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{{Short description|Universe in Marvel Comics}}
{{About|the universe in Marvel Comics|the Marvel Cinematic Universe version|Earth-616 (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|the documentary|Marvel's 616{{!}}''Marvel's 616''}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox fictional location
| image       = 
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| caption     = 
| blank_label = [[:Category:Comics publishing companies|Publisher]]
| blank_data  = [[Marvel Comics]]
| first       = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Motion Picture Funnies Weekly]]'' #1 (uncirculated, created in 1939, [[retroactive continuity]])
* ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|Fantastic Four]]'' #1 (Nov. 1961)
}}
| creator     = {{Plainlist|
* [[Alan Moore]]
* [[Alan Davis]]
* [[Dave Thorpe]]
}}
| type        = [[Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|Marvel Comics multiverse]]
| people      = 
| races       = 
| locations   = 
}}
In the [[Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|Marvel Comics multiverse]], '''Earth-616''' is the primary [[continuity (fiction)|continuity]] in which most [[Marvel Comics]] titles take place.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Babos |first=John |date=August 6, 2011 |title=Marvel's New Ultimate Spider-Man Miles Morales: A Significant And Safe Leap Forward |url=http://insidepulse.com/2011/08/06/marvels-new-ultimate-spider-man-miles-morales-a-significant-and-safe-leap-forward/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901032150/http://insidepulse.com/2011/08/06/marvels-new-ultimate-spider-man-miles-morales-a-significant-and-safe-leap-forward/ |archive-date=September 1, 2011 |access-date=March 11, 2012 |website=Comic Nexus}}</ref>

== Origins of the term ==
The designation "Earth-616" has its origins in [[Captain Britain]] comics from the early 1980s and can be attributed to both [[Dave Thorpe]] and [[Alan Moore]]. The term was first used in "Rough Justice", a story credited to both Alan Moore and [[Alan Davis]] published in July 1983 by [[Marvel UK]] in the seventh issue of the anthology comic ''[[The Daredevils]]'' (and was later reprinted in the ''[[Captain Britain]]'' trade paperback). Due to this, it is often credited to Moore, though Davis said in 2007 that the term had been internally established earlier by Thorpe, who was the previous writer for ''Captain Britain'', as part of the "Captain Britain folklore". He said that it came from a variation on the [[number of the beast]], picked because Thorpe disliked the modern superhero genre and expressed this in various ways in his stories, including recording his opinion of the Marvel Universe with the 616 designation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brevoort |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Brevoort |date=May 29, 2007 |title=Marvel.com Blogs – Blah Blah Blog by Tom Brevoort |url=http://www.marvel.com/blogs/Tom_Brevoort/entry/719 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211074823/http://www.marvel.com/blogs/Tom_Brevoort/entry/719 |archive-date=December 11, 2008 |access-date=August 21, 2019 |website=[[Marvel.com]] }}</ref> As a coincidence, 616 was discovered as a variant of 666 both with the [[Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus]] and [[Papyrus 115]] in 2005.

In a 2019 interview with [[Rich Johnston]], Thorpe confirmed that the number was derived from subtracting 50 from 666, but that the reference to the number of the beast was because the designation was intended for the "Crooked World" of the [[Jaspers' Warp]] storyline. However, when Moore wrote the story for ''The Daredevils'', the Crooked World was designated {{As written|Earth 238}}, and {{As written|Earth 616}} was used by [[Saturnyne]] to differentiate Brian Braddock, the Captain Britain of the regular [[Marvel Comics]] universe, from the other members of the [[Captain Britain Corps]], each of which inhabit different universes.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Rich |author-link=Rich Johnston |date=July 2, 2019 |title=Dave Thorpe, the Man Who Invented Marvel's "616", Explains Where It Came From |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dave-thorpe-marvel-616-explains-where-it-came-from/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307055218/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dave-thorpe-marvel-616-explains-where-it-came-from/ |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |access-date=March 6, 2023 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]]}}</ref>

After its use in ''The Daredevils'', the designation was later used by the American branch of Marvel Comics in the ''[[Excalibur (comics)|Excalibur]]'' title, which frequently referred to Captain Britain's early UK-published adventures. This comic was written by [[Chris Claremont]], who had created Captain Britain, and pencilled by Alan Davis, the artist on the UK-published series. Davis later had a run as both writer and artist on the book.<ref name=":1" />

== References to Earth-616 ==
Any Marvel comic book since ''[[Motion Picture Funnies Weekly]]'' #1 that is not explicitly designated an alternate universe or timeline is assumed to take place within the Earth-616 continuity. It is the "status quo" that all other universes diverge from and iterate on.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} Earth-616 is referred to by name numerous times over the decades, primarily in Marvel UK titles, in ''Excalibur,'' or in Marvel reference texts such as the guide to ''Alternate Universes'' (2005). In addition, there are a number of other references to Earth-616:

<!--There are definitely more references. Please add them.-->
* In ''[[Marvel 1602]]'' #6 (March 2004), [[Uatu]] the [[Watcher (comics)|Watcher]] refers to the universe as Earth-616.
* In ''Marvel Knights 4'' #15 (April 2005), Earth-616 is mentioned.
* In ''[[Uncanny X-Men]]'' #462 (September 2005), an [[House of M|alteration in reality]] of Earth-616 causes trans-temporal devastation, and [[Saturnyne]] attempts to destroy that particular temporal continuity to "cauterize the wound".
* In ''Iron Man: Fatal Frontier'' #10, [[Doctor Doom]] mentions that they are in either Earth-616 or in Earth-615.
* In all the issues of ''[[Deadpool Kills Deadpool]]'' (July 2013), the story centers around the timeline of the Earth-616 Deadpool rather that any of the alternate universe versions.
* In [[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)|''Secret Wars'' (2015)]] #1, the universe where the main story line takes place is referred to as Earth-616.

The term has also appeared in ''[[Exiles (Marvel Comics)|Exiles]]'' (in, among others, the [[House of M]] tie-in issues) and is in regular use by the writers of Marvel's ''Official Handbook''s for the simplicity of the term. <!--Which issues? Does anyone know?-->

There has been at least one attempt within Marvel canon to change the designation of Earth-616. In the final story arc of ''[[X-Man]]'' (issues #71–74), writer [[Steven Grant]] began to refer to the planet as "Earth-611" due to the destruction of several other Earths (which were all apparently "higher on the list" of the Multiverse than the Marvel Earth) by a godlike entity. This change, an allusion to the events of DC's ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', was not adopted by other writers.

== In other media ==
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe ===
{{main|Earth-616 (Marvel Cinematic Universe)}}
* In the film ''[[Thor: The Dark World]]'' (2013), [[Erik Selvig]] is portrayed as being somewhat mentally unstable and in his time at a mental hospital he draws a number of diagrams and equations on a blackboard. Near the center of all of this, the words "616 universe" can be seen underlined.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dyce |first=Andrew |date=November 11, 2013 |title='Thor: The Dark World' Easter Eggs, Trivia & References |url=http://screenrant.com/thor-2-dark-world-easter-eggs-trivia-comic-references/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825191614/https://screenrant.com/thor-2-dark-world-easter-eggs-trivia-comic-references/ |archive-date=August 25, 2019 |access-date=March 21, 2017 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>
* In the [[Iron Fist season 2|second season]] of ''[[Iron Fist (TV series)|Iron Fist]]'' (2018), [[Misty Knight]] is driving with [[Colleen Wing]] when they hear a police radio broadcast alerting all units to "multiple fatalities at a nearby nightclub" and a "code 616". Misty explains that 616 is the police code for a "possible suspect with abilities".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melrose |first=Kevin |date=September 7, 2018 |title=Iron Fist Season 2 Gives a Clever Nod to the Marvel Multiverse |url=https://www.cbr.com/iron-fist-season-2-marvel-616/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222041010/https://www.cbr.com/iron-fist-season-2-marvel-616/ |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |access-date=February 21, 2022 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref>
* In the film ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]'' (2019), [[Scott Lang (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Ant-Man]]'s van was being held in a storage area labeled "616".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burwick |first=Kevin |date=August 5, 2019 |title=Marvel Multiverse Easter Egg Discovered in Avengers: Endgame |url=https://movieweb.com/avengers-endgame-marvel-multiverse-easter-egg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820051331/https://movieweb.com/avengers-endgame-marvel-multiverse-easter-egg/ |archive-date=August 20, 2024 |access-date=May 18, 2022 |website=[[MovieWeb]]}}</ref>
* In the film ''[[Spider-Man: Far From Home]]'' (2019), [[Quentin Beck (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Mysterio]] claims that the main [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] continuity exists on "Earth-616", despite every line the character says comes from a fictional writer named Guterman.
* In the film ''[[Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness]]'' (2022), [[Christine Palmer (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Christine Palmer]] of Earth-838 informs [[Stephen Strange (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Doctor Strange]] that the Illuminati named his universe "Earth-616".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kleinman |first=Jake |date=May 5, 2022 |title=Earth-616? 'Doctor Strange 2' just changed a foundational fact about the MCU |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/marvel-earth-616-earth-838-doctor-strange-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511134852/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/marvel-earth-616-earth-838-doctor-strange-2 |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |access-date=May 7, 2022 |website=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Rosie |date=May 6, 2022 |title=Doctor Strange 2: The MCU's Marvel Universe Numbering System, Explained |url=https://nerdist.com/article/doctor-strange-multiverse-of-madness-marvel-universes-numbering-system-in-the-mcu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506160424/https://nerdist.com/article/doctor-strange-multiverse-of-madness-marvel-universes-numbering-system-in-the-mcu/ |archive-date=May 6, 2022 |access-date=May 7, 2022 |website=[[Nerdist]]}}</ref>
* In the film ''[[Deadpool & Wolverine]]'' (2024), [[Wade Wilson (film character)|Wade Wilson]] of Earth-10005 travels to Earth-616 and attempts to join the [[Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Avengers]], but is turned away by [[Happy Hogan (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Happy Hogan]].

=== Other films ===
* In the film ''[[Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse]]'' (2018), Earth-616 is seen in a monitor along with other Earths, while [[Peter B. Parker]] arrives on [[Ultimate Marvel|Earth-1610]] (the home universe of Miles Morales) when the interdimensional machine starts malfunctioning.
* The sequel, ''[[Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse]]'' (2023), designates Peter B. Parker as from "Earth-616B".

== Editorial reaction ==
Former Marvel Editor in Chief [[Joe Quesada]] and Executive Editor [[Tom Brevoort]] have each stated their dislike for the term Earth-616.

{{blockquote |text =I can tell you for sure that those of us actually working on the books virtually never use the term–and I kind of wince inside whenever I hear somebody use it. It just sounds so stupid to my ear, and so counter to the kind of mindset we try to foster in regards to the stories we create and the thinking we try to employ.|source=Marvel Executive Editor Tom Brevoort<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brevoort |first=Tom |date=July 4, 2020 |title=Blah Blah Blog – 616 411 |url=https://tombrevoort.com/2020/07/04/blah-blah-blog-616-411/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251110005944/https://tombrevoort.com/2020/07/04/blah-blah-blog-616-411/ |archive-date=November 10, 2025 |access-date=November 10, 2025 |website=The Tom Brevoort Experience |language=en}}</ref>}}

{{blockquote |text = I never use it, I hate the term pure and simple and agree with Tom's assessment of it. I can't remember ever hearing it in the office and only really see it used online for the most part. I think the term really came into vogue when the Ultimate Universe came into prominence, but in my world, the language and distinctions are simple, there is the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe. Anything other than that reeks of all that [[DC Comics|DC]] [[Earth-One|Earth 1]], [[Earth-Two|Earth 2]], [[Earth Prime]] stuff which I've never really taken to, but then again, I got into DC when they got rid of all that stuff so it was from and for a different era than my own. |source=Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada, 2007<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quesada |first=Joe |author-link=Joe Quesada |date=2007 |title=New Joe Fridays&nbsp;– Week 44, A Weekly Q&A with Joe Quesada |url=http://www.newsarama.com/NewJoeFridays/NewJoeFridays44.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623103614/http://www.newsarama.com/NewJoeFridays/NewJoeFridays44.html |archive-date=June 23, 2007 |website=[[Newsarama]] |access-date=April 26, 2007 }}</ref>}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Marveldatabase|Earth-616}}

{{Marvel Multiverse}}

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