With the first season of Marvel's What If...? in the rear-view mirror and the second season on the way, fans have been scrambling to get more out of Marvel's wackiest alternate universes. Thankfully, if ever fans want more from the Marvel Universe, there's always a medium filled with nearly limitless content to turn to.
With hundreds of comics depicting Marvel's multiversal hijinks, fans have gotten together to rank some of the best What If? issues on the website Ranker. And, some are somehow even weirder than Thor's party planet.
What If Spider-Man and Mary Jane's Child Survived?
In one of the dark moments in a Spider-Man story, Peter Parker and Mary Jane lost their child, leaving both parents devastated. However, in the 105th issue of Marvel's second What If? run, Marvel decided to let Peter and MJ have a daughter after all. The daughter of Spider-Man, Mayday Parker inherits his powers — and the Spider-Mantle.
It's an incredibly fun issue filled with engaging action, intense emotional conflict, and quick development that made fans adore Mayday from the moment she was introduced. The issue also showcases a side of Peter that fans rarely get to see, as he laid down the costume over a dozen years before the story started. Besides, it's always fun to see Peter and MJ together.
What If Iron Man Lost the Civil War?
Instead of lying to Captain America during the Civil War, in What If? Civil War, Iron Man reached out to Rogers and was honest about his intentions and the philosophy behind superhuman registration. Reassured by his honesty, he and Steve worked together to institute a new system to monitor heroes.
Given how often situations in comics devolve because of miscommunication, it's refreshing to see two heroes actually resolving their conflicts like adults. It twists a small detail in one of Marvel Comics' most important events and manages to pull out a happy ending. It even provides some development to Tony's character, as he's given the opportunity to see the difference he could have made. It's a tragic ending, even considering the softer aspects of the story.
What If Ghost Rider, Spider-Woman, and Captain Marvel Were Villains?
Whereas many What If? comics explore minor changes, the 17th issue of the first volume takes an entirely different route. Instead, it reshapes the stories of its three titular characters and has them act out various villainous urges, entirely reshaping the whole of the Marvel universe just by changing a few key characters.
Unlike many other What If? comics, this issue encourages readers to consider even more questions. What if other heroes met the same fate and chose a more evil path? It's something Marvel toyed with in the recent Axis event, but it was fun to see each character specifically designed with evil intentions at heart.
What If the Venom Symbiote Controlled Deadpool?
After Spider-Man's untimely death during his black suit era, Deadpool finds himself bonded with the Venom symbiote in Venom/Deadpool: What If?. Trying to take over the role of New York's resident crimefighter, Venompool took to killing criminals in the streets and eventually destroyed the universe, which somehow isn't even one of Deadpool's weirdest arcs.
While the story doesn't drastically change readers' perspectives on either Venom or Deadpool, Deadpool fans enjoyed getting to see two renowned anti-heroes get the chance to work together for a greater goal: Getting attention. It's a fun story that doesn't break the fourth wall so much as it absolutely demolishes it.
What If Captain America Had Not Vanished During World War II?
For fans who wondered what it might have been like if Captain America and Bucky Barnes had not been lost before their time, the fifth issue of What If? certainly answered one of those questions. Though Steve Rogers went on to become the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., fans quickly discovered that Bucky Barnes was never long for this world, as he died after taking up the Captain America mantle.
Fans of the relationship between Captain America and Bucky Barnes loved this issue for its in-depth examination of their friendship. The issue doesn't hesitate to explore the moral question of putting a child in a costume and sending him off to war, and it certainly doesn't shy away from the consequences. It's a great way to explore some things the original Captain America comics tended to gloss over.
What If Gwen Stacy Had Lived?
Gwen Stacy's death has always been a specter over Spider-Man comics, but What If? #24 explores a world in which Gwen Stacy lives, and Peter is subsequently exposed to the world as Spider-Man after Jameson reveals his identity at their wedding.
Though Jameson gets his victory over Spider-Man after all, the chance to see one of the best comic book weddings was great. The issue also sets up an interesting ending that leaves the door open for a plethora of stories. There's a reason fans have been calling for Marvel to return to it someday.
What If Spider-Man Joined the Fantastic Four?
In the first What If? comic, Marvel explores a storyline that was often considered but never really got to be. As Spider-Man joins the Fantastic Four to get himself a salary, the Marvel universe is turned on its head. The Fantastic Five is quickly reduced to the Fantastic Four once more, as Sue Storm transforms into an Atlantean and weds Namor.
While this isn't one of the best Namor comics to read, it does display one of the rare instances where Namor actually gets his way against the Fantastic Four. It's also an instance in which Sue's character is profoundly tested, as her feelings of inadequacy, as opposed to Spider-Man, led her into Namor's arms. It's the type of twist that fans certainly didn't expect.
What If Peter Parker Became the Punisher?
For villains, the Punisher is one of the most terrifying vigilantes in comics. But in What If? The Punisher, it isn't Frank Castle standing behind the guns. Instead, after avenging Uncle Ben, Peter Parker combines spider powers with incendiary rounds to take on the villains of New York City.
As one of the most original premises for a What If? comic, it handles the subject matter extremely well. Peter's motivations are clear throughout the issue, and the extraordinary art only makes the comic better. Not to mention that the Spider-Punisher suit is an iconic look for Parker. But really, what truly drew the attention of fans is the fact that the comic is one of the rare few that lets Peter and Gwen have a true happy ending.
What If Professor X and Magneto Formed the X-Men Together?
Considering their tumultuous relationship, many fans prior to the Krakoan era have wondered what it would be like if Magneto and the Professor actually managed to work together. In the comic What If Magneto Had Formed the X-Men With Professor X?, Marvel is quick to answer.
While fans were surprised to see that the answer was that the X-Men would be a government-affiliated organization and think tank, dedicated to helping mutants on a global scale, it does make some sense. Without a Brotherhood of Evil Mutants to galvanize against, and with Magneto's considerable abilities, the X-Men didn't really need to jump into action. Though Magneto doesn't feature much in the issue, his presence is the inciting force and ties together every aspect.
What If Spider-Man Had Kept His Cosmic Powers?
For a brief moment, Spider-Man once held the greatest power in the universe in his fingertips. But in the second volume of What If?, he managed to hold onto it. Using his powers to help solve the world's problems, Peter eventually sacrificed the power to bring true equality to the world.
Part of the allure of this issue is the way it explores Peter's sense of responsibility. The Uni-Power capitalizes on it, and Peter is forced to reckon with the way that responsibility can negatively influence his day-to-day life. In a way, it's an extreme character study of Peter, and one that leaves fans wanting for more.