Captain America’s star-spangled shield can stand up against the universe’s most powerful forces all thanks to vibranium. This fictional and nearly indestructible element absorbs and releases huge amounts of kinetic energy. It is also the stuff of dreams for real materials scientists.

This is odd. Right now at various retailers — including Amazon and the online shops of AMC, Cinemark, and Regal Cinemas — you can buy a variety of merchandise tied to Marvel’s new movie, Captain America: Brave New World.