The second season of What If…? continues to deliver on its promise of exploring intriguing alternate realities within the Marvel Universe. The second episode, titled What If… Peter Quill Attacked Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? takes a bold leap into the unknown by reimagining Peter Quill’s journey in a universe where Yondu actually delivers him to his celestial father, Ego.
This episode dives into the unexpected power surge in young Peter and what happens when a minor thing is changed — the butterfly effect takes place not only for this episode but for every episode in this series (thankfully). In the live-action Marvel films, viewers are accustomed to seeing him as the immature yet resourceful Star-Lord, mainly using his blasters as if he doesn’t have superhuman abilities. However, this animated iteration presents a version of Peter that surpasses even Thor in strength, as Thor could not take on Ego, but Peter could. It’s a refreshing take, showcasing a potent and untapped potential that hints at what the character could have become if circumstances had been different.
Besides Peter being delivered to his father and that changing how Ego and Peter get to the conclusion of Peter finding out Ego killed his mother, this episode would’ve been Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 if the Avengers got involved in this storyline. That especially shines through with Peter taking on Ego in the end with who the Avengers became in 1988.
The juxtaposition of Peter’s immense power while still acting like a child adds another layer to the narrative because even with Ego trying to shape an impressionable 8-year-old Peter into a mini version of himself, Peter’s humanity shines through. It could have very well been Peter using his god-like powers and easily turning into the real villain of the episode, joining his father, which might be another interesting take to consider with Peter in a different universe.
Going off the title alone, it’s expected that Peter will face off against Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, who are usually the first to come to mind when someone says the Avengers and who started everything. But since it’s 1988, expectations needed to be changed, allowing for an even more of a different storyline.
The alternative Avengers lineup, being led by Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell, Agent Carter) and Howard Stark (John Slattery, Mad Men), includes Hank Pym/Ant-Man (Michael Douglas, Ant-Man & The Wasp, Quantumania), Bill Foster/Goliath (Laurence Fishburne, The Matrix), T’Chaka ( Atandwa Kani, The Suit), Wendy Lawson (Annette Benning, Captain Marvel) and The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan, Fresh). It’s especially gratifying to see more of Howard in the episode because viewers get the chance to delve deeper into his character and what he does for S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Project Pegasus. This is now more than just a glimpse into how Howard was as a character and a chance to see how much he’s done for S.H.I.E.L.D.
This episode cleverly integrates nods to the Marvel Cinematic Universe while introducing inventive deviations. The return of familiar voices, including Jeffrey Wright as The Watcher, Michael Douglas as Ant-Man, and Kurt Russell as Ego, enhances the episode’s authenticity and connection to the broader Marvel multiverse — something that is always appreciated. And the animated format allows for creative storytelling, exploring what can become an endless number of what-ifs with alternative outcomes that would be a way viewers can keep seeing some of their favorite characters.
What If… Peter Quill Attacked Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? is a testament to the potential of the What If…? series. It successfully reimagines established characters, offering a tantalizing glimpse into alternate realities while maintaining a respectful nod to the source material. The episode not only satisfies the needed curiosity of Marvel enthusiasts but also serves as a reminder of the infinite possibilities within the vast Marvel multiverse. The animated series continues to push the boundaries of what fans thought they knew about their favorite superheroes.
