Marvel Cinematic Universe · What If...?: Season Two

What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps? — S02E01

TV · 2023 · 30 minutes · Phase Five · alternate

In a reality where Ronan the Accuser killed Thanos before he could unite the Infinity Stones, Xandar has fallen into corruption and decay under a compromised Nova Corps. Nebula, now a bounty hunter, investigates the murder of her old ally Yondu and uncovers a conspiracy involving Xandar's shield generator and the ambitions of a power-hungry faction within the Nova Corps. She assembles an unlikely team — Korg, Groot, and Howard the Duck — to expose the plot and stop a new threat to the planet. The episode reframes the Guardians of the Galaxy's world as a neo-noir crime story, with Nebula stepping into a detective role rather than joining Star-Lord's crew.