What If...? #42

Issue Details

Synopsis

The basis of the "What If?" series is to give Marvel fans a glimpse into the road less travelled by their favorite and not-so-favorite heroes with mild to moderate success. It's also worth noting that, ninety percent of the time, "What If?" stories don't have a happy ending.In normal Marvel continuity (Earth-616 as it is sometimes called), Spider-Man once gained four extra arms due to an untested antidote to his spider-powers. Later on, he managed to get rid of these thanks to a sample of Morbius' blood and the efforts of Doctor Curt Connors. This issue focuses, however, on the question: What If Spider-Man Had Kept His Six Arms?PlotThe book opens with Uatu the Watcher telling us the events of Earth-616 leading up to the first appearance of Morbius. In normal Marvel continuity, the Living Vampire made it to Spider-Man's laboratory in Doctor Connor's Long Island home, but in this reality, Morbius was set upon by sharks after leaving the boat he was travelling on, never reaching land and encountering Spider- Man. As scraps of Morbius' costume wash ashore, we see the Web-Slinger bemoaning the fact that it looks like he'll have to keep his six arms.Spider-Man returns to the laboratory and finds a ready and willing Doc Connors to assist him. The two work through through the days and nights, but inevitably, Doc Connors succumbs to the stress and transforms into the Lizard! The two slug it out, destroying all of their research in the process, but the duel is over quickly due to Spider-Man's extra arms. Spidey then whips up an antidote for the Lizard, who changes back to Doc Connors. Spider-Man tells Connors that the doctor should go home, and Connors agrees but suggests that Spider-Man go see Professor Charles Xavier, who may be able to help.Some time later, Spider-Man reaches the Xavier Mansion. He comments that the extra arms are handy, but hopes that Professor Xavier can help him leave without them. Suddenly, the Beast tackles Spider-Man! The mutant didn't recognize Spider-Man...