What Is the Utopian Parallel in Marvel?

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness marked the live-action debut of America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez). Her introduction was met with much excitement, as she’s incredibly powerful and pretty much holds the key to the multiverse. Chavez has the coveted power to travel across the multiverse and is quickly learning how to master and control her power. Throughout the course of the film, she strikes up a close bond with Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch).

At a tender age, Chavez has already visited a staggering 73 universes. In the film, she first shows up in another universe (with a Doctor Strange variant, Defender Stranger). Unfortunately, he betrays their friendship, attempting to sacrifice her to save the multiverse. Once he dies, she is alone again—until she ends up in the main timeline where she’s discovered by Doctor Strange and Wong (Benedict Wong). As she discusses her journeys through the multiverse, one question arises pretty fast. Where did Chavez come from?

The Utopian Parallel in the MCU

In the film, Chavez explains her origins within the Utopian Parallel. She relays her memories to Strange, showing herself and her two mothers, Elena and Amalia Chavez, residing in their home in the Utopian. However, their happy lifestyle disintegrates when Chavez is stung by a bee. In her distress, she accidentally unleashes her powers for the first time. Both of her mothers are sucked into the multiverse, as well as Chavez. Her mothers are sent to an unknown universe and separated from their daughter, who goes to a different universe. This is the only portrayal of the Utopian Parallel we get in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It is merely painted as another dimension of the multiverse.

The Utopian Parallel in the comic books

On the surface, the Utopian Parallel’s comic book counterpart reflects the MCU’s version. It is the birthplace of Chavez, but it exists outside of time and the multiverse. The Utopian Parallel is quite a magical realm, empowered by a sentient force called Demiurge. In the comic books, Chavez’s mothers sacrifice themselves to save their daughter after the Utopian was attacked. Chavez then struck out on her own and eventually became one of the Young Avengers.

However, when Chavez meets her long-lost sister, Catalina Chavez, she is forced to remember her real past. Chavez’s mothers were not from the Utopian—they were doctors from the Bronx. The Utopian was actually a private island owned by a rich benefactor, Mr. Gales. In hopes of curing their daughters of Edges Syndrome, the mothers took them to the island. It is there that Chavez’s powers began to manifest themselves. When Mr. Gales notices, he begins to carry out experiments on Chavez, hoping to utilize her powers in his evil schemes. Chavez’s mothers sacrifice themselves to allow their daughters to escape. Only Chavez escapes and starts her life anew. She makes up the Utopian Parallel to cope with her trauma.

In both the MCU and the comics, the Utopian Parallel has a tragic backstory. Right now, it isn’t clear how the MCU plans to utilize the Utopian. It could follow the comic book story or it could develop its own history and version of the Utopian. If they do choose to follow the comic book arc, then it means Chavez may be in for a heartbreaking discovery in the MCU future.

(featured image: Marvel)