Episode 5 of What If…? Season 2 presents a fascinating question: What if the Avengers formed in 1988? The answer, vividly illustrated in this episode, is a vibrant, action-packed adventure that reimagines classic heroes and villains through a retro, Cold War lens. This episode proves that even with altered origins and different dynamics, the core principle of teamwork and self-sacrifice ultimately triumphs against cosmic threats.
A Blast From the Past: Revisiting the 1988 Avengers
The episode’s brilliance lies in its ability to seamlessly blend the familiar with the unexpected. We’re introduced to a team comprised of Hank Pym (Yellowjacket), Thor, Hulk, and Black Widow, all operating under the watchful (and often misguided) eye of Nick Fury, now Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. earlier than we’re used to. The narrative centers on a mysterious energy surge emanating from Siberia, quickly revealed to be a consequence of Star-Lord’s ill-fated visit to Earth years before his encounter with the Guardians of the Galaxy.
This altered timeline presents several significant divergences. Without Tony Stark’s stabilizing influence, the Avengers are a far more volatile and less coordinated unit. Hank Pym, free from his own personal demons (seemingly), acts as the tech-savvy leader, but his strategies are often questionable. The Hulk is even more of a wildcard, and Thor, while still powerful, lacks the seasoned wisdom he gains in the primary MCU timeline. Black Widow, as always, is the grounded strategist, trying to keep the team focused amidst the chaos. The overarching threat of the Celestial Ego is then introduced and must be confronted to avoid a devastating intergalactic takeover.
The episode masterfully utilizes the 1988 setting, not just for aesthetic purposes but to inform the story. The Cold War anxieties and technological limitations of the era create a unique tension that the MCU counterparts never experienced. The soundtrack, the fashion, and the overall atmosphere all contribute to a feeling of nostalgia blended with cosmic superhero action.
The Power of Teamwork: A Lesson Across Universes
While the team dynamic is significantly different from the primary MCU Avengers, the episode ultimately reaffirms the core values of teamwork and self-sacrifice. The initial reluctance of the team to cooperate and their individual agendas hinder their progress against Ego. However, through facing imminent destruction, they eventually learn to trust each other and leverage their unique strengths.
The sacrifice of Yellowjacket stands as a pivotal moment. In a heroic move, Hank Pym injects Ego with a virus while in his miniaturized form, effectively weakening him enough for the rest of the team to deliver the final blow. This act of selflessness underscores the importance of putting the needs of the many above the needs of the few, a recurring theme throughout the MCU and What If…?
FAQ: Deep Diving into the 1988 Avengers Reality
Here are some frequently asked questions to further explore the implications and nuances of “What If… the Avengers Formed in 1988?”:
H3 1. How did Star-Lord get to Earth in this altered timeline?
Ego’s primary mission remained unchanged: to seed planets and eventually consume them. Star-Lord’s arrival on Earth in this timeline mirrors his primary timeline origin, but the earlier time period shifts the events that follow drastically. Instead of being discovered by Yondu later in life, he’s discovered by S.H.I.E.L.D., triggering a chain of events leading to the 1988 Avengers formation.
H3 2. Why is Nick Fury the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. so early?
The early rise of Nick Fury suggests a different political landscape within S.H.I.E.L.D. in this timeline. It’s possible that some event allowed Fury to prove his competence and rise faster, or perhaps earlier threats required a younger, more assertive leader. This might involve a different relationship with Howard Stark.
H3 3. What’s the significance of Hank Pym being Yellowjacket instead of Ant-Man?
The choice of Yellowjacket over Ant-Man likely serves multiple narrative purposes. It provides a visual contrast, adding to the retro aesthetic with its ’80s design. Also, the Yellowjacket suit is inherently more aggressive in its aesthetic, perhaps reflecting the more volatile nature of this early Avengers team. It also avoids any confusion about the already explored arc of Ant-Man and the Wasp, who were not present in this episode.
H3 4. How does this version of Hulk differ from the MCU version?
This Hulk appears to be even more unpredictable and difficult to control than his MCU counterpart. Without the established relationship with Bruce Banner or the later refinements in controlling his transformations, this Hulk is a raw force of destruction, posing a threat to friend and foe alike. He is used less as a tactical weapon and more as a last resort.
H3 5. Did the team’s 1988 setting influence their fighting style?
Absolutely. The limited technology of the time forces the Avengers to rely more on their innate abilities and tactical thinking. The absence of advanced communication systems necessitates closer cooperation and more intuitive understanding between team members. Also, the fight scenes themselves feel more grounded and less reliant on CGI spectacle, reflecting the ’80s action movie aesthetic.
H3 6. Why wasn’t Captain America involved in this iteration of the Avengers?
Captain America’s absence remains unexplained within the episode, although it is strongly implied that he is still frozen in ice. The implication is that he will eventually be found, setting the stage for further alternative realities involving Captain America in a drastically different world.
H3 7. How does this Ego compare to the one from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2?
While fundamentally the same character with the same ambitions, this Ego is presented as a more immediate and direct threat. The lack of Star-Lord’s influence delays his plan, and he attempts a full-scale planetary invasion as opposed to a slow burn. His encounter with the ’88 Avengers forced him to alter his tactics and revealed him to be more ruthless than he was perceived in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
H3 8. What impact does Yellowjacket’s sacrifice have on the wider universe?
Hank Pym’s sacrifice profoundly impacts this timeline. By defeating Ego, he saves not only Earth but potentially countless other planets that Ego intended to consume. This act fundamentally changes the power balance in the galaxy, preventing a cosmic catastrophe and possibly creating new alliances and conflicts. It also raises questions about the potential existence of other Celestial threats who could arise in the wake of Ego’s defeat.
H3 9. Does this episode hint at the introduction of other MCU characters in altered forms?
This episode opens a Pandora’s Box of possibilities for revisiting familiar characters in unexpected ways. It suggests the potential for exploring alternative origin stories and team dynamics, paving the way for future episodes featuring drastically different versions of established heroes and villains. The brief glimpse of pre-Guardians Star-Lord hinted at future possibilities to explore the impact of his being found by S.H.I.E.L.D.
H3 10. Could this 1988 Avengers team appear in a future Multiverse storyline?
The possibilities of the Multiverse Saga are endless. This 1988 Avengers team, with its unique dynamic and ’80s aesthetic, would be a fascinating addition to any future Multiverse storyline. Their distinct experience in facing a cosmic threat without the resources of the main MCU could offer valuable insight and assistance in combating greater threats.
H3 11. What are the key themes explored in this episode?
Beyond the action and retro setting, this episode explores themes of teamwork, sacrifice, and the importance of adapting to unexpected circumstances. It demonstrates that even without the same resources or experience, individuals can overcome seemingly insurmountable odds by working together and putting the greater good first. The story highlights the inherent flaws in heroes from every timeline.
H3 12. What makes this episode stand out from other What If…? episodes?
This episode stands out due to its successful integration of the retro setting into the narrative, its compelling character dynamics, and its impactful exploration of established themes. The 1988 aesthetic is not just window dressing; it informs the story and creates a unique atmosphere that distinguishes it from other episodes of What If…?. The combination of a high-stakes cosmic threat and a fundamentally different Avengers team makes this episode particularly engaging and memorable. The ending is surprisingly impactful and shows that heroes, even in a “What If?” world, can be selfless.