An alternate version of Count Nefaria appears in the What If? story "What If the X-Men Died on their First Mission?." At the time he and the Ani-Men have taken control of NORAD (Uncanny X-Men #94-95). With the X-Men having perished in a prior fight with Krakoa, the former X-Man Beast hastily assembles a mutant team to combat Nefaria. While attempting to flee, Count Nefaria's jet is brought down by Theresa Cassidy. Though Count Nefaria escapes, Theresa Cassidy avoids mainstream Thunderbird 's fate when her teammate James Proudstar catches her before she falls to her death.