Earth-616

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

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. 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). Specific references include: In Marvel 1602 #6 (March 2004), Uatu 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 alteration in reality of Earth-616 causes trans-temporal devastation, and Saturnyne attempts to destroy that particular temporal continuity to "cauterize the wound." In all the issues of Deadpool Kills Deadpool (July 2013), the story centers around the timeline of the Earth-616 Deadpool rather than any of the alternate universe versions. In Secret Wars, the universe where the main story line takes place is referred to as Earth-616. 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 by a godlike entity. This change was not adopted by other writers.

In Their Own Story

Wade Wilson, the Earth-616 Deadpool, is the central figure in Deadpool Kills Deadpool (July 2013), where the story centers around his timeline rather than any alternate universe versions. His meta-awareness allows him to break the fourth wall in ways no other resident can, often treating the universe's serious stakes as a script that can be rewritten or mocked. His presence introduces an element of unpredictability, as he is one of the few beings who understands that his reality is a constructed narrative.

Reader's Guide

Earth-616 is the primary continuity in which most Marvel Comics titles take place. It is the "status quo" that all other universes diverge from and iterate on. The designation 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. After its use in The Daredevils, the designation was later used by the American branch of Marvel Comics in the 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. Former Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada and executive editor Tom Brevoort have each stated their dislike for the term Earth-616. Quesada said: "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." Brevoort said: "I never use it, I hate the term pure and simple and agree with Tom's assessment of it."

Did You Know?

• The designation "Earth-616" 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 Daredevils.
• Dave Thorpe confirmed in a 2019 interview that the number was derived from subtracting 50 from 666, referencing the number of the beast.
• As a coincidence, 616 was discovered as a variant of 666 both with the Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus and Papyrus 115 in 2005.
• In the final story arc of X-Man (issues #71–74), writer Steven Grant briefly referred to the planet as "Earth-611," but this change was not adopted by other writers.
• Former Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada and executive editor Tom Brevoort have each stated their dislike for the term Earth-616.