Where are the Witchbreed? The Missing X-Men in What If...?

The Absence of X-Men in What If...?

The latest episode of What If...? season 2 has left fans questioning the absence of the X-Men, a key element in the Marvel Comics storyline. The adaptation of the multiverse chaos of Marvel 1602 has sparked curiosity about the missing mutants and their significance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Let's explore the reasons behind the absence of the X-Men and the impact it has on the overall narrative.

Marvel 1602 Mutants

In the MCU version of Marvel 1602, Captain Carter is recruited from a neighboring universe by Scarlet Witch and commanded to save the universe by Queen Hela and her head of intelligence, Nick Fury. However, the absence of the X-Men, who play a significant role in the original comics, is evident. The 1602 cast in the comics includes prominent roles for the X-Men and Magneto, with Charles Xavier offering sanctuary to the 'Witchbreed' - a group of mutants who are hunted by Grand Inquisitor Enrique. Unfortunately, their absence in the What If...? adaptation raises questions about the narrative choices made in the series.

Marvel 1602 X-Men

The decision to leave out the X-Men in the MCU's 1602 adaptation has both a narrative and a behind-the-scenes justification. Narratively, the idea of 'Witchbreed' as outcasts, feared and hated for their difference, conflicts with the overt embrace of superpowers in the MCU version of 1602. Additionally, the X-Men's story is intricately tied to the concept of 'Witchbreed' and their role in the original comics. This narrative conflict serves as a tangible explanation for the absence of the X-Men in the What If...? adaptation.

Doctor Strange turning his back in Marvel 1602

The Impact of the Missing X-Men

The absence of the X-Men in What If...? has significant implications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the portrayal of mutants. With individual X-Men characters making sporadic appearances in the MCU, the absence of the team as a whole raises questions about the exploration of key themes behind Marvel's mutants. While vague hints at the existence of the X-Gene have been dropped in previous MCU releases, the absence of the X-Men deprives the audience of a deeper exploration of mutantkind's Civil Rights struggle and their portrayal as social pariahs.

Marvel 1602 Universe Characters

Furthermore, the decision to exclude the X-Men in What If...? raises concerns about the missed opportunity to plant the seeds for the mutants' role in the MCU. The absence of the X-Men in the 1602 episode prevents the exploration of their key role in the comics, where they are hunted by Grand Inquisitor Enrique and play a pivotal part in the storyline. This absence hinders the development of the mutants' narrative within the MCU and limits the potential for a more comprehensive exploration of their characters and struggles.

Marvel 1602 Carlos Javier

The What If...? Dilemma

The dilemmas surrounding the absence of the X-Men in What If...? season 2 episode 8 are rooted in both narrative and behind-the-scenes considerations. The conflict between the idea of 'Witchbreed' as outcasts and the overt embrace of superpowers in the MCU version of 1602 presents a significant challenge in integrating the X-Men's narrative into the adapted storyline. This dilemma raises questions about the creative decisions made in adapting the Marvel 1602 storyline and the implications for the portrayal of mutants in the MCU.

What If 1602 Nick Fury and Scarlet Witch-1

Moreover, the decision to exclude the X-Men in What If...? reflects the careful management of the introduction of mutants in the MCU. With the upcoming MCU Mutants movie on the horizon, the absence of the X-Men in What If...? is a strategic move to avoid overshadowing their real arrival in the MCU. By holding off on the wholesale debut of the X-Men in What If...?, Marvel Studios has reserved the grand introduction of mutants for their standalone movie, preserving the anticipation and excitement surrounding their official arrival in the shared universe.