Best of "What If...?": #19

One-Shot (2007)
What if the Hulk landed on the peaceful planet that Reed Richards promised?

Written by Greg Pak
Drawn by Rafa Sandoval

How does one man explain to another that he must be exiled for crimes that he did not commit? When Reed Richards banishes fellow scientist Bruce Banner for the misdeeds of his monstrous alter-ego, it is with the sincerest tone of apology.

“There will be no one there to hurt you… and no one you can hurt. You always said you wanted to be left alone… May you finally find peace.”

Years ago, the explosion of a gamma ray bomb transformed Dr Banner into the super-strong, untameable Hulk. Although that initial change was temporary, subsequent high-stress moments have repeated the trick, and Bruce has ever struggled to limit his involuntary stints as a rampaging brute.

At last, Dr Richards has cut the Gordian Knot: since nothing on Earth could stop the Hulk, he has removed the Hulk from Earth. Stranded on an alien world, the Hulk resigns himself to his fate; Dr Banner, however, does not…

Best of "What If...?": #24

One-Shot (2007)
What if the Hulk died and Caiera lived?

Written by Greg Pak
Drawn by Leonard Kirk

Unbeknownst even to their own community, a small group of superhumans meets as necessary to ensure our planet’s safety. Recently, this secret society decided that the awesomely powerful Hulk was too dangerous to be tolerated any longer on Earth. Reluctantly, they tricked him into a special ship and shot him into space.

“Time and again, your anger and power have threatened the entire planet…” begins the group's parting message, ending, “…it’s the only way to be sure.”

Rather than drift harmlessly, however, the Hulk’s ship chances on a wormhole, which re-plots its course for a violent crash landing on the planet Sakaar. There, the Hulk becomes a hugely successful gladiator, winning the support of the people and the hand of an amazon named Caiera.

But fate is ever finding ways to rob the Hulk of peace. Incredibly, the ship that brought the green-skinned giant to Sakaar self-detonates, engulfing the Hulk in flames and killing his bride. Consumed by rage, the Hulk declares war on Earth.

The devastation thereafter inflicted by the Hulk elevates his already legendary infamy to new heights. No greater vengeance could have visited the Earth… unless the Hulk himself had died and Caiera had sought revenge…