos he lives with. Death would afford Wolverine an escape from decades of emotional turmoil - his indestructible skeleton and healing factor are assets on the battlefield, but they are liabilities to his personality (rooted in the cost of a life lead by violence).

But the Marvel Cinematic Universe is different. And death must be permanent in the MCU.

Marvel could have easily just produced solo Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Captain America movies for years - just as Fox had done with the X-Men, Sony with Spider-Man or Warner Bros with Batman. The old formula was working just fine. That was the status quo. In 2008, no one would have seriously faulted Marvel if they had just created a series of solo franchises, each siloed off from the others. But the Nick Fury tag at the end of 'Iron Man' instantly and irrevocably created the MCU - and the MCU was created for the Avengers.

A decade and more than twenty films later, the MCU created a tapestry of connected stories, each new one branching out further and pushing the boundaries of the MCU further and wider. New, individual franchises kept popping up. The MCU kept expanding in scope - started out very grounded, and growing across space, time and dimensions (both great and small). But for all of the MCU's rapid expansion, it always came back to the Avengers. Earth's mightiest heroes formed the foundation for a story that hurtled toward one inevitable inflection point: 'Endgame.'

And the Avengers had to die with 'Endgame.'

“If printed comic books have value as myths disconnected from time - then films have value because they are firmly rooted in time.”

The MCU is a different mechanism than comic books. Both are arguably rooted in mythology - but the two media differ in permanence. They both tell essentially the same stories - sometimes the MCU lifts plots straight from the comics. But dozens of writers and artists have crafted Iron Man stories since the 1960s ... but there's just one Robert Downey Jr. And when the same person is the face and persona of any singular character (much less Iron Man himself) for nearly half of the MCU's films, you can't just re-cast Tony Stark. RDJ is Iron Man to a whole generation of movie fans (hardcore and casual MCU fans alike) - impressive for a character who has been around for almost 60 years.

Especially "informed" MCU fans were all too aware Downey's contract with Marvel Studios was ending after 'Endgame.' Chris Evans has openly said he wanted 'Endgame' to be his final appearance as Captain America. But these fundamentally dry business decisions afforded the MCU an opportunity the Marvel Comics could never have: closure.

““Logan” had value because it committed to Wolverine’s impermanence - rather than almost every “X-Men” movie before it, that rejected or ignored his mortality.”

If printed comic books have value as myths disconnected from time - then films have value because they are firmly rooted in time. Even Hugh Jackman aged out of portraying the ageless Wolverine (despite sharing the world record for longest career as a live action superhero). While CGI de-aging technology can make 70-year-old Samuel L. Jackson look half his age in "Captain Marvel," eventually all journeys must come to an end. The critically-acclaimed "Logan" was brilliant because the story was rooted in the character's age and final adventure. "Logan" had value because it committed to Wolverine's impermanence - rather than almost every "X-Men" movie before it, that rejected or ignored his mortality.

But in the context of 'Endgame,' the death of the Avengers isn't as simple as seeing Black Widow or Iron Man die on-screen. The death of Tony Stark, the sacrifice of Natasha Romanoff, the retirement of Steve Rogers and even the transformation of Fat Thor were heartbreaking markers heralding the end of the Avengers. Their character arcs, which began the MCU's first films, were largely completed and resolved in 'Endgame.'

Stark enters the MCU defined by his narcissism and selfishness. He's often called the guy who wouldn't sacrifice himself for a greater good. Before joining SHIELD, Romanoff had racked up a spiritual debt - she's quietly racked by the guilt of killing so many people before Clint Barton convinced her to drop that life and start over with SHIELD. Rogers was willing to break the law to put the lives of other ahead of his own. Thor was an entitled brute who only wanted to rule Asgard. Bruce Banner is in constant conflict with his inner demon, The Hulk, for control.

As 'Endgame' closes, Stark has sacrificed himself selflessly, Romanoff has purpose and she gave own life to save trillions, Rogers desires a life of peace rather than war, Thor accepts that he is a warrior and not a ruler and Banner coexists with The Hulk. Their disparate, winding adventures throughout the MCU allowed them to resolve their underlying character arcs by the conclusion of 'Endgame.'

And up to the point of 'Endgame,' the MCU still came back to the Avengers. "Captain Marvel" affirms that SHIELD director Nick Fury came up with idea for the Avengers when he realized there were intergalactic threats beyond the scope or power of any military might. There were threats out there that were even too big for any one superhero - massive threats that would require a team of superheroes. The film released immediately before the last "Avengers" film reinforces the notion that the MCU exists for the Avengers.

In the comics, Iron Man and Captain America are among the mile-long list of characters who have died only to be resurrected again down the road. But permanently closing out Cap and Iron Man's stories put a bittersweet and profound period at the end of their sentences - and allows the MCU to truly and finally grow beyond the Avengers.

“Earth has an Avengers-sized void. ”

Since the beginning of the MCU, the world has had Tony Stark there to protect the world. His technological advancements have reshaped the world. His role as Iron Man helped establish some form of world peace. The Battle of New York introduced the world to the Avengers - a team of superheroes who could keep Earth safe.

By the closing of 'Endgame,' most of the Avengers are either dead, retired or simply walked away from being an Avenger. Their base is obliterated. Earth's mightiest heroes have disbanded.

Earth has an Avengers-sized void. And if anything, the number of protectors and threats will greatly increase after the Avengers disband. The very next MCU film, 'Spider-Man: Far From Home,' takes place just days after the defeat of Thanos and the end of the Avengers. Plenty of MCU heroes survived 'Endgame' and there are plenty of new heroes and villains to step into the MCU, but simply making them new members of the revitalized Avengers is not the answer.

Even in the comics, the Avengers are not Earth's only defenders. And yet again, cold business dealings will direct storytelling decisions. The recent merger of Disney and 20th Century Fox means the Fantastic Four and the X-Men can join the MCU - which still has Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy on the job.

“For the MCU to truly grow, it must abandon old conventions.”

The death of the Avengers allows the new MCU heroes a chance to lead a new generation of heroes, who will face new, unfamiliar adversaries from still unexplored corners of the galaxy, from new frontiers (like the Negative Zone) or even an emerging "threat" of Earth-born beings born with superpowers.

When "Iron Man" was released in 2008, Tony Stark and his suit of armor was not a household name. In the mid-90s, Tony Stark was considered such a secondary character that studios passed up the opportunity to buy the film rights for Iron Man, Thor or any of the Avengers. Just a few years ago, only hardcore comic book fans knew who the Guardians of the Galaxy were. And now in 2019, Iron Man and the Guardians are among Marvel's most beloved characters. At this point, after more than twenty great films, the storytellers at Marvel Studios have more than earned the trust of fans - trust that they can and will find compelling ways to present their immense catalog of characters and drop them into engrossing stories.

Death in the MCU must be permanent. The question is not "who will be the next Iron Man?" or "who will lead the Avengers now?" Although Captain America is a mantle that can be passed on from Steve Rogers to Sam Wilson, Tony Stark is gone. While most of the Avengers survived the final battle with Thanos, the Avengers - as a concept - dissolved into dust along with Thanos at the end of the Battle of Earth.

And that is a good thing. For the MCU to truly grow, it must abandon old conventions. The Marvel Universe has always been far larger than any one character - and the future of the MCU is exciting. Current characters (Daredevil, the Punisher) can be remolded into new stories. New interstellar beings are on the horizon (Adam Warlock and the Eternals). And classic, beloved heroes and villains are now within the MCU stable (Doctor Doom, Wolverine, the Fantastic Four, Galactus, Annihilus and Deadpool).

Iron Man is more of a mantle in the comic books - not necessarily tied to Tony Stark. Other characters have taken up the Iron Man title and rocked the armor. Iron Man could conceivably return to the MCU, but the death of the Avengers must remain permanent.

The MCU had existed for the Avengers - now the MCU must redefine itself completely. And that begins by accepting the Avengers - as a team and as a franchise - died when Stark defeated Thanos.