In the realm of the multiverse, where every decision ripples through time and space, creating alternate realities, Marvel's "What If…?" Season 3 Episode 1, titled "What If…The Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?", takes us on a thrilling ride through a world where the Hulk's gamma-fueled rampage leads to a mechanized showdown. This episode, reminiscent of the Power Rangers and drawing inspiration from IPs like Ultraman, Mobile Suit Gundam, Pacific Rim, and Transformers, sets the stage for a high-stakes conflict between humanity and the Gamma Beasts.
The episode opens with a poignant portrayal of Bruce Banner's struggle to integrate into society after his gamma accident. Sam Wilson, in a twist from "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," befriends Banner during a jog at the Lincoln Memorial. Banner's isolation and fear of hurting those he cares about lead him to seek solace in group therapy, facilitated by Sam. Their friendship blossoms until a tragic incident on Sarah's boat, where Banner loses control and transforms into the Hulk, causing chaos and fear among their friends. This event pushes Banner further into isolation, as he desperately seeks a cure for his condition.
In a desperate bid to eliminate the Hulk, Banner exposes himself to gamma rays once more, but this act of desperation only leads to catastrophe. The gamma radiation not only mutates Banner's alter ego into a Gamma Beast but also separates the monster from his body, creating Apex, the king of all Gamma Beasts. Unbound by Banner's consciousness, Apex wreaks havoc across the globe, eventually leading to the first Gamma Wars.
Faced with the overwhelming power of the Gamma Beasts, the world's heroes, including Tony Stark, realize their superpowers are insufficient. Stark, in a move reminiscent of his "Iron Man" persona, constructs Hulk-Busters, massive mechs piloted by the Avengers to combat the Gamma threat. Despite their valiant efforts, the Avengers fail to defeat Apex, leading to their ultimate sacrifice.
A decade later, Apex, having camouflaged its gamma radiation in the Arctic, returns with a new army, launching an invasion that catches humanity off guard. Sam and his team, including Monica Rambeau, struggle against the might of Apex, leading to Rambeau's suggestion to seek Banner's help, the only one capable of ending the crisis.
Banner, living in a lair within an active volcano, has developed the Mighty Avenger Protocol, a mech-interface code that allows the Hulk-Busters to combine into a Mega Hulk Buster. Despite their combined strength, they are no match for Apex. Banner, in a heroic act, sacrifices himself by absorbing gamma radiation from an atomic bomb, transforming into the Mega Hulk. This transformation allows him to defeat Apex and absorb its radiation, eradicating the threat once and for all.
In a heart-wrenching finale, Banner, now the new Apex, is confronted by Sam, who appeals to the human within the colossal beast. Banner heeds Sam's call, turning away from humanity and leading the Gamma Beasts back to the Arctic. The episode ends on a note of uncertainty, leaving us to wonder if Banner will ever regain his human form and what the future holds for Sam and his team as they monitor the new Apex in the Arctic.
This episode of "What If…?" is a testament to the power of friendship and the consequences of unchecked power. It explores the depths of Banner's isolation and his struggle with the Hulk, culminating in a mech-fueled battle that redefines the boundaries of heroism and sacrifice.