Introduction
Marvel's What If...? season 2 has sparked a heated debate among avid comic fans, particularly in relation to its Avengers 1602 episode. This episode featured a storyline remarkably similar to the Marvel 1602 comic series by Neil Gaiman, raising questions about Marvel Studios' consultation process with the original creator. The controversy has ignited discussions about creative liberties, adaptation ethics, and the impact of such decisions on the comic book community and the wider entertainment industry.
Writer Neil Gaiman answering a question about his involvement with Marvel's What If...? adaptation of his comic story Marvel 1602. His answer is
The episode, titled 'What If... the Avengers Assembled in 1602?', is part of Marvel Studios' multiverse-spanning anthology series. It follows the alternate-reality supersoldier Captain Carter, who is flung into the distant past in an alternate universe to lend her aid against a catastrophic cosmic anomaly threatening to end that reality. The episode introduces familiar faces like Nick Fury, Thor, Scarlet Witch, and several other Marvel heroes as natives of this new period, creating an intriguing alternate universe narrative. However, the striking resemblance to Neil Gaiman's Marvel 1602 has raised concerns about the lack of consultation with the original creator.
The Marvel 1602 Connection
The controversy surrounding What If...? season 2's Avengers 1602 episode revolves around the alleged lack of consultation with Neil Gaiman, the writer of the original Marvel 1602 comic series. Gaiman recently addressed the episode in response to a fan question on Tumblr, revealing that he was never contacted by Marvel Studios for consultation or involvement in the adaptation process. This revelation has brought to light the similarities and differences between the original comic series and the What If...? episode, shedding light on the ethical and creative considerations at play.
In Marvel 1602, Gaiman introduced the idea of familiar heroes living in the Elizabethan era, set in the same year as the What If...? episode. The short comic series featured a unique narrative that included real-life figures like Queen Elizabeth I and King James VI, providing a distinct historical context for the story. While the What If...? episode shares a similar premise of familiar heroes in the same period, it diverges in its portrayal of the world's fate and the inclusion of characters like Captain Carter, Hela, and Thor. However, undeniable links between the comic and the episode, such as the role of the Forerunner and the involvement of the all-seeing Watcher, underscore the complex relationship between the two narratives.
Unpacking the Controversy
The controversy surrounding the Avengers 1602 episode of What If...? season 2 raises important questions about creative inspiration, adaptation ethics, and the treatment of original creators in the entertainment industry. While Marvel Studios may have taken creative liberties to craft their own narrative within the multiverse framework, the resemblance to Gaiman's work and the significant story elements shared between the comic series and the episode highlight the ethical considerations of consulting and crediting the original creator.
The exclusion of Neil Gaiman from the adaptation process, despite the clear influence of Marvel 1602 on the What If...? episode, has ignited discussions about the responsibilities of production studios towards original creators. The controversy underscores the delicate balance between creative freedom and ethical considerations, prompting reflection on the impact of such decisions on the comic book community and the broader storytelling landscape. Additionally, the implications of adaptation ethics and the treatment of original creators in the context of multiverse storytelling and alternate reality narratives have become focal points of the ongoing discourse surrounding What If...? season 2.
