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  • Item #55324361
    Actual item pictured; not a generic image.
    Zoom Front Cover
    Published Apr 1982 by Marvel.

    What If (1977 1st Series) 32 CBCS 9.0

    Paper: White

    Direct Edition.

    Label #21-1880889-107

    Ended Feb 1 2022
    Winning Bid $25

    "What If... the Avengers had become the Pawns of Korvac?" Script by Mark Gruenwald. Plot assist by Peter Sanderson. Art by Mark Gruenwald (layouts) and Greg LaRocque (finishes). See notes for assisting embellishers. Cover by Bob Layton and Joe Rubinstein. At the end of the Korvac Saga in Avengers 177, Michael died in battle vs. Earth's Mightiest Heroes after Carina, the Collector's daughter, did not support him in the waning moments of the fight. But now the Watcher reveals an alternate reality in which she does support Michael (aka Korvac) at the critical point in the battle! Feeling re-energized after Carina's help, Michael slays the remaining avengers and sets his sights on galactic domination! But the most powerful entities in the universe like the Watcher, Galactus, Shaper of Worlds, Grandmaster, Stranger, the In-Betweener, and the Living Tribunal line up against him! So Korvac resurrects a select group of avengers to battle the cosmic heavyweights! All is going according to plan until Michael realizes he simply cannot defeat the entire cosmos without using the infamous ultimate nullifier! Is this the way the universe ends? Cameo appearances by Odin, Zeus, Dr. Strange, Phoenix, and the Silver Surfer. Avengers Lineup: Captain America, Captain Marvel, Hercules, Iron Man, Ms. Marvel, Moondragon, Starhawk, Thor, Wonder Man, and the Vision. (Notes: Elements of the plot continue in the backup story in What If (1st series) 43. The ten-part Korvac Saga took place in Avengers 167-168 and 170-177. Inking assists by (take a deep breath) Frank Miller, John Byrne, Walt Simonson, Rick Magyar, Jack Abel, Alan Kupperberg, Joe Rubinstein, Vince Colletta, Terry Austin, Alan Weiss, Mark Gruenwald, Bob Layton, Rick Bryant, Bob Wiacek, Al Milgrom, Larry Hama, John Tartaglione, Klaus Janson, Herb Trimpe, Marie Severin, John Romita Sr., Frank Giacoia, Dave Cockrum, Steve Mitchell, Ron Wilson, and Dave Simons. The letters page contains a statement of ownership: average print run: 262,341; average paid circulation: 119,159. This story was reprinted in 2008 in the trade paperback: What If? Classic 5.) 48 pages. Cover price $1.00. Grade: CBCS 9.0 explanation of grade Condition: Used (collectible)