What if comics exist in a self-contained continuity outside of the main Marvel universe, allowing events to unfold without any impact on the main comic series. Fans can safely ignore these comics if they only care about canon storylines, and fans that want to read them can do so without worrying about any tie-in stories they may be missing. With Marvel's What If...? now streaming on Disney+, fans may be curious and want to check out the source that inspired the show.
There are many What If comics that Marvel has published over the years, but some rise above the rest. These What If comics have been influential to the show and have even inspired storylines in the main continuity, with some proving to be influential to Marvel movies as well.
10 Mutants Would Be Persecuted No Matter What
What If Magneto Had Formed the X-Men With Professor X? imagines a scenario where Magneto and Professor X hadn't split over their differences but instead worked together for the benefits of all mutants. Unfortunately, this alternate future doesn't make life much easier for mutant kind. Even with Erik and Xavier working together, mutants are still misunderstood, and most remain in hiding. Fox incorporated similar elements into their more recent X-men movies. While it is heartwarming to see Magneto and Professor X together, it shows life would always be difficult for mutants.
9 The World Will Always Need A Captain America
What if Captain America Had Not Vanished During World War II? is a question fans may have asked themselves at one point. It is possible that this question could be answered in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the future now that Steve has gone back in time, albeit to the 70s instead of the 50s. Captain America's costume being retired and placed in a museum is reminiscent of Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Bucky becoming Captain America is also something that would happen many years later in the main timeline.
8 Spider-Man Joining Marvel's First Family Started It All
What If Spider-Man Had Joined the Fantastic Four? was the very first What If comic Marvel published, with its popularity being one of the reasons What If has become such a big phenomenon. This comic retold the origins of both Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four, and while it included nothing groundbreaking by today's What If standards, it opened up an infinite number of possibilities for the Marvel multiverse.
Ironically, Spider-Man would later join the Fantastic Four in the comics for a time. Given Spider-Man's tendency to work with other heroes in the MCU, this is something Marvel and Sony could potentially adapt to the big screen if they share the rights long enough.
7 Wolverine Is A Hero Even At His Worst
What if Wolverine Had Killed The Hulk? was one of Marvel's most popular What If stories, one that surprisingly killed one of their most popular characters. Wolverine and The Hulk have fought in canon before, with this time Wolverine becoming more ruthless than ever. While he initially joins Magneto, Wolverine would defect over to X-Men's side by the end of the issue, showing he was always meant to be a hero. Wolverine and Hulk would go on to have many rematches, both in canon and in alternate realities.
6 Magik Can Do Better Than The X-Men
What If Magik Became the Sorcerer Supreme? shows that Illyana Rasputin would be better off if she separated herself from the X-Men and followed a different path instead. Putting Illyana under the apprenticeship of Doctor Strange, this issue set itself apart as one of the few What If comics that have a relatively happy tone. If Magik ever does make her way to the MCU, this comic shows working her into Doctor Strange's story is not a bad idea. Unfortunately for Illyana, it is looking like Wanda Maximoff may be taking on that role instead.
5 Captain America Winning Civil War Would Have Been Even Worse
While Captain America had valid reasons to stand against the superhero registration act, What If Captain America Led All the Heroes Against Registration? showed that Cap would never have been able to win. Without Iron Man around to oppose him, Captain America was able to unite all the superheroes to stand together against registration.
Rather than a superhero civil war, what resulted was a civil war between superheroes and the government. Captain America ends up losing while government becomes even more extreme in its efforts to control superheroes.
4 Civil War Would Have Had A Happy Ending If Steve And Tony Worked Together
Standing in complete contrast to the other Civil War story, What if Iron Man Lost the Civil War? shows just how great things could have gone with a little more cooperation. The name of this What If is slightly misleading, as Iron Man decides to talk things out with Captain America instead of threatening him. Rather than fighting about registration, Steve and Tony politely discuss the pros and cons of registration. They decide it can work if implemented correctly, allowing Steve to oversee registration instead of the government.
3 Professor Hulk Was First Featured In What If Comics
What if the Hulk Had the Brain of Bruce Banner? may seem familiar to MCU fans, primarily because the Hulk did recently have the brain of Bruce Banner in Avengers: Endgame. This story has little in common with the MCU, instead featuring Professor X merging with the Hulk and the Thing being turned into a Hulk-like monster. However, the basic idea of Hulk with Bruce Banner's brain remained the same and would be further explored in the main comic continuity after this What If story was released.
2 Jane Foster Was Destined To Wield Mjolnir
In this What If story Jane found Mjolnir first and became a goddess just like Thor before eventually passing it on to its rightful owner. While it happened differently, What if Jane Foster Had Found the Hammer of Thor? is another story that has since been incorporated into the main continuity. Thankfully, Jane doesn't end up romantically involved with Odin in the original timeline. In addition to the main comic series, Jane Foster will soon be picking up the hammer in the MCU as well.
1 Ultron Was Always Going To Lead To Disaster
What If Age of Ultron? is actually a collection of five different ways the comic event could have played out. In one, Wolverine travels back in time to stop Hank Pym from creating Ultron in the first place. In another, the loss of Janet drives Hank to create an even more evil version of Ultron. Perhaps most chilling is the version of Ultron that leaves all life on earth extinguished except for Hank alone. With What If...? confirmed to be revisiting the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, it is possible inspiration will be taken from one or more of these comics.
0 Comments