Back in the day, Spider-Man wanted to join the Four, because they were celebrities and he thought that he'd a) get recognition and b) get paid. This didn't work out (the Fantastic Four don't get paid; any money they have goes into various gadgets), though he did eventually develop an enduring friendship with Johnny Storm. So, what if they did accept him?
In this universe, Spider-Man's first meeting with the Fantastic Four goes as usual, but when he leaves, Sue calls him back, and Reed decides that Spider-Man could be a great help to the team. They agree to let him on, if he unmasks himself. Peter complies, and soon is announced as a new member of the Fantastic Five at a press conference- much to J. Jonah Jameson's annoyance.
The Fantastic Five make a great team-up, as it turns out, helping with each others' various villains. But when Sue is left behind on a mission (their flying car still only seats 4, and for some reason nobody thinks of making Johnny fly along, or Mr. Fantastic use his stretching powers to fit), Namor, who's been brainwashed by the Puppet Master, kidnaps her.
The other four go to save her, and fight Namor. The Puppet Master perishes after drawing the attention of a monstrous octopus that Namor had used to menace Sue, and Namor is released from his spell, ending the conflict. But Sue chooses to stay with Namor, as she feels that the others don't need her with Spider-Man there (this being before her badass level-up that made her a Barrier Warrior and major heavy hitter).
What If... Spider-Man Joined the Fantastic Tropers?
- Aborted Arc: Since Spider-Man’s reputation is rehabilitated by joining the Fantastic Four, Chameleon is unable to enact his Criminal Doppelgänger scheme.
- Added Alliterative Appeal: Namor, when dismissing Spider-Man's potential. Spidey, of course, lampshades it.Namor: He will prove but a slender seaweed against the strength of a sovereign of the seven seas.Spider-Man: Bet you can't say that three times fast, pointy-ears.
- Anti-Climactic Unmasking: When Peter unmasks, Sue comments that she expected him to be scarred or something, but he looks completely normal.
- Bittersweet Ending: The Fantastic Four fully integrate Peter, defeat the Puppet Master, and save the day, but Reed has lost Sue to Namor.
- Bond Villain Stupidity: Puppet Master chooses not to control any of the Fantastic Five, because he wants them to be fully aware for their loss against Namor.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: Namor, courtesy of the Puppet-Master.
- I Choose to Stay: Sue chooses to remain with Namor, since she thinks Spider-Man has fully replaced her in the Fantastic Four.
- Irony: Reed consoles himself after Sue leaves by saying that it was probably fate that Sue stayed with Namor, and would have happened even if Peter hadn't joined. As readers already know, it wouldn't, since this is a What If? story.
- What If?: This was the story that introduced Marvel's take on the concept.
