Ironheart’s Post-Credit Scene is One of the MCU’s Worst Yet

The MCU is famed for its post-credit scenes. Ever since Nick Fury approached Tony Stark about the Avengers Initiative, audiences have stayed until the end of every successive Marvel movie and show. Unsurprisingly, Ironheart continues the trend by featuring a post-credit scene. However, it is inconsequential and unlikely to tie into the upcoming MCU Phase 6.

The finale of Ironheart season 1 pit Riri Williams against gang leader Parker Robbins. Empowered by a magical cloak that gave him various abilities, Parker seemed all but untouchable. This pushed Riri to fight magic with magic, in a bid to take down The Hood once and for all.

With the aid of a young sorceress named Zelma Stanton, Riri found a way to magically empower a new Ironheart armor. Riri also learned that Parker’s cloak was slowly scarring his body and draining his life force. This was due to all magic in the MCU demanding a price.

Zelma’s aid enabled Riri to go into the fight with The Hood forewarned and forearmed. The fight ended with Riri snatching away Parker’s cloak. This left him coughing and writing in pain, as Riri apparently left him for dead.

Ironheart’s post-credit scene was underwhelming

However, the post-credit scene of the Ironheart finale revealed that Parker Robbins was alive, if not well. The brief scene showed Parker, trying to conceal his scars under a hoodie, as he walked the streets of Chicago. He stopped in at Stanton’s Sweets, Reads and More; the shop Zelma Stanton ran with her mother.

After confirming Zelma’s identity, Parker said that he needed “some heavy duty magic.” He added that he had asked around and been told Zelma was the one to see. Despite his insulting the shop as looking ordinary, Zelma agreed that she might help him, as she turned one jar of candy into another with a wave of her hand.

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Parker clarified that he needed “Supreme-like help.” He then inquired about “the stuff in the back.” Clearly unnerved, Zelma asked Parker how he knew about that. The scene ended with Parker trying to assure Zelma they could be friends, asking for “a little Abracadabra.”

This scene is underwhelming for several reasons. The chief problem is that it undercut Riri Williams’ apparent victory. Everything she did in the Ironheart Season 1 finale was meant to eliminate the threat Parker Robbins posed. Having him make a comeback so quickly makes Riri seem ineffectual.

The scene also serves to make Zelma Stanton seem less impressive as a hero. While a self-taught novice witch with dreams of studying at Kamar-Taj, Zelma was presented as knowledgeable and competent. It was her knowledge and power that ultimately enabled Ironheart to defeat The Hood.

Given that, the fact that she is menaced by a powerless Parker Robbins in her own business defies belief. This is particularly vexing given Zelma was the one who told Riri about how dark magic tended to warp the bodies of those used it. One would think Zelma would have some kind of magical defenses set up on her home turf. Even if she did not, it seems unlikely she’d speak to Parker on peaceful terms given his visible scars.

The lack of a big reveal or tie-in sets a bad precedent for the MCU

Ignoring how unlikely a second season of Ironheart seems with Marvel Studios cutting back on streaming series, this post-credit scene is lackluster. Traditionally, these scenes contain a shocking revelation or something to set-up the next movie or an associated storyline. There is no twist to be found here.

Indeed, the scene only serves to undermine everything the heroes accomplished and make them look weak and incompetent. That’s a bad look for what is meant to be the capstone of MCU’s Phase 5.