What If? #25

Published in February 1981, What If? #25 is a notable entry in Marvel Comics' long-running anthology series, which explored divergent timelines and alternate realities. This specific issue presents the premise: 'What If Thor Fought Odin?', written by Doug Moench with art by Alan Kupperberg. The story leverages the high-stakes internal conflicts inherent in the mythology of Asgard, reflecting the series' tendency to place well-established characters into tragic or extreme scenarios that could not occur within the standard Marvel continuity.

The creative direction for this issue leaned into the dramatic tension between the All-Father and his son, a common trope in classic Thor narratives amplified by the 'What If' format. Alan Kupperberg’s illustrative style provided the gritty, grounded aesthetic typical of Bronze Age Marvel titles, focusing on the sheer scale of the battle. While the series was often seen as a sandbox for creators to experiment without affecting the primary canon, this issue is remembered by collectors as a quintessential example of the series' willingness to pit fan-favorite heavyweights against one another for dramatic effect.