What If…? season 1, episode 6 review: What If… Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark?

We chart the story between a capitalist and a soldier as What If…? Episode 6 looks at what happens if Tony Stark is rescued by Killmonger. 

Following the most anticipated episode of Marvel’s What If…? yet (the fifth episode, “What If… Zombies?!”), viewers might be wondering where the Disney Plus show could go from here.

Well in this sixth installment, we ponder the question “What If… Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark?” And I gotta say this one is one of the more intriguing takes in the larger multiverse.

Another chance at redemption, perhaps?

Erik “Killmonger” Stevens was arguably the MVP of the Academy Award-winning Black Panther. Now, he has returned in the sixth episode of What If…? (with Michael B. Jordan voicing again) and did just what the title described: He saved the billionaire playboy, genius, industrialist, Tony Stark (Mick Wingert), in Afghanistan during an ambush by the Ten Rings. During the rescue, Killmonger throws the very Stark Industries missile that would have exploded in Stark’s chest away from the Iron Man-to-be, changing history itself.

As The Watcher (Jeffrey Wright) narrates, “Heroes are not born, they are freed in darkness, shaped in battle, defined by sacrifice.” No sooner is that made clear than when Killmonger’s intervention makes the age of Iron Man no more.

As a result of his arrival, Killmonger receives a promotion as Chief of Security at Stark Industries. While not humbling Stark enough to completely write off all weapons manufacturing at the press conference, Killmonger uncovers COO Obadiah Stane’s (Kiff VandenHeuvel) deception. Obadiah is subsequently replaced by Killmonger as new appointed COO.

Executive assistant of Stark Pepper Potts (Beth Hoyt) grows suspicious of Killmonger and has a conversation with Lieutenant Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle) about the decorated soldier. Rhodes briefs Pepper about the Navy SEAL on his status as MIT graduate and an elite black-ops mercenary for a Joint Social Operations Command ghost squad with ties to the CIA. But Pepper wants to dig deeper, insisting there has to be something “the knight in shining camouflage” may want.

Back in Tony’s Malibu home, Stark shows Killmonger around and, as the pair bond over their respective late fathers, the latter brings up a project he worked on back in MIT that explored the possibility of unmanned humanoid combat drones. They need a power source, which means – guest what!? – vibranium! So, in order to gain more power, they have Rhodes, as legal military liaison, arrange an exchange with black market dealer Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis).

However, T’Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) intercepts the exchange between Klaue’s faction and the US Air Force. Killmonger, though, gets the drop on his long-lost cousin with a prototype Jericho sonic taser weapon, killing both Black Panther and Rhodes, making it appear that the latter was caught in the crossfire. He then retrieves the Dora Milaje vibranium-tipped spear.

What If…? a chance at redemption was wasted

It was at that very moment that Killmonger squandered his chance at redemption within this alternate timeline as his actions cause a war between the United States and Wakanda. Finally, Stark gets some idea as to what Killmonger might be doing when he learns of his best friend taken out. Thanks to his A.I. system, JARVIS, he uncovered his betrayal and prepared for Killmonger, confronting him with a drone he synthesised from the alloy of his backstabber’s vibranium ring. Unfortunately, still, Killmonger defeats the drone with the spear and kills Stark anyway, staging it as a Wakandan attack.

This episode just refuses to give viewers a break at this point. Following the attack on Stark Industries’ CEO, General Thaddeus Ross (Mike McGill) leads an attack against the nation of Wakanda, seizing a controlling interest in the company through their R&D program and deploying the army of Liberator drones to Wakandan soil. As insurance, Killmonger kills Klaue the same way as he did in the 2018 film to show loyalty to the nation of Wakanda, manipulating his own family into believing he didn’t kill his cousin.

A riveting sixth outing full of twists, turns and gravitas…

Like the film that inspired this segment, this episode showcases Afrofuturism through showcasing the power of Wakanda and its people. Furthermore, Killmonger was one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s greatest villains and What If…? season 1, episode 6 was just as much Stark’s story as Killmonger’s. It also begs the question: Without Iron Man, would the Avengers have even been formed?

Stark and Killmonger, ironically, do share some similarities in terms of the fact that they are both orphans trying to right the wrongs of their fathers and are also both adept in their respective fields – that being science for Tony and military strategy for Killmonger. This episode also showcases how cunning and manipulative Killmonger can be, even defeating the great Tony Stark. He became the next Black Panther and, this time the throne is solidified… for now.

“What If… Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark” never quite reaches the highs of the show’s charming second episode, nor is it as emotively powerful as episode 4. But it is an examination of Stark’s ignorance and Killmonger’s hubris. The animation and story are great and, although some of the performances feel a little flat or uncharacteristic for their characters, it is another enthralling installment.

Catch new episodes of What If…? on Wednesdays on Disney+.

What do you think of this week’s episode of What If…? Let us know in the comments below!