What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?

The episode is amazing on how it took a space story like this and turn it into a film noir, "Logan's Run" story. The best part was all of the obscure characters in the episode. This is my favorite of the episodes so far. It is reminiscent of the DC version of What If, called Else Worlds. The story has a decent pace and the best part is that you won't need to see the Marvel films to keep track of what is going on. The episode is a complete with a familiar theme to the story.

It's always astounded me that they can get so many of the Marvel voices cast for these episodes.

Might we have seen here the "G" shield that was used in another reality from Exiles vol1, issue 23? It was given by Galactus to Reed Richards in that world.

I reviewed each episode of the first season of "What If" individually and it seems to make sense to do the same thing again this time. I liked that first series overall, and enjoyed how the seemingly disparate stories coalesced into one narrative and I wonder if that's the plan again this time? This first episode was good in its own right though.

Ronan The Accuser betrays and overthrows Thanos, leading to Nebula (Karen Gillan) being alone and floating in space. She's recruited by Nova Prime (Julianne Grossman) to the Nova Corps. Ronan attacks Xandar - which defends itself by surrounding the planet in an impenetrable shield. After a few years of isolation, Xandar has become a different, darker, and more lawless planet, with he Nova Corp the de facto Police Force. Nebula investigates the death of Yondu (Michael Rooker) and discovers that he was in over his head, with a scheme that risks the whole planet.

I mean, there' a painfully obvious inspiration for this episode that otherwise I think is largely untouched in the MCU. This is very "Bladerunner" inspired, from the cars and buildings invoking that future/noir aesthetic, to the character dangling from the edge of the building, by one arm, towards the end. The theme, as well as the story actually works really well - so much so it's a shame that they couldn't actually make this as a full live action film.

There are some additional MCU characters in the episode. Howard The Duck, voiced by Seth Green is a low-level crime boss here and Korg, Groot and Miek all work for him, which is seemingly set up for a Rock, Paper, Scissors gag that was definitely worth it. You have returns to the MCU for both Peter Serafinowicz and Jude Law, who reprises Yon-Rogg. Glenn Close not returning as Nova Prime is the only missing vocal performer.

It remains to be scene whether we'll see these versions of the characters again, but this was certainly a fun start to the second run.

What If...?'s 2nd season starts on an unexpectedly strong note. Whilst the series is clearly in no rush to continue the overarching storyline that connected the episodes of season 1, it does succeed in providing a satisfying standalone episode featuring Karen Gillan's Nebula playing in a Blade Runner-influenced sandbox, clearly inspiring both the story and the cinematography of Xandar. The central detective mystery fueling this episode unfortunately is somewhat constrained by its limited runtime. The actual mystery Nebula is tasked with solving is fairly straightforward and easily unraveled. 30 minutes isn't quite enough to do the plot full justice, especially with so much of that space devoted to the early setup and the big climax. However, ultimately the action, humor, and general tone largely make up for most shortcomings, providing a fun and interesting "What If" episode.

A sprawling metropolis... One of the creepiest speeches The Watcher gives begins the action...heavy rain... neon lights, a corpse on the ground, that corpse - Yondu! Is it Blade Runner? Nope its What If.

This story is all about Nebula and her time becoming an elite detective crawling about the city in her flying car. In a alternate world where Ronan the Accuser kills Thanos and becomes the Emperor of the Universe and stuff and Ronan wants to conquer the planet Nebula lives on.

This is amongst the best animation and art design What If has ever had! Colors that are muted but pop whenever they can. Big widescreen shots that look like paintings. I have to say that rock guy by Taika Waititi looks astonishing, much better facial detail than CGI can ever do.

So whats the problem then? Sadly, they make the plot so frustratingly simple and boring by stuffing way too much in 28min leaving not much room for real mystery. This would be a Guardians of the Galaxy movie normally but these guys said yeah we can do this in 20% of the time, sorry writers but you can't. So really every answer to every mystery is just a$$ pull. Problems are just solved because "its time to solve the problems lets just do X Y Z"!!! Yay!

Mainly all the dialogues is like "kids playing with their toys" level like when your son says hahaha I betrayed you but no no your other son says I had the doohickey all along and I reprogrammed it because I am a android and the other son says noooo I will punch you over the cliff" you know what I mean?

So in the end this gets a 6, I had fun with it, it looked beautiful and sounded good. Laura Karpman got a partner and the music was better and less maudlin. I am not one of these jerks who gives stuff 0/10 because of bad plot.

Also is Howard the Duck a joke or a real character now I can't tell?

The second season of What If...? Opens with an intriguing premise: What if Nebula, the tortured daughter of Thanos, had found redemption earlier by joining the Nova Corps? This alternate storyline offers a fresh perspective on Nebula's character arc, showcasing her capacity for growth and heroism outside of her usual tragic narrative. Karen Gillan's voice acting shines as she brings a balance of strength and vulnerability to this version of Nebula, making her journey feel authentic and compelling.

The episode delivers stunning visuals, blending vibrant cosmic landscapes with the series' signature animation style. Action sequences, particularly those involving Nova Corps missions, are dynamic and exciting, capturing the high-stakes feel of intergalactic conflict. The decision to highlight Nebula's tactical brilliance and leadership skills elevates her as a true protagonist in this alternate universe.

While the premise is engaging, the episode does fall into some predictable beats, especially in its resolution. The story introduces fascinating concepts, but its relatively short runtime doesn't allow for full exploration of the complexities of Nebula's transformation or the consequences of her decisions. Despite this, the episode succeeds in creating an enjoyable "what if" scenario that fits well within the larger Marvel multiverse framework.

Overall, What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps? Is a strong season opener, offering both action and emotional depth. While it could have delved deeper into its themes, it's a solid entry that sets the tone for the season ahead. Fans of Nebula, in particular, will find this alternate take on her story both refreshing and rewarding.

Rating: 7.5/10.