Marvel Comics pioneered the idea of alternate realities in storytelling. Starting with the “What If?” series in the 1970s and 80s, these different realities let Marvel explore creative “what if” scenarios without changing the established storyline of their main universe, known as Earth-616.
Early Marvel stories experimented with different scenarios to demonstrate how adaptable their characters were. These tales placed well-known heroes in unusual situations, allowing readers to see their powers and ethical dilemmas in new ways. Often, these stories explored darker or more heartbreaking endings than were typically allowed in the main Marvel universe at the time.
10. Earth-79101 (What If? Vol. 1 – Conan the Barbarian in the Modern Age)
Marvel’s What If? was among the first to play with the idea of alternate universes, and one particularly interesting version, Earth-79101, imagines Conan the Barbarian suddenly appearing in 1970s New York City. This story playfully subverts the traditional fantasy genre by putting a barbarian hero in a modern, technological setting and examining how he would adjust. While it’s a creative and entertaining concept, the story focuses more on Conan’s character than building a detailed world, but it’s still beloved for its unique premise.
9. Earth-238 (Captain Britain – The Crooked World)
Earth-238, nicknamed the “Crooked World,” first appeared in a British Marvel comic book and is one of the earliest examples of a truly bizarre alternate universe. This dark and frightening world is ruled by the powerful Mad Jim Jaspers, who can warp reality itself. What makes it unique is its unsettling atmosphere, different from most other superhero stories. Unlike many alternate realities that simply disappeared, Earth-238 was intentionally destroyed by a group called the Mandamus Council to stop its strange, chaotic energy from spreading throughout the multiverse. Only one being remained after its destruction: a dangerous cyborg known as The Fury.
8. Earth-78411 (Dinosaur World)
Earth-78411 is a prehistoric alternate universe that first appeared in Devil Dinosaur #1 (1978), created by the renowned Jack Kirby. This world centers on the friendship between Devil Dinosaur and Moon-Boy, presenting a unique and visually dynamic take on a primitive Marvel Universe. Though its stories generally stand alone, Earth-78411 showed Marvel’s ability to create captivating worlds independent of its main heroes like the Avengers or X-Men.
7. Earth-788 (What If Jane Foster Had Found the Hammer of Thor?)
This alternate version of events, first appearing in What If? #10 (1978), presents a world where Jane Foster, instead of Donald Blake, is chosen to wield the hammer Mjolnir. As Thordis, she becomes a powerful Goddess of Thunder years before Jane Foster takes on the role in the main Marvel universe. This story is significant because it demonstrates how alternate realities can be used to explore and question traditional ideas about gender and what it truly means to be worthy.
6. Earth-905 (What If the Avengers Fought the Kree-Skrull War Without Rick Jones?)
This alternate reality, originally presented in What If? #19 (1980), shows what happens when one person is removed from a major conflict. Without Rick Jones to activate the Destiny Force, the Avengers are unable to prevent the Kree-Skrull War, resulting in a grim future filled with defeat for Earth’s heroes. It’s a powerful example of how even small changes can have huge consequences, and highlights the surprising importance of Marvel’s everyday characters.
5. Earth-811 (Days of Future Past)
Earth-811 is a famous, bleak future depicted in Marvel comics, first appearing in Uncanny X-Men #141-142 (1981). In this alternate reality, the death of Senator Robert Kelly leads to a surge of Sentinel robots that take over North America. Seeing familiar heroes like Wolverine and Storm aged, wounded, and fighting for survival raised the bar for dramatic stories within the Marvel Multiverse.
4. Earth-295 (Age of Apocalypse)
Earth-295 first appeared in X-Men: Alpha #1 (1995) and is a universe created by a time paradox. When Legion unintentionally kills his father, Charles Xavier, in the past, it results in a world where Apocalypse takes over the planet before the X-Men can unite. This alternate reality presents well-known heroes in harsh new roles—most famously with Magneto leading the fight against oppression—and is considered one of Marvel’s most popular and detailed “alternate world” storylines.
3. Earth-1610 (The Ultimate Universe)
First appearing in Ultimate Spider-Man #1 in 2000, the Earth-1610 universe was a fresh take on classic Marvel characters, designed for a modern audience. It was known for its realistic, often dark stories and lasting impacts – including the death of Peter Parker. This universe is particularly remembered as the place where Miles Morales was first introduced, and he later became popular enough to join the main Marvel universe.
2. Earth-712 (The Squadron Supreme)
Earth-712, which debuted in The Avengers #85 (1971), is the home of the Squadron Supreme – a Marvel team intentionally created as a tribute to DC’s Justice League. This alternate reality is best known for a 1985 miniseries that examined the dangers of trying to create a perfect society. In the story, the heroes seize control of the government to fix the world’s issues, resulting in a complex and insightful look at superhero ethics that remains highly regarded.
1. Earth-616 (The Foundation of the Multiverse)
Although most Marvel stories take place in what’s considered the main Marvel Universe, it wasn’t always defined as such. This universe, now known as Earth-616, received its numerical label in a 1983 British comic book, The Daredevils #7, written by Alan Moore. By giving its core setting a seemingly arbitrary number, Marvel hinted that this universe was just one of countless others. This simple act essentially created the Marvel Multiverse, establishing the foundation for all the alternate realities we see today.
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2026-02-06 00:14