The season finale ofLokiconfirmed what many fans had guessed from the start — Kang the Conqueror is the newest supervillain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While we don’t know exactly how his presence will affect the rest of the events in Phase 4 (and beyond), we can look to the comic books to get some ideas. One interesting theory that has been put forth suggests that Kang’s arrival could lead to the introduction of another superhero from the Young Avengers team, setting up a brand new era for the MCU.
The theory, which was presented by Nerdist, stems from a scene where Jonathan Majors' Kang, who is referred to as He Who Remains, speaks toLoki and Sylvieabout his place in the multiverse. He tells them that there are many variants of himself in alternate realities and that not all of them are as " nice" as he is. If the Kang who warned Loki and Sylvie in the season finale is the “nice” variant, the theory goes that he could very well be the adult version of a Young Avenger from the comic books known as Iron Lad.
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Unlike otherKang variants who sought to take over timelinesand rule over civilizations, Iron Lad, a.k.a. Nathanial Richards, was a teenage hero who vowed to fight on the side of good. As a teenager, he was incredibly intelligent but often bullied by his peers, and there was even one instance when his adversary almost slit his throat. Thankfully, just before that happened, Kang the Conqueror (that is, an older Richards from the future) arrived to stop the fight and bestow his younger self some special armor.
After seeing visions of who he’d eventually become — that is, a power-hungry time-bender with evil intentions — teenage Richards refused to become the version of Kang who saved him. Instead, he became Iron Lad, the neurokinetic hero, and after recruiting other teenage heroes in the fight against evil, he assumedleadership of the Young Avengers. Of course, the Kang/Iron Lad theory is all speculation at the moment, as it is way too early to tell if Marvel will go in that direction. However, there have been other signs that support the theory, including the previous introduction of Wiccan and Speed inWandaVision, Patriot (Eli Bradley) inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Stature (Cassie Lang) in theAnt-Manfilms.
Additionally,Kate Bishop and America Chavezwill soon be introduced inHawkeyeandDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, respectively, and they are both affiliated with the Young Avengers in the comic books. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has already hinted at the possibility of seeing the Young Avengers in the MCU, so anything is possible at this point.
The first season ofLokiis now streaming on Disney Plus.
MORE:Loki: 10 Things You Need To Know About Kang The Conqueror
