Superheroes with incredible powers, beings capable of overthrowing the universe… In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the balance of the world hangs by a thread. But the multiverse is the element that could well disturb him the most. However, magic precisely exploits the forms of energy in order to manipulate aspects of the different existing realities. Suffice to say that it is an essential element of the MCU! We have therefore decided to come back to the eight main forms that this can take.
chaos magic
We start with a magic that you probably know: that of chaos. As powerful as it is rare, it would generate relic radiation whose origin dates back to the Big Bang. In the MCU, she manifests herself through the character of Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch. As its name suggests, chaos magic is particularly powerful, but can also be extremely dangerous. Thanks to it, it is possible to manipulate reality in certain specific areas and without it being visible from the outside, as Maximoff has done on several occasions. Manipulate time, transmute objects into others, but also manipulate elements such as fire or water: all of this is possible through mastery of chaos magic.
astral dimension magic
The astral dimension is a parallel dimension in which the soul lives separated from the body. While it’s essentially the masters of the mystic arts who can manage to separate the two, T’Challa and Killmonger also manage to travel to this dimension in Black Panther, time to find their father there. In effect, according to Wakanda tradition, it is in this dimension that the soul settles after death.
asgardian magic
Asgardians see magic as an advanced form of science. These mix science and magic effects in their daily life (architecture, transport, armament…). Asgardian magic can take particularly varied forms. Among those : the manipulation of illusions which allows among other things to change appearance or to be in several places at the same time, but also telekinesis, energy projection or concealment of presence (close to invisibility). Loki is a great adept at these different forms of magic.
occult magic
Occult magic is also one of the best known to the general public, since it’s the one Doctor Strange uses. This is also the case for the other masters of the mystical arts, an order of wizards dedicated to protecting the Earth from threats… mystical precisely. This magic allows spawn many offensive elements (flaming occult whips, occult sword), but not only. Portals, location spells, protection spells… The field of possibilities is particularly vast with occult magic.
The magic of the Eye of Agamotto
Powerful relic created by the first Sorcerer Supreme from which it takes its name, the Eye of Agamotto has for years been protected by the masters of the mystical arts and contained the Time Stone. It then allowed to control the time on a more or less large scale. It is thanks to him that in Avengers: Infinity WarDoctor Strange is able to review millions of future realitiesonly one of which sees Thanos being able to be defeated by the Avengers.
dark dimension magic
If he called on her to prolong his life and attain near-immortality, the Elder forbade any use of dark dimension magic, however, because it is likely to open its user to the influence of Dormammu, a terrible primordial interdimensional-entity, ruler of the dark dimension. This is what happens to Doctor Strange in episode 4 of the Disney + series What if…? : by dint of absorbing mystical beings into his mind, he is corrupted by black magic. Because of this, an alternate version of himself went on a quest for greater power. So if absorbing the life energy of other beings is possible with the magic of the dark dimension, it comes at a terrible cost.
darkhold magic
Made up of dark matter, the Darkhold is an obscure grimoire containing the most evil spells. It corrupts all who try to profit from it. So, if it seems to contain infinite knowledge, the Darkhold actually only makes people more and more obsessed who try to use it to their advantage, until they are completely corrupted.
mirror dimension magic
Finally, let’s talk about the mirror dimension, the famous parallel dimension in which Doctor Strange (as well as other magic users in general) can travel in order to use his abilities and fight his enemies away from prying eyes. He and the Elder are able to create gateways to access it – more or less – at will.
Remember, however, that magic is not the only thing to govern the Marvel universe, and that certain superheroes who do not use it can sometimes prove to be extremely powerful despite everything.