Further alternative versions of key events in the Marvel Cinematic Universe…

Disney splashed the second season of What If? across their streaming service on nine consecutive days at Christmas 2023.

Billed as a Christmas Event it wasn’t really that but if you ignore this mistaken marketing what we did get was the Captain Carter season of What If?.

I am more than happy to have had the second season framed with Captain Carter (played by Hayley Atwell) as the heart of the show with the character appearing in no less than four of the nine episodes and, effectively, leading in each appearance. Her character ties the overall arc of the season together. If that arc is a little bit tired, being that it’s essentially a retread of a season 1 story it still makes for excellent viewing.

This second season doesn’t do a huge amount new with the notable exception of introducing Kahhori, played by Devery Jacobs, a first nations superhero with shades of Captain Marvel but who is thoroughly unique. Her introductory episode is told almost entirely in the language of her tribe (with some dotted Spanish) and this decision is both excellent and exciting.

If there’s not a lot new there is a lot of fun to be had. One episode features a fantastic demolition derby, another a fantastic retelling of Die Hard, with an episode set in Renaissance England a particular favourite which could only have been better if it had been set in Italy.

My personal favourite sees Hera learning a tough lesson. Many of the cast from the movies come back to play their characters in animated form. Where they don’t they are more than covered by the voice talent on display here.

As usual the style of the animation is fun and snaps with great colours and vibrant movement.

Verdict: What If? season 2 is a good interlude for the Marvel stable – better than pretty much anything else put out by Marvel in 2023 and, hopefully, a sign of where and how they can rescue what at times has risked becoming a narratively bankrupt franchise and has delivered misses more than it’s managed hits in the last twelve months.

Rating? 9 multiverses out of 10.

Stewart Hotston