ARMANDO GIL.COM

WHAT IF?

Released in June, 1993, this anniversary issue of What If? was scripted by John Arcudi and penciled and inked by Armando Gil. The premise was born from the pages of the Incredible Hulk #340, originally written by Peter David and drawn by Todd McFarlane. That issue was linked in with the Mutant Massacre story-line which was then running through the pages of the X-Men titles. In the original story Wolverine attacks the Hulk and leaves him bleeding green blood from a gaping hole after being challenged. In this issues twist the outcome is vastly different with the Hulk giving into his rage and attacking Wolverine without any let up. Eventually his pounding dislodges a vertebrae and it's game over. The outcome of the battle affects the Mutant Massacre and more death follows.

Armando has always felt it wasn't one of his better efforts, art wise. "Half the book I spent a lot of time on," says Armando, "the last half I had to do in two weeks. Same thing with Blade Of The Demon Slayer, half the book I spent a lot of time on and the last bit they wanted it so bad I had to rush it, I had to knock it out. They're like half efforts of books." Armando's thoughts aside, the book is still a powerhouse of Armando's stylised art.