Among the numerous huge revelations within the first episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law comes the reveal that whereas Bruce Banner was chilling in Mexico post-Blip to be able to discover himself and unite his two warring halves, he and Tony Stark constructed an outside bar collectively. To commemorate that point collectively, their initials are carved into the wooden. It’s a small element in a bigger dialog, however it’s slightly nod to a friendship that was as soon as an enormous a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe fandom — and obtained a bit misplaced alongside the best way.

Once upon a time, MCU followers dreamed of a world the place the Avengers frolicked and favored one another. Novel, proper? But again in 2012, proper on the heels of the primary Avengers film, the thought of all of Earth’s mightiest heroes coming collectively and residing in a tower like chill roommates was extremely well-liked. The gang performed video video games collectively. Clint lived within the vents, for some purpose. Thor was obsessive about Pop-Tarts. It was an easier time.

Image: Marvel Studios

One of the large hallmarks of this period was “Science Bros” — what followers referred to as the connection between Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. Sometimes this was romantic (although that may normally be dubbed “Science Boyfriends” or “Science Husbands”). But typically, it was simply the platonic relationship between the 2 smartest Avengers as they geeked out over tech or bantered over science experiments. The friendship kicked off within the first Avengers film, when the 2 bonded over the extra technical features of foiling Loki’s villainous plan — and solidified when Tony didn’t tiptoe round Bruce, who nonetheless couldn’t management his Hulk aspect at that time. It was one of many clearest friendships on this early Avengers period (in addition to Clint and Natasha, my beloveds <3), and your entire framing of Iron Man 3 ended up being Tony recounting a narrative to Bruce. It was so iconic that even Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo acknowledged it and performed alongside.

Unfortunately, the later MCU motion pictures sidelined this fan-favorite relationship. Not essentially as a result of the 2 characters weren’t buddies anymore, however as a result of the MCU changed into a juggernaut of 1,000,000 transferring components and characters that wanted to be strategically positioned like chess items to be able to kick off the subsequent plot level. Which was all advantageous and good for these excited for the most recent huge dangerous villain on the horizon. But for followers who loved the surprising friendships between these unlikely heroes — who wished a full scene of the post-Battle of New York shawarma lunch — the MCU began to really feel missing. The heroes barely obtained alongside, and even when motion pictures targeted on the extra emotional components of being a superhero, the subsequent one would come alongside and fully undermine what had occurred.

Image: Marvel Studios

Clint randomly obtained a household within the second Avengers film, and Natasha had a totally out-of-the-blue crush on Bruce (at the very least She-Hulk acknowledged how bizarre this bit was). Tony Stark gave up the swimsuit after Iron Man 3, after which instantly picked it up once more for a couple of extra motion pictures. And maybe most frustratingly, after spending all of Captain America: The Winter Soldier looking for his greatest buddy Bucky Barnes after which going in opposition to worldwide legislation, Steve Rogers determined to journey again in time and reside out a life-time with out Bucky, regardless of consciously realizing that whereas he raised a household with Peggy on this timeline, Bucky was being tortured by Soviet brokers. Fans realized that the MCU was by no means going to be about that group of buddies being there for one another.

In a post-Endgame MCU, future Science Bros bonding can’t occur as a result of Tony Stark is useless. But this small acknowledgement is one thing, slightly reminder that after upon a time, the Avengers obtained alongside and truly favored one another on display screen. And apparently they nonetheless did get alongside and like one another, however within the background and off display screen, informed to us years after a few of them died. Maybe with more room for respiratory room on Disney Plus, we’ll lastly get to see extra of this emotional connection that followers latched onto within the first place. Or possibly these moments will proceed to be referenced after the very fact, in carved initials on a picket bar and a shared reminiscence of a happier time.