By [ad_1]
The first season of What If…? on Disney+ mined a little from the comics, even though it kept to the general stories from the MCU. However, with the Watcher narrating each episode, it had the feel of the comic series that originally bore the name of the series. It even drew more directly on stories like Marvel Zombies and What If #3, “What If the Avengers Had Never Been?”
There are other stories directly from the comics that could have been fantastic episodes. Of course, they would’ve had to be adapted to the MCU timeline. Nevertheless, these stories would have made for great episodes of the series, adding some Easter eggs for comics fans.
10 What If Spider-Man Had Never Become a Crimefighter?
What If #19 by Peter B. Gillis and Pat Broderick changed one of the earliest decisions Spider-Man made. However, instead of stopping the burglar that would go on to kill his uncle Ben for noble reasons, Peter Parker stops him for good publicity. Spidey goes on to be an entertainer, drawing in other heroes to letting him be their publicist and liaison with the entertainment industry.
Of course, this episode would have to rely upon facts not yet revealed in the MCU. Uncle Ben got a name drop in the Marvel Zombies episode, but the circumstances of his death aren’t known. The most likely path would be to have Peter Parker refuse Tony Stark’s offer to upgrade his costume and go to Germany to bring in Captain America.
9 What If Dr. Strange Had Not Become Master of the Mystic Arts?
The Doctor Strange episode of What If…? was a gut punch as the Sorcerer Supreme went down dark paths trying to save Christine Palmer. What If #40 by Peter B. Gillis and Jackson Guice had a much different take on Doctor Strange’s alternate history. In this tale, Stephen Strange watches Baron Mordo demonstrate more noble feats of magic and returns to the U.S. to teach medicine.
Unfortunately, Mordo remains duplicitous, working for Nightmare instead of Dormammu. Doctor Strange harnesses his innate mystic might to defeat the pair of extradimensional conquerors. Given how pivotal the tragic Doctor Strange was in What If…? Season 1, this one might have seemed redundant.
8 What If Captain America Were Not the Only Super Soldier in World War II?
1991’s What If #28, by George Caragonne and Ron Wilson, changed one of the key events of the Marvel Universe: the creation of Captain America. It’s unique among alternate timelines in having a direct adaptation in the MCU. The survival of Abraham Erskine can be adapted into an alternate MCU timeline.
With a battalion of super-soldiers, the war ends quickly. Unfortunately, Steve Rogers becomes a fascist, turning the United States into the Nazi ideal. It becomes apparent in this issue, and confirmed in the next, that Steve Rogers had been replaced by the Red Skull.
7 What If Spider-Man Never Lost his Four Extra Arms?
In 1992, What If #42 had Michael Gallagher and Kevin West revisit the time Spider-Man grew four extra arms. While there’s no correlation for this event in the MCU, it could have been a simple difference in Peter Parker’s origin. The precedent for this comes from the Spider-verse, where one version of Spider-Man was straight-up horror, as Peter mutated into a giant creature, more spider than man.
If there was a presence missing from the “Guardians of the Multiverse,” it was Spider-Man. A Spider-Man brandishing extra arms would be just bizarre enough to unnerve even his teammates. However, seeing Peter Parker overcoming a physical mutation to handle the responsibility that comes with great power would reinforce the moral fiber of Spider-Man in the MCU.
6 What If Dr. Strange Were a Disciple of Dormammu?
What If #18 by Peter B. Gillis and Tom Sutton diverts at a different spot than the Doctor Strange episode of Season 1. In the MCU, Doctor Strange gives into the temptation of becoming a thrall of Dormammu. There are several points in the story where this could happen.
Kaecilius could turn Strange during the first battle, or Strange could turn during the battle in New York with Kaecilius’s forces. Finally, he could turn in the Dark Dimension itself when he bargains with Dormammu. In the comic, Strange turns back to a force for good as Dormammu battles Eternity. In the hypothetical episode of What If…?, he might find himself rejected by the Time Gem as he prepares to use its power for Dormammu.
5 What if Iron Man Had Died?
What If? Fallen Son, by Mark Sumerak and Trevor Goring, depicts a story where Iron Man dies after Bill Foster’s son beats him to death outside the courthouse where Steve Rogers was sentenced for his role in the superhuman Civil War. In the MCU, Bill Foster himself could serve this role, but the result is the same, Tony Stark is lost to the world.
This makes the battle with Thanos go very differently. While Tony Stark is not around for the fight, the heroes can be more united. Steve Rogers leading them could end the battle on Earth differently, and the Guardians of the Galaxy might arrive on Earth after losing Gamora. Seeing an alternate Battle of Wakanda would be very interesting.
4 What If Loki Had Found Thor’s Hammer?
What If #47, by Peter B. Gillis and Kelley Jones, was the last issue of the first What If series. It worked around the enchantment on Thor’s hammer by having Loki seize it while it is still in the form of a walking stick. In the MCU, it just needs to hinge on one scene that was very dramatic in the SHIELD complex built around the Hammer.
Loki pauses and tries to lift the hammer. Because of his duplicitous nature, he is unworthy, but what if Loki learned different lessons in the days and years before Thor’s banishment? Could this Loki then act differently as the Frost Giants seek revenge on Asgard? It might also clear up the role of the TVA following the events of Loki’s season finale.
3 What If Tony Stark Had Become The Sorcerer Supreme?
What If #113, by Chris Duffy and Gregg Schigiel, showed a world where Tony Stark and Stephen Strange had their fates intertwined. However, instead of Strange learning the mystic arts, Stark becomes the Sorcerer Supreme, blending his armor technology with magic. It’s a bizarre kind of blend that works intriguingly.
Of course, Strange resents Stark for not healing his hands as he promised. This leads to Stark being betrayed by Strange to Dormammu. Of course, like any good Marvel tale, the heroic nature wins out and the villain is defeated, with Strange learning a valuable lesson and Stark going back to being a secret millionaire sorcerer.
2 What If Iron Man Sold Out?
What If #64, had Tony Stark using his Iron Man design to better arm the world. This was slightly used in Season 1’s Killmonger episode, but that featured on Killmonger rather than Tony Stark. The pivotal point in the MCU comes in the government going after Iron Man technology in Iron Man 2.
Perhaps Rhodey gives Tony the advice that rather than fight the government, he should make the Iron Man technology available. Unfortunately, this would indeed lead to an arms race in powered armor design, as depicted in that film. Of course, the MCU might have plans for this in the upcoming Armor Wars.
1 What If Captain America Led All the Heroes against Registration?
What If? Civil War in 2008 featured two tales, but the first one, by Kevin Grevioux and Gustavo, is the most intriguing. With Tony Stark dead, the Registration Act is almost unanimously opposed by the heroes. Imagine this translating into the MCU, with Iron Man perishing in Sokovia against Ultron. Now imagine Captain America: Civil War playing out from there.
Zemo’s plan doesn’t pit the Avengers against each other, just against the world’s governments. Spider-Man might not be recruited, and Black Panther’s allegiance plays a little differently. A showdown between Black Panther and Captain America doesn’t have the same weight as the original film’s climax.
About The Author
[ad_2]
