Fans were blown away by the second episode of Marvel's animated series What If...? Not only were audiences introduced to a version of T'challa that becomes Star-Lord, but also the ripple effects that had on many of the characters we know in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Galactic characters in the episode are radically different based on how T'challa has changed the course of the universe. For one, Yondu, Kraglin, Taserface, and the rest of The Ravagers all have a full set of teeth, and for another, Thanos is an ally.
We get to meet Howard the Duck with the most lines we've heard from him yet, and we also see a huge version of The Collector that has filled the power vacuum of the intergalactic warlord in Thanos' place. This includes the Black Order serving Tivan, giving us new versions of Proxima Midnight, Ebony Maw, Corvus Glaive, and Cull Obsidian.
What's more is that we see Nebula with hair, a different ending for Cosmo the space-dog, a Drax that never lost his family, and a lot more. To see many of these alterations without tuning into the episode, look at the gallery of new stills that Marvel has now released below from What If... T'challa Became A Star-Lord?
Pictured above are the new versions of Yondu and Star-Lord, respectively. The relationship between the compassionate T'challa and the blue leader of the Ravagers is much more honest than Quill, with them expressing that they care for one another with none of the behind-the-back antics they pull on each other in live-action.
Since T'challa had a conversation with Thanos instead of attacking him, he convinced the Mad Titan that there were other better ways to save the universe and re-allocate resources without genocide. This caused a ripple effect that saw The Collector rise to power, and you can see in the stills above that Proxima Midnight now serves him, Howard the Duck is released by T'challa, and The Collector is much, much larger.
Finally, we see the new versions of The Ravagers. Healthy and kind versions of Taserface, Kraglin, Yondu, Thanos, Korath, and more are now a part of the team and loyal to T'challa in a way they couldn't be Quill. Check out the changes to these characters above.
What do you think about the many character changes that Star-Lord T'challa caused in What If...? No matter your take, make sure you sound off with your thoughts in the usual spot!
Enter the multiverse of unlimited possibilities. Marvel Studios' first animated series, What If...?, starts streaming August 11 with new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+. “What If… ?” 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.
Marvel Studios' What If...? premieres new episodes each Wednesday, only on Disney+.