Marvel Introduces the Most Bizarre Superhero to Ever Join the MCU

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Loki season 2, episode 2

Summary

In season 2 of Loki, viewers are introduced to the lesser-known Marvel character, Phone Ranger, showcased in episode 2 through a movie poster.

Phone Ranger, a rather insignificant superhero within the comics, has made limited appearances and dons a comically absurd costume.

The inclusion of Phone Ranger as a fictional movie superhero within the canon not only expands the opportunity for other lesser-known Marvel characters to join the MCU's superhero movie genre, but also serves as evidence of Loki season 2 incorporating unconventional Marvel Comics characters into the official MCU canon. The Time Variance Authority and the concept of time travel have allowed Loki and Agent Mobius to embark on a mission to locate Sylvie, the renegade Loki variant responsible for the death of He Who Remains in Loki season 1, within the Sacred Timeline. Remarkably, amidst all this, a subtle Easter egg has bestowed legitimacy upon one of the most outlandish Marvel superheroes.

In Loki season 2, episode 2, Loki and Agent Mobius travel to 1977 London where they attend a movie premiere for a film called Zaniac! starring actor "Brad Wolfe". Unbeknownst to them, Brad is actually Hunter X-5 (played by Rafael Casal) from the TVA who went against their organization to pursue a career in acting on the Sacred Timeline. After finding Sylvie before his defection, the episode revolves around Loki and Mobius interrogating X-5 before the mischievous Loki ultimately reunites with Sylvie at the end of the episode. Additionally, there is a mention of a peculiar Marvel superhero in this episode.

Where To Spot Phone Ranger In Loki Season 2

During the premiere of Zaniac!, Loki and Mobius stroll past a display of movie posters promoting upcoming films. Among them is a playful nod to Eternals' Kingo in Loki season 2. Following the disbandment of the Eternals in the 16th century, Kingo transformed into a movie star and maintained his immortality by establishing a family lineage of actors. It is highly likely that the 1970s movie featured on the poster stars Kingo's "father". However, this is not the only movie being advertised at the theater.

Immediately after the Kingo poster, another poster grabs attention – Phone Ranger. In the original comics, Phone Ranger is a relatively unknown hero with peculiar origins. Although the poster is not very clear, Phone Ranger seems to be donning his red and yellow costume, complete with dial numbers on his chest and a large telephone receiver/mask on his head. The movie's tagline, "Criminals, he's got your number," suggests that the fictional character Phone Ranger exists within the Marvel Cinematic Universe canon (unless, of course, the movie is based on a true story).

Who Is Phone Ranger? Marvel's Weirdest Superhero

Phone Ranger, a minor superhero in the Marvel Universe, has made only three appearances in the comics since 1985. However, during the Civil War, he was arrested for engaging in superhero activity. Phone Ranger, whose real name is A.G Bell (a nod to the phone inventor), was formerly a regular telephone repairman who stumbled upon a tiny alien civilization residing inside a phone. Through reverse-engineering their technology, Bell transformed into the Phone Ranger, possessing the power to communicate with any communication device. Unfortunately, he has not been prominently featured, and there is no explanation for his outlandish costume in the comics.

Nonetheless, Phone Ranger's eccentricity makes him an ideal candidate for a hidden reference in Loki season 2 of the MCU. While this new episode establishes his presence in the official MCU canon, it emphasizes that he exists only within the fictional context of a movie superhero character. This development also prompts us to ponder which other obscure heroes from Marvel Comics' past might have integrated into the superhero movie genre within the MCU itself.

New episodes of Loki release every Thursday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.