What If (1977 series) #29

Before the Incredible Hulk quit the Avengers, a man called the Scarlet Centurion, who claims to be from the future, approaches the group. He tells the Avengers that they will save the Earth if they remain together. Hulk stays. Centurion reveals to them that in the future, a proliferation of superheroes will mean the planet’s downfall. To prevent this, the Avengers should end every super powered being, villain or not. 

The Avengers defeat all heroes and villains. Unknown to them, they are under the influence of a Centurion’s will-sapping ray. The Centurion was, in fact, Rama-Tut, a time traveling villain (who was at some point defeated by the Fantastic Four). Rama-Tut improved his will-sapping ray and planned his revenge by returning to the moment the original Avengers united. This time-jump created an alternate timeline. 

When the Avengers finished defeating all super powered beings, they announced that anyone else with super powers should report to the Avengers. Finally, the only super powered beings remaining on the planet were the Avengers themselves. The Hulk tries to leave the group but gets attacked by his peers. Iron-Man triggers the Hulk’s transformation, and Bruce Banner falls under the Centurion’s custody. The remaining four members disband. Thor went back to Asgard, and Iron-Man, Giant Man and the Wasp simply retired. 

A few months pass, and the Scarlet Centurion announces to the world that he is their new leader. He would terminate any opposing force. The former Avengers, without the Hulk, gather once more and defeat the Centurion. 

Iron-Man asks the rest to stay in the group, but they decline, fearful because of their evil actions under the Centurion’s influence.

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