How What If…? season 3 honors the iconic marriage between Black Panther and Storm from the Marvel comics, giving fans the next best thing.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a way of blending comic book arcs with creative twists and turns in cross-media adaptations to keep fans hooked. Yet, there have been some arcs that have failed to make it on the big or small screen, still remaining on the comic book pages. One of these most anticipated storylines has been the iconic marriage between Black Panther and Storm.

Chadwick Boseman in and as Black Panther | Credit: Marvel Studios

Two of Marvel’s most powerful and beloved characters, we did not get their interaction or storyline in the Chadwick Boseman-helmed franchise. But Marvel might have given us the next best thing in What If…? season 3.

Spoiler Alert !!!
Potential Spoiler for What If…? Season 3

What If…? season 3 covers for the Black Panther-Storm storyline we never got

A still from What If…? Season 3 | Credit: Marvel Studios

What If…? season three contains some exciting details and variants we have never seen on the big screen. At the end of the series, after a powerful battle and Captain Carter’s heroic sacrifice, we get to see several variants of MCU characters. And one of these is Storm as Black Panther.

An obvious nod to Black Panther and Storm’s relationship from the Marvel comics, it is but for a second that we get to see her. For decades, the relationship between the two powerful characters has stood out as one of the most iconic pairings, and their marriage represented the union of two legendary heroes and groups within the Marvel universe: the X-Men and the Avengers.

When the news of Black Panther being brought to live-action was announced, starring the late Chadwick Boseman, many had hoped that they would get to see this iconic pairing in the MCU as well. However, that clearly did not happen. Yet, What If…? season 3 steps up to fill this void in its signature alternate-universe style by giving fans the next best thing.

What If…? Season 3 filled the gap that MCU failed to do

Black Panther and Storm get married in the comics | Credit: Marvel Comics

Now Black Panther and Storm are two comic book characters that have been paired with several characters in various Marvel comic books. But the pairing of Black Panther and Storm was and is one of the most iconic pairings in the huge Marvel Universe. So while the MCU cannot possibly give us that pairing, What If…? season 3 stepped up in its unique way.

Instead of adapting a Black Panther-Storm romance, the show seemed to reimagine their bond in a fresh and exciting way, by combining the best of them together. Although it was for a mere second that we saw Storm as the Wakandan hero, it did end up channeling the essence of their relationship.

Using its alternate reality format and ‘what if’ concept, it offered a nice homage to their shared history in the Marvel comics. While fans would much rather have them paired up in animation or potential live-action someday, somehow, What If…? season 3 did a good enough job of honoring the beloved comic arc while adapting it into a whole new context.

What If…? Season 3 is available to be streamed on Disney+.