The coming of Galactus in Fantastic Four #48-50 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby is one of the most iconic events in the history of the Marvel Universe. The first genuine world-threatening incident to befall the heroes of Earth, it fell to the Fantastic Four to contend with the cosmic planet-consuming force of nature. Luckily, Mister Fantastic, Human Torch, Invisible Girl, and the Thing were capable of contending with Galactus and — with the help of Alicia Masters — convinced the Silver Surfer to break away from his duties as Galactus’ herald.
But this definitive moment played out very different in other realities across the multiverse, as revealed in two classic issues of What If…?, that depict far deadlier consequences of the World Eater’s first visit to Earth.
What If the Avengers Fought Galactus?
The reality of Earth-929 — featured in What If…? #41 (by Jim Valentino, Sam DeLarosa, Russ Sever, and Janice Chiang) deviated from the core-Marvel Universe early in the issue. In this world, the flight of Reed Richards and his crew met a sudden and tragic end when their ship exploded upon impact with the Earth. All four passengers were killed, preventing this world from ever gaining a Fantastic Four. This meant that when Galactus made his way to Earth, it was the Avengers — Iron Man, Wasp, Giant-Man, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver — who stood up to him. Without the Fantastic Four to warn, Uatu instead comes to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Realizing there’s little they can do, the team summons their allies Thor, Hercules, Swordsman, and the Hulk to the fight against Galactus.
Meanwhile, Iron Man tries to break into Galactus’ ship to acquire the Ultimate Nullifier — the one weapon Galactus fears. But Iron Man’s armor sets off surveillance technology in Galactus’ ship (unlike the Human Torch in the core-Marvel timeline), and the Armored Avenger is defeated. Silver Surfer doesn’t meet Alicia Masters in this world either and ends up remaining reluctantly loyal to Galactus, fighting Thor to a stand-still while his master dispatches the Avengers. Ultimately, the Watcher Uatu breaks his vow to save the Earth, battling Galactus head-on and eventually being killed, with Galactus draining his life energy to sustain himself after the struggle. As a result, the repentant Galactus spares Earth and allows Silver Surfer to remain on the planet, while he takes the now deceased Uatu to be mourned by his fellow Watchers.
What If the Fantastic Four Lost to Galactus?
Things were even worse in What If…? #70 (by Chuck Dixon and Joe Barney). On Earth-952, the deviation came when Galactus was confronted by Reed Richards while he held the Ultimate Nullifier. The Silver Surfer remained true to his vow to Galactus and blasted Reed unconscious before returning the Ultimate Nullifier to his master and preventing humanity from wielding the only weapon capable of warding off the World Devourer. The Fantastic Four flee as Galactus kills Uatu for his interference before turning his attention to the rest of the world. The Avengers arrive in defense of the world, but are slaughtered by an enraged Galactus — with a heartbroken but resigned Silver Surfer personally killing Iron Man and Thor. Galactus then completes his mission, and drains the Earth of all life.
The only survivors are the Fantastic Four and Alicia Masters (sheltered within the Baxter Building’s panic room), the Wasp (whose attempt to sneak into Galactus’ base resulted in her being knocked unconscious and spared the destruction of Earth), and Doctor Doom (who survived thanks to his technology). Doom recruits a guilt-ridden and enraged Reed to take revenge, with the distraught heroes venturing into space after Galactus. While Reed finds the Wasp and recovers the Ultimate Nullifier, Doom confronts Silver Surfer. Still wounded from his battle with Thor, the Surfer overloads with energy, killing himself and his opponent. Galactus realizes the nobility of those he consumed when Reed gives up the Nullifier rather than risk the universe, and makes the last humans his new heralds to seek uninhabited worlds.
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