Marvel’s What If…? originally praised for its multiverse concept with alternate timelines of existing heroes experienced decline in positive reviews after third season. Season three is ending with unanswered questions even after becoming the series finale. Despite What If…? becoming one of most highly anticipated Marvel Television series the series fails to deliver consistent engaging content. Season 2 received lukewarm reception while most critics and audience members panned season 3. Viewers question the purpose and direction of this concept with the series conclusion. The Marvel show tried to build on an overarching storyline revolving around Captain Carter but even that was insufficient to many audience members.
Season 3 of 'What If...?' Misses Potential and Frustrates Fans and Critics Alike Despite Introducing Key Marvel Characters
The popular streaming series What If…? is not viewed as one of the better recent Marvel projects demonstrating an inability to make use of multiverse potential to tell engaging storylines. Many criticize the series for it’s overt use of Captain Carter but some say live-action Hayley Atwell as Captain Carter should become integrated within another ongoing live-action format instead. Fans now wish for more innovative series like X-Men ‘97 moving forward which seems to show better storylines than that seen within current episodes of What If. Despite the popularity of season one the third and final season of What If fails to reach the expectations of many reviewers.
New Multiverse Characters Revealed In 'What If...?' Season 3 Finale Including Six Armed Spiderman And Ghost Ronin
Marvel introduced 19 new alternate universe Marvel Characters with one character showing an eight-limbed mutated Spider-Man with this new look reminiscent of specific comic versions. This new iteration of Spider-Man ingested serum to remove powers resulting in an opposite effect adding four extra arms plus he was able to save Gwen Stacy showing that new alternate timelines will often incorporate similar characters and events from various iterations . The alternate reality also features a Ghost Ronin a samurai imbued with a Spirit of Vengeance that is equipped with a katana who will ride a black horse, often an iconic image of historical warriors. In some iterations he has Zarathos inhabiting him to fight against Mephisto showing cross timelines connections with Marvel.
Riri Williams and Gamora Explore New Character Variants In The Multiverse With Punisher Ironheart and Witch Gamora
a different Riri Williams emerges from the alternate timelines as the Punisher rather than Ironheart using advanced technology to sport the Punisher skull and high-tech weaponry. A distinct version of Gamora with sorcery connections is featured while she has traditional witch attire. This Gamora who is shown in What If has a similar style as characters with Krugarr the sorcery user within Stakar Ogord Ravager team. These changes give way to exploring a broader character base where previous well-established identities are reimagined . These are some first fully original character iterations from the series this past season .
Blade and Thanos Reimagined With New Iterations In Multiverse
The finale also shows a Moon Knight Blade avatar of Khonshu wearing white clothes plus a black half-mask with his own zombie hunting version already seen and scheduled to be within the upcoming Marvel Zombies show set in 2025. Mahershala Ali is slated to act in the delayed Blade movie. The episode also shows the mashup version named Thanosverine combining Josh Brolin's Thanos with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. In this version a Weapon X style situation occurs on planet Titan or he is simply born with mutations that added claws with adamantium creating yet another variant version of well know main characters from different timelines.
Kingo Joins Iron Man Lore Alongside Multiverse Variants Of Wasp and Ms. Marvel With New Characters
Kumail Nanjiani’s Kingo from Eternals is featured in an Iron Man suit within What If..? showing that Howard Stark could have created a version before main character Tony Stark was born in his specific timeline. New interpretations on both Ms Marvel and Wasp create confusion whether Kamala Khan has the powers from quantum shifts that Jan Van Dyne encountered in her history which is something some reviewers point out should also be included for additional depth to Kamala and Wasp relationship through these new plot points. Janet Van Dyne did establish relationship with Kang before his death who also tried to obtain Kamala and Shang-chi’s powers through Ten Rings.
Hulk And Howard The Duck Shown With Sorcery Abilities Demonstrating Multiverse Potential
A very aged version of the Hulk called Maestro has powerful magical spells while also wearing a Cloak of Levitation creating a version where Maestro is potentially a Sorcerer Supreme. This older more powerful Maestro takes Hulk in new and different directions while incorporating existing plot devices such as the Cloak of Levitation. Another unexpected character also was given magic powers is seen in Howard the Duck mashup using Wanda Maximoff's Chaos magic showcasing his appearance with classic Scarlet Witch clothing making him the new Scarlet Wizard in new multiverses.
New Takes On Existing Characters Are Seen With Demon Hawkeye, Dazzler Silver Surfer and Skrull Captain America
What If's new character showcase included new take on the existing Hawkeye as the form of a Dino-Hawkeye that shows a combination of the classic costume while resembling Moon Girl's companion Devil Dinosaur who wields a traditional bow. This specific Hawkeye wears the purple suit fans always wanted which is very interesting for many audience members and critics of the show. In this series of shows we are shown Dazzler taking on Galactus' Herald wielding Silver Surfer surfboard with Power Cosmic highlighting Dazzler having potential of talking with and mellowing out this character. The show includes a very classic Skrull Captain America during a moment that highlights their infiltration that skipped main Avengers timeline during adaptation .
Alternate Love Stories Highlighted Among Multiple New Characters That Appear Including Dane Whitman And Sersi in 1930s Setting
What If…? offered a unique take on classic romance when featuring a scene of both Dane Whitman and Sersi dancing in 1920s or 1930s style clothing while the plot hints Sersi was a survivor of an Agatha Harkness event in the 1930s storyline. The new iteration of stories shows that before Arishem captured her she might have had connection with Kit Harington character named Dane Whitman while also showcasing what has previously become iconic character representation as also new scenarios occur when she falls in love within different versions. A version of Deadpool from the comics is seen who has many different weapons that is more lethal who is speculated to possibly come from timeline like Deadpool kills the Marvel Universe and a much younger child Hela as a nod to Thor's history is shown with costume from original series further bringing more depth into previous plots .
Loki Shang Chi Star Lord and White Witch With Zatanna Elements Introduced In Closing Scenes
A specific mashup where Shang-Chi is a version of Star-Lord wearing Star Lord equipment while using energy from the Ten Rings which could mean both Shang-Chi and Quill share Ten Rings in this multiverses. Classic versions of Lady Loki wearing her original green comic clothing has her looking similar to Sylvie's style but this character may be from original iteration using shape-shifting forms. A new unique white suit version of Scarlet Witch named White Witch with red patterns a mashup character from Amalgam Comics who brings elements of both Zatanna and Scarlet Witch that is possibly inspired from Marvel Rivals video game showcasing this series is willing to adapt and integrate various cross over storylines from diverse sources to give it some new depth for the audience
The many changes and unique iterations within this final episode have created more fan interest into a larger view of different timelines.