And there came a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth's mightiest heroes and heroines found themselves united against a common threat! On that day, the Avengers were born—to fight the foes no single super hero could withstand!
… Well this is not that reality.
Here, the Avengers broke up not long after they started, thinking that the loss of the Hulk made a super team near useless. Which means that when Namor calls the Avengers out for a battle against himself and the Hulk, Iron Man must find an alternative.
What If the Avengers had Never Troped?:
- 10-Minute Retirement: Hank and Janet retire from heroics at the start, but are swiftly persuaded to come back by Iron Man and Rick.
- Bittersweet Ending: Namor is defeated, the Hulk has a Heel Realisation and leaves, and the Iron Avengers are successfully formed. But Iron Man gave his life to save Giant-Man’s and the Sub-Mariner gets away.
- Brainless Beauty: The Wasp is portrayed as such, to the point her boyfriend refers to her as “Janet Van Dyne, airhead heiress”.
- …But He Sounds Handsome: As is typical for the era, Iron Man refers to Tony Stark as his benefactor and talks him up to others.
- Changed My Mind, Kid: Giant-Man and the Wasp Opt Out of joining the Iron Avengers after struggling with the new armours made for them. But upon learning that Iron Man went out to fight despite being outmatched, they reconsider.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Iron Man donates the power source for his pacemaker to re power Giant-Man’s armour, costing his own life.
- Morality Pet: Upon learning that one of the Iron Avengers is Rick Jones, Hulk turns on Namor and leaves.
- The Unmasking: Iron Man’s identity becomes known to the Iron Avengers upon his death.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: Thor disappears after quitting the Avengers.
