Marvel sheds light on August 2026 ‘What If…?’ titles

Marvel Comics has released details for their August What If…? titles, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the series. Marvel Comics is diving back into the multiverse with a new lineup of one-shots that reimagine some of its most iconic stories. The series begins next month with What If…? Uncanny X-Men #1 (exclusive preview) and What If…? Thor #1, followed in July by What If…? Secret Wars #1, What If…? Jessica Jones #1, and What If…? Spider-Man #1. Now, Marvel has revealed the covers and story details for the final wave of one-shots arriving 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 the fan-favorite team alongside artist Zulema Scotto Lavina to explore a version of the group that follows in the footsteps of their villainous parents.

What If…? Captain America brings together writer Marc Guggenheim and artist Ron Lim for a story where Steve Rogers awakens in a world he never had the chance to save.

Meanwhile, What If…? X-Men sees Ashley Allen and Sumit Kumar imagine a timeline where Professor X was never born, leaving mutantkind under the control of Cassandra Nova.

Full solicits and covers below.

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!

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

 

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