What If...? #53

What If...? #53 was published in September 1993 as part of the long-running Marvel Comics anthology series that explored alternate timelines and divergent outcomes for established characters. This specific issue presents the question 'What If the Avengers Had Fought Galactus?' Written by Simon Furman and illustrated by Gavin Curtis, the story imagines a catastrophic confrontation between Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the Devourer of Worlds, a scenario that diverged from the canonical events established in the classic Fantastic Four storylines.

The issue fits into the mid-90s era of Marvel, a period characterized by experimental storytelling and elaborate 'what if' scenarios that allowed creators to bypass status quo restrictions. Gavin Curtis provided a dynamic aesthetic that reflected the high-stakes, cosmic nature of the battle. While the series was a staple for fans interested in multiverse theory within the Marvel Universe, this particular installment is remembered as a quintessential example of the genre's tendency to escalate conflict to an apocalyptic scale, serving as a standalone curiosity for collectors of 90s speculative fiction.