- MCU Phase 5’s first film, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will be properly introducing Kang the Conqueror — played by Lovecraft Country star Jonathan Majors — who first appeared as Kang’s variant He Who Remains in Loki. Who is Kang the Conqueror, the time-traveling Marvel villain? Beginning in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania until Phase 6 finishes with the next two new Avengers movies, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, Kang will be the next MCU Big Bad. How he’ll escape the Quantum Realm to threaten the Multiverse, however, won’t be revealed until Ant-Man 3 releases on February 17, 2023.
- The comic-book Kang first appeared in Fantastic Four #19 way back in 1963, making him one of Marvel’s longest-standing villains. After his more benevolent variant appeared in Loki, Ant-Man 3 will be the first look audiences get at the MCU Kang the Conqueror. As the post-Infinity Saga MCU Thanos replacement, Kang will be the overarching main villain of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Ant-Man and the Wasp will be meeting Kang in the Quantum Realm in what could be the next biggest Marvel movie in the wake of Avengers: Endgame. Whatever happens between Scott and Kang in Ant-Man 3, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is already dawning on the MCU’s horizon — here’s everything to know about Kang the Conqueror before it does.
Kang Made His MCU Debut In Loki
- Disney+’s Loki stars Tom Hiddleston as the titular God of Mischief, and in the show, Loki meets a mysterious individual, He Who Remains, who is Kang the Conqueror (or a variant of him, at least). Captured by the Time Variance Authority and tried for crimes against the “Sacred Timeline,” Loki eventually learned the timeline was naturally chaotic; any moment has the potential to create a so-called “Nexus Event,” a branched reality. The result was a Multiversal war, and the winners of that conflict imposed order upon the timeline, establishing the TVA to prune branches before another Multiverse could spawn. Naturally, that particular strategy didn’t last long when the Lokis arrived and caused mayhem.
- Who is Kang the Conqueror variant of He Who Remains? Loki officially introduced viewers to Jonathan Majors as He Who Remains, who revealed the Multiversal conflict had been triggered by different variants of himself. His death meant the restoration of the Multiverse — and, inevitably, the emergence of more variants of He Who Remains, all of whom would vie for supremacy. He Who Remains is actually a variant of a classic time-traveling villain from the comics, Kang the Conqueror, and now all creation is in jeopardy. The events of Loki led to speculation that Kang would be the next chief antagonist in the MCU, and sure enough, it was soon confirmed Kang would appear in Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania and Avengers 5 would be based on Kurt Busiek’s 2001 comic The Kang Dynasty. As for whether the MCU will stay true to Kang’s comic-book origins, this remains to be seen.
Kang’s Origins in Marvel Comics
- Kang the Conqueror first appeared in the comic book “Avengers” #8 in September 1964. He was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. In his first appearance, he is a warlord from the 30th century who travels back in time to ancient Egypt, where he takes on the identity of Pharaoh Rama-Tut. Later, it was revealed that Kang is actually Nathaniel Richards, a descendant of Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) of the Fantastic Four. He discovered time-travel technology and decided to use it for his own gain, becoming a conqueror who travels through time to different eras to conquer and rule.
- Kang’s backstory was further developed over the years, revealing that he had been a brilliant scientist and inventor in his own time, but his desire for power and control led him to become a dictator. He has also been revealed to have multiple identities and alter egos, such as Immortus, a future version of himself.
- Kang has been a recurring villain in the Marvel universe, often coming into conflict with the Avengers, and sometimes working with other villains such as the Lethal Legion. He is known for his advanced technology and weaponry, as well as his intelligence and strategic thinking. He’s also known for his time-traveling abilities which allow him to be present in different eras, and his desire to conquer the world.
Kang’s Powers & Time Travel Abilities In Marvel Comics
- Kang the Conqueror possesses a wide range of advanced technology and weaponry that he uses to conquer different eras in history. He has access to advanced weapons, such as ray guns, energy blasters, and time-travel devices. He also has access to advanced technology, such as force field generators, teleportation devices, and advanced robotics.
- One of Kang’s most notable abilities is his mastery of time travel. He has access to advanced time-travel technology that allows him to travel through time and different eras with ease. He can travel to the past, the future, and alternate timelines. He can also manipulate time and change the course of history to suit his own purposes.
- Kang also possesses a high level of intelligence, strategic thinking, and knowledge of historical and military tactics. He is also a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and swordsman.
- As Immortus, a future version of himself, he has the ability to manipulate time, and in some comics, he is shown to be able to create alternate realities, and able to exist in multiple timelines at once. He’s also able to give people visions of the future and has some level of telepathic abilities.
- Additionally, He also has access to a wide range of advanced technology and weapons, as well as a powerful army of robotic soldiers and time-traveling agents.