The Classic Marvel Comics Storyline Teased By Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness

A significant plot point in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is the concept of Incursions, which are clashes between two universes that tend to destroy one of them. The end result of such loss is in full display in one of the movie’s trippier scenes, which depicts an Earth where the laws of physics have irreparably broken. In the comics, Incursions are pretty much exactly that, too — a short period during which two universes collide, with Earth acting as Ground Zero for the situation. Interestingly, the comics Incursions can be avoided if one of the Earths destroys the other within the few hours they “collide,” which gets roughly as brutal as you’d imagine.

In the mid-credits scene of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” a debuting Clea (Charlize Theron) is on a mission to stop yet another Incursion, which pretty much confirms that they’ll be a fixture in the MCU’s future, as well. After all, you don’t introduce a character played by an actress of Theron’s caliber and then drop the whole thing her first scene implies without ever mentioning it again. 

This makes sense, considering the way the MCU has consistently raised its stakes. Phase 1 was an introductory period that ended when the Avengers assembled, Phase 2 was all about encountering the other species that populate the universe, Phase 3 concluded the Infinity Saga by bringing every hitherto introduced superhero in direct conflict with the forces of Thanos, and Phase 4 has been slowly opening up the Multiverse. Could Incursions be the focal point of Phase 5 or even 6, as the different universes come in conflict? 

A significant plot point in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is the concept of Incursions, which are clashes between two universes that tend to destroy one of them. The end result of such loss is in full display in one of the movie’s trippier scenes, which depicts an Earth where the laws of physics have irreparably broken. In the comics, Incursions are pretty much exactly that, too — a short period during which two universes collide, with Earth acting as Ground Zero for the situation. Interestingly, the comics Incursions can be avoided if one of the Earths destroys the other within the few hours they “collide,” which gets roughly as brutal as you’d imagine.

In the mid-credits scene of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” a debuting Clea (Charlize Theron) is on a mission to stop yet another Incursion, which pretty much confirms that they’ll be a fixture in the MCU’s future, as well. After all, you don’t introduce a character played by an actress of Theron’s caliber and then drop the whole thing her first scene implies without ever mentioning it again. 

This makes sense, considering the way the MCU has consistently raised its stakes. Phase 1 was an introductory period that ended when the Avengers assembled, Phase 2 was all about encountering the other species that populate the universe, Phase 3 concluded the Infinity Saga by bringing every hitherto introduced superhero in direct conflict with the forces of Thanos, and Phase 4 has been slowly opening up the Multiverse. Could Incursions be the focal point of Phase 5 or even 6, as the different universes come in conflict?