What If? #55

The Watcher presents a parallel timeline in which Operation Galactic Storm had a different outcome: the point of divergence is AVENGERS #346. There, Captain America was able to stop Deathbird from assassinating the Kree leaders. They then killed the Shi’ar enemy and unleashed a virus to destroy the Supreme Intelligence. Ael-Dan then murders his co-ruler Dar-Ben and proclaims himself absolute ruler of the Kree. He orders the Avengers into a concentration camp and forces Captain America to watch while he uses his super-weapon to destroy Earth. Ael-Dan follows this up with the destruction of the Shi’ar throneworld. The fugitive Iron Man and Hawkeye hatch a plan: Iron Man battles the Accusers to provide a distraction while Hawyeye switches places with Cap. Tony sets his armor to self-destruct, taking Ronan’s forces with him while Clint is executed in Cap’s place. Cap links up with a resistance movement and they free the other Avengers from the labs where they were being subjected to grisly experiments. They heads for the airfield and the blinded Hercules and dying Sersi sacrifice themselves so the others can get away in a stolen ship. They are found by Quasar who takes them to a spaceport where they are reunited with the Shi’ar Avengers team (Thor, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch, Living Lightning, Starfox, Vision, Wonder Man). The Earth heroes then team up with the surviving members of the Imperial Guard to take down the Kree empire….