Marvel fans around the globe have been eagerly awaiting the next era of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes: The New Avengers. After the emotional conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, the big question has been — who will take the mantle forward? Expectations are sky-high. But what fans hope for versus what Marvel actually presents has led to a fascinating contrast — beautifully captured in a viral comparison image. Let’s break it down.
The Expectation: Fan-Made New Avengers Line-Up
On the left side of the image is a fan-made poster showcasing what many believe is the dream team for the next Avengers lineup. It’s a perfect blend of legacy, power, and fresh faces. The characters featured include:
- Ant-Man (Scott Lang): Front and center, symbolizing leadership.
- Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff): Levitation and mysticism intact.
- Spider-Man (Peter Parker): A fan-favorite, still youthful but experienced.
- Doctor Strange: The mystical protector of reality.
- Captain America (Sam Wilson): Carrying on Steve Rogers’ legacy.
- Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes): A seasoned fighter and loyal ally.
- Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers): Cosmic strength and leadership.
- Vision (possibly White Vision): Reimagined but vital.
- Wasp, War Machine, and Kate Bishop round out the team.
This imagined team is powerful, well-balanced, and cinematic — exactly what fans hope to see in a future Avengers film.
The Reality: MCU’s In-Universe Billboard
On the right side is a humorous yet telling image straight from the Hawkeye series — an in-universe advertisement promoting a Broadway-style show titled The New Avengers. The characters featured here are a mishmash of current MCU faces, not necessarily those expected to be on the real new team:
- Red Guardian
- Yelena Belova
- Nebula
- Bucky Barnes
- A possible Black Widow double or reference
This version is less about accuracy and more about the MCU poking fun at itself. It showcases how in-world media might sensationalize or simplify heroism for the public — a nod to real-world commercialism.
Expectation vs Reality: A Deeper Take
This contrast brings out an essential truth about the Marvel Cinematic Universe:
| Feature | Expectation | Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Epic and cinematic | Satirical and commercial |
| Cast | Power-packed and legacy-driven | Inaccurate and random |
| Presentation | Fan service in full glory | Marvel poking fun at itself |
| Audience Reaction | Hyped and inspired | Amused, but slightly underwhelmed |
While the expectation gives fans something to dream about, the reality serves as a playful reminder that storytelling — even in the MCU — can be self-aware and humorous.
Marvel Studios knows how to mix drama, humor, and surprise — and this Expectation vs Reality comparison proves it. As fans, we’ll always speculate and build our dream teams, but in the end, the MCU will always have a twist waiting. Until then, we can only imagine… who will truly lead The New Avengers?
