Marvel’s What If…? gave viewers wild alternate realities with fascinating new versions of fan-favorite superheroes. The series proves that even the smallest changes can have a huge impact on the Marvel universe.
The best among these characters have the most compelling stories that significantly impact the MCU. These heroes and villains wowed audiences with their shocking actions, new relationships, and memorable lines. With What If…?’s first season having recently wrapped, fans now have a complete picture of who the best characters on the show are.
Clint Barton (Hawkeye)
After Clint Barton and Natasha Romanoff survive the nuclear holocaust Ultron caused in "What If... Ultron Won?," the pair infiltrate the KGB archives to try and find something that can defeat the rogue AI. There’s a moving moment where Hawkeye looks down from their aircraft at the devastated planet, likely thinking of the fate of his family down below.
Clint’s struggle is painful to watch, as his “will-to-live meter” is slowly depleted over the course of their search for a solution. The character is finding it difficult to keep going because, in his eyes, there’s nothing left worth fighting for. Although he only appears in one episode, it’s a harrowing depiction of the loss the Avenger has experienced in this universe and the sacrifice he’s willing to make to at least keep Black Widow alive.
Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel)
Captain Marvel has often been portrayed in the MCU as an unstoppable force who can take down almost any villain, which is why it was great to finally see her up against a formidable foe like Ultron.
It seems as if Carol Danvers herself didn’t expect to lose in the episode “What If… Ultron Won?,” but even her strongest attacks couldn’t defeat the powerful AI. For a moment, fans may have believed that she could stop Ultron’s rampage, what with her usual confident entrance and witty insults. It was heartbreaking to see her demise, but the short scene at least shows that even Carol has her limits and vulnerabilities.
Thor
The Party Prince is definitely one of the best alternate versions of Thor to appear in the MCU, thanks to his excessive love of Vegas and impressive party-planning skills. It’s fascinating to see his friendship with Loki, who spent his life becoming a powerful Frost Giant instead of quarreling with Thor.
Aside from being packed with Easter eggs, "What If... Thor Were an Only Child?" showcases an epic fight between Thor and Captain Marvel. There are also a ton of humorous moments that could only be pulled off by the overconfident God of Thunder. Even though his role isn’t particularly highlighted in the final episode, it’s still heartwarming to see him reunited with Jane Foster in the end.
Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow)
Natasha’s storyline is perhaps one of the darkest narratives on the show, as she has to deal with the annihilation of her planet, the death of her best friend, and the responsibility of delivering the final blow to Ultron. She’s her strong optimistic self throughout the eighth and ninth episodes, up until it’s time for the Guardians of the Multiverse to go home.
Her confrontation of the Watcher is a surprisingly heavy scene that reveals just how much she’s carrying on her shoulders. She can’t help but accuse Uatu of sitting by the sidelines as her friends died in front of her eyes. Thankfully, Natasha's jaded character gets a bittersweet ending in a new universe that “lost their Widow” — it’s an especially moving conclusion considering her death in the MCU’s main timeline.
Peggy Carter (Captain Carter)
Peggy Carter’s transformation into Captain Carter serves as the perfect first episode for What If…?, "What If... Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?," as it tells viewers what the show is all about. It helps that her episode recreates key moments from Captain America: The First Avenger because it highlights how one small change can impact the entire Marvel universe in significant ways.
Captain Carter is a strong and confident Super Soldier who has her own unique struggles that Captain America did not. For instance, the show emphasizes how different her experiences are as a woman in that role, with others constantly underestimating her skills. She proves to be instrumental for the Guardians as well, who are only able to convince Black Widow to trust them thanks to Peggy’s persuasiveness.
T'Challa (Star-Lord)
T’Challa’s Star-Lord is one of the best variants of the character, thanks to his diplomatic skills and far-reaching impact on his timeline. Star-Lord is able to use his connection with Yondu and the Ravagers for good and becomes known across the universe as a hero.
Thanks to T'Challa's efforts, Nebula never had to experience torturous cybernetic modifications, Drax’s family never had to die, Thanos never committed genocide, and more. Star-Lord is a competent leader who chooses to do good wherever he goes. "What If... T'Challa Became a Star-Lord?" is a refreshingly optimistic narrative in the series that often highlights worse timelines in the multiverse.
Erik Killmonger
Erik Killmonger was already a formidable villain in the films, but the variant of his character in the MCU show is better. In “What If… Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark?,” fans see just how strategic and cunning the soldier can be.
He masterfully manipulates the people around him, from Tony Stark who never becomes Iron Man to Ulysses Klaue who unwittingly becomes a sacrifice to the Wakandan Kingdom who opens its doors to him and his deadly Liberators. Killmonger also comes dangerously close to taking over the multiverse when he takes the Infinity Gauntlet in the final episode, which proves just how capable and ambitious he really is.
Ultron
First teased in "What If... Thor Were an Only Child?," Ultron’s introduction as a mighty villain that could destroy the Marvel universe shocked and entertained fans. The show highlights how dangerous the genocidal AI’s twisted rationale can be when applied to the multiverse.
Ultron is arguably one of the most powerful beings to appear in the MCU and it takes Uatu’s handpicked heroes from across several realities to bring him down. Ultron’s complete disregard for the destruction he causes in various worlds and galaxies is terrifying. It’s chilling to watch him use the Infinity Stones to obliterate planet after planet, which made his epic demise through Armin Zola’s digital prowess satisfying to watch.
The Watcher
Uatu the Watcher has quietly looked on from his place in the Nexus of All Realities for eons, staying true to his oath to never interfere with the universes within his reach. He’s the singular character who ties the series together at first, as fans see the alternate realities through his eyes and learn more about each one through his narration.
When Uatu realizes he has no choice but to get involved, fans get a glimpse of how strong the being is. It’s unfortunately not enough to take the rogue AI down, but the Watcher is thankfully able to pluck the Guardians of the Multiverse from their realities and unite them. His character is an excellent introduction to the concept of the Watchers who will hopefully play more significant roles in the MCU’s main timeline.
Stephen Strange (Doctor Strange)
In“What If… Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?," Stephen Strange’s pursuit of the Mystic Arts is driven by the loss of his girlfriend, Christine Palmer. Things quickly turn dark when he decides to try and resurrect her, only to learn that her death is an “Absolute Point.” Doctor Strange refuses to accept that his continuous attempts at reviving her could have devastating consequences for his universe, even after he’s warned by the Ancient One and the uncorrupted version of himself.
The years he spends absorbing monstrous beings in the Lost Library of Cagliostro pay off in the worst way, as he predictably destroys everything around him by bringing Christine back. His redemption arc is a satisfying one to see, as he finally uses his immense powers for good. He even sacrifices presumably the rest of his life to watch over the pocket dimension, ensuring that no other universe will be destroyed in the same way his world was. It’s hopefully not the last time fans see this variant of the Sorcerer Supreme in the MCU.