Avengers: Age of Ultron has hit the screens and you have every reason to lose all semblance of sanity for it. But here’re some things you need to know before diving headfirst into this wild ride.
Related: Avengers: Age of Ultron Review
[divider]Meet The Maximoffs[/divider]
Just last year, we were introduced to Pietro Maximoff, a.k.a. Quicksilver, in X-Men: Days of Future Past. An American kid with the mutant ability to run faster than a speeding bullet, Quicksilver’s origins as a child of Magneto was hinted to in the movie.
This is actually (mostly) true to the comics, wherein Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are the twin children of Magneto and Magda, his wife.
Unfortunately, the current licensing agreement between Marvel and Fox Studios prohibits the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) from being able to acknowledge the mutant heritage of the twins… or even call them “mutants” for that matter. Which is why they’ve coined the term “Enhanced.”
[divider]Ultron, Son of Ant-Man[/divider]
While a product of the combined genius of the Science Bros (Tony Stark and Bruce Banner) here in Avengers: Age of Ultron, in the comics Ultron was created by Hank Pym a.k.a. Ant-Man.
In the MCU, however, Hank Pym has yet to have been introduced (though soon, in July) and seems to be a far cry from the man with whom we are familiar from the comics. While still the creator of the Pym Particles that will come to power the Ant-Man suit, Hank here is far older, so don’t be surprised if we hear of Hank Pym in any of Marvel’s period-set shows like Agent Carter or perhaps as a colleague to Howard “Iron Daddy” Stark.
[divider]Vision[/divider]
In some ways, Vision has been one of the most anticipated characters to appear in the MCU. Having been rumoured as early as 2012, following the release of Avengers, early speculation was that the recently deceased Agent Coulson would be the imprint for the sentient android, a reference to the comics’ myth in which Vision was the host for an imprint of fellow Avenger, Wonder Man (no relation to the more popular Woman).
His similarities to Wonder Man also led to a relationship between him and the aforementioned Scarlet Witch. Of course, things are rather different here in the MCU, and any developing romance remains to be seen.
[divider]The Return of S.H.I.E.L.D.[/divider]
In Captain America: Winter Soldier we found out that S.H.I.E.L.D. had long been infiltrated by Hydra. Much of the effects of the revelations in the movie has been felt and carefully handled in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.‘s weekly endeavours.
However, the series’ relationship with the MCU doesn’t end there. The effects of Baron Wolfgang von Strucker’s (also first seen in Captain America: The Winter Soldier) experiments of turning people into super-powered “Enhanceds” has been of recent importance to the plot of the series.
More importantly, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has also introduce a different breed of super-powered individuals… the Inhumans.
Ideally, try catching season 2 of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. before watching Avengers: Age of Ultron… but since it’s too late, catch up after you watch the movie.
[divider]Hulkbuster[/divider]
Much like the Hulkbuster in the movie, this suit of armour was designed for battle against Bruce Banner’s savage counterpart in the comics as well. The movie’s version, however, benefits from the additional feature known as Veronica that functions as a mechanic acting to restrain the Hulk and was actually set in place by Banner himself.
More interestingly this version also features the very useful (and incredibly toy-friendly) ability of the Hulkbuster appropriating parts from Tony’s previous suits of armour. Just imagine the merchandising possibilities!