Marvel Comics is launching a series of one-shot comics for the 50th anniversary of What If?, exploring alternative storylines for iconic characters like the X-Men, Captain America, and the Runaways.

The press release follows:

Media Release – To celebrate the 50th anniversary of What If?, Marvel Comics is taking a bold leap into the multiverse to discover mythos-shattering new twists on some of its most definitive stories! The series of one-shots kicks off next month with WHAT IF…? UNCANNY X-MEN #1 and WHAT IF…? THOR #1 and continues through July with WHAT IF…? SECRET WARS #1; WHAT IF…? JESSICA JONES #1; and WHAT IF…? SPIDER-MAN #1. And today, Marvel reveals the covers and story information for the final three WHAT IF…? one-shots hitting stands in August: WHAT IF…? RUNAWAYS #1; WHAT IF…? CAPTAIN AMERICA #1; and WHAT IF…? X-MEN #1.

In WHAT IF…? RUNAWAYS, Rainbow Rowell returns to Runaways alongside artist Zulema Scotto Lavina to reveal what would happen if the iconic group of teenagers boldly followed in the footsteps of their supervillain parents! Then, in WHAT IF…? CAPTAIN AMERICA, acclaimed writer Marc Guggenheim and X-Men 2099 legend Ron Lim unfreeze Steve Rogers in a world he never saved! And, in WHAT IF…? X-MEN, rising stars Ashley Allen and Sumit Kumar imagine a world where Professor X was never born and mutantkind’s fate was left in the hands of his evil twin sister, Cassandra Nova!

WHAT IF…? RUNAWAYS #1
Written by RAINBOW ROWELL
Art by ZULEMA SCOTTO LAVINA

WHAT IF…THE RUNAWAYS HADN’T RUN AWAY?

Every year, a group of philanthropists gather for a charitable fundraiser…or so their children Alex Wilder, Chase Stein, Gertrude Yorkes, Karolina Dean, Molly Hayes and Nico Minoru thought. When they discover their parents form the Pride, a sinister, sacrificial group that answers to a godly race called the Gibborim, the teens are terrified, shocked and…intrigued? Their destiny awaits, and there’s no running away.

WHAT IF…? CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Art by RON LIM

WHAT IF…CAPTAIN AMERICA WAS REVIVED IN 2099?

Captain America’s time during World War II ended with him frozen in ice, out of commission for decades. In the 616, he was revived and joined with fellow heroes the Avengers. But what if he missed the Heroic Age altogether? What evils would rise without the Sentinel of Liberty?

WHAT IF…? X-MEN #1
Written by ASHLEY ALLEN
Art by SUMIT KUMAR

WHAT IF…CASSANDRA NOVA KILLED PROFESSOR X?

In a world where Cassandra Nova killed Charles Xavier in the womb, telepaths are hunted and experimented on – and what she’s making from them is far worse than what she’s taking. But when telepaths Jean Grey and Emma Frost escape, Cassandra Nova will stop at nothing to bring them back! Bring on Cassandra’s X-Men!

Check out Lucas Werneck’s latest covers and preorder all eight WHAT IF…? 50th Anniversary one-shots at your local comic shop today!

WHAT IF…? UNCANNY X-MEN #1 – 75960621464800111
Written by GERRY DUGGAN
Art by JAN BAZALDUA
Cover by LUCAS WERNECK
On Sale 6/3

WHAT IF…? THOR #1 – 75960621465500111
Written by TORUNN GRØNBEKK
Art by SERGIO DÁVILA
Cover by LUCAS WERNECK
On Sale 6/17

WHAT IF…? SECRET WARS #1 – 75960621466200111
Written by ALEX PAKNADEL
Art by CAFU
Cover by LUCAS WERNECK
On Sale 7/1

WHAT IF…? JESSICA JONES #1 – 75960621467900111
Written by JUSTINA IRELAND
Art by DAVID MESSINA
Cover by LUCAS WERNECK
On Sale 7/15

WHAT IF…? SPIDER-MAN #1 – 75960621468600111
Written by J.M. DEMATTEIS
Art by YILDIRAY ÇINAR
Cover by LUCAS WERNECK
On Sale 7/29

WHAT IF…? CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Art by RON LIM
Cover by LUCAS WERNECK
On Sale 8/5



WHAT IF…? RUNAWAYS #1
Written by RAINBOW ROWELL
Art by ZULEMA SCOTTO LAVINA
Cover by LUCAS WERNECK
On Sale 8/19



WHAT IF…? X-MEN #1
Written by ASHLEY ALLEN
Art by SUMIT KUMAR
Cover by LUCAS WERNECK
On Sale 8/26





About Marvel

Marvel is one of the world’s most prominent entertainment brands, built on an unparalleled library of iconic characters and stories that have shaped pop culture for 85 years. The Marvel brand spans entertainment, including film, television, publishing, licensing, games, live events, digital media, and more.

For more information visit marvel.com.

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