Does 'Marvel Starting With The Homelander Template' Feature Any MCU Characters?

I've read 'Marvel Starting with the Homelander Template' pretty closely, and no, it doesn't include any MCU characters directly. The story focuses on an original protagonist who gains powers similar to Homelander from 'The Boys'. The Marvel elements are more about the universe's structure—think vibranium, superhero politics, and the public's reaction to superhumans—rather than cameos from Iron Man or Captain America. The author cleverly avoids crossover clashes by setting it in an alternate Marvel timeline where only the template exists. If you're expecting Tony Stark quips or Thanos snap references, you'll be disappointed. But the way it reimagines Marvel's world through Homelander's twisted lens is brutal and refreshing.

As someone who dissects fanfictions regularly, I can confirm this story intentionally avoids MCU characters to maintain its unique tone. The protagonist's Homelander-like abilities create chaos in a Marvel universe stripped of its familiar faces. Instead of fighting alongside Spider-Man, he battles original villains and corrupt organizations within the system. The narrative explores what happens when someone with Homelander's god complex and lack of empathy operates in a world without Avengers-level checks and balances.

The story borrows Marvel's infrastructure—S.H.I.E.L.D. exists as a bureaucratic nightmare, and the Superhuman Registration Act looms over everything—but replaces iconic heroes with original characters who react differently to the protagonist's tyranny. The absence of MCU staples allows the writer to delve into darker themes like media manipulation and the cult of superhero worship without being constrained by canon. It's a bold choice that pays off by making the protagonist's actions feel more impactful in this altered reality.

What fascinates me is how the writer uses Marvel's lore as a backdrop rather than a crutch. Wakanda appears as a shadowy power player, and mutant tensions simmer in the background, but these elements serve the protagonist's descent into megalomania rather than distract with fan service. The story's power comes from its restraint—you keep expecting Thor to storm in and restore order, but the terrifying truth is that nobody can stop this version of Homelander.

This fanfic takes a scalpel to the Marvel universe by surgically removing MCU characters while keeping the setting intact. The protagonist's Homelander powers make him unstoppable in a world where the usual heroes don't exist to counterbalance him. It's chilling to see Marvel's New York without its protectors—when the protagonist levels a building, no sorcerers appear to create portals for evacuation, no web-slingers swing in to rescue civilians. The story highlights how fragile society becomes when you remove its moral pillars.

What makes it compelling is the ripple effect. Without Avengers, governments become more authoritarian with superhuman oversight. Without Doctor Strange, mystical threats escalate unchecked. The writer builds tension by showing how one overpowered, unstable being can exploit systemic gaps that would've been filled by MCU heroes in other stories. The template isn't just about powers—it's about vacuum dynamics in a hero-less world. If you enjoy 'The Boys' but wished it explored power vacuums more, this fic delivers that through Marvel's lens.