As Magneto would no doubt have set his eyes on world conquest, one nation at a time, a team of international mutants forming to oppose him is not difficult to imagine. We could even go the extra mile and give them a squadron of Grumann Skyrockets in which to face off against the enemy... Hawk-AAAAAAA!!!!

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The First Coming of Galactus occurred in the issues immediately before the FF's 50th, less than five years into the book's history, and that of the "Marvel Universe". A pretty HUGE event for so "young" a "universe". For any stories set in that period, Galactus is a whole lot like the light at the end of the tunnel -- that turns out to be an onrushing train. Stories that take place over a limited span of time can, of course, avoid "The Galactus Problem", but the moment the tale stretches into years, as with this WHAT IF? scenario, Galactus becomes a "fix point" that has to be addressed.

To put it in a "real world" context, imagine telling the story of an American artist who moves to Paris in 1938. If the story covered a few days, or weeks, or even months, all would be fine. Go much beyond that, and World War II becomes impossible to ignore.

Context is also important here. My story, had it appeared in print, would have come out in the early days of WHAT IF, before Galactus became a "regular". And, of course, when I used Galactus in MARVEL TWO-IN- ONE I hadn't done the WHAT IF? story.

Fantastic.

My favorite detail is the belt design, with the "M"s that look just like the "X"s we know and love, except with the lower halves chopped off.

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Yes, this piece came with about the maximum level of "writing" I prefer from the customer. Makes it easier -- and, if you will forgive the towering immodesty, generally guarantees a better end result -- if the person ordering the commission doesn't try to choreograph it. Tell me who's to be included, from what vintage, and if it's a fight scene, tell me who's punching who, but spare me instructions of the "Captain America swings in on a long rope that's hanging from the SHIELD Helicarrier, with a swarm of HYDRA agents coming down the rope after him..." kinds of detail!!