As a lifelong fan of the macabre and the supernatural, I can hardly contain my excitement about the upcoming MCU movie featuring Forms! The idea that these creatures have been lurking in the shadows, waiting for their moment to strike, is truly spine-tingling.
Contains spoilers for “Agatha All Along” Episode 4 – “If I Can’t Reach You / Let My Song Teach You”
Following the introduction of Agatha Harkness on “WandaVision,” the episode titled “Agatha All Along” has brought her story to life on Disney+. It appears that some supernatural beings have accompanied the narrative. The third episode suggests the presence of Mephisto in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, implying a possible future involvement of demonic activities. Additionally, the show has confirmed the existence of another monster by introducing vampires in Episode 4.
The incident being discussed takes place during a scene where Lilia Calderu (played by Patti LuPone) narrates a tale about a vampire biting her neck, leaving a mark as evidence. It’s worth noting that this brief mention doesn’t immediately indicate the arrival of “Blood Hunt,” an epic vampire narrative in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, Calderu’s story does contribute to enriching the universe’s folklore and potentially opening up opportunities for more terrifying creatures to emerge.
It was inevitable that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) would eventually include these toothy creatures – hints about their presence have been around for some time, and there are ongoing projects that will make them central characters. So, let’s delve into the history of vampires in Marvel comics and discuss what this development might imply for the future of the MCU.
Who are Marvel’s vampires?
For several decades, Marvel Comics has showcased vampires in its stories, starting with Count Vicaro in “Marvel Mystery Comics” #35 (1942). However, after this initial appearance, creatures of the night such as vampires were less prominent due to a wave of censorship in the comic book industry during the 1950s. This censorship was triggered by concerns raised in Frederic Wertham’s “Seduction of the Innocent,” which suggested that horror and crime comics were influencing children to behave like delinquents. Thankfully, such moral hysteria subsided, and Marvel eventually reintroduced vampires with a vengeance.
In the 1970s, Marvel Comics published “The Tomb of Dracula” and introduced Morbius to their universe. The popularity of vampires grew in the 1980s with the introduction of Varnae, who is known as Marvel’s first official vampire and essentially controls all vampires. The existence of these bloodthirsty creatures can be attributed to Varnae, who was created using the Darkhold, a powerful book of ancient magic that has been mentioned in “Agatha All Along.” As such, we can trace much of the terror caused by these monstrous beings back to this forbidden text.
Have vampires always existed in the MCU?
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it’s quite simple to miss the presence of vampires since they haven’t been thoroughly delved into. Instead, they’ve mainly appeared as casual jokes with no concrete implications. For instance, in “Thor: Ragnarok,” Korg (Taika Waititi) humorously states that a spiked weapon would be ideal for slaying vampires. Similarly, “Eternals” contains a scene where Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) narrates an old tale about Karun (Harish Patel) once thinking he was a vampire.
In my opinion, the first season of “Loki” delves deeper into the plot as Mobius M. Mobius (played by Owen Wilson) narrates his mission to eradicate vampires from the sacred timeline in the past. Conversely, “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” subtly introduces Saracen, one of the oldest vampires in the Marvel Universe, but leaves it up to interpretation about his true nature. Furthermore, “Deadpool & Wolverine” manages to incorporate Blade (portrayed by Wesley Snipes) into the MCU, albeit in a manner that involves him hailing from another timeline and being ensnared in multiversal chaos.
Indeed, if you’re seeking evidence of vampires within the Sacred Timeline, you needn’t search any further than the post-credit scene in “Eternals”. Here, a brief appearance by Blade (Mahershala Ali) is hinted, suggesting he will star in his own Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Although we merely hear his voice, this subtle nod is sufficient to imply that these creatures have been covertly present all along, biding their time in the darkness until they can pounce.
But wait, doesn’t Werewolf By Night show a Marvel vampire?
The MCU’s darkest production yet, “Werewolf by Night,” draws its chills less from conventional superhero stories and more from classic Universal monster movies and eerie puzzle-box mysteries. A testament to this is the array of slain monsters displayed in the Bloodstone Manor, which also houses vampires in its collection of oddities. However, what you might presume as a werewolf isn’t necessarily so.
During an interview with IGN, director Michael Giacchino shared that he aimed to create a diverse collection of mythical creatures for the film, including Bigfoot, mermaids, and vampires. He mentioned one particular monster, a giant vampire, which he described as having a unique design. Giacchino explained that by choosing visually striking monsters, he might have further established the existence of vampires within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In ‘Werewolf by Night,’ you’ll find a creature resembling a bat, but it’s not necessarily a vampire. The director has clarified that the monster is actually Dr. Glitternight, a sorcerer with powers to summon bat-demons, eliminating the possibility of this character being a vampire.
What Agatha All Along’s vampire reveal could mean for the MCU
Previously it was noted that Marvel’s vampires are tied to the Darkhold, and with “Agatha All Along” Season 1 emphasizing the Book of the Damned, there’s a strong possibility of terrifying events unfolding. Although the series has confirmed the existence of vampires within this universe, the text itself can also conjure new ones. If Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios decide to introduce characters like Varnae, Dracula, and others, this could serve as an ideal starting point for their introduction.
Regardless, it’s inevitable that the vampires will make a strong comeback sooner or later, considering the ongoing issues behind the scenes of the “Blade” movie. Despite these challenges, Marvel’s high-ranking officials assert that the project is still active, and Brad Winderbaum has shared some insights about it during the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con with Entertainment Weekly. The horror portrayed in ‘Agatha’, ‘Marvel Zombies’, and ‘Blade’ will each have their unique flavors, according to Winderbaum, as the horror elements in a film are heavily influenced by the director’s vision.
Introducing Blade into the franchise is certain to cause even more chaos involving vampires, potentially inviting all of Marvel’s iconic bloodsuckers. It would be intriguing if we could see some preliminary action prior to that, as it remains uncertain when the Daywalker will break free from development limbo for another standalone adventure.
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2024-10-03 22:30