Marvel Universe

Favorite What If? Stories

What if pivotal events in Marvel history were altered – or flipped on their heads? Join ever-present cosmic entity the Watcher as we ask ‘What If?’ to the scenarios that re-imagine the storylines you know and love!

What If…

Someone Else was Bitten by the Radioactive Spider?

in What If? (1977) #7

Spidey’s associates gain spider-powers of their own! See: Flash Thompson as a brute Spider-Man; Betty Brant as the balletic Spider-Girl; and Colonel John Jameson as the jetpack-wearing, Daily Bugle-endorsed ‘Spider Jameson’!

Jane Foster Found Thor’s Hammer?

in What If? (1977) #10

A prophecy of things to come, Midgard-born Jane Foster becomes Thordis, Goddess of Thunder! Several decades before this What If became reality, Jane Foster wields the mighty Mjolnir in this prescient tale!

The Marvel Bullpen were the Fantastic Four?

in What If? (1977) #11

Starring Marvel's Original Bullpen! Stan Lee is Mister Fantastic! 'Fabulous Flo' Steinberg becomes the Invisible Woman! Jack Kirby is the Thing, and Sol Brodsky’s the Human Torch!

Doctor Strange Was Dormammu’s Disciple?

in What If? (1977) #18

Stephen Strange solicits the power of the dreaded Dark Dimension to gain Dormammu’s knowledge. He even kicks off a fling with Umar, Dormammu’s sister!

Jean Grey Had Not Died?

in What If? (1977) #27

Instead of sacrificing herself to the Dark Phoenix (Uncanny X-Men #137), Jean maintains tenuous control of her power… until she comes to blows with Galactus, kills several X-Men, and consumes all of Earth.

Dazzler Became Galactus’ Herald?

in What If? (1977) #33

Mutant songstress Dazzler roller-skates the space ways as Galactus’ right hand. Plus, an Arthurian legend starring Iron Man!

Loki Found Thor's Hammer?

in What If? (1977) #47

Asgard’s Prince of Lies claims the Thunder God’s power by getting the jump on Thor!

The X-Men Died on their First Mission?

in What If? (1989) #9

In a parallel timeline, the X-Men fall victim to an ill-fated debut. Have no fear! A tier of new mutants takes their place: Wolfsbane, Warpath, Siryn, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver!

Silver Surfer Possessed the Infinity Gauntlet?

in What If? (1989) #49

What if Norrin Radd not only had the Power Cosmic? After Surfer destroys Mephisto with the Gauntlet, Doctor Strange conspires with Thanos and Adam Warlock to end his ‘utopian’ reign.

Professor X & Magneto Co-Founded the X-Men?

in What If? (2004) #1

By X-Men legend Chris Claremont! Professor Xavier and Magneto unify on a global stage as they train the next generation. But some of our universe’s X-Men end up with the opposition!

Legion Killed Magneto & Xavier?

in What If? X-Men Age of Apocalypse (2006) #1

Legion murders his father and Magneto, causing worldwide anti-mutant hysteria that leaves everyone with an X-gene imprisoned or dead. But a resistance grows in the Savage Land…

Doctor Doom Kept the Beyonder’s Power?

in What If? (2008) #1

Following the events of 1984’s Secret Wars, Victor Von Doom keeps all of the Beyonder’s power, leading to a universal overhaul that involves the Celestials, the Eternals, and everyone in between.

The Heroes Lost World War Hulk?

in What If? World War Hulk (2009) #1

Hulk becomes the ‘World Breaker’ after all of Earth’s Mightiest are cowed by his savagery.

Tony Stark & Victor Von Doom Swapped Minds?

in What If? Iron Man: Demon in an Armor (2010) #1

College roommates from different backgrounds, Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom are both genius intellects. But when Von Doom pulls off a mind swap, Tony Stark loses his privilege and becomes an armored despot!

Venom Possessed Deadpool?

in What If? Venom/Deadpool (2010) #1

Wade Wilson becomes host to the Venom symbiote! Fame, power, women... Venompool has it all!

Thanos Joined the Avengers?

in What If? Infinity- Thanos (2015) #1

Thanos makes a deal with the Avengers to use his army to protect Earth from invading forces… but it comes at a cost.

Thor was Raised by Frost Giants?

in What If? Thor (2018) #1

Odin’s son is raised in a realm of persistent winter following his father’s death at the hands of Jotunheim’s king! But what happens when Thor starts to overshadow new stepbrother Loki?

Peter Parker Became The Punisher?

in What If? The Punisher (2018) #1

When Peter’s Uncle Ben is ruthlessly killed, he vows to never let the same fate befall another. From then on, Peter stands as a figure of cold retribution. Criminals beware – the guilty caught in this web will be PUNISHED!