Warning! This article contains spoilers for What If…? season 3, episode 1.
What If…?is one of the most underrated shows in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and because of that, the MCU’s most powerful Hulk variant will go unnoticed by many fans of the MCU. When the MCU began in 2008, no one could have expected theIron Manmovie to inspire and directly lead to a franchise which would span more than 30 movies, several TV shows, and tens of billions of dollars. Up to that point, trilogies and franchise films were not unheard of, but the success and growth of the MCU was unprecedented in terms of scale and volume.
Since theend of the Infinity Saga, the MCU has made a conscious effort to expand into other mediums, with several TV shows and spin-offs that all connect into the core MCU. However, one of the moreexperimental shows from the MCU isWhat If…?, an animated series that explores alternate realities and timelines, with familiar heroes placed in unfamiliar situations. This show does some incredible things, but due to the animated format, and the separation from the Sacred Timeline, it’s not viewed as essential for MCU fans.
The MCU Has Seen Multiple Hulk Variants
The Incredible Hulks Of The MCU
WhileWhat If…?certainly digs deeper into variants in the MCU, there have been multiple iterations of the Hulk even in the mainline films. In 2008,The Incredible Hulkunveiled the original MCU Hulk, with his counterpart, Bruce Banner, played by Edward Norton. This is technically the first version of the Hulk, and while the story of Norton’s Hulk was rewritten in some ways, it remains an MCU adjacent movie that included a cameo from Robert Downey Jr.
The MCU’s Storm Debut Has Made Me More Desperate Than Ever For The X-Men’s Proper Introduction
What If…? just brought Storm to the MCU, but there is still some work to do before the Sacred Timeline is ready for the X-Men to join the fight.
Then, there is the difference between the angry Hulk, who smashes Asgardian gods like Loki into the ground, and the much more tempered Smart Hulk, who combines the intelligence and restraint of Banner with the powerful body of Hulk. Beyond this, there are other Hulks in the MCU:Hulk’s son Skaar, his cousin Jennifer Walter, aka She-Hulk, Abomination, and Red Hulk, who is set to debut inCaptain America: Brave New World. All things considered, theMCU hasn’t been shy about creating other Hulks.
What If Season 3 Introduces The Deadliest Hulk In MCU History
What If Saw The Hulk Take An Evolutionary Leap
However, the Hulk is a character with infinite potential that has only been scratched on in the MCU mainline films and shows. In comics, the Hulk has had dozens more iterations, and now,What If…?has delivered the most powerful version of the hero from the MCU. InWhat If…?season 3, episode 1, Bruce Banner attempts to extract the Hulk from his body through gamma radiation, but it causes him to separate into a powerful monster with no human conscience to guide it, and a depowered Bruce.
Then, later in the episode, after this monster is seen wreaking havoc around the globe and unleashing other Hulk-like behemoths, Bruce uses a gamma bomb to irradiate himself, and supercharge the Hulk genes in his body. This causes him to turn into amega-Godzilla-like version of the Hulkwho stands as tall as skyscrapers, has a large tail, and spikes growing down his spine in a way that looks very like the King Kaiju himself. This version of the Hulk is both spectacularly powerful, and just ridiculously cool-looking.
Sadly, What If Is Overlooked By Too Many MCU Fans
Not All Parts Of The MCU Are Seen As Equal
Despite this incredible version of the popular hero being so exciting and engaging, the fact that it appears inWhat If…?rather than a live-action movie means it is sadly condemned as lesser than the films. The fanbase may feel strongly about the films that Marvel Studios releases, but throughout the Multiverse Saga, theTV shows have proven to be decidedly more divisive. And on top of that, the animated style of the show means that many people will never give it a chance.
The MCU Just Made Its Two Biggest Wars So Much Darker By Breaking A Rule Written 60 Years Ago
The MCU is still in its infancy when compared to the comics that inspired it, but that hasn’t stopped it from reshaping the characters and stories.
It is true that shows likeX-Men ‘97enjoyed successwith an animated TV show, but with that being a nostalgic throwback to a show that many MCU fans likely grew up watching, it had an advantage. While adult animated shows are growing in popularity with shows likeRick and Morty, there is still a perception that cartoons are for kids. However,What If…?continues to win over new fans with consistently high ratings and imaginative concepts that prove it deserves to be seen, if for nothing else, then at least the coolest version of the Hulk seen to date.
What If…?
Cast
What If… ? is an animated anthology series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe which features fan-favorite characters, including Peggy Carter, T’Challa, Doctor Strange, Killmonger, Thor, and more. The new series, directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley as head writer, features signature MCU action with a curious twist. The show sees Uatu the Watcher, an omnipotent being that observes the events of multiple universes from afar as they unfold, unable to interfere. However, things shift when an entity peers beyond the veil, jeopardizing the multiverse.
