What If...? #2

Published by Marvel Comics in 1977, What If...? #2 was part of an imaginative anthology series that explored divergent timelines in the Marvel Universe. This specific issue reimagines the origin of the Hulk, asking the question: 'What if the Hulk had always had Bruce Banner’s brain?' It emerged from a period when Marvel was increasingly interested in meta-narrative storytelling, allowing creators to step outside established continuity to experiment with character development and alternate moral outcomes.

The issue was written and illustrated by Roy Thomas and Herb Trimpe, a pair with deep historical ties to the Hulk’s character development. Their approach focused on the psychological implications of Banner retaining his intelligence while transformed, moving away from the mindless rage typically associated with the green giant. The issue was received well as a thoughtful departure from the status quo, cementing the series' reputation as a sandbox for exploring the 'what if' scenarios that would eventually become a staple of Marvel’s multiversal storytelling.