What If...? #96

What If...? #96 was released in March 1997 as part of the long-running Marvel Comics anthology series that explored alternate-reality scenarios involving established characters. This specific issue reimagined the origins and trajectories of various heroes and villains, a hallmark of the series' mission to challenge comic book continuity by asking how historical events might have unfolded differently had a single key decision or moment been altered.

The issue features cover art and internal contributions that align with the creative aesthetic of late-nineties Marvel, characterized by shifting artistic trends of the era. The series was initially conceived in the late 1970s to allow creators more narrative freedom outside the constraints of official canon, and by the late 1990s, the title served as a creative sandbox where writers and illustrators could experiment with darker themes and stylistic variations before the eventual conclusion of the original volume.