Marvel’s What if...Episode 4

Man-O-Man, did this episode of Marvel’s What if…had me fooled again (big time), just by the brief shots from the trailers for the series, I thought for a minute, the Dr. Strange-center episode would’ve had Dr. Strange turn to the Dark Side (like in this What if…Comic, Picture: Bottom Left Corner) or perhaps explore if Baron Mordo became Sorcerer Supreme (like in this What if…Comic, Picture: Bottom Right Corner), but sadly, that wasn‘t the case (such a missed opportunity), Especially since Baron Mordo didn’t appear in this episode (makes you wonder what became of him in that alternate universe). Despite the miss opportunities for the Dr. Strange-center episode that I’ve already mentioned (based on those What if…Comics I’ve mentioned), the episode itself does show us what happens when we become motivated and blind in trying to fix something that we end up doing more harm than good…  

(Plus this episode marks the 1st time the presence of the Watcher is detected by someone)

(Click here as Dr. Strange senses the presence of the Watcher)

So apparently, in this Episode, Dr. Strange evolves into Strange Supreme after the loss of his lover (Christine Palmer) in the same car accident that damaged the nerves within his fingers (in both the comics and in the main MCU timeline). A fun fact is that Dr. Strange’s 1st love interest (long before Clea (Picture: Bottom Right Corner) and I don’t believe that Dr. Strange had a crush on Christine Palmer within the Comics, did he?), is a human female sorcerer named Victoria Bentley (Picture: Bottom Left Corner), who nowadays make a few appearances within Dr. Strange-related comics, but to be honest, Clea is the better love interest for Dr. Strange (and I hope to see them closer together in the MCU).     

Plus (within this What if Episode), we’ve introduced to a new character (from the comics), who hadn’t been seen within the Main MCU Timeline…and that’s Cagliostro (O'Bengh) (Picture: Bottom Center, though looks entirely different from his comics counterpart), but nevertheless guides Strange into the Lost Library of Cagliostro, where Strange (literally) absorbs the energy of multiple mystical beings in order to “break an absolute point in time to resurrect his beloved Christine Palmer” (while also becoming extremely powerful), only to crumble his world and later be left entirely alone for all eternity.     

The Episode alone teaches us all a valuable lesson on dealing with the loss of loved ones, which isn’t easy for some, especially for those on the spectrum (and sometimes wondering to ourselves what we could’ve done to either prevent it or find a way to be reunited with them one last time). I'll never forget when I lost my Grandpa (Picture: Bottom Center) passed away…and I wasn’t there for him when he needed me (and much like Dr. Strange within this episode, if I (Ethan Stranger) wished I had to power to bring him back…and to do so, it would’ve required “more power”), but then again (since I’m not truly a sorcerer supreme), (like everybody else) must deal with loss the old-fashion way (and accept that he’s in a better place).

(Read more about my Grandpa in my World’s Greatest Grandpa Post)

(Click here to witness Dr. Strange pled to the Watcher to fix everything…):

Also, another lesson learned here is about the Watcher’s rule about not interfering to save Strange Supreme’s universe (In the comics, the Watchers are some of the oldest beings within the universe, they mainly observe various events play out, but aren’t allowed to interfere, the best-known Watcher is Uatu, who’s known to interfere during various events). Uatu the Watcher’s oath about not interfering makes me wonder if “The Lord Almighty” acts in a similar Watcher-Style way (Picture: Bottom Center), if he did, then he could’ve stopped various horrible things that happened throughout our timely world (or does he want for us, The People in general, to solve problems ourselves), perhaps “What if…The Lord Almighty interfere” would make a very interesting non-marvel related What if…style story.      

What if…(Sorcerer Supreme title) Scenario-based Stories: The part of the blog where I talk about various other Multiversal possibilities concepts within the animated series (who knows, maybe these tales could either be made into actual comics or episodes for the animated series) and remember…anything is possible in a multiverse (thus allows us to get creative in a twisted way). 

1. What if…Captain America became Sorcerer Supreme: In this Alternate MCU universe, it’s the Ancient One and Wong who discovered Captain America frozen in the ice, however (haven been frozen for so long), The Super-Solider Serum begins breaking down from within his body, thus the Ancient One teaches Steve Rogers the ways of the mystic arts, in the hopes that it might save him (in which it does in a way), thus Stev Rogers known as “The Soldier Supreme”, however, with Steve Rogers haven gain mystical abilities and becoming Sorcerer Surpeme, how could it affect the formation of the Avengers, without the Star Spangled Man leading them into battle? This Alternate MCU universe could also introduce “Dreadmund Druid (Picture: Bottom Right Corner)” as the main villain (replacing Kaecilius) and introduce HYDRA more into the world of magic instead of Science (or both combine the 2 concepts together). As for the Stephen Strange within this universe (if you’re wondering)...he’s still just a normal/arrogant neurosurgeon. 

2. What if…Tony Stark became Sorcer Supreme: Marvel’s What if…Comics have already touched on that concept idea (Picture: Bottom Left Corner), but to make it more “MCU-Styled”, The 10 Rings are in fact more of a mystic cult (instead of a terrorist organization, but still are responsible for kidnapping Tony Stark) that’s made of former members of the Masters of the Mystic Arts, Hamir (Picture: Bottom Right Corner) replaces “Ho Yinsen”, teaches Tony Stark the ways of the Mystic arts (even Stark impresses Hamir when he creates “The Sorcerer Armor”) and it’s revealed that it’s “Justin Hammer (not Obadiah Stane)”  who’s behind hiring The 10 Rings in assassinating Tony Stark (mainly to eliminate the competition in the business industry) and is working for the Mandarin. Within this Alternate Reality, could we see a Sorcerer Tony Stark do battle against the Mandarin (will James Rhodes also learn the ways of the Mystic arts and don Sorcerer Armor of his very own) and with Tony Stark as Sorcerer Supreme, how will it affect his company (Stark Industries) and him joining the Avengers, as for the Stephen Strange within this universe (if you’re wondering)...he’s still just a normal/arrogant neurosurgeon. 

I wanna see that variant version of Tony Stark within the MCU (someday in the future). 

3. What if…Spider-Man became Sorcerer Supreme: To be honest, I originally thought they were gonna do an episode within the 1st season where Spider-Man gains mystic abilities, judging by this Image (Picture: Bottom Left Corner), but that didn’t happen. While the concept of Spider-Man dressed as Dr. Strange was teased in the Ultimate Spider-Man Cartoon (Picture: Bottom Right Corner), in this Alternate MCU Timeline, the events of “Spider-Man: Far From Home” happen in Katmandu, Nepal (Instead of Europe), where Peter Parker interact act more with Dr. Strange, Wong and other Masters of the mystic arts, plus Mysterio in this universe serves as Dormammu’s new lackey (replacing Kaecilius) and even has “real mystic abilities (granted to him by Dormammu)”, thus later has a mystic battle with Dr. Strange and Spider-man, that'll be a good way to use that concept from “No Way Home” (Picture: Bottom Center), despite the heroes best efforts, Mysterio manages to Kill Dr. Strange, who then passes the “Sorcerer Supreme title” to Spider-Man, who then does the same thing that Strange when he defeated Kaecilius (by making a bargain with Dormammu), in which it works. With Mysterio gone and Spider-Man now the new Sorcerer Supreme, Spidey will continue to learn the ways of the mystic arts to help him better protect his loved ones, thus with great magic, comes great responsibility 

4. What if…Loki became Sorcerer Supreme: This alternate MCU universe can also explore “What if…Loki got banished to Earth instead of Thor”, but instead of being banished to New Mexico (and encountering Jane Foster, Darcy Lewis, and Eric Selvig), Loki (now a mortal) finds himself exiled in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he soon meets the Ancient One and the Masters of the Mystic Arts, where Loki agrees to learn sorcery in an attempt to regain his former god-like abilities, but eventually Loki would later learn the truth about the Ancient One drawing power from the Dark Dimension, which disillusions him, thus (with help from Kaecilius), the duo soon form a  mystic zealot cult and begin to serve Dormammu (who doesn’t wanna see a Loki/Dormammu partnership) (Picture: Bottom Right Corner). After helping Dormammu destroy the Masters of the Mystic Arts' Sanctums (even killing the Ancient One and Wong) and Loki himself claiming the Sorcerer Supreme title (forcing Baron Mordo to flee away), Dormammu then helps Loki take over Asgard, with his new mystic abilities (thanks to Dormammu), he’s able to defeat Thor and Odin. This alternate MCU universe can also explore “What if…Baron Mordo joined the Avengers and What if…The Avengers battled Dormammu'' (as for Stephen Strange within this universe (if you’re wondering), he tragically dies in that Car accident). 

(Watch here to watch a variant take based on this concept)

5. What if…Scarlet Witch became Sorcer Supreme: In this alternate MCU universe (Following the events of “Captain America: The Winter Solider”), the Ancient senes the presence of the Scarlet Witch (where she and Quicksilver) are under HYDRA’s care, Thus, the Ancient one has Wong free the twins and later acts as a “mother figure to Wanda more than to Pietro (who’s under Wong’s care)”. With their “Lab Rats” gone, HYDRA then launches a full-on attack on the “Masters of the Mystic Arts” (which could alert the Avengers), after which Quicksilver joins them while Scarlet Witch remains with the Ancient One, also in this universe, Agatha Harkness serves Dormammu (replacing Kaecilius), because of these events, how will it change the events of “Age of Ultron” (especially if perhaps both Ultron and Vision were never created in this universe)? (as for Stephen Strange within this universe (if you’re wondering), he does seek mystic help for his hands, Wanda manages to heal his hands, and Strange turns down the chance to learn more about sorcery.  

What if…(Stephen Strange/Dr. Strange) Scenario-based Stories 

1. What if…Stephen Strange encounter Dormammu, but wasn’t the sorcerer supreme: Imagine what would’ve happened if Stephen Strange (Literally) encounter Dormammu long before he got into that car accident that would lead him into seeking aid from the Masters of the Mystic Arts and later becoming Sorcerer Supreme. This all happened when the Ancient One and her fellow Masters of the Mystic Arts were already at War with Dormammu and his Mindless Ones as he attempted to consume Earth into The Dark Dimension. During the War, Dormammu’s niece (Clea) attempted to aid the Ancient One, but got injured by the Mindless Ones and later found her a way to a hospital where Dr. Stephen Strange tends to her injured, but eventually, Dormammu tracks down and both Clea and Stephen Strange back to the Dark Dimension, despite being impress with Strange’s ability to tend to Clea’s injuries, Dormammu takes away his gifted hands thus stating “Your life is yours…. But your hands...Your hands are mine alone”, Eventually Clea and Strange escape (where Clea gives Strange some sorcerer-styles clothes, Picture: Bottom Center) and teachers Strange magic (despite Strange having no hands), but later (haven learn sorcery) manages to create magic energy-like hands, thus the duo forms a resistance within the Dark Dimension against Dormammu, perhaps this alternate universe could also explore “What if…Christine Palmer became Sorcerer Supreme” 

2. What if…Stephen Strange became Iron Man: Imagine what would’ve happened if both Stephen Strange and Tony Stark knew each other (long before either of them became their superhero egos), thus in this Alternate MCU universe, either Dr. Stephen Strange is hired by the US military to treat injured soldiers within Kunar Province (or serves as Tony Stark’s Private Doctor), but Stephen Strange is captured by eh 10 Rings (while Tony Stark is shot and killed), this would be difficult when Strange is forced to work with Ho Yinsen in creating the 1st Iron Man armor (as Stephen’s a neurosurgeon, not a tech genius like Stark), however, the 1st Iron man armor is still made. Perhaps in this universe, Kaecilius allies himself with Obadiah Stane (after having a vision), with Stephen Strange deciding to further improve the Iron Man armor, which later leads him into conflict with Obadiah Stane (who’s in control of mystical battle armor, given to him by Kaecilius), after defeating the villains and seeing magic to be the cause of villainy, Strange takes control of Stark Industries and has them build the technological force (dubbed: The Empirikul, Picture: Bottom Right Corner) to eliminate all magic around the world (believing magic to be a curse and a force of pure evil).  

(this alternate Universe is inspired by this unused Infinity War Scene: Picture: Top Left Corner)

3. What if…Dr. Strange battled Hela: This Alternate MCU universe could explore what if Dr. Strange’s Role in 2017s Thor Ragnarok was much larger (perhaps he ends up on Sakaar alongside Thor and forced to compete in the Grandmasters Contest of Champions), while there, both Thor and Dr. Strange form “The Defenders (Picture: Bottom Center), who are contentions for the Grandmasters contest of Champions, mainly made of the “Cosmic Defenders members from the comics” (however, it’s revealed that Valkyrie traveled to earth and abducted several of superpower beings to compete in the contest of Champions before she herself was betrayed by Grandmaster and force to compete in the contest of Champions), this alternate MCU reality can also explore “What If…Drax the Destroyer quit the Guardians of the Galaxy” (where Drax had learned of his daughter being alive and left the guardians, only for him reunite with daughter while being a prisoner of the grandmaster, alongside her). After escaping Sakkar and with the formation of the Defenders, they attempt to stop Hela and the uprising of Ragnarok, perhaps in this universe, it’s Dr. Strange (not Thor) who loses an eye during the battle with Hela (thus ends up placing the time stone in his eye socket and covers it with an Eye-patch). Although Hela is defeated and the events of Ragnarok do happen, with the formation of the Defenders, how will it affect the opening of the 2018s Infinity War (perhaps the Defenders will battle Thanos and his forces and prevent them from ever reaching Earth…).

Defenders Members: Dr. Strange (Leader), Thor, Loki, Valkyrie, Hulk, Black Knight, Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers), Drax the Destroyer, Moondragon, Cloak and Dagger, Deathlok, Hercules, Howard the Duck, Moon Knight, Punisher, Scarlet Witch and Vision 

https://www.cbr.com/why-did-doctor-strange-have-an-eyepatch/

(click here to read more on Dr. Strange wearing an Eye patch in the comics)

4. What if…Dr. Strange Wielded the power of the 10 rings: This Alternate MCU Universe could also explore What if…Dr. Strange Battled the Mandarin, within this Alternate MCU Universe, The Mandarin plays the role of Kaecilius and Dormammu plays the role of the Dweller-in-Darkness (in this universe, Shang-Chi doesn’t exist), but Katy Chen is a student at Kamar-Taj (and would later serve as Dr. Strange’s apprentice). After defeating the Mandarin, Dr. Strange takes possession of the 10 rings and even decides to remodel the 10 rings organization into a subdivision branch of the Masters of the Mystic Arts. Plus this Alternate MCU Universe could also explore “What if…Wong was the Real Ancient One” (meaning that Tilda Swinton’s character was just a decoy), kinda similar to what happened within “Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace” (where Padmé Amidala revealed herself to be the true Queen of Naboo, while a decoy was portraying her). 

https://deadline.com/2021/05/doctor-strange-tilda-swinton-the-ancient-one-whitewashing-kevin-feige-marvel-studios-1234761666/ (Read here to learn that Kevin Feige regret about the casting of the Ancient One)

5. What if…Dr. Strange battled Loki: In this alternate MCU universe, the events of “2013s Thor: The Dark World and 2016s Dr. Strange” happened at the same time. Following the events of Both Films, Both Lady Sif and The Warriors 3 are close to learning that “Loki is masquerading as Odin” (despite believing that Loki died), not wanting to break his cover, Loki then uses his spells to view earth, in search of a pawn to help prevent Lady Sif and The Warriors 3 from learning the truth and warning Thor (who’s reunited on Earth with Jane Foster). Upon discovering Dr. Strange and being impressed with his mystical abilities, manipulates him into banishing Lady Sif to face against the frost giants and the Warriors 3 to face off against Surtur, then alter decides to manipulate Strange into battling Thor before Thor manages to talk some sense into Strange and the duo travel back to Asgard to confront Odin, who then reveals himself to be Loki (during the battle, Loki manages to destroy the Cloak of Levitation). Eventually, Loki is arrested and brings back Lady Sif and The Warriors 3 to Asgard, Dr. Strange and Thor become good friends (though Strange mourns for his cloak of Levitation)

(this alternate MCU universe can serve as a “Love Letter to Steve Ditko”, especially to those who’ve read “Strange Tales #123 (Picture: Top Center)”)

So who else wants to share their What if…Scenario-Based Stories                                                            (Based around either Stephen Strange/Dr. Strange or the Sorcerer Supreme title itself)

Until Then…Ethan Stranger says…Excelsior…and also, somebody remain a variant version of Dr. Strange to warn a variant Version of Aunt May about “helping others (especially strangers from another universe) because the warnings come after the spells” (and also there are consequences).