Issue: 6

Title: What If the Fantastic Four had Different Super Powers?

Writer: Roy Thomas

Art: Jim Craig & Rick Hoberg

Summary:

In an alternate universe, cosmic rays endow the Fantastic Four with different powers than those we know. Johnny transforms into a robotic being and becomes Mandriod. Reed loses his physical form and transforms into a body-less brain known as Big-Brain. Sue becomes elastic and calls herself Ultra-Woman. Ben gets wings and becomes Dragonfly. Together they face the same foes we know in our universe. Eventually Doom makes his attempt to steal Blackbeard's legendary treasure, but the team foils his attempt. Later Doom kidnaps Reed and plans to use his brain-power to fuel his time machine. The team track Doom back to Latveria and attempt to rescue Reed, but Doom defeats each one of them. As Doom uses his equipment to erase Reed's personality Reed reaches out with his mind to combat Doom. The device explodes and the team emerges from the rubble. They find Doom but quickly learn that Reed managed to transfer his mind into Doom's body. Reed finally rejoins the team as Mr. Fantastic.

Notes:

• In this universe Doom claims that Reed refused to help him in his experiment to contact the Netherworld. He therefore holds him responsible for the explosion which ruined his face.

• Collected in What If? Classic Volume 1
  

Comments:

An enjoyable 'What If' if you are into these kind of stories. The changes to the team's powers make for some interesting interactions. Besides that, not much here for Doom fans. Bottom Line: * * out of 5

Issue- 15

Writer- Marv Wolfman

Art- George Perez and Tom Palmer

Summary:

In a universe where Nova's powers are given to a evil man, he forms an alliance with Doctor Doom, Red Skull, and the Sphinx. Together they defeat all of Earths heroes. The alliance falls apart when each of them refuses to accept the other as leader. Ultimately the Red Skull kills Doom, and the Sphinx kills Nova. With Earth free of heroes, Sphinx continues his search for a way to end his life, never knowing that the secret was imprinted in Nova's subconscious.

Comments:

Some nice George Perez art. Other than that, skip it. Bottom Line: * * out of 5

Issue- 18

Writer- Peter Gillis

Art- Tom Sutton

Summary:

In this reality Dr. Strange chooses to be Dormammu disciple instead of studying under the Ancient One. In order to combat Strange, the Ancient One seeks out a new apprentice. He asks Doctor Doom to become his discipile, but he refuses.

Notes:

• Cameo only

Issue- 20

Writer- Tom De Falco

Art- Alan Kupperberg & Bruce Patterson

Notes:

• Panel Appearance Only

Issue- 21

Writer- Bill Mantlo

Art- Gene Colan & Bob Wiacek

Notes:

• Panel Appearance Only

Issue- 22

Writer- Don Glut

Art- Fred Kida

Summary:

As in our universe, Doom suffers as a child through the deaths of his parents and he eventually embraces science and sorcery. His studies take him to America where he meets Reed Richards at State University. This reality diverges when instead of throwing Reed out of his room for suggesting that his calculations are off, Doom here listens to his counsel. Reed ultimately aids him in his experiment. Doom is thus successful in contacting his mother's soul. After this, Doom decides to leave university and seeks out more magical knowledge in order to aid him in his quest to free his mother and Latveria. History proceeds as we know it with Doom finding the order of monks and mastering all that they know. Doom eventually dons a suit of armor, however it is very different from the one we know. His armor is gold and he does not wear a mask. His visage is that of a knight in shining armor. He quickly travels to a nexus of universal forces where he manages to free his mother's soul from the nether world. This act does not go unnoticed by Mephisto who promptly swears vengeance.

Doom continues with his crusading and arrives at Latveria. He dethrones the current despot, Prince Rudolfo, and reveals he is the rightful heir to the throne. Freeing gypsy prisoners held in the dungeon, Doom finds his long lost love, Valeria. Together they bring about an era of peace and prosperity in Latveria. The two eventually wed, however it is in this moment that Mephisto acts. He captures all of Latveria and battles Doom. He makes Doom a proposition, give up Valeria for the souls of his people. Give up his soul for that of Valeria. His fatal flaw of arrogance is at last revealed when Doom's final decision is to give up Valeria because the world needs his power as a hero. Guilt ridden for having abandoned his love to the grips of the devil, Doom battles Mephisto each year for her soul, and each year he fails. Will he ever succeed? Only the Watcher will know for certain.

Comments:
For anyone who has ever wanted Doom to be a good guy, here is the comic for you. Writer Don Glut carefully takes the pivotal moments which formed Doom in our universe, all of the mistakes made, and sets them on the right path. What we get is a heroic Doom with a lot less anger. However the message here is that Doom's flaw is not his propensity for evil but his ego. Being an issue of What If, it can't be a perfect world so Doom has to have at least one bad thing against him. That aside, my only minor gripe is that Don Glut felt the need to make Doom the rightful heir to the throne of Latveria. This was not necessary. Making him blue blooded royalty robs him of his humble gypsy background. Luckily this does not detract from the enjoyment of the story, and after all this is a What If. I always find What Ifs and alternate universe stories hard to recommend, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Bottom Line: * * * * * out of 5

Issue - 29

Writer - Steven Grant

Art - Alan Kupperberg & Al Gordon

Notes:

• Panel Appearance Only

Issue - 33

Writer - Steven Grant

Art - Don Perlin

Notes:

• Cameo Only

Issue - 34

Writer - Mike Carlin

Art - Ron Zalme and Al Milgrom

Summary:

What If....Doctor Doom had a sense of humor....nuff said.

Notes:

• Panel Appearance Only

Issue - 42

Writer - Peter B. Gillis

Art - Ron Frenz & Joe Sinnott

Notes:

• Panel Appearance Only