WARNING: The following contains spoilers for What If...? Season 1, Episode 4, “What If… Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?” streaming now on Disney+.
The latest episode of What If...? sees Doctor Strange going to desperate and dark lengths to find a way to resurrect a loved one. To gain this power, he is forced to conjure magical beings and absorb their powers to amplify his own. In doing so, he'd have enough strength to negate fate and bring back his girlfriend, Christine Palmer. One of the beings that he steals a fraction of power from is a tentacled monster seen in the series' premiere. Initially, it was seen killing the Red Skull and being forced back from where it came by Captain Carter.
However, while only glimpsed for a few moments, it's been speculated this creature is the immensely powerful enemy of Doctor Strange, Shuma-Gorath. The character is one of the lesser-known beings in the magical world of the Marvel Universe, but what exactly are his capabilities, and can he even be defeated?
Shuma-Gorath Is an Ancient Eldritch Being, One of the Great Old Ones
Shuma-Gorath's origins predate Earth and even the universe itself as one of the Great Old Ones. While these demonic beings exist together, no writings explicitly state they are a part of the same species. As a result, some can appear like Shuma-Gorath, while others are much more horrific with features like rows of teeth. In the 616-universe, these beings also were the inspiration for H.P. Lovecraft.
There are many of these beings, but the one that is mentioned the most is Shuma-Gorath. Writings of him have even been mentioned in the Black Sea Scrolls. Due to his age, he is one of the leaders of the Great Old Ones, but it's unclear if Shuma-Gorath is the main leader or shares his power with the other powerful Old Ones.
Shuma-Gorath Is Virtually Unstoppable in His Dimension
In his dimension, Shuma-Gorath's abilities make him one of, if not the most, powerful beings in the Marvel Universe. As a power of Chaos, he has the ability to control the minds of those around him and in other dimensions. His supernatural abilities also grant him omnipotence.
Physically, his hide is incredibly strong and can only be damaged by powerful magical attacks. He can also make his limbs have claws and pincers and can use his magical abilities to fire beams from his eyes and tentacles. Because of his power, no one has ever seen his true form. In fact, Shuma-Gorath even says his body is only a vessel to contain his power. Nevertheless, he isn't as powerful outside of his home dimension, but still a considerable threat.
Shuma-Gorath Can Destroy Galaxies - and Even Entire Realities
When using his full potential, Shuma-Gorath can destroy entire galaxies and even realities. To compare, Galactus, who is a celestial, can only consume whole planets. Shuma-Gorath can destroy galaxies through an ability called aura-pressure. A small glimpse of this power is shown in Strange Tales #14, where the creature uses his ability to manipulate Earth to destroy it slowly.
However, his ability to destroy realities is even more devastating, as he is shown in the Marvel Super Heroes arcade game, coupled with the powers of the Infinity Stones, to destroy multiple worlds at once and even manipulate the universe to his will. That being said, even without the stones, the range of Shuma-Gorath's destructive force could still reach other realities.
Shuma-Gorath Can Be Stopped - But Maybe Not Killed
While Shuma-Gorath is all-powerful and immortal, there are still ways to keep him at bay. However, killing him for good may only be a pipe dream. In Savage Avengers #23, Doctor Strange encounters a weakened and drained Shuma-Gorath. With the help of Conan, the Barbarian, he kills the God but not before Shuma-Gorath reminds Strange that he owes him in the next life.
This is only one occasion where the God has been killed, but most other times, his defeat involves transporting him back to his own dimension or somewhere far away. He has even been banned from entering Earth thanks to Yagotha, a guardian who protects Earth. However, when he does appear, he's often smaller than he really is, though still devastating in his strength. While Shuma-Gorath has been killed in the past, it's more of a speed bump in his long existence. In reality, he always returns, and his presence only means a millennia-long battle of keeping his destructive desires at bay.
To see the cosmic horror-inspired take on Doctor Strange, the first four episodes of What If…? are now streaming on Disney+.