What If…? – Season 1: A Multiversal Experiment With Mixed Results

🌌 Introduction

This review is part of the MCU Watch Order – explore all Marvel movies and shows in timeline order!

With What If…? – Season 1, Marvel takes its first animated leap into the vast unknown of the multiverse. Each episode asks a single question: What if one pivotal moment in the MCU had gone differently? The result is a collection of alternate realities – some thrilling, some bizarre, and some surprisingly emotional.

While it doesn’t directly advance the main MCU timeline, What If…? expands our understanding of what’s possible in this ever-growing universe.

🧩 Story Structure & Highlights

Unlike other MCU entries, What If…? is an anthology. Each episode presents a standalone timeline, narrated by the cosmic observer known as The Watcher.

Some standout concepts include:

• Peggy Carter receiving the super soldier serum and becoming Captain Carter.
• T’Challa becoming Star-Lord in a hopeful reimagining of Guardians of the Galaxy.
• A dark timeline where the Avengers are systematically eliminated.
• A horrifying Marvel Zombies apocalypse.
• Doctor Strange breaking reality in a desperate bid to save Christine.

The series gradually builds toward a multiversal crisis, leading to a crossover finale that ties the individual stories together – even introducing the concept of the "Guardians of the Multiverse".

🌀 Animation Style & Voice Acting

Visually, the show adopts a cel-shaded animation style that strikes a balance between comic book and cinematic realism. It works well for most episodes, though action scenes can occasionally feel stiff compared to live-action Marvel fare.

A highlight of the show is the return of many original MCU actors lending their voices, including the late Chadwick Boseman in his final performance. Others, like Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, are voiced by soundalikes – with mixed results.

The animation gives Marvel the freedom to explore concepts that would be difficult or expensive in live-action – like massive galactic battles, undead heroes, or time-bending sorcery.

⚖️ Uneven Episode Quality

While the concept is brilliant, the quality of the episodes varies:

• Some episodes, like Doctor Strange Supreme’s arc, are deeply moving and visually stunning.
• Others, like Party Thor or the Killmonger episode, feel rushed or lack emotional weight.

This inconsistency can make the season feel uneven. Still, the overarching narrative helps unify the series by the end, setting up the multiverse logic that will carry into future MCU films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Loki Season 2.

👨‍👧‍👦 Our Experience & Recommendation

As a family-friendly Marvel experiment, What If…? – Season 1 offers both fun and conversation starters. Some episodes are more lighthearted, while others delve into surprisingly dark territory. It's a good opportunity to introduce multiverse concepts to younger viewers in a digestible format.

That said, the series may be too complex or emotionally intense for very young kids. We’d recommend it for ages 12+, especially for fans already familiar with the main MCU timeline.

📌 FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions