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Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for Marvel's What If...? episode 1.
Marvel's What If…? sadly misused the new Marvel Comics weapon it just gave Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell) by ruining its origin story. In the series premiere of the first animated series set in the MCU, Peggy Carter wielded a British version of Steve Rogers’ iconic Captain America shield and a sword known to Marvel fans as the Sword of Might.
True to the concept of the original comic book series from the late 1970s, What If…? explores alternate scenarios in the MCU, with its first chapter drawing on the events of Captain America: The First Avenger. In the show, Peggy Carter is forced to take the super soldier serum, which transforms her into a superhero. And just like what was shown in the comics the series takes inspiration from, a chain reaction results in numerous characters going down different roads from what happened in the movie. Such a formula made it possible for Marvel's What If…? to bring back existing MCU characters (most of whom voiced by the original actors) and giving them new things to do.
Because of the show’s premise, the focus is naturally on pre-established characters and concepts. But, it seems that there’s still room for new additions to MCU lore. It seemingly featured the MCU debut of Shuma-Gorath, a villain who has fought both Doctor Strange and Conan the Barbarian. Plus, it made use of a lesser-known weapon from Marvel Comics called the Sword of Might. The sword wound up in the hands of Captain Carter during the episode’s final battle. It’s worth noting, though, that the sword deserved a better introduction. Here’s what the Sword of Might is in Marvel Comics, and how it was wasted by What If…?
Captain Carter’s Sword Explained (Comics Powers & Origin)
The sword that appears in What If…? episode 1 is tied to Captain Britain’s corner of the Marvel Universe, but it’s never been his primary weapon in combat. However, it could have been. In the pages of Captain Britain’s debut comic in 1976, Brian Braddock was left in critical condition by a car accident. Before he could die, he fell into a dream-like state, where he encountered the mythical sorcerer, Merlin, and his daughter, Roma. Merlin and Roma gave Brian a chance to live again, provided that he became Britain’s champion. He was then told to choose between two objects of great power, which were the Amulet of Right and the Sword of Might, which bears a mystical enchantment that makes it far stronger and more durable than any normal weapon. In Marvel’s world, each represents a different philosophical path, with the Amulet of Right signifying life and the sword being a symbol of violence.
To Merlin and Roma’s satisfaction, Brian picked the amulet over the sword, thus setting his destiny in stone. The powers he received as Captain Britain corresponded with the amulet’s special properties. If he had gone with the sword instead, he would’ve received an entirely different set of abilities. But while Captain Britain passed on his opportunity to wield the Sword of Might, it did find its way back into the story. In the multiverse, there’s an untold number of Captain Britain variations who make up Marvel’s Captain Britain Corps. It was later revealed that some of these characters chose differently from Brian and took up their universe’s Sword of Might. The sword was also the choice of Brian’s successor, Kelsey Leigh, the Captain Britain of the 2000s and a hero who had a short-lived stint on the Avengers roster. More recently, Brian has been seen protecting the world with the amulet and the sword.
How Powerful Is Captain Carter's Sword Of Might?
Similar to the Sword of Might from the comics, the MCU’s iteration of the weapon appears to be a valuable asset on the battlefield, as evidenced by how well it served Captain Carter against Shuma-Gorath. Armed with the weapon, Peggy was able to effortlessly cut through his massive tentacles and pierce through the stone floor. It may not be on the level of Black Knight’s Ebony Blade, Mjolnir, or Gorr the God Butcher’s Necrosword, but it’s become apparent that the Sword of Might is a powerful tool in combat. It’s possible that it’s impressive cutting ability stems from the same magical enchantment attached to its counterpart in Captain Britain comics.
What If...?'s Sword Of Might Origin Is An Insult
At a place called Castle Krake in Germany, Captain Carter was in the middle of a fight with the tentacled monster Shuma-Gorath when she spotted a medieval sword out of the corner of her eye, and immediately grasped the hilt. She retained the mysterious sword throughout the fight, and still had it in her possession when she was rediscovered in the modern era by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Its name is never directly mentioned by the characters, but its look clearly connects it with the Sword of Might. Pairing this weapon with her deepens the link between What If…?’s take on Peggy Carter and Captain Britain but doesn’t explore the connection deeply enough. Though her “Captain Carter” name distanced her from that title, many wondered earlier if she was still supposed to be a version of Captain Britain. The surprising inclusion of the Sword of Might further adds to this confusion.
What’s most problematic about the Sword of Might being in What If…? episode 1 is its messy, rushed introduction. Peggy simply finding the Sword of Might in the midst of battle and using it to take down Shuma-Gorath came out of nowhere. The show never bothered to explain what it was or where it came from. Presumably, it was a magical sword left behind in Castle Krake by a previous, unknown owner. Captain Carter getting it by sheer luck as opposed to having it given to her by a mystical entity like Roma or Merlin ruined its origin story. Admittedly, a scene like this wouldn’t have worked in the context of episode 1’s story, which is why it would have been better if the MCU had saved it for Captain Carter’s return in What If…? season 2. Hopefully, her next episode will rectify the show’s Sword of Might mistake by revealing that its presence in the castle and Peggy acquiring it wasn’t coincidence – but destiny.
Marvel's What If...? releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.
More: Every Captain America & MCU Easter Egg In What If? Episode 1