TheMCU’s newest release just explained an unusual mystery surroundingGuardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2seven years after the movie itself first released. As a franchise that has now existed for close to two decades - and that looks set to continue on for even more - some lingering mysteries showing up inthe MCU timelineare perhaps inevitable. Not every release can get a follow-up right after its debut, and some mysteries are created entirely by accident, making them more challenging to solve.
However, this isn’t to say the MCU hasn’t addressed its fair share of these mysteries over the years, sometimes even explaining things it seemed like they’d never address - with someupcoming Marvel movieslikeCaptain America: Brave New WorldandThunderbolts*teasing they’re about to do the exact same in their stories. However, the franchise’s most recent release has managed another example of just that, with an interesting moment in one of its newest chapters appearing to shed light on a question that it appeared would never be answered until now.
What If? Season 3 Explains How Howard The Duck Escaped The Collector’s Base
What If…?season 3, episode 4 focuses on Howard The Duck and Darcy Lewis - who’ve appeared throughout the MCU in various ways - in an alternate universe where the pair are in a relationship and have had a child together. Due to Howard’s avian genes, the baby is born as an egg, and - as the birth happened on the Convergence - is believed to have great powers, leading to many MCU characters trying to take the egg for their own purposes. As such, Howard and Darcy spend the episode either tracking down or defending their offspring, with varying levels of success.
One such instance sees the duo break into the Collector’s base in order to retrieve their child, with Howard guiding them through the sewers of their lair. During this scene,Darcy reveals Howard knows about this route as it’s how he initially escaped the Collector’s clutches afterGuardians Of The Galaxyin order to appear in Contraxia in the sequel, stating, “I can’t believe you escaped through the sewage tunnels, you won’t even use a public restroom.”, to which he responds, “I’m not proud of it - I did what I had to do.”
What If? Season 3 Changes What Howard The Duck’s Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 Return Looks Like
Howard the Duck’s brief cameo inGuardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2is played entirely for laughs in the movie, with the character being shown on a date for a few seconds in the only scene containing him in the film. Part of the joke there is naturally that Howard was last shown locked up as part of the Collector’s prized possessions, making seeing him here out of the blue all the more unexpected.
As such,learning some of the backstory to the actual series of events that led here changes things up, making this moment and Howard’s follow-up appearance inAvengers: Endgameboth more entertaining, and a little less random looking. While the explanation for Howard’s escape is still presented in a joking manner, it’s clear this experience wasn’t exactly pleasant for him, and this may explain why he tries to take it easy for some time afterwards - hence theGuardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 scene.
Similarly, going through all of this only to witness half of all life disappear goes to further explain why Howard the Duck is present inEndgame’s final fight despite the MCU having never before suggested he has fighting prowess, nor that he would be inclined to join a dangerous fray. With this in mind,What If…?season 3’s sly reference to Howard’s past makes both hisGuardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2return and overall story better in more than one way.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Cast
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the adventures of Peter Quill and his eclectic crew as they navigate complex family dynamics and revelations about Quill’s mysterious heritage. Set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the film explores themes of family and identity against a backdrop of intergalactic adventure.
What If…?
What If… ? is an animated anthology series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe which features fan-favorite characters, including Peggy Carter, T’Challa, Doctor Strange, Killmonger, Thor, and more. The new series, directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley as head writer, features signature MCU action with a curious twist. The show sees Uatu the Watcher, an omnipotent being that observes the events of multiple universes from afar as they unfold, unable to interfere. However, things shift when an entity peers beyond the veil, jeopardizing the multiverse.
