Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ released its fifth episode, titled – “What If… Zombies?!” yesterday. The fifth episode of this animated anthology series is set in the most recent MCU storyline (at least compared to the other 4 episodes) – at the beginning of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. While this episode has a lot of ‘Avengers 3’ callbacks, it is still filled with a brilliant number of Easter Eggs and pop culture references. So, let’s take a look at 7 noticeable Easter Eggs, references and call-backs in What If…? Episode 5:
Marvel Zombies
This episode is based on the one-shot Marvel limited comic book series called Marvel Zombies. Similar to how ‘What If…?’ web series, the comic books’ story takes place in an alternate universe. This comic is also another Fantastic Four reference.
Zombie Pop-Culture References & Tropes
Since this episode is based on a zombie apocalypse, there are a lot of Zombie film tropes and references made throughout this episode. The Zombieland reference of “Making Rules” is a huge one – then again, it is one of the best zombie movies in recent Hollywood film history. There is also the trope of a group of people splitting up and dying as well as zombies killing off the main characters one-by-one throughout this horror episode. We even get a small ‘Train To Busan’ (A Korean Zombie feature) reference as well. Paul Rudd also makes an appearance as Ant-Man as well and starts to riff off multiple zombie and situational jokes and puns as well. Even Peter Parker’s reference to Zombie films is a trope in off itself.
Sharon Carter – Eulogies
This is quite funny. The introduction of each character from Spider-Man’s perspective was already funny, but this made it even funnier. We saw Sharon Carter make only one eulogy in the entire MCU, but it has been hilariously classified as her “speciality”.
Camp Lehigh
Camp Lehigh is an important Marvel comics and MCU location. It is where Captain Steve Rogers trained before he got injected with the serum. It was also destroyed by Hydra when they attempted to kill Captain America and Black Widow for trying to find out the truth about Hydra.
The “Ant-Man Beats Thanos” Theory
Before ‘Avengers: Endgame’ was released, there was a crude theory made by fans where Ant-Man went up Thanos’s butthole in his miniature form and then expand to his Giant-Man form – thereby killing (or destroying, to be more apt) Thanos. It was a popular opinion, but then Avengers 4 was released and it blew everyone’s minds. And eventually, the theory was forgotten. Until now.
While The Wasp didn’t enter Zombie-Sharon’s butt, she did enter her body through her mouth and then became big, to kill her. This means this plan should have worked against Thanos also. Still, a nice “call-back” to a cool and funny fan theory.
WandaVision
While we knew Wanda and Vision loved each other before the release of MCU’s first-ever TV series, we didn’t realize that Vision could go just as nuts about Wanda as she could about him. Still, unlike most tropes, Vision eventually understood his folly and decided to help the remainder of the Avengers to save the world. But the removal of the Mind Stone directly from his head was crazy extreme. Reminded us all of what Thanos would have done to him if the Zombie Apocalypse didn’t happen.
So… Avenge Us
We did mention that there were a lot of Avengers 3 call-backs and references peppered throughout this episode. However, this one gave us a small chill down our spines. As you guys know, Spider-Man never officially joined the Avengers until he left for outer space with Iron Man and Dr Strange. But he didn’t get a chance to do that due to the zombie apocalypse. Still, Bruce’s last words to Peter, “So… Avenge Us”, is just as good and iconic on its own rights.
Check out the first five episodes of Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ on Disney+ Hotstar.
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