Season 1 of Marvel’s What If…?, which came to a close earlier this week, introduced a wide array of new visual and narrative details into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Being the franchise’s first official animated series, it was safe to assume that it would offer some elements that haven’t quite made their way into live-action, and for eagle-eyed viewers of the season’s final two episodes, that absolutely proved to be the case. In the fighting styles of both Ultron (Ross Marquand) and Uatu The Watcher (Jeffrey Wright), What If…? utilized a visual tactic known as the “Kirby Krackle”, a unique pattern of dots that iconic comic writer and artist Jack Kirby often utilized in his work. Despite other live-action and animated properties adapting Kirby’s work and aesthetic, none have ever really translated the Kirby Krackle into motion — something that series director Bryan Andrews was eager to take on.
