Do you know what collectors call getting ahead of the curve? Winning. On that note, here are the key issues that aren't yet blowing up, but they could if my Dark Avengers theory pans out.
It's time for another round of the speculation game, and today's focus is on Dark Avengers and which characters could join Iron Patriot on the big screen.
If you've been following last month's posts, I have advocated investing in Norman Osborn's keys, both from the silver and modern ages. As I wrote in "Invest in These Four Keys Today" and "Norman Osborn: the MCU's Next Thanos?," Norman will be the linchpin villain for the MCU much as Thanos had been for the first three phases.
Before Norman was rumored to be heading into the MCU, there was a report that Marvel had commissioned a Dark Avengers screenplay. My theory, then, is that Norman Osborn will evolve into the Iron Patriot rather than the Green Goblin. That will set up the onscreen Dark Avengers and lead into an adaptation of the Siege.
The more Marvel hints at Dark Avengers, the more the team's keys are going to be worth. Dark Avengers #1 has already spiked, and that's based purely on rumors. If anything is even remotely confirmed, things will get out of hand quickly.
Listed below are five characters Marvel could include in an onscreen Dark Avengers along with their first appearances. For the most part, none of these issues are on fire at the moment, but that could change overnight, and you'll want to be prepared.
SENTRY
FIRST APPEARANCE: SENTRY #1 (2000)
Sentry has been reportedly considered for the MCU for years, but he doesn't seem to get past the idea stage. That's unfortunate because Bob Reynolds could be one of the most interesting and complex characters the MCU has yet to see.
Basically, he's a flawed Superman. Whereas Superman is seemingly perfect in every way, Sentry has all the godlike powers, but he suffers from mental illness. This could be channeled into an amazing screenplay. The only problem is that it doesn't fit with Marvel's current trend of family-friendly action-comedies because Sentry's story may be too mature for the big screen MCU. However, the Dark Avengers could be a tool to incorporate Sentry into the MCU. I'll elaborate on that topic later this week.
MOONSTONE
FIRST APPEARANCE AS KARLA SOFEN: CAPTAIN AMERICA #192 (1975)
FIRST APPEARANCE AS MOONSTONE: INCREDIBLE HULK #228 (1978)
Out of all five characters I have on today's list, I think Moonstone is the most likely to be featured in the MCU, especially in a Dark Avengers or Thunderbolts film.
Although she would gain fame as Moonstone in 1978's Incredible Hulk #228, Karla Sofen was introduced into continuity in Captain America #192. I firmly believe the Dark Avengers are being prepped for the MCU, and there's rumors that a Thunderbolts movie is in the works, too. Guess who is an integral member of both teams? Moonstone.
The word on the internet is that Norman Osborn will play a key role in the Captain Marvel sequel. If the filmmakers follow the comics, this could set up Osborn taking control of the Avengers and Carol Danvers quitting the team as she did in Dark Avengers #1. In that issue, Osborn handed the title of Ms. Marvel to Moonstone, and I can see that scenario playing out in the MCU, which would make Moonstone's first appearances highly coveted.
BULLSEYE
FIRST APPEARANCE: DAREDEVIL #131 (1976)
This is admittedly far fetched, but Bullseye could be included in a Dark Avengers movie.
The latest rumblings have it that some of the characters established in Marvel's Netflix shows may be used on the big screen thanks to Kevin Feige's rather dodgy response to the question of Netflix characters in future MCU projects.
Bullseye was the breakout character of Daredevil's final season, and the show's ending left things wide open for Agent Poindexter to return to the MCU. Could it be that Marvel is planning to bring him into Dark Avengers?
It would make sense. In the comics, after Clint Barton took up the Ronin moniker, Norman Osborn tapped Bullseye to wear Hawkeye's costume. Endgame already gave us Ronin, and Bullseye is established in the MCU. It adds up for Marvel Studios to transition Dex into Dark Hawkeye.
RED HULK
The first appearance of the original version of the Red Hulk was eleven years ago in Hulk #1. As I wrote in "Red Huk's Return?" the stage is set for the Thunderbolt Ross Red Hulk to make a grand return in the pages of Immortal Hulk. The bigger picture is that the pieces are in place for Marvel Studios to transform Thunderbolt into Red Hulk for the MCU's Dark Avengers project. All this adds up to Hulk #1 becoming a major key in short fashion.
ARES
I firmly believe Ares is coming to the MCU sooner or later. In fact, Thor: Ragnarok already introduced him via the Grandmaster's Tower of Champions.
With the Eternals movie centering on Greco-Roman gods, and the abundant rumors of Dark Avengers being on the MCU's computer-generated horizon, the time is right to fully bring the God of War to movie screens.
Since there aren't any rumors that Ares will be in an upcoming movie, his first appearance remains a minor key with relatively low prices, and that makes it a great time to buy.
