Lot #456: Marvel What If... (1989 2nd Series) Issues

Cover art by Keith Pollard. What If the Avengers Had Lost the Evolutionary War?, script by Roy Thomas pencils by Ron Wilson (breakdowns), inks by Mike Gustovich (finishes); the High Evolutionary's gene bomb transforms both humans and superhumans; based on The Evolutionary War story from the 1987 annuals; appearances by the X-Men, The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the High Evolutionary, the Silver Surfer, Galactus, Eternity, and Magneto.

What If... # 2 (August 1989)

Cover art by Keith Pollard. What If Daredevil Had Killed the Kingpin?, script by Danny Fingeroth, pencils by Greg Capullo, inks by Ian Akin and Brian Garvey; After the Kingpin ruins his life, Matt kills him; Having a psychotic break after the murder, Matt shows up on the doorstep of Richard Fisk to let the Kingpin's son pass judgment on him; Hobgoblin and his goons interrupt the confrontation and both Matt and Ned are killed in the battle; Richard gives up being the Rose and dons a more familiar crime-fighting costume. Based on the Frank Miller/David Mazzucchelli "Born Again" storyline. Appearances by Spider-Man, the Punisher, and the Hobgoblin.

What If... # 3 (September 1989)

Cover pencils by Dave Simons, inks by Al Milgrom. What If...Steve Rogers Had Refused to Give Up Being--Captain America, script by Jim Valentino, pencils by Dave Simons, inks by Bob Downs; When the Commission asks Cap to either work for the government or resign, Cap decides to keep his costume and continue the good fight; The government brings in John Walker to replace Cap and bring him to justice; Cap's controversial decision splits the country until President Reagan steps in and declares that Super Patriot will be the official government hero and Cap will continue as a free agent; That is, until the mysterious Mr. Smith has his agent,  Cap down in front of the world; Walker becomes the new Cap until he grows violent and unstable and is asked to resign; Red Skull wins. Brief appearances by the Avengers, the Freedom Force (Mystique, Pyro, and the Blob), the Sub-Mariner, the Taskmaster, Mr. Fantastic (of the Fantastic Four), the Falcon, Nick Fury, Vagabond, Nomad, D-Man, Morton Downey Jr., and Ronald Reagan. 2-page back-up, What If Ben Parker's Nephew Was Galactus?, script by Sholly Fisch, pencils by Rod Ramos, inks by Chris Ivy. 2 half-page cartoons featuring Franklin Richards/Thor and Wolverine, scripts by John Rozum, pencils by Vince Miekcarek, inks by Ivy.

What If... #6 (November 1989)

Cover pencils by Ron Lim, inks by Terry Austin. What If...the X-Men Had Lost Inferno?, script by Danny Fingeroth, pencils by Ron Lim, inks by Keith Williams; S'ym and the Goblin Queen succeed in sacrificing baby Nathan Christopher, opening a permanent gateway between earth and Limbo; With even heroes like Wolverine being subverted by demonic influence, Dr. Strange and his small band of rebels try to figure out a way to reclaim their world; Strange awakens Rachel Summers (who has been turned into a store mannequin) and asks her to call the Phoenix force from space to purge the earth of demons; When it arrives, the Goblin Queen shows up to try and wrest control of the power from Rachel; The heroes prevail but have to start over on a primeval world. Appearances by S'ym, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Doctor Strange, She-Hulk, the Hulk, Doctor Doom, Thor, Baron Mordo, and the Living Tribunal.

What If... # 7 (December 1989)

"Wolverine, Agent of SHIELD." Script and breakdowns by Jim Valentino, pencils by Rob Liefeld, inks by Scott Williams. Brief Hulk and Wendigo appearances. The story picks up immediately after the Hulk/Wolverine battle in Incredible Hulk 180-181. Guest Starring Nick Fury, Black Widow, and Baron Strucker. Cameos by Captain America, Professor X, and Nightcrawler. One-page back-up, "What If Aunt May Was a Mutant With Claws?" Script by John Rozum, pencils by Jim Valentino, inks by Robert Campanella. Two half-page cartoons featuring Captain America (script by Gary Fields, pencils by Vince Mielcarek, inks by Harry Candelario) and the Punisher (by Dave Simons). Liefeld/Williams cover.

What If... # 8 (December 1989)

Cover art by Al Milgrom. What If Iron Man Lost the Armor Wars, script by Danny Fingeroth, pencils by Greg Capullo, inks by Ian Akin and Brian Garvey; Hammer takes over Iron Man's Armor

What If... # 10 (February 1990)

"What If the Punisher's Family Had Not Been Killed in Central Park?" Script by Doug Murray, pencils by Rik Levins, inks by Bob McLeod. Spider-Man cameo. 1-page back-up, "What If the Living Recorder Had to Find Work on Earth?" Script by Gary Fields, pencils by Rodney Ramos, inks by Tim Dzon. Two half-page cartoons featuring the Thing and Hawkeye (scripts by Steve Ringgenberg, pencils by Ramos, inks by Harry Candelario).

What If... # 31 (November 1991)

"What If Spider-Man Had Not Lost His Cosmic Powers?" Script by Glenn Alan Herdling, pencils by Scott McDaniel, inks by Jim Sanders III and Sam DeLa Rosa. Appearances by Thor, Captain America, Hobgoblin, Venom, and Doctor Doom. Cameos by the Hulk, Magneto, Iron Man, and Daredevil. McDaniel/Bob McLeod cover.

What If... # 43 (November 1992)

Cover pencils by Scott Clark, inks by Steve Montano. "What If Wolverine Had Married Mariko?", script by Ron Marz, pencils by Scott Clark, inks by Steve Montano; Wolverine marries Mariko and stays in Japan to help her lead Clan Yashida until she is murdered by the Silver Samurai during a gang war with the Kingpin; Based on The Uncanny X-Men #173.

What If... # 54 (October 1993)

What If Minion had not Killed Death's Head?, script by Simon Furman, art by Geoff Senior; Death's Head never becomes Death's Head II; Guest starring the Fantastic Four, Captain America, the Sub-Mariner, and Iron Man. Wolverine cameo.