Disney+ Gives Marvel Fans Endless Possibilities With Their New Animated Series, “What If”

Disney+ premiered their new animated series “What If” earlier this week. While cartoons may not appeal to every fan, Marvel is returning to its comic roots with this extremely engaging series.

(Caution, minor spoilers ahead. Proceed carefully.)

The first episode features a familiar gang of characters fighting Nazis, Hydra, and the Red Skull. With us is Bucky Barnes, Peggy Carter, Howard Stark, and Captain America himself, Steve Rogers. But wait, what if by some fluke it’s not Steve Rogers that gets the dose of super soldier serum? What if instead, it’s…Agent Carter!?

We’ve witnessed alternate timelines with Thor, Tony Stark, Loki, Dr. Strange, and even with the “First Avenger,” Captain America. This new series, however, is like a fan fiction dream come true: any storyline is possible if you simply say: “what if” and create it.

In the first episode, we witness the butterfly effect play out as “Captain Carter” takes on the role that was originally intended for her not-yet boyfriend, Captain Steve Rogers. While the villains, allies, scenes, and scenarios follow into familiar territory from the Marvel films, the stories play out differently that their cinematic counterparts.

Many fans will surely be delighted to see Agent Carter back in action after ABC unceremoniously canceled the popular series in 2016. Don’t get too excited, though: for now, each “what if” episode of is a one-off and the alt storyline will not continue from week to week.

As such, Disney/MCU seem to have had great success bringing in major voice talent for one episode at a time. We might not expect to have the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Stanley Tucci, and Bradley Whitford voicing characters in a weekly cartoon series, but getting them for a single episode of a new Marvel show was something that fortunately transpired in our current timeline.

Next week poses the question: “What would have happened if T'Challa (the Black Panther,) and not Peter Quill was picked up by Yondu as a child and became Star-Lord?” IMDB lists Michael Rooker (Yondu) in the voice credits, as well as the late Chadwick Boseman, who passed away last year.

Huzzah and YES, Tom Hiddleston will be voicing his popular Loki character for Episode Three, and has confirmed in interviews that the “What If” series will set off events in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he’s been mum about what those events may be. We know that Tom is currently busy dealing with multiple versions of his Loki character in the critically acclaimed hit series of the same name. Loki the series also introduced us to the mysterious “TVA” (Time Variance Authority) that seemingly works to destroy “variants” and alternate timelines caused by those pesky infinity stones.

While some of the time travel aspects can be confusing – particularly when there are multiple variations, the “what if” storylines are fun and virtually limitless. What other possibilities exist for Marvel characters? Will we see lesser-known characters like Dr. Bruce Banner’s she-hulk cousin, Attorney Jennifer Walters? Hopefully so! (Seriously, Marvel – let’s dig deep!)

This single-episode storyline format presents opportunities to feature any number of little-known characters, or to explore the lives and adventures of mainstream characters. Wouldn’t you like to watch some “what if” scenarios with Rocket and Groot? What about Howard the Duck or the Wasp? Maybe an alternative universe where Black Widow is still alive, and she and Bruce Banner finally cut through all that tension and get together?

The What If options are practically limitless, and I’m excited to see more!

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