Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for What If…? Season 3, episode 1What If…?Season 3, episode 1 is here, revealing a reality where Hulks get bigger and badder and the Avengers' Hulkbusters get more impressive to match. Starring several popularMCUheroes who’ve come together as a team of “Mech Avengers” piloting impressive rigs, this first story ends with a gargantuan showdown, while featuring some fun Easter eggs and references along the way.
In the MCU’s animatedWhat If…?series, Jeffery Wright’s Uatu the Watcher takes viewers on a trip though time and space, featuring alternate timelines where different choices are made, resulting in dramatic changes. This includes a reality featuring the rise of the Mech Avengers in the face of a massive Apex Hulk and his army of monstrous minions.To that end, here’s our recap, ending breakdown, and list of the biggest Easter eggs we found inWhat If…?Season 3, episode 1.
How The Mech Avengers Defeated The Apex Hulk
The Might Avenger and Mega Hulk
Combining all seven Avenger mechs using Banner’s new protocol,The Mighty Avenger is born during the episode’s final battle as a super-Hulkbuster. Despite defeating several of the Apex’s minions, the true challenge is the Apex himself, who ultimately proves the victor against The Mighty Avenger, delivering critical damage to the mega-mech. However, the final Hail Mary is Bruce Banner’s surprise arrival at the end ofWhat If…?Season 3’s premiere, no longer afraid of his greener half and wanting to make things right. Dropping himself down onto the Apex as a gamma-bomb,Banner becomes the Godzilla-like Mega Hulk, complete with a tail and powerful gamma breath.
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With some assistance froma well-placed rocket fist from the Mighty Avenger mech fired by Sam Wilson,Mega Hulk defeats the Apex and becomes the new Alpha. However, Sam is also able to get through to his friend in the aftermath, reaching the Banner still within the Mega Hulk (which seems to be a permanent transformation). Thanks to new authority replacing the Apex, Mega Hulk then leads the minions back into the ocean and back to Banner’s island, presumably to live in peace.
What If…? Season 3 Episode 1’s Biggest Easter Eggs and References
Power Rangers, Voltron, Pacific Rim, Godzilla, And More Inspirations
It’s lots of fun to see all the connections and inspirations fromPowers Rangers, Voltron,Pacific Rim,Godzilla, and more inWhat If…?Season 3, episode 1. Here are all the biggest Easter eggs, references, and MCU nods we found:
New episodes ofWhat If…?Season 3 release daily at 3amET/12amPT on Disney+.
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.
