List of What If issues


The Marvel Comics anthology series What If? tells alternate reality stories outside the mainstream Marvel Universe continuity, which the company sets on what it calls Earth-616. A number of these stories have been set on alternate Earths in the Marvel Comics Multiverse for which Marvel has given official numerical designations.

Volume 1 (1977–1984)

  1. What if Spider-Man had joined the Fantastic Four?
  2. * Reprinted in The Best of What If? Followed by What If? #21. Alternate sequels appeared in What If? vol. 2, #35, and Paradise X. This world was designated Earth-772 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  3. *Spider-Man did eventually join the team as a member of the "New Fantastic Four" and, more recently, as a member of the Future Foundation.
  4. What if the Hulk had the brain of Bruce Banner?
  5. * This world was designated Earth-774 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  6. What if the Avengers had never been?
  7. What if the Invaders stayed together after World War II?
  8. What if Captain America had not vanished during World War II?
  9. What if the Fantastic Four had different super-powers?
  10. * This version of the team reappeared in What If? #39. This world was designated Earth-7712 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  11. What if someone else besides Spider-Man had been bitten by the radioactive spider?
  12. * Three different stories look at what would have happened if either Peter's class bully Flash Thompson, his would-have-been temporary girlfriend Betty Brant, or publisher J. Jonah Jameson's astronaut son John, had been bitten by the radioactive spider instead. With the exception of Betty Brant, the protagonist dies in each story. A darker version of the Flash story is redone as What If? #76.
  13. What if the world knew Daredevil was blind?
  14. * This issue also contained the first humor-based What If? in the series asking, "What if the spider had been bitten by a radioactive human?".
  15. What if the Avengers fought evil in the 1950s?
  16. * Designated Earth-9904 in All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: A-Z Update #2. A version of this timeline was revisited in Avengers Forever, and yet another version made a cameo in Paradise X.
  17. *The Agents of Atlas, a superhero team from the 1950s, was based on this concept.
  18. What if Jane Foster had found the hammer of Thor?
  19. * Jane Foster would eventually become the new Thor in Thor #1.
  20. What if the original Marvel Bullpen had become the Fantastic Four?
  21. * This world made a brief tongue-in-cheek appearance in Paradise X. It was designated Earth-1228 in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005.
  22. What if Rick Jones had become the Hulk?
  23. What if Conan the Barbarian walked the Earth today?
  24. * An alternate ending to this story can be seen in What If? #43.
  25. What if Nick Fury had fought World War II in outer space?
  26. * This universe made a brief appearance in Paradise X.
  27. What if Nova had been four other people?
  28. * Instead of the random decision for Richard Rider to become Nova, the powers of Nova are transferred to a vengeful wife whose husband had been murdered, a kind and homeless black man in a universe with no superheroes, Peter Parker in a world where the radioactive spider that bit him had crippled him, and an unknown character with a villainous personality.
  29. What if Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu, fought on the side of Fu Manchu?
  30. What if the Ghost Rider, Spider-Woman and Captain Marvel were villains?
  31. * As with issue #7, this contained three short stories with the theme of Marvel characters who strayed close to becoming villains rather than heroes in the Earth-616 universe.
  32. What if Doctor Strange were a disciple of Dormammu?
  33. What if Spider-Man had never become a crimefighter?
  34. What if the Avengers fought the Kree-Skrull War without Rick Jones?
  35. What if the Invisible Girl of the Fantastic Four had married the Sub-Mariner?
  36. * A sequel to What If? #1.
  37. What if Doctor Doom had become a hero?
  38. * This world was designated Earth-808 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  39. What if the Hulk had become a barbarian?
  40. * This issue also contains the back-up humor story, "What if Aunt May had been bitten by the radioactive spider?"
  41. What if Gwen Stacy had lived?
  42. * Reprinted in The Best of What If?
  43. What if Thor and the Avengers fought the gods?
  44. * Also features the backup story "The First Uni-Mind", explaining the origins and concept of the Uni-Mind and the origin story of A'lars and Zuras.
  45. What if Captain America had been elected president?
  46. * This issue also contained the back-up story, "What if the Man-Thing had regained Ted Sallis' brain?"
  47. What if Jean Grey had not died?
  48. * Reprinted in The Best of What If? Redone in What If? #32-33.
  49. What if Daredevil became an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
  50. * Reprinted in The Best of What If?
  51. * This also contained the back-up story, "What if the Ghost Rider had been separated from Johnny Blaze?"
  52. What if the Avengers defeated everybody?
  53. * This world was designated Earth-8110 in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005.
  54. * This also contained the backup story, "What if Namor had never regained his memories?"
  55. What if Spider-Man's clone had lived?
  56. * It was revealed years later that the clone had indeed lived, but had just been in hiding. He reappeared in the Spider-Man titles under the name Ben Reilly.
  57. What if Wolverine had killed the Hulk?
  58. * The concept was reversed in What If? #50. This issue also includes "What if the Fantastic Four had never been?". The latter world was designated Earth-8222 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  59. What if the Avengers had become pawns of Korvac?
  60. * Reprinted in The Best of What If? Extended in #43. A version of this world was visited by Quasar in Quasar #30.
  61. What if the Dazzler had become the herald of Galactus? / What if Iron Man was trapped in the time of King Arthur?
  62. What If? Humor Issue
  63. * Parts reprinted in The Best of What If?
  64. What if Elektra had lived?
  65. * This issue also includes "What if Hank Pym had died?"
  66. What if the Fantastic Four had not gained their super-powers?
  67. * Reprinted in The Best of What If? This version of the team reappeared in What If? #39. This world was designated Earth-8212 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four. This issue also includes "What if Richard Rider had not lost the power of Nova?"
  68. What if the Thing and the Beast continued to mutate?
  69. * The world featuring the Thing was designated Earth-8321 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four. This issue also includes "What if the Silver Surfer had lost the Power Cosmic?"
  70. What if... featuring Daredevil and Captain America
  71. * Three alternate futures, including a Vision and Scarlet Witch tale. Only one diverges from a specific point: the Captain America story "What if Sharon Carter had not died?"
  72. What if Thor battled Conan the Barbarian?
  73. What if Doctor Strange had not become Master of the Mystic Arts?
  74. * This timeline made a cameo appearance in Paradise X.
  75. What if the Sub-Mariner had saved Atlantis from its destiny?
  76. What if the Invisible Girl had died in childbirth?
  77. * This world was designated Earth-8312 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  78. What if Conan the Barbarian was stranded in the 20th century?
  79. * An alternate ending to What If? #13. Also includes an extended ending to What If? #32.
  80. What if Captain America were revived today?
  81. * Redone in What If? #67-68 and 103.
  82. What if the Hulk went berserk?
  83. What if Spider-Man's Uncle Ben had lived ?
  84. * Redone in What If Spider-Man
  85. What if Loki had found the hammer of Thor?
  86. * Final issue of the original series.
Select stories were collected in a trade paperback, The Best of What If, in 1991. The entire series was collected in a series of seven volumes titled What If Classic from 2004 to 2010, with the exception of issues #13 and 16 and the lead story of #43 because they featured licensed characters, namely Conan the Barbarian and Fu Manchu.

Special (1988)

  • What if Iron Man had been a traitor?

    Volume 2 (1989–1998)

  1. What if the Avengers had lost the Evolutionary War?
  2. * Visited by Quasar in Quasar #30.
  3. What if Daredevil had killed the Kingpin?
  4. What if Steve Rogers had refused to give up being Captain America?
  5. What if the Venom alien costume had possessed Spider-Man?
  6. * Visited by Quasar in Quasar #30.
  7. What if the Vision had destroyed the Avengers?
  8. What if the X-Men lost Inferno?
  9. What if Wolverine was an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
  10. What if Iron Man lost the Armor Wars?
  11. What if the X-Men died on their first mission?
  12. * This world was designated Earth-105709 in Quasar #30.
  13. What if the Punisher's family had not been killed?
  14. What if the Fantastic Four all had the same power?
  15. * The four worlds shown here were designated Earths 9031 through 9034 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  16. What if the X-Men had stayed in Asgard?
  17. What if Professor X of the X-Men had become the Juggernaut?
  18. What if Captain Marvel had not died?
  19. * Visited by Quasar in Quasar #30.
  20. What if the Fantastic Four had lost the trial of Galactus?
  21. * This world was designated Earth-907 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  22. What if Wolverine battled Conan the Barbarian?
  23. What if Kraven the Hunter had killed Spider-Man?
  24. What if the Fantastic Four battled Doctor Doom before they got their powers?
  25. * This world was designated Earth-9011 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  26. What if the Vision of the Avengers conquered the world?
  27. * Two takes, one of which was revisited in What If? #36. The utopian world was designated Earth-90110 and the dystopian world Earth-90111 in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005.
  28. What if Spider-Man had not married Mary Jane Watson?
  29. What if Spider-Man had married the Black Cat?
  30. * The first of several two-parters throughout the second series.
  31. What if the Silver Surfer had not escaped Earth?
  32. * This world was designated Earth-912 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  33. What if the all-new, all-different X-Men had never existed?
  34. What if Wolverine was Lord of the Vampires?
  35. * Visited by Quasar in Quasar #30. This world was designated Earth-9140 in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005. An alternate version features in What If? #37.
  36. What if the Marvel Super Heroes had lost Atlantis Attacks?
  37. * Visited by Quasar in Quasar #30.
  38. What if the Punisher had killed Daredevil?
  39. * The issue uses the original planned continuity order for Frank Miller's Daredevil run, as Daredevil #183-184 were originally planned to run in Daredevil #168-169, but held back for a year and a half due to issues with the story's plot involving drugs.
  40. What if Namor had joined the Fantastic Four?
  41. * This world was designated Earth-917 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  42. What if Captain America had led an army of supersoldiers in World War II?
  43. What if Captain America had formed the Avengers?
  44. * Recycles themes from What If? #44. Redone as What If? #103.
  45. What if the Fantastic Four's second child had lived?
  46. * Two takes; the worse world was designated Earth-91111 and the better world Earth-91112 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  47. *This plot idea was subsequently picked up for the mainstream continuity with the introduction of Valeria Richards.
  48. What if Spider-Man had kept his cosmic powers?
  49. What if Jean Grey had not died?
  50. What if Phoenix rose again?
  51. * A two-part remake of What If? #27.
  52. * Part One uses Chris Claremont's notes for the original plan for Uncanny X-Men #138-150 for its story.
  53. What if no one was watching the Watcher?
  54. What if the Fantastic Five fought Doctor Doom and Annihilus?
  55. * An alternate outcome of What If? #1.
  56. What if the Cosmic Avengers battled the Guardians of the Galaxy?
  57. * A sequel to What If? #19's "Utopia" story.
  58. What if Wolverine had been Lord of the Vampires during Inferno?
  59. * An alternate version of What If? #24. This world was designated Earth-9250 in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005.
  60. What if Thor was a thrall of Seth?
  61. * This world was designated Earth-9260 in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005.
  62. What if the Watcher saved the universe?
  63. * The events of Timequake were reflected later in Avengers Forever.
  64. What if Storm of the X-Men had remained a thief?
  65. * Reprinted in X-Men: Alterniverse Visions.
  66. What if the Avengers had fought Galactus?
  67. * This world was designated Earth-929 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  68. What if Spider-Man had kept his six arms?
  69. What if Wolverine had married Mariko Yashida?
  70. What if Venom had possessed the Punisher?
  71. What if Barbara Ketch had become the Ghost Rider?
  72. * This world was designated Earth-11993 in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005.
  73. What if Cable had destroyed the X-Men?
  74. What if Magneto took over the U.S.A.?
  75. * This world was designated Earth-21993 in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005.
  76. What if Daredevil had saved Nuke?
  77. What if the Silver Surfer possessed the Infinity Gauntlet?
  78. * Another take appears in What If? vol. 2 #104.
  79. What if the Hulk had killed Wolverine?
  80. * A reversed sort-of remake of What If? #31.
  81. What if the Punisher became Captain America?
  82. What if Doctor Doom became Sorcerer Supreme?
  83. * This world was designated Earth-938 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  84. What if...the Iron Man of 2020 had been stranded in the past? /...Rick Jones and Bruce Banner had both remained as the Hulk? /...Spider-Man had killed the Lizard?
  85. * Featuring Iron Man, the Hulk, and Spider-Man.
  86. What if Death's Head had lived?
  87. * The only Marvel UK-themed issue. Written and pencilled by Death's Head co-creators Simon Furman and Geoff Senior, Furman later claimed that this issue's high body count was a sort-of revenge for killing the character.
  88. What if the Avengers lost Operation: Galactic Storm?
  89. What if the Avengers lost Operation: Galactic Storm?
  90. What if the Punisher became an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
  91. What if the Punisher had killed Spider-Man?
  92. What if Wolverine led Alpha Flight?
  93. * Reprinted in X-Men: Alterniverse Visions.
  94. A What If? X-Men Wedding Album
  95. * Three different stories all related to the Cyclops-Jean Grey relationship, looking at what would have happened had Scott married Jean in the early days of the X-Men, if the pair had never gotten together, or if Jean had married Wolverine instead.
  96. What if Spider-Man's parents destroyed his family?
  97. What if Wolverine battled Weapon X?
  98. * Reprinted in X-Men: Alterniverse Visions.
  99. What if War Machine had not destroyed the Living Laser?
  100. * The issue allows the reader to choose from three different endings.
  101. What if Iron Man sold out?
  102. What if Warren Worthington III fell from grace?
  103. What if Rogue possessed the power of Thor?
  104. * Reprinted in X-Men: Alterniverse Visions.
  105. What if Captain America was revived in 1994?
  106. What if Captain America was revived in 1994?
  107. * A remake of What If? #44.
  108. What if Stryfe had killed the X-Men?
  109. * Reprinted in X-Men: Alterniverse Visions.
  110. What if the Silver Surfer had not betrayed Galactus?
  111. * This world was designated Earth-952 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  112. What if the gamma bomb had spawned a thousand Hulks?
  113. What if Spider-Man was a murderer?
  114. What if the Kingpin owned Daredevil?
  115. What if Mister Sinister had formed the X-Men?
  116. What if Blink from Generation X had not died?
  117. What if Peter Parker had to destroy Spider-Man?
  118. * The last issue to officially feature Uatu the Watcher as the narrator. This story is another take on one of the three from What If? #7.
  119. What if Legion had killed Magneto?
  120. What if the New Fantastic Four had remained a team?
  121. * This world was designated Earth-9510 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  122. What if Storm had the power of Phoenix Force?
  123. What if the Hulk had evolved into the Maestro?
  124. What if the Age of Apocalypse had not ended?
  125. What if J. Jonah Jameson had adopted Spider-Man?
  126. What if Daredevil was the disciple of Doctor Strange?
  127. What if Shard had lived instead of Bishop?
  128. What if Magneto ruled all mutants?
  129. What if the Scarlet Spider had killed Spider-Man?
  130. What if...starring Sabretooth: Screams in the night!
  131. * Starting with this issue, the covers no longer explicitly state what each story's "what if" is, making them more like DC Comics' Elseworlds.
  132. What if...starring Spider-Man: Arachnamorphosis
  133. What if...starring the Fantastic Four: Deadly inheritance
  134. * This world was designated Earth-969 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  135. What if...starring Cyclops and Havok: Their early years, their darkest fears!
  136. What if...starring The Incredible Hulk: The man, the monster – based on The Incredible Hulk #1
  137. What if...starring Cannonball's little brother, Josh—and his pet Sentinel!
  138. * Fairly similar in plot to the Sentinel series, where Juston Seyfert finds and befriends a Sentinel.
  139. What if...starring Wolverine: A man no more – based on Wolverine #100
  140. What if...starring Juggernaut: The kingdom of Cain – based on Uncanny X-Men #12
  141. What if...starring Ghost Rider: Burn, baby, burn! – based on Ghost Rider #1
  142. What if...starring Quicksilver: The quick and the dead
  143. What if...starring Black Knight: Camelot reborn
  144. What if...starring Rogue: Children in the attic
  145. What if...starring Spider-Man: The men behind the mask
  146. What if...starring Gambit: The greatest secrets of the Marvel Universe revealed!
  147. * What if Mister Sinister learned the greatest secrets of the Marvel Universe?
  148. * What if the Fantastic Four had crashed in the Land of Oz after gaining their powers?
  149. * What if Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive sheep!?
  150. * What if Wolverine was a wimp?
  151. * What If Xavier was in charge of a sales executive company?
  152. * What if Wolverine and Sabretooth were best friends?
  153. What if...starring Warren Worthington III: Death and disobedience – based on X-Factor #25
  154. * Also includes... What if Gambit was a card hustler?
  155. What if...starring Daredevil: The fight of his life...has ended! – based on Daredevil #1
  156. What if...starring Captain America: The unknown soldier – based on Avengers #4
  157. * A remake of What If? #28-29
  158. What if...starring the Silver Surfer – based on Infinity Gauntlet #4
  159. * A variation on What If? #49.
  160. What if...starring Spider-Girl
  161. * The first appearance of Spider-Girl. Later spun off into the Marvel Comics 2 line. This world was designated Earth-982 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  162. * Also includes...What if Bucky Barnes had survived and was Captain America's partner?
  163. * Was reprinted in Spider-Girl #0.
  164. What if...starring Gambit: Revenge! – based on Uncanny X-Men #350
  165. What if...starring The Mighty Thor:...and who shall be king?!
  166. What if...starring the Avengers – based on The Amazing Spider-Man #431
  167. What if...starring the Fantastic Four: The Thing...human again?! – based on Fantastic Four #236
  168. * This world was designated Earth-989 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
  169. What if...starring The Uncanny X-Men: With Phoenix Force possessed...who will save Professor X...from the fury of Colossus? – based on Giant-Size X-Men #1
  170. * Also includes... What if Doctor Doom had succeeded in conquering the world?
  171. What if...starring Wolverine – based on Wolverine #100
  172. What if...starring Ka-Zar: New York City...the new Savage Land...no escape!
  173. What if...starring Iron Man: Alone against Dormammu...Tony Stark--Sorcerer Supreme? – based on Strange Tales #110 and Tales of Suspense #39
  174. What if...starring Secret Wars: 25 years later...comes a new generation of heroes! – based on Secret Wars #12
  175. * Final issue. This world was designated Earth-9811 in Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four.
Issue #-1, What if...starring Bishop, was published as a part of the "Flashback" event, in which most of Marvel's series published issues numbered "-1" that were set in the past. This particular issue features an alternate backstory for Bishop, where he and Trevor Fitzroy travel back in time to before the X-Men were formed.