The genius of What If? lies in its ingenuity. I remember the first issue I read was back in middle school. It instantly blew me away just on concept alone. The later 1990s edition felt like a nod to the original series and the Marvel version of The Twilight Zone.

It took readers on some very plausible roads with their favorite characters. It also made us empathize with villains who we would otherwise see as one dimensional. So it makes sense, that Disney+ decided to pursue a TV show because of how innovative the series was. In Nightcrawlers #1, we a nightmare “what if” version of what happens when you mix Nightcrawler and some of the world’s greatest heroes and villains, all under the control of Mister Sinister.

We are taken to the Sanctum Sanctorum in New Essex( what was New York) where the Nightcrawlers are looking for sources of power for their master, Mister Sinister when they find Ghost Rider cornered . Just when he thinks they will meet their end, X-23 and Spiderman turns on their fellow Nightcrawlers, as they start a small rebellion. As their leader, Mother Righteous has slowly filling her ranks with those who have grown tired of Mister Sinister. As they execute a debilitating attack on him but one that slithers out alive from. By issue’s end, Mother Righteous gathers who she has freed from Sinister and discovers a secret weapon to free them all form under his control.

Overall, Nightcrawlers #1 is an excellent debut issue that adds even more dimension to this big comic event. The story by Spurrier is exciting. The art by the creative team is beautiful. Altogether, a story that shows just how dangerous the stakes are for all in this dystopian future.

Story: Si Spurrier Art: Paco Medina
Color: Jay David Ramos Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle