One Tiny Detail Explains Why T’Challa Was A Better Hero Than Star-Lord

Warning: This article contains spoilers for What If…? episode 2.

In Marvel’s What If…?, T’Challa becomes Star-Lord, and one detail shows why he’s much more heroic than Peter Quill. Disney+ completely changes the Marvel Cinematic Universe in What If…? episode 2. In the episode, the Ravagers take T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) from Earth, leaving behind Peter Quill (voiced by Brian T. Delaney). The change leads to prosperity throughout the galaxy. T’Challa helps the Ravagers abandon their nefarious ways, inspiring the former crime syndicate to use its schemes to help the less fortunate. Additionally, Thanos (Josh Brolin) joins the Ravagers, realizing he can bring balance to the universe through good deeds instead of a deadly finger snap.

Peter Quill’s story also gets an update. Instead of becoming an outlaw traveling across the galaxy, Quill winds up taking a job at a Dairy Queen. Without the Guardians of the Galaxy by his side, Quill is left vulnerable, and his Celestial dad, Ego (Kurt Russell), takes advantage of it. As shown in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Ego wants to use his son’s Celestial power to help him take over the universe and recreate it in his image. But, now that Quill doesn’t have anyone to help him, Ego could cause a disaster that’s even worse than Thanos’ Infinity Stones snap.

T’Challa’s Star-Lord is clearly different from Quill’s, and one detail may explain why. In Guardians of the Galaxy, Quill’s Star-Lord is an outlaw who is initially all about himself. For example, he immediately betrays his own friends, the Ravagers, to get a score. On the other hand, T’Challa’s Star-Lord is objectively more heroic, even getting Thanos to change his ways. There are numerous differences between the characters, including T’Challa’s Star-Lord becoming known throughout the galaxy while Quill’s stayed relatively anonymous. But of all the changes, one detail may explain why T’Challa is more heroic: Quill names his spaceship the Milano after actor Alyssa Milano, and T’Challa calls his ship the Mandela for anti-apartheid revolutionary Nelson Mandela.

The spaceship names show the drastic difference between the characters. In Guardians of the Galaxy, Quill names his ship after his childhood crush. The Milano serves as one of the many pop culture references in the film, showcasing Quill’s nostalgia for the ’80s. Conversely, T’Challa’s ship is a bit less frivolous. Ignoring childhood crushes, T’Challa uses his ship to honor one of the most influential civil rights activists ever. The ship name, an Easter egg in What If…? episode 2, showcases how the new Star-Lord has a different philosophy from his MCU predecessor. Quill’s Star-Lord is concerned with himself and his own wants and desires. T’Challa is all about others, and naming his ship after a real-life freedom fighter shows that.

The ship names further explain the contrast between the Star-Lords. It makes sense that Quill’s Star-Lord would remain relatively unknown. After all, he’s initially trying to get his own glory and riches. On the other hand, T’Challa wants to fight for the good of the galaxy from the start. Of course, he’d be more popular. He’s not out for personal fame. Instead, he wants to bring goodwill to the entire universe. This is evident in everything he does, apparently even down to his ship’s name.

Marvel’s What If…? releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

About The Author

Bill Bradley
(523 Articles Published)

Bill is an experienced reporter who’s covered entertainment and fandom since 2014. He’s done everything from unearthing the discarded Game of Thrones pilot script in a library in Texas to finding out why Steve left Blue’s Clues. He also enjoys eating Taco Bell and drinking chocolate milk.

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