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For the first chapter of the MCU, The Infinity Saga, Thanos was the overarching bad guy. He caused quite a stir in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he was only the start. The next chapter, The Multiverse Saga, is just beginning. The main baddie this time around is Kang the Conqueror. Kang can travel through time and alternate universes at will, making him a potentially more significant threat than Thanos. A variant of his known as He Who Remains has already appeared in the season one finale of Loki, but his first proper appearance will be in Antman and the Wasp Quantumania. Before Antman’s third solo outing, here are ten comics featuring Kang for fans to read to get an idea of what they are in for.
10. Avengers #8
What better place to start than the beginning? Kang made his first appearance in the original run of Avengers in issue number 8. While technically he first appeared in Fantastic Four #19, He was portrayed as a time-traveling Pharoah named Rama-Tut, and he didn’t have many of the characteristics he would later be known for. In Avengers #8, he appears in his famous armor, has his trademark powers, and calls himself Kang the Conqueror. Because of this, many fans count this as his true first appearance. Even in his first appearance, Kang proves himself to be a worthy foe. This gives fans an idea of his base powers and how it will take all of the Avengers to stop him.
9. Let the Games Begin (Avengers #69)
This issue sees the team reluctantly join Kang for the fate of the Earth. Fighting for the fate of his love, Kang must choose a team of champions to be put in a battle (later known as the Contest of Champions) against other champions. The orchestrator of the tournament is the Grandmaster, making his first appearance.
This issue is important to read because it not only features the Wasp as one of the Avengers but also a character known as Growing Man. Growing Man is an alien used by Kang that can grow to an enormous size. This character could likely make his MCU debut in Antman and the Wasp Quantumania, as he would fit right in with that mythos.
8. Timeless
Timeless is, to many, essential reading when it comes to Kang. This one-shot features Kang as he travels through different timelines in an attempt to rule one of them. Kang is searching for a missing moment that could change the entire landscape of Marvel. Having only been released last year, this comic is a perfect way for new fans to familiarize themselves with a modern Kang and the things he is capable of.
7. Early Young Avengers Comics
The Young Avengers comics feature the next generation of Marvel heroes as they form their own super team. In the early comics, a younger version of Kang the Conqueror is actually one of the founding members. These comics could be a hint of things to come, as the Young Avengers have already been teased in the MCU. Going under the name Iron Lad, this Kang variant founded the team alongside Kate Bishop and Kid Loki, two characters who have already appeared in the MCU. With the Young Avengers seemingly on the horizon, these comics could make for essential reading before an official announcement is even made.
6. Once an Avenger (Avengers #22-23)
In the comics, Kang’s love interest will occasionally join him in his conquests. Oftentimes, he does what he does for her. Her name is Ravonna Renslayer, and this is her first appearance. Antman and the Wasp Quantumania is to lay the foundation of Kang and what his ultimate goals are. Not to mention that, like Kang, Ravonna made her MCU debut in Loki. Reading this short story arc can prepare them for things to come.
5. Avengers West Coast #48
This comic is so important because many of the events here have already been adopted in the MCU. In fact, these events helped kick off the Multiverse Saga. One of the most powerful Kang variants is known as Immortus, and this variant was one of the loose inspirations for He Who Remains. This story sees Immortus as he manipulates a grieving Scarlet Witch into using her Nexus powers. She is grieving because she lost her husband and children. Sound familiar? This was the loose basis for Wandavision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The MCU could very well reveal Kang was behind those events, just as he was in the comics.
4. Council of Kangs (Avengers #267-269)
This story sees Kang the Conqueror seeking to destroy all of his variants. This leads to an all-out multiversal war between these variants. While not seen on screen, this event has already been implied to have happened in the MCU. He Who Remains implies he is the last of the variants, and his life is the only thing keeping the others at bay. When he is killed, the door is left wide open for other, more dangerous variants to walk into the MCU. With time travel being a big part of the MCU going forward, it isn’t outside the realm of possibility that fans will be able to see at least some of this war.
3. Kang War One
Kang War One sees an incredibly powerful Kang trying to overthrow the world when The Avengers are split during Civil War II. What makes this story so important is which Avengers go up against Kang. Sam Wilson as Captain America, Jane Foster as Thor, and Spiderman are all heroes likely to face Kang head-on in the MCU, and this comic sees them stand toe to toe with him. Being released in 2016, this story will likely lend itself to heavy adaptation in terms of characterization, so fans should try to seek it out before watching Antman and the Wasp Quantumania.
2. Avengers Forever
This may very well be one of the most important Kang stories because it will likely be used as the basis for the Multiverse Saga. This story sees Immortus enacting his final plan for domination. Kang himself sees to stop him and pulls Avengers members from the past, present, and future. Members of the team being pulled from different timelines have already happened on a smaller scale in the MCU, so the big final battle against Kang will very likely be taken out of the pages of this comic. Even Wasp, Giant-Man, and Yellowjacket are part of this story, further connecting it to Antman.
1. Kang Dynasty (Avengers #41-54)
This is the story the MCU is likely leading up to. After all, this story and the fifth Avengers movie share a name, Kang Dynasty. This story sees Kang successfully take over Earth. The Avengers must do all they can to take their home back. Kang the Conqueror is set to do some serious damage in the MCU, and Avengers: Kang Dynasty could very well be the ramifications of that. This comic can help fans prepare themselves for what could be the biggest battle the MCU has seen yet, or will ever see.
