One of the gutsiest things about “What
If?” the Marvel Comic title presenting alternative narratives to canon Marvel
stories and thus the basis of the animated MCU anthology on Disney+, is that it
does not hesitate to end the story on a grim note if that is a possible outcome
of how a comic storyline was changed. Viewers of the streaming series got a
one-two punch dose of this with the third and fourth episodes, particularly the
latter with destroyed the alternate universe the story occurs in. With episode
5 “What If…?” adapts one of the biggest AU Marvel series done yet, which cast
the universe in a zombie apocalypse.
“What If…Zombies?” takes the
tropes from the many “Marvel Zombies” limited series of comic books released
since 2005 and transplants them into the MCU, to horrifying and heartbreaking
results. The divergence from what was considered the “Sacred Timeline” happens
during “Ant-Man and The Wasp,” when Dr. Pym goes to the Quantum Realm to find
his long-lost wife Janet. Unfortunately, time spent in the Quantum Realm has
somehow turned Janet into a zombie that infects him. From the two of them, the
infection spreads and this alternate MCU is epically screwed.
Two weeks later, after the events
of “Avengers: Infinity War” is derailed by the ensuing zombie apocalypse, a
dwindling party of survivors try to stay alive to reach a location that is
broadcasting its efforts to develop a cure for the infection. They are: Bruce
Banner (unable to Hulk out), Hope Van Dyne/Wasp, Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Bucky
Barnes/Winter Soldier, Sharon Carter, Happy Hogan, Scott Lang/Ant-Man’s buddy
Kurt, Okoye of the Dora Milaje, and the Cloak of Levitation of the late Doctor
Strange. Zombie survival horror conventions are in play as this group gets
whittled down one by one by the horde. And if they should reach safety, are
they really safe?
This is probably my shortest
review summation of an episode of “What If…?” to date. It is simply too
spoiler-filled that to say more would ruin the experience for those who have
not watched it on Disney+ yet. “What If…Zombies” also has probably the highest
percentage of MCU cast members reprising their animated counterparts in an
episode. Only Tom Holland was not present for What-If Spider-Man. Anyone who
has seen the MCU films would really feel the effect of the actual voices in his
super-take on zombies. One can only wonder how Marvel Studios will top this in
Episode 5.
A new episode of “What If…?”
arrives every Wednesday on Disney+ streaming. Do note however that there are
only four more episodes left this season.
Image from Leisurebyte
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