MCU

The Reign of Marvel Studios

By: Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, Gavin Edwards

Narrated by: Andrew Kishino, Joanna Robinson

Length: 16 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

“I watched all the movies. I devoured all the articles. I listened to all the pods. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the MCU . . . and then I read this magnificent book. For fans, by fans; hilarious, gripping, and emotional; no infinity stone is left unturned. I loved it three thousand.” Damon Lindelof

The unauthorized, behind-the-scenes story of the stunning rise and suddenly uncertain reign of the most transformative cultural phenomenon of our time: the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Marvel Entertainment was a moribund toymaker not even twenty years ago. Today, Marvel Studios is the dominant player both in Hollywood and in global pop culture. How did an upstart studio conquer the world? In MCU, beloved culture writers Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, and Gavin Edwards draw on more than a hundred interviews with actors, producers, directors, and writers to present the definitive chronicle of Marvel Studios and its sole ongoing production, the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For all its outward success, the studio was forged by near-constant conflict, from the contentious hiring of Robert Downey Jr. for its 2008 debut, Iron Man, all the way up to the disappointment of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and shocking departures of multiple Marvel executives in 2023. Throughout, the authors demonstrate that the original genius of Marvel was its resurrection and modification of Hollywood’s old studio system. But will it survive its own spectacular achievements? Dishy and authoritative, MCU is the first book to tell the Marvel Studios story in full and an essential, effervescent account of American mass culture.

©2023 Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, Gavin Edwards (P)2023 Recorded Books

Exactly What Every Marvel Fan Is Looking For

This excellent audiobook covers the detailed history of Marvel & the MCU all the way through mid-2023. It’s not a paint-by-numbers fluff piece and goes into detail on many of Marvel’s early failures, sex discrimination, Hollywood backstabbing, and more. It’s a great book for anyone interested in learning more about how the MCU became a household term.

Great history of Marvel

Great story, history and insight into a behemoth of a company and the hero’s we all know and love.

loved it

I'm a huge fan of the Marvel Universe this story is well told and love the little shorts also love love loved it

Great insight on how the sausage gets made

It ends abruptly on a chapter that should have been folded into a previous chapter

Everything you want to know about the MCU

Simply the best. I feel more informed as a Marvel fan about how the MCU came to be and where it faltered

Great read for fans of the MCU

Learned a lot about the luck and skill of how the MCU came to be.

Forget everything you think you know…..

This book took me back to how I felt through the entire journey of the MCU. I’m excited to revisit some of the movies and shows with a new perspective on how they were developed and what goes into the making of such a wide ranging universe. Joanna’s passion for the subject comes out in a new way (at least to me) and her knowledge and research lends credibility to the references and stories.

We want the Joanna Robinson cut!

Only issue is that I wish it would have been read by Joanna Robinson herself.

Comprehensive History of the MCU

This book is a wonderful in-depth story of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Filled with great stories, behind the scenes goodies and interviews with key personnel, it tells the story of a most unlikely studio who achieved success few have been able to match. From Ike Perlmutter and Avi Arad, to the genius of Kevin Fiege who assembled a team that told compelling stories of what used to be little known characters, made new fans and box office gold. It makes the confusing early days, quite clear and introduces you to the complicated list of players.
While it is comprehensive, I would have loved more coverage of Civil War and Endgame. The film sections were great, but didn't spend as much time as I would've liked on some cast stories. VFX is heavily covered as is the writing staff, creation of various shows and films and the unique culture crafted that Fiege nurtured despite the views of Pearlmutter and the committee that oversaw early productions. The section with Sony was very interesting, finding a way to work Spider-Man into the MCU.
The book covers the triumphs and lows and a glimpse into the uncertain future of the next phase of entertainment. Key to all this is Fiege. I wish he had a Star Wars trilogy- he would do Knights of the Old Republic the justice it deserves. The authors made this an enjoyable read/listen (I listened to the audiobook). Narration was wonderful.

Engaging & easy to keep up with

Assuming you know the MCU lore & sit around after movie credits, this book was easy to keep up while sitting at work. Left this book feeling hopeful that the MCU has the potential of returning back to producing higher quality films once more.