AVENGERS Fan's Guide to Preparing for Phase 4

During lockdown, I've become a bit of an AVENGERS fan. I've seen all of the movies but I'm unsure if I need to watch all of the series on Disney to prepare for Phase 4. I'm worried that some shows might be animated, and thus won't be as enjoyable as the films.

First and foremost, it's important to understand that animation has no bearing on one's enjoyment of a series or movie. If a show is geared towards younger audiences, you might find it uninteresting, but that's solely based on the target demographic, not the medium. The shows mentioned will not provide a direct connection to the upcoming Phase 4 of the MCU.

Given that only one series, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, is set to be released before the next MCU movie, Black Widow, you can easily finish it within three months. Additionally, only one show, What If, is animated and is not expected to be released until next year. This timing ensures that these series won't provide significant preparation for Phase 4, as they are themselves part of Phase 4.

It's important to note that none of these series connect directly to the MCU mainline continuity. Instead, you may want to prioritize watching other MCU TV shows first, which might provide you with valuable hints about the future of the MCU:

Daredevil - Three seasons on Netflix Jessica Jones - Three seasons on Netflix Luke Cage - Two seasons on Netflix Iron Fist - Two seasons on Netflix The Defenders - One miniseries on Netflix The Punisher - Two seasons on Netflix Agent Carter - Two seasons on ABC Agents of SHIELD - Seven seasons on ABC Inhumans - One season on ABC Runaways - Three seasons on Hulu Helstrom - One season on Hulu, releasing in 2020 Cloak and Dagger - Two seasons on Freeform

Marvel also provides one-shot films on their movie DVDs, which may be worth watching given their main timeline continuity.

It's crucial to understand that the animated series don't count. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is comprised of "movies only," and they will lead into the TV shows that have been announced and to which many fans are looking forward. The larger comics universe is also worth exploring, especially the vintage Avengers comics. These provide a wealth of background information that can enhance your enjoyment of the movies and upcoming shows.

For those interested in a deeper dive, you can check out the Marvel Database to see how certain characters have been portrayed in their incredibly long comic-book history. This can give you a greater understanding and appreciation for the characters and their arcs.

Enjoy your journey into the world of AVENGERS!