With the release of the first season of Marvel’sWhat If…?, viewers were given a glimpse into the newly formed multiverse of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The series' popularity earned it a second season, andfans have begun speculatingas to which aspects of the MCU will be altered next. However, the answer may be found in Marvel’s long-runningWhat If…?comic book series. For years, the company has allowed writers and artists to reimagine their worlds in a new and compelling ways, and the following ten stories would be perfect to influenceWhat If…?season two and beyond.
Stream on Disney+
10What If… Dark: Moon Knight
What If…? Darkis a recent Marvel initiative. Released in 2023, the series sees some of Marvel’s favorite characters enduring their worst nightmares. InWhat if…? Dark: Moon Knight #1, writer Erica Schultz asks what would happen had Marc Spector lost his initial battle with the villain Bushman. After Spector is killed, his long-time ally and love interest, Marlene Alraune, is given the opportunity to avenge his death. The Egyptian god Ra chooses her to be his light in the dark, transforming her into the Luminary, and with her new-found powers, Marlene will bring the fight to the man who killed her father as well as the man she loved.
What Dark Moon Knight Could Bring to the MCU
TheWhat If…? Darkline of stories is truly fascinating, and any of them would make for great inspiration in theWhat If…?television series. This Moon Knight special, though, seems a likely candidate giventhe character’s newfound popularity. Given that many of the characters introduced in this one-shot are already present in the MCU, it would be fairly easy to adapt. Its dark ending might not fit the overall atmosphere of the MCU (though it has dipped its toes into more twisted territories before), but Schultz' comic has enough political intrigue and supernatural superhero action to make it a likely source to inspire the animated series.
9What If the Gamma Bombs Spawned a Thousand Hulks?
Consumed by rage, Hulk is just as dangerous as he is heroic, but thankfully, there’s only one in the prime Marvel Universe. InWhat If…? #72,however, writer Ian Edgington introduces one corner of the Marvel multiverse to an army of Hulks. Scientists of the Manhattan Project didn’t produce an atom bomb, but a Gamma Bomb. Dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the bombs created an army of green-skinned monstrosities. 40 years after the “Emperor’s Oni” took over America, Nick Fury and Bruce Banner lead the SHIELD revolutionaries in a last-ditch effort to overthrow their tyrannical rule.
Why We Want to See a Thousand Hulks
What If…? #72would be a perfect addition to the MCU’sWhat If…?. It has great opportunity for extensive world-building, and the basis in Marvel’s World War II would allow for some incredible moments involving the Invaders team. Of course, there are some problematic elements, such as villainizing Japanese civilians, but this story could still be a thrilling look at the cost of war. With a few tweaks, this comic book could be the perfect inspiration for a heart-wrenching episode. Also, given that a heroic Hulk is spawned at the end, there is a chance for Marvel to add a new member to the Guardians of the Multiverse from season one.
8What If the Punisher Became an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Everyone knows that the Punisher is a brutal, homicidal anti-hero who doles out his bullet-riddled version of justice on the criminal underworld. However, few can deny that his military-honed set of skills could be an asset to the right organization. InWhat If…? #57,Nick Fury realizes the vast potential in Frank Castle, offering a pardon for his past murders if he agrees to join SHIELD. Despite his penchant for ignoring Fury’s orders, Castle quickly rises through the ranks to lead his own team. When his team is wiped out by Hydra, though, Castle cuts contact with SHIELD to wage a one-man war against the villainous organization.
Why This Would be a Great Storyline for the MCU
Punisher’s place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a bit uncertain. While Charlie Cox’s Daredevil has made the leap from Netflix, the other members of theDefenderscast haven’t made an appearance. That said, this story would be a perfect opportunity to fully introduce Frank Castle to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a less brutal fashion, opening the door for a true first appearance further down the line.Either way, it would be a fun way to expand on the lore of SHIELD in a low-stakes way, allowing viewers to see Frank Castle in a new light while giving Samuel L. Jackson a chance to return as Nick Fury.
Related:Explained: Why Superhero Movies Are So Popular
Otherwise titled “What If Destiny Had Not Destroyed Atlantis?“What If…? #41is a bleak look at war and societal collapse. The villain Destiny had intended to use the Helmet of Power to destroy Atlantis, and in one universe, he succeeded. In this one-shot special, though, Namor the Sub-Mariner defeated him. Traveling to the bottom of the sea to bury the Helmet so that noone else could use its power, Namor is unaware that the Atlantean throne has been usurped by his cousin Byrrah and the people of Atlantis have turned their backs on him. With revolution on the horizon, can Namor hope to save a people who hate him? Does he even want to?
Why This Is a Great Way to Expand Namor in the MCU
Given Namor’s debut inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever,it only makes sense that this newest season ofWhat If…?will feature a Namor centric story. After all, the character made waves (pun intended) with his initial appearance, and the Mayan-inspired design work for Talokan is one of the film’s best aspects. Of course, Marvel Studios would want to explore this new side of their cinematic universe,even in a story about a Namor Variant. While we know very little about the MCU’s Namor, this type of story would give fans the chance to explore his connection with his people and his long defense of his underwater kingdom.
6What If Iron Man Was Trapped in King Arthur’s Time?
In Marvel’s Earth-616, the prime Marvel Universe, Iron Man and Doctor Doom were once whisked away to the medieval era in theDoomquestarc, respectively battling beside King Arthur and Morgan le Fay before working together to return to their time. InWhat If…? #33,though, Dr. Doom broke this truce, returning to the present on his own. Trapped in the lands of King Arthur, Iron Man becomes Sir Anthony of Iron, a knight of the Round Table, and continues to faithfully serve beside his king until Arthur is mortally wounded in battle. Arthur dies, naming Tony his heir, and Tony’s reign ushers in a time of lasting peace.
Why We Need More Iron Man
This short story is neither the most memorable nor the most highly regarded of theWhat If…?line. It features a largely predictable plot, and it doesn’t add anything truly new to the Marvel multiverse. That said, this is the type of story that would be perfect for the animated series. It could easily feature all of the time-hopping antics ofEndgame(perhaps that is even the inciting incident) while mixing together the hi-tech science-fiction of Iron Man with medieval fantasy. While the story would have to do away with the Doctor Doom connections, this would be such a fun opportunity to explore the vast history of the MCU and bring Iron Man back into the fold.
5What If Thor Was Raised By the Frost Giants?
In 2018, Marvel Comics resurrected theirWhat If…?line, allowing a new generation of writers and artists to expand on their multiverse. InWhat If…? #1, Thor takes center stage as his role is reversed with his adoptive stepbrother Loki. During the war with the Frost Giants, Odin falls beneath Laufey’s hammer, Ice Crusher, and Laufey takes Thor as his adoptive son. Befriending his new brother Loki, Thor takes to life in Jotunheim, impressing the king of the giants at every turn. However, nothing truly changes in the grand scheme of the multiverse, and Loki, feeling slighted by Thor, seeks a means to escape his father’s grasp.
Why Thor Being Raised by Frost Giants Could Help Turn People Around on the Character
What If…? #1really doesn’t add a whole lot in terms of characterization. The same tropes apply, with Loki turning against Thor due to his feelings of inadequacy. The only difference is in setting, with the frosty lands of Jotunheim as the stage for this grand play. This would allow the animators ofWhat If…?to explore this largely unknown realm, while also giving them the opportunity to play into some dark fantasy elements. Thor is constantly in the midst of battle, attempting to prove himself among his new kin. This could allow for a more action-oriented tale with plenty of hammers and magic thrown about for intense effect.
4What If the Skrulls Succeeded in Their Secret Invasion?
In the originalSecret Invasionevent, the Skrull invasion was routed by the heroes of Earth, forcing the religious zealots under the command of Queen Veranke to flee Earth. InWhat If? Secret Invasion #1,though, the heroes didn’t win. A year after the Skrull invasion, the people of Earth are celebrating the successful union of Skrull and human cultures. The only ones who know the truth are the former heroes. From their base in Wakanda, the Avengers Alliance of Freedom have found a new way to battle the Skrull threat, but with Veranke and Norman Osborn at their doorstep, the clock is ticking for them to enact their plan.
How This Could Help Fix Secret Invasion
Given the recent MCU adaptation ofSecret Invasion,it only makes sense thatWhat If? Secret Invasion #1would act as a key inspiration for this upcoming season. After all, the Skrull invasion has already had a lasting impact, affecting the narrative ofThe Marvelsand potentially far more moving forward. More than that, this story is incredibly dark, filled with unexpected surprises that could bring a more intense atmosphere to the animated series. Will they show Norman Osborn getting beheaded by Captain America, as happens in this issue? Likely not, but that doesn’t mean that this couldn’t influence a more serious take on theWhat If…?formula.
3What If Daredevil Lived in Feudal Japan?
We all know the story. Matt Murdock was a kid in Hell’s Kitchen when he was blinded by a chemical spill. This spill enhanced his other senses, allowing him to become a superhero known as Daredevil. InWhat If: Daredevil #1,though, this story takes a different turn. Set on Earth-717 in 1877, Masahiro is a blind young samurai. Taking the moniker “the Devil Who Dares,” this warrior begins a fight against the cruel overlord known as “the Giant Shogun..” However, to defeat the Giant Shogun, he will have to battle the tyrant’s forces, including the American gunslinger Bullseye and Owl, the warrior that killed his father.
Why This Would be an Amazing Addition
This entry is less focused on this specific story. Instead, it is meant to highlight this style of story, placing heroes at different points throughout human history. While Daredevil’s time in feudal Japan is definitely thrilling, it is also one of many Marvel multiverse stories that follows this thread.Marvel 1602andMarvel: Roninare two excellent examples of this storytelling trope, and several otherWhat If…?issues tread similar ground. Seeing these heroes transformed to fit their new time periods, with new backstories and designs to fit new limitations and settings, is absolutely fascinating, and theWhat If…?series needs to take inspiration from this trope.
2What If Scarlet Witch Ended the “House of M” By Saying, “No More Powers?”
During theHouse of Mcomic book event, Wanda Maximoff, traumatized by the loss of her children, rewrites reality to fulfill everyone’s wishes. After the heroes defeat her, she returns reality to normal with one exception, using her powers to remove the majority of mutants from the Marvel universe. InWhat If: House of M #1,Wanda doesn’t just depower mutants, but all superhumans in the universe. With one declaration, everything changes, but evil still finds a way. The Red Skull finds the powerful cosmic artifact known as the Tesseract, and with its immense power, he begins a campaign to take over the world.
Why This Would be a Great Scarlet Witch Story to Adapt
WhileHouse of Mhas yet to be officially adapted for the MCU,WandaVisionwas loosely inspired by the pivotal event. While the experimental television series didn’t end with the chilling “no more mutants” declaration by Scarlet Witch since there are no mutants in the MCU yet, the series did showcase her immense reality-bending power set.What If…?could easily roll with this storyline, delving deeper into the obsessive psychosis of Scarlet Witch seen inMultiverse of Madness.This could lead to an exciting and terrifying change of pace, opening the doorfor Elizabeth Olson’s potential return to the MCU.
Related:Explained: What is The Scarlet Witch’s Chaos Magic?
1What If the Avengers Defeated Everyone?
The Avengers carry the moniker of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and for good reason. However, inAvengers Annual #2,this power was used against them. The Scarlet Centurion brainwashed the Avengers team, setting them on a path to destroy every hero. Thankfully, a future team of Avengers traveled back in time and saved their younger selves, but what if they hadn’t?What if…? #29has the answer, and it is a dark one. The Avengers wipe out all other superheroes and villains on the planet. With no one to stand in his way, the Scarlet Centurion begins his takeover of the planet, leaving the formerly brainwashed Avengers alone to defend the planet.
Why a “Villain Avengers” Story Would be Awesome
It’s surprising thatWhat If…?didn’t adapt this story in some capacity for its first season. While the Avengers weren’t in control of their actions in this story, it is still a daring look at the vast power of the Avengers team. Every major comic book line has an alternate universe with evil versions of their main characters, so a world in which the Avengers are forced to destroy their fellow heroes and villains only makes sense. This story could even be amplified, placing the Avengers in the role of willing tyrants. The focus could even be on a new generation of heroes, one resisting the old guard. Either way, this story needs to be adapted.
