Over the last few years, Marvel fans have gained new insight into the various universes and worlds in which stories are told across franchises and media. For instance, the main continuity from Marvel Comics is known as Earth-616. This designation was also given to the sacred timeline in the MCU during 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, although it’s also referred to by some as Earth-199999. With the newest children’s show from Disney Jr., Iron Man and His Awesome Friends, set to debut, a new universal designation is now needed.
The most recent universe to receive a name in the MCU was introduced in The Fantastic Four: First Steps with Earth-828, inspired by the birthday of the late Jack Kirby, the Marvel co-founder behind many of the most iconic stories featuring Marvel’s First Family. Now, courtesy of an exclusive chat with Agents of Fandom, fans get to learn the name of another alternate reality – one that should be a hit with a younger generation of Marvel fans in Iron Man and His Awesome Friends.
‘Iron Man and His Awesome Friends’ Universe Gets a Semi-Official Designation
When speaking with Agents of Fandom‘s own Richard Nebens, Iron Man and his Awesome Friends Showrunner and Executive Producer Sean Coyle, and Co-Executive Producer/Story Editor James Eason-Garcia revealed that they have already given a designation to the universe in their series. According to Eason-Garcia, they “like to joke on the show” that their universe is “Universe-123-ABC” in relation to the MCU.
“Yeah, we like to joke. We like to joke on the show, the main MCU timeline is Universe-616 and we’re Universe-123-ABC because we’re preschool relatable. So, we can’t do the things that the movies or even the comic books can do, but there were definitely a lot of touchstone things, a lot of Easter eggs we wanted to lay in.”
—James Eason-Garcia on the universe number for Iron Man and his Awesome Friends
James Garcia-Eason and Sean Coyle went on to elaborate that although the age range for Iron Man and His Awesome Friends limits them from being able to do some of the same stories they do in the MCU or in comics, there are still plenty of Easter Eggs, including their Captain America saying, “I can do this all day!”
Where Does Earth-123-ABC Fit in the Greater Marvel Multiverse?
Looking ahead, the Marvel multiverse will soon greatly expand as the Multiverse Saga comes to a close. In Avengers: Doomsday, at least three different universes (likely more) will be featured in the story, with fans expecting Earth-616, Earth-828 as seen in Fantastic Four: First Steps, Earth-10005, and the X-Men to play a role in the story.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has already teased the Avengers and X-Men going to Earth-828’s Baxter Building, setting up interactions fans have been waiting decades to witness. However, when looking at the new universe created for Iron Man and his Awesome Friends, the likelihood of Earth-123-ABC having an impact on the greater multiverse is minimal.
For now, kids can use Earth-123-ABC to enjoy these new versions of Marvel characters such as Iron Man (Mason Blomberg), Ironheart (Kapri Ladd), and Amadeus Cho (Aidyn Ahn). Along with shows like Spidey and His Amazing Friends and other Disney+ programming, Iron Man and His Awesome Friends will serve as the perfect entryway to Marvel heroes and the life lessons they can teach through their adventures.
Iron Man and His Awesome Friends debuts on Disney+ on August 11. Follow the Agents of Fandom podcast and socials for all the latest entertainment news and reviews.
