This week, Ironheart wrapped up its first season (a season I mostly endured rather than enjoyed), and in true Marvel fashion, they saved the “big moment” for the end credits. And yes, they finally did it. They revealed Mephisto. As in, the Mephisto. Sacha Baron Cohen pops in and says, surprise, I’m the devil. Finally. After years of fan theories dating all the way back to WandaVision, after every red herring in Loki, after every whispered “maybe he’s behind it all” moment - he’s here.
Now, I’m not going to get into a whole rant about how Riri Williams literally signs a deal with the devil in the finale. Which is... not super heroic, especially considering the entire season was supposed to be her learning from her mistakes and becoming a better person. But no, I’ll set that aside. Instead, I want to issue a warning to anyone out there who felt that old familiar spark of Marvel hype ignite inside them - don’t let it fool you. This reveal means absolutely nothing.
And how do I know that? Let’s review:
- WandaVision gave us White Vision. Where is he now? No idea.
- Ms. Marvel dropped the word “mutant” like it meant something. It didn’t.
- Falcon and the Winter Soldier revealed Sharon Carter as the Power Broker. Cool. Forgotten already.
- Shang-Chi’s rings sent a mysterious signal to somewhere. We never found out where.
- Moon Knight introduced Jake Lockley. He vanished faster than he appeared.
- Multiverse of Madness ended with Clea and a universe-ending incursion. Silence ever since.
- She-Hulk gave us Hulk’s son, Skarr. Still waiting on anything to happen there.
- Eternals gave us literal Harry Styles as Thanos' brother! Never saw him again
I can honestly go on with this but you get the picture. This is not long-term storytelling. This is misdirection on loop. Every post-credit scene now feels like a bait-and-switch - a promise with no intention of delivery. Marvel used to tease a future and actually build toward it. Now they just toss characters into the void and hope we forget.
Yes, long teases are part of the MCU DNA. Samuel Sterns took 17 years to become The Leader. But that was the exception, not the rule. Lately, it’s the only way they operate.
So let me be clear: Mephisto is not the new Big Bad. He’s not setting the stage for anything. He’s not even the villain in the next season of Ironheart (if there is a next season). He’s just another flashy cameo in a string of empty gestures.
This isn’t world-building anymore. It’s bait.
