Before the article begins, WARNING! THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS FOR IRONHEART AND THE FUTURE OF THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE!
It all started with WandaVision back in 2021. Everyone watching saw one thing and hoped it was more. An expert scientist meant Reed Richards was coming. The existence of S.W.O.R.D. meant that Abigail Brand and the X-Men were on their way. And a random fly or rabbit says that someone big-time and evil was involved in everything going on when it was Agatha all along.
When it was announced that Parker Robbins (aka the Hood) was involved in Ironheart, every Marvel Comics fan started to wonder about his hood and who or what is the source of his powers. Did this mean that Dormammu would be returning after what Stephen Strange did to him? Was the creative team going with the Benjamin Percy route, with Zarathos being the source of his abilities? Or was this writer right in his initial article when he said that Mephisto was debuting? Well, not to toot my own horn but, toot toot, readers.
The Lord of Hell, Mephisto, made his highly anticipated debut in, of all stories, Ironheart. And, to top it all off, someone who only true fans of movies understood the brilliance was cast. Sacha Baron Cohen is playing the MCU’s Lord of Evil, and he was everything that you wanted him to be.
Mephisto shows up eating pizza like Death in season 5 of Supernatural. He was charming, persuasive, and obviously evil. However, despite knowing what it will cost, you want to trust him. So, when Riri Williams accepted his offer, despite knowing what it does, you couldn't help but be shocked, but also understand her choice.
The decision to sell her soul did more than surprise the audience. It showed the gift of negotiation and the corrupting influence Mephisto has. He does the major things, like play into Parker’s insecurities and Riri’s need to help people to get the deal made. And, something so subtle as speaking in an American accent to Parker and English to Riri shows that even his voice is used strategically. It was outstanding.
Plus, the writers made him more than just an entity that influenced Parker Robbins. He explains to Riri that he’s helped all 100 of Forbes' richest people, plus 14 kings, three popes, and a Beetle (Ringo). He also mentioned knowing Shakespeare and called him a (censored), proving that he’s been around for a long time. These two teenagers didn’t stand a chance, and neither do future characters in the MCU.
There’s no way Ironheart and the Hood were the only Marvel Comics characters to make a deal with the Devil. I truly believe we’re going to see the reach Mephisto has in future Marvel Studios projects. Don’t forget, Mary Jane made a deal with Mephisto once (Spider-Man: One More Day). Who’s to say she won’t do it again? Maybe this time it’s Peter making the deal for the people he loves.
Or, and hear me out, what if the storyline Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment comes into play soon? Everyone would love a magical battle between Benedict Cumberbatch's Stephen Strange and Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom.
Regardless of what's next, big things are coming for Marvel Studios. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to find out what they are.
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