One of the biggest complaints I hear among the hardcore Avengers fans is the fact that after the series climaxes, there is virtually no conflict left in the series and most of the major players are dead or escaped. In some instances, there were minor characters who survived the encounter but their role is either insignificant (most likely Ranking Agent Rhodey) or they have very little influence on the story (most likely The Wasp). In the recently released Endgame movie, this issue is addressed directly and I especially liked the way that director James Gunn addressed the issue. Here is my review of the movie and where it can go from here for the series.
The movie starts with the apparently unstoppable destruction of Avengers Tower. At first, nobody cares since the Avengers are safe inside, but soon the Tower is destroyed again… but this time, The Kang Dynasty arrives and explains that they have come to Earth to help. In exchange for their help, they need Iron Man’s help to defeat Tony Stark, but first they want to consult the likes of Dr. Doom and The Fantastic Four.
In the end, it turns out that the Hulk’s plan was successful: Captain Marvel is rendered unconscious and rendered powerless by the combined might of both the Hulk Iron Man, and The Hulk-prime. Once he wakes up, however, he discovers that his existence is meaningless at best and completely useless at worst. He realizes that he must find a way to resolve the conflicts that have separated the various heroes of earth, so that all can work together to protect the world. In the process, he also discovers that he has some unfinished business to take care of with The Kang Dynasty and that the Kang Dynasty is only interested in completing their own goals using The Avengers as leverage.