Earth's Mightiest Column: Dec. 19, 2007

Time for another Earth's Mightiest Column, less than a week before Christmas!


EARTH’S MIGHTIEST COLUMN: DEC. 19, 2007
The Sentry’s wrath throws the Mighty Avengers off their game plan

By John Coleman

Posted December 19, 2007 12:20 PM

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Beyond the umbrella of “The Initiative,” Earth’s Mightiest Heroes soldier on to unravel the shadowy threats that menace the Marvel Universe! For regular recaps of post-Initiative New Avengers and Mighty Avengers, swing by with each new issue for insight into the costumed conspiracies and superpowered slugfests that break out every time the Avengers assemble!]

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

PREVIOUSLY IN THE AVENGERS TITLES:

• It was a period of Civil War. Though seemingly brought together by fate out of the ashes of the disassembled Avengers team to stop a supervillain breakout at the maximum security prison known as the Raft, the group of heroes known as the New Avengers was torn apart by the introduction of the Superhuman Registration Act. The superhero population was divided down the middle when Captain America denounced the act and mounted a resistance, while Iron Man pledged full support for the law.

• When the dust settled, Captain America was dead and Iron Man had been installed as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. As a result, two separate teams claim the Avengers mantle.

• Duly authorized under the Superhuman Registration Act, the Mighty Avengers are Iron Man’s handpicked team of heroes. Led by Ms. Marvel and consisting of the Wasp, Wonder Man, Black Widow, the Sentry, Ares, and Iron Man himself, the hastily constructed team has been put to the test by the appearance of a new Ultron.

• On the run from the government (including the Mighty Avengers), the New Avengers are made up of anti-registration heroes that are devoted to Captain America’s ideals. Led by Luke Cage, the team consists of Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Dr. Strange, Iron Fist and the new Ronin (who is actually Clint Barton, the Avenger formerly known as Hawkeye).

• Ultron, created by founding Avenger Hank Pym, seizes control of Tony Stark’s biomechanically enhanced body. Taking a form similar to that of the Wasp (Pym’s ex-wife), the robot uses its new abilities to unleash an electromagnetic pulse that disables all electrical systems in the area.

• Hoping to rescue their teammate Echo from the ninja clan known as the Hand, the New Avengers headed to Japan. There, they battled the Hand, and at the climax of their conflict, learn that the Hand’s leader, the assassin called Elektra, is actually a member of the shape-shifting alien race of Skrulls.

• Torn over the implications of this revelation, the New Avengers are unsure what to do with the Skrull’s body. On their flight back from Japan, Spider-Woman suggests that they bring the body to Tony Stark…that as head of S.H.I.E.L.D., he is the most qualified person to deal with it. The others are opposed to this idea, some even claiming that Stark may be a Skrull himself. As they debate over what to do with the Skrull corpse, their jet is knocked from the sky by an electromagnetic pulse…the same pulse unleashed by Ultron against the Mighty Avengers.

• Crash landing outside of Chicago, most of the team members are unconscious. Only Spider-Woman and Wolverine are awake, and Wolverine realizes that she is going to try and make off with the Skrull. He tries to stop her, but she blasts him into unconsciousness. She then retrieves the Skrull corpse and leaves the scene.

• Meanwhile, Ultron attacks the Mighty Avengers with a horde of Iron Man armors, keeping them busy while “she” infiltrates their headquarters, Avengers Tower. There, she kills the Sentry’s wife, Lindy Reynolds, hoping to keep the troubled hero from being involved in the fight. Of course, this has quite the opposite effect on the Sentry’s fragile mind. He flies into a rage and assaults Ultron with a brutal attack, unleashing much of his uncharted power in the process.

• Hank Pym is called in to help deal with the problem that he created many years ago. Leaving behind his new girlfriend and Avenger reservist, Tigra, Hank arrives to try and come up with a way to stop the seemingly unstoppable Ultron.

• Ares leaves the fight against the Iron Man armors because he feels he has come up with a plan to defeat the robot. He arrives back at the fallen S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier and tells Pym and the Black Widow that he knows how to stop Ultron. Ares and Pym come up with the idea to implant a virus directly into Ultron’s system. However, to keep the Avengers busy, Ultron uses its connection to the government systems to launch a nuclear missile off the coast of Florida.

• Ms. Marvel manages to damage the missile, pushing it off course and up into the atmosphere. It detonates and Ms. Marvel’s fate is unknown.

• Pym dons his Ant-Man gear, the identity he had when he helped found the Avengers, and goes out to confront Ultron. While the robot is distracted by the appearance of its “father,” Ares, shrunken to miniature size by Pym’s powers, is fired into its mouth, carrying the virus that they hope will stop Ultron and restore Tony Stark.

• Aboard a flying sled, Ares sails into Ultron’s cybernetic innards, hoping to reach the robot’s core…

THIS WEEK
MIGHTY AVENGERS #6
Brian Michael Bendis (W)/ Frank Cho (A)



SYNOPSIS ASSEMBLE!
• We start off with a bit of a flashback as Pym and Ares are discussing their plan to get the virus inside Ultron. Black Widow oversees the plan, but she seems to have very little faith in Pym.

• As we watch the shrunken God of War fly into Ultron’s mouth, we hear Pym explaining that inside, Ares will find that Ultron has created defenses for just such an attack. Swarms of spiked “antibodies” rush toward Ares, but he flies on, undaunted.

• Realizing that the Avengers have just launched some kind of attack on it, Ultron reels. Black Widow calls for the Avengers to fall back, knowing that if they harm the robot now, they risk the chance of ruining Ares’ mission. Unfortunately, it’s at this point that the Sentry decides to get back into the fight. He flies into the melee and assaults Ultron in a blind rage, knocking the robot first into, and then through, the Chrysler Building!

• Black Widow realizes that the Sentry’s attack may interrupt Ares and she orders the other Avengers to stop him. Wonder Man tries to reason with Sentry only to be attacked himself. Sentry continues to try and dismantle Ultron, trying to rip its head from its shoulders…

THE WRATH OF THE SENTRY



• Ares is about to be overwhelmed by Ultron’s internal defenses as the Sentry continues his assault on his wife’s killer. Luckily, Ms. Marvel returns just in time to deliver a nuclear-charged punch that manages to stun the enraged hero.

WHY YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO THE BOSS



• With the Sentry’s unwitting interference stopped, Ares manages to get the virus into Ultron’s core. However, just as he does so, he is swarmed by Ultron’s “antibodies.” Without his flying sled, his escape seems unlikely. He tries to fight his way free, but they are too numerous and he loses his ax in the struggle. It seems that Ares’ first mission as an Avenger will also be his last.

• Ultron’s body begins to change from the effects of the virus, warping and twisting in a mix of metal and flesh. It seems that the virus is working.

• Realizing that Ares won’t make it out, Pym and the Black Widow are at a loss for what to do. Fortunately, Pym isn’t the only founding Avenger around today…the Wasp flies into Ultron’s mouth, racing to rescue her new teammate. Ares is still fighting, despite being totally overwhelmed by Ultron’s defenses.

GERM WARFARE



• As the other Avengers watch on in horror, the Wasp manages to reach Ares and pull him free. At this point, Ultron loses its form and explodes in a golden burst of energy. Pym and the Widow watch silently, hoping for signs that the two shrunken heroes have escaped. Finally, a S.H.I.E.L.D. operative reports that he detects a life sign. Wasp and Ares have managed to make it to safety.

• Pym is relieved to see his estranged ex-wife alive and safe. The S.H.I.E.L.D. operative reports another life sign at ground zero of the blast, falling fast. Ms. Marvel flies up to catch what is presumably the body of Tony Stark.

• Tony wakes up in a hospital bed, surrounded by his teammates and the Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards. They fill him in on what happened and let him know that he is okay. When the Wasp explains that Ultron turned him into a girl, Tony has this classic response…

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART



• Tony thanks Pym for saving the day, but Pym only apologizes in return instead of saying “You’re welcome.” He is still plagued by the fact that he unwittingly unleashed Ultron on the world. He walks off as Ms. Marvel and Tony speak in private about the new team. Tony dozes off as Ms. Marvel thinks to herself that he has to stop acting like he is the king of the world.

• The Sentry returns to Avengers Tower, mournful over the loss of his wife…only to find her waiting for him! Inexplicably, she is alive and well. Although overjoyed to see her, he seems disturbed by the fact that the only explanation he can think of is that his touch somehow brought her back to life.

• Ms. Marvel and Wonder Man, having begun to see each other romantically, rendezvous after the battle. There, Wonder Man claims that she can’t let their relationship affect her role as team leader. He explains that he is as powerful as any other member of the team and that she can’t hesitate sending him in to do the dangerous jobs. If she continues to do so, he says, then they’re through.

• Wasp meets up with Hank Pym to tell him he did a good job, but the conversation quickly degenerates into an argument, despite the fact that they both feel strongly for each other.

• Finally, back at the hospital, we see Tony Stark in his bed asleep, as a shady figure creeps in through the window. The visitor wakes him, claiming that they need to talk. It turns out to be Spider-Woman, having defected from the New Avengers and holding the body of the Skrull that had been disguised as Elektra.

Earth's Mightiest Column: Dec. 12, 2007

Lot of stuff up on Wizard Universe today, but this was the only one that I felt warranted a post!


EARTH’S MIGHTIEST COLUMN: DEC. 12, 2007
Wizard Universe’s regular rundown of Marvel’s mightiest teams
SUB FOR FRONT PAGE/COLUMN SIDEBAR: Can the Hood’s crew handle the New and Mighty Avengers, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men?

By Sal Loria

Posted December 12, 2007 12:20 PM

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Beyond the umbrella of “The Initiative,” Earth’s mightiest heroes soldier on to unravel the shadowy threats that menace the Marvel Universe! For regular recaps of post-Initiative New Avengers, Mighty Avengers and New Avengers: The Illuminati, swing by with each new issue for insight into the costumed conspiracies and superpowered slugfests that break out every time the Avengers assemble! )

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

PREVIOUSLY IN THE ‘AVENGERS’ TITLES:

• It was a period of Civil War. Though seemingly brought together by fate out of the ashes of the disassembled Avengers team to stop a supervillain breakout at the supermaximum security prison the Raft, the group of heroes known as the New Avengers—Captain America (Steve Rogers), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Wolverine (Logan/James Howlett), Luke Cage, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), the Sentry (Robert Reynolds) and sometimes Ronin (Maya Lopez, aka Echo)—were torn between Iron Man’s drive to register all superhumans and Captain America’s determination to resist.
• When the dust settled, Captain America was dead and Iron Man triumphant, installed as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. As a result, two separate teams claim the Avengers mantle.
• Duly authorized under the Superhuman Registration Act, the Mighty Avengers consist of Iron Man, the Sentry, Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), the Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), the Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Wonder Man (Simon Reynolds) and god of war Ares.
• On the run from the government—including the Mighty Avengers—the New Avengers comprise Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme), Iron Fist (Danny Rand) and the new Ronin (Clint Barton, formerly known as Hawkeye). They’re supported by Strange’s servant Wong and Cage’s wife Jessica Jones (the one-time hero Jewel and mother of Cage’s child).
• As part of the “Initiative” event, the Mighty Avengers are embroiled in a tense struggle against a new Ultron, who seized control of Tony Stark’s biomechanically enhanced body, transforming it into a female form not unlike the Wasp’s and deploying near-unstoppable new powers against the team—most recently killing the Sentry’s wife Lindy.
• Meanwhile, the New Avengers’ battle to rescue their teammate Echo from the clutches of the powerful ninja cult called the Hand ended abruptly when Echo stabbed the Hand’s leader Elektra to death—revealing that she’s not Greco-American Elektra Natchios at all, but a Skrull impostor. The fact that a member of this shape-shifting alien race—whose long and hostile history with Earth’s heroes was recently illustrated in New Avengers: Illuminati—could assume control of the deadliest group of assassins known to man left the team wondering: Who else might be a Skrull? And who can they trust?
• Not Spider-Woman, apparently: Whether because she’s secretly a Skrull or just thinks taking Skrullektra’s body to Tony Stark for analysis is the right thing to do despite the objections of her teammates, Jessica Drew takes advantage of the crash of the New Avengers’ jet to zap Wolverine and make off with Skrullektra’s corpse.
• Tempers rise and paranoia spreads like a disease, causing the New Avengers to almost disassemble! As the team takes a much-needed break from one another, Wolverine comes face-to-gun-barrel with the criminal underground’s newest head honcho—the Hood!
• New Avengers: Illuminati has been depicting untold tales of a clandestine group of heroes known as the Illuminati: Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Professor X (Charles Xavier), Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards), Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon, king of the Inhumans) and Namor the Sub-Mariner (ruler of Atlantis). Brought together in secret by Stark in the wake of the Kree-Skrull War to quietly protect humanity from major threats, the group played a major behind-the-scenes role in the Marvel Universe before splitting up prior to the Civil War. Among other tasks, they’ve chased off a Skrull fleet, gathered the Infinity Gems, attempted to banish the Beyonder from this universe, convinced Marvel Boy to rethink his life, and exiled the Hulk from the Earth.
• Capitalizing on the disarray facing Marvel’s heroes following the Civil War and the Initiative, the new Kingpin-in-training—the Hood—gets organized and rounds up virtually every villain who broke out of the Raft back in New Avengers #1. Promising his newfound allies more money than they can imagine, the Hood pledges to hit heroes where it hurts—particularly their families—if any cape comes near his new operation. To prove his dedication to his new world order, the Hood physically and psychologically takes out Tigra and sets his sights to earn big while the heroes are occupied with a symbiote infestation.
• While the Mighty Avengers continue their metallic melee with the horde of Iron Man armors unleashed upon them by Ultron, Ares leaves the battle to travel to the S.H.I.E.L.D helicarrier and reveals his plan to take down Ultron. After a brief meeting of the minds, Ares and Hank agree to implant a virus directly into Ultron’s system. However, to keep the Avengers busy, Ultron hacks into government systems, causing the launch of a nuclear missile off the Florida coast. While the Avengers halt the missile, the Starktech 940 drone secretly launches a shrunken Ares into the mouth of Ultron to implant the virus.
• Disturbed by recent events (and a body bag dropped on his doorstep), Iron Man calls an Illuminati meeting to address the corpse of Skrullektra and threat of a Skrull invasion, which is the result of their past attack. As the group tries to rationalize how to approach this threat, Black Bolt is revealed to be a Skrull spy who immediately attacks the stunned heroes. In the fight against…umm, Black Skrolt, the Illuminati seemingly kill him, only to be surprise-attacked by Skrulls mimicking the powers of Thor and Colossus. To end the battle quickly, Iron Man creates a huge explosion that appears to have destroyed the Skrull attackers. Fueled by distrust and betrayal in light of the current situation, the team disbands again, leaving Iron Man to lament the Skrull invasion.
• With the vast majority of New York turned by the symbiote outbreak, both Avengers teams do what they can but, ultimately, fall one by one to the venomous goo. Only Iron Man comes through by putting an end to the infestation and, wary of each other, both teams aid in the cleanup. The Mighty Avengers track the symbiote attack back to Dr. Doom, and make plans for a trip to Latveria, but not before Wolverine pays Spider-Woman a visit in her shower to question why she had switched sides. Upon leaving, Wolvie joins his rebel teammates as they’ve located the Hood’s hideaway, where a new free-for-all is about to begin…

NEW AVENGERS #37
Brian Michael Bendis (W)/Leinil Francis Yu (A)



SYNOPSIS ASSEMBLE!

• Showing that a “bad day at the office” is an understatement, the Hood’s cronies are confronted by members of the New and Mighty Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and more. Not one to back down, the Wrecker jumps right in, and quickly discovers that most of the “heroes” are apparitions concocted by Dr. Strange.
• Regardless, the battle royal erupts, and members of the Hood’s crew slowly begin falling. Strange makes a beeline for the Hood, and warns him that the demon he possesses will eventually kill him. Parker Robbins doesn’t take kindly to the news, and transforms into the demon once more (or did the demon choose to reveal itself?) before completely vanishing.
• With their leader out of the picture, the gang loses the fight and is taken into custody by S.H.I.E.L.D. While under interrogation, the Wrecker explains what happened in the fight, but refuses to reveal the Hood’s identity. Good thing too, since the Hood materializes and springs the Wrecker in the process, with both of them now going about the task of freeing the rest of their motley crew. Vowing revenge, the Hood is ready to take the fight back to the New Avengers…

BETWEEN A CAR AND A HARD PLACE



What’s worse: the Wrecker getting sandwiched by an Austin Mini (of all things) or having the entire thing caught on tape, which leads to an embarrassing S.H.I.E.L.D. interrogation?

WHO’S LAUGHING NOW?



All things, no matter how set in stone, must come to an end. Moon Knight and Iron Fist are now cool? Done. Bucky comes back from the dead? No problem. And now, Wolverine has actually laughed at a Spidey wisecrack. Nothing’s sacred anymore…

HAVE A SEAT, SON…



Long removed from his days in the operating room, the good Doctor’s clearly out of touch when it comes to bedside manner. Despite being the bearer of bad news, Strange is treated to the Hood’s demonic side, and it ain’t pretty. The real question is, who let the demon out?

RENEWED VOWS



No confusion here, folks. With a final image setting the stage, there’s no doubt that the next confrontation between the New Avengers and the Hood and Co. will be one for the ages. I’ll bring the popcorn!

Earth's Mightiest Column: Nov. 14, 2007

Time for another Earth's Mightiest Column!


EARTH’S MIGHTIEST COLUMN: NOV. 14, 2007
Wizard Universe’s regular rundown of Marvel’s mightiest teams

By Matt Powell

Posted November 14, 2007 4:00 PM

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Beyond the umbrella of “The Initiative,” Earth’s mightiest heroes soldier on to unravel the shadowy threats that menace the Marvel Universe! For regular recaps of post-Initiative New Avengers, Mighty Avengers and New Avengers: The Illuminati, swing by with each new issue for insight into the costumed conspiracies and superpowered slugfests that break out every time the Avengers assemble! )

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

PREVIOUSLY IN THE ‘AVENGERS’ TITLES:

• It was a period of Civil War. Though seemingly brought together by fate out of the ashes of the disassembled Avengers team to stop a supervillain breakout at the supermaximum security prison the Raft, the group of heroes known as the New Avengers—Captain America (Steve Rogers), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Wolverine (Logan/James Howlett), Luke Cage, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), the Sentry (Robert Reynolds) and sometimes Ronin (Maya Lopez, aka Echo)—were torn between Iron Man’s drive to register all superhumans and Captain America’s determination to resist.
• When the dust settled, Captain America was dead and Iron Man triumphant, installed as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. As a result, two separate teams claim the Avengers mantle.
• Duly authorized under the Superhuman Registration Act, the Mighty Avengers consist of Iron Man, the Sentry, Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), the Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), the Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Wonder Man (Simon Reynolds) and god of war Ares.
• On the run from the government—including the Mighty Avengers—the New Avengers comprise Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme), Iron Fist (Danny Rand) and the new Ronin (Clint Barton, formerly known as Hawkeye). They’re supported by Strange’s servant Wong and Cage’s wife Jessica Jones (the one-time hero Jewel and mother of Cage’s child).
• As part of the “Initiative” event, the Mighty Avengers are embroiled in a tense struggle against a new Ultron, who seized control of Tony Stark’s biomechanically enhanced body, transforming it into a female form not unlike the Wasp’s and deploying near-unstoppable new powers against the team—most recently killing the Sentry’s wife Lindy.
• Meanwhile, the New Avengers’ battle to rescue their teammate Echo from the clutches of the powerful ninja cult called the Hand ended abruptly when Echo stabbed the Hand’s leader Elektra to death—revealing that she’s not Greco-American Elektra Natchios at all, but a Skrull impostor. The fact that a member of this shape-shifting alien race—whose long and hostile history with Earth’s heroes was recently illustrated in New Avengers: Illuminati—could assume control of the deadliest group of assassins known to man left the team wondering: Who else might be a Skrull? And who can they trust?
• Not Spider-Woman, apparently: Whether because she’s secretly a Skrull or just thinks taking Skrullektra’s body to Tony Stark for analysis is the right thing to do despite the objections of her teammates, Jessica Drew takes advantage of the crash of the New Avengers’ jet to zap Wolverine and make off with Skrullektra’s corpse.
• Tempers rise and paranoia spreads like a disease, causing the New Avengers to almost disassemble! As the team takes a much-needed break from one another, Wolverine comes face-to-gun-barrel with the criminal underground’s newest head honcho—the Hood!
• New Avengers: Illuminati has been depicting untold tales of a clandestine group of heroes known as the Illuminati: Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Professor X (Charles Xavier), Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards), Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon, king of the Inhumans) and Namor the Sub-Mariner (ruler of Atlantis). Brought together in secret by Stark in the wake of the Kree-Skrull War to quietly protect humanity from major threats, the group played a major behind-the-scenes role in the Marvel Universe before splitting up prior to the Civil War. Among other tasks, they’ve chased off a Skrull fleet, gathered the Infinity Gems, attempted to banish the Beyonder from this universe, convinced Marvel Boy to rethink his life, and exiled the Hulk from the Earth.
• Capitalizing on the disarray facing Marvel’s heroes following the Civil War and the Initiative, the new Kingpin-in-training—the Hood—gets organized and rounds up virtually every villain who broke out of the Raft back in New Avengers #1. Promising his newfound allies more money than they can imagine, the Hood pledges to hit heroes where it hurts—particularly their families—if any cape comes near his new operation. To prove his dedication to his new world order, the Hood physically and psychologically takes out Tigra and sets his sights to earn big while the heroes are occupied with a symbiote infestation.
• While the Mighty Avengers continue their metallic melee with the horde of Iron Man armors unleashed upon them by Ultron, Ares leaves the battle to travel to the S.H.I.E.L.D helicarrier and reveals his plan to take down Ultron. After a brief meeting of the minds, Ares and Hank agree to implant a virus directly into Ultron’s system. However, to keep the Avengers busy, Ultron hacks into government systems, causing the launch of a nuclear missile off the Florida coast. While the Avengers halt the missile, the Starktech 940 drone secretly launches a shrunken Ares into the mouth of Ultron to implant the virus.
• Disturbed by recent events (and a body bag dropped on his doorstep), Iron Man calls an Illuminati meeting to address the corpse of Skrullektra and threat of a Skrull invasion, which is the result of their past attack. As the group tries to rationalize how to approach this threat, Black Bolt is revealed to be a Skrull spy who immediately attacks the stunned heroes. In the fight against…umm, Black Skrolt, the Illuminati seemingly kill him, only to be surprise-attacked by Skrulls mimicking the powers of Thor and Colossus. To end the battle quickly, Iron Man creates a huge explosion that appears to have destroyed the Skrull attackers. Fueled by distrust and betrayal in light of the current situation, the team disbands again, leaving Iron Man to lament the Skrull invasion.

NEW AVENGERS #36
Brian Michael Bendis (W)/Leinil Francis Yu (A)



SYNOPSIS ASSEMBLE!

• Luke Cage gives the play-by-play to his lady, Jessica Drew, on how his teammates were infected with Venom symbiotes (along with millions of others in NYC) and attacked him.
• Brutally assaulted by his infected allies, Cage awoke uninfected (thanks to his unbreakable skin) and to the face of Ms. Marvel and Wonder Man of the Mighty Avengers.
• Teaming up with the pro-registration Avengers, Cage took it to the streets to halt the threat while Iron Man sped away to find a cure for the plague.
• At the climax of the battle, Tony Stark comes through and spontaneously transforms all the affected heroes and bystanders back to human form.
• After everyone is returned to normal, both Avengers teams remain behind for damage control and to assist the disoriented citizens.
• Tensions rise as Cage continues his talk with Jessica, as they are both worried about who could be a Skrull in disguise and the secret invasion going on.
• At Avengers Tower, the Mighty Avengers team learns that Dr. Doom was behind the symbiote bomb that infected NYC, and make preparations to depart to Latveria to confront Doom.
• Meanwhile, to get some long-overdue answers, Wolverine confronts Jessica Drew as she showers to interrogate her on her actions leading up to her quitting the team.
• Following all the leads they can, Cage, his Avengers, and a host of Marvel heroes find themselves at the Hood’s doorstep ready to throw down with Hood’s new organization.

LITTLE CITY OF HORRORS



As if Skrulls weren’t enough to worry about already! The Avengers (and practically all of NYC) play host to a horde of symbiotes in full-on tongue-waving, drool-drippin’ fashion! You can save your mind power on wondering, “What if the New Avengers were taken over by symbiotes?” as Leinil Yu awesomely illustrates the plague. As amazed as we were by the sight of Venoms and Carnages everywhere, we can’t help but wonder how cool this would look in a video game. Marvel Universe: Ultimate Carnage has a nice ring to it, right Marvel (nudge nudge)? We’re just saying…

DR. D-BAG



The Fantastic Four’s professor of chaos is in full D-bag form with this move. The Doc took a backseat in Civil War, but obviously he was biding his time to capitalize in the launch of his “symbiote bomb” dropping smack-dab in the heart of NYC. However, justice is swift, as Iron Man quickly gathers all the evidence he needs to launch a full-scale assault on Latveria, Avengers-style, to introduce some gunmetal to Doom’s iron face.

SHOWERTIME INTERROGATIONS



As much as Wolverine likes to get down-and-dirty, in this issue ol’ Logan’s ready to get squeaky clean with Jessica Drew in the shower. Hold your thoughts folks, because Logan’s all business and keeps his claws out to get the truth from Jessie on what her deal is. When a scantily clad Black Widow enters the room, Wolvie does what any guy caught in a compromising position with two women would do: hastily leave the room! But when you’re about 80 stories up, jumpin’ out the window’s all ya got. “The best there is,” indeed!

REUNITED…



…and doesn’t it feel so good to not see our heroes trading punches with each other? When Luke Cage said he needed backup, we didn’t think the God of Thunder, let alone the Silver Surfer, would be on his Rolodex. But hey, you can’t blame a guy for aiming high. It’s like Malone said in “The Untouchables”: “They pull a knife, you pull a gun…” Hope you’re wearing a diaper, Hood.


Venom symbiotes infecting the superhuman population in New York City! 'Tis a dream come true for fans of Marvel Comics in the early 90s when Venom was an uber hot property.

And yet another shot of the uber sexy Spider-woman nude in the pages of New Avengers. With strategically placed "endowments" covering up her naughty bits. But hey, nudity is nudity, even covered up. Man does Bendis like those shots of Spider-woman...he keeps writing them in!

Earth's Mightiest Column: Nov.7 2007

Yay, the latest issue of New Avengers: Illumnati is out this week! And it promises to launch the event of 2008...I wonder...could it be...Skrulls?


EARTH’S MIGHTIEST COLUMN: NOV. 7, 2007
Wizard Universe’s regular rundown of Marvel’s mightiest teams

By Matt Powell

Posted November 7, 2007 2:55 PM

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Beyond the umbrella of “The Initiative,” Earth’s mightiest heroes soldier on to unravel the shadowy threats that menace the Marvel Universe! For regular recaps of post-Initiative New Avengers, Mighty Avengers and New Avengers: The Illuminati, swing by with each new issue for insight into the costumed conspiracies and superpowered slugfests that break out every time the Avengers assemble! )

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

PREVIOUSLY IN THE ‘AVENGERS’ TITLES:

• It was a period of Civil War. Though seemingly brought together by fate out of the ashes of the disassembled Avengers team to stop a supervillain breakout at the supermaximum security prison the Raft, the group of heroes known as the New Avengers—Captain America (Steve Rogers), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Wolverine (Logan/James Howlett), Luke Cage, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), the Sentry (Robert Reynolds) and sometimes Ronin (Maya Lopez, aka Echo)—were torn between Iron Man’s drive to register all superhumans and Captain America’s determination to resist.
• When the dust settled, Captain America was dead and Iron Man triumphant, installed as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. As a result, two separate teams claim the Avengers mantle.
• Duly authorized under the Superhuman Registration Act, the Mighty Avengers consist of Iron Man, the Sentry, Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), the Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), the Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Wonder Man (Simon Reynolds) and god of war Ares.
• On the run from the government—including the Mighty Avengers—the New Avengers comprise Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme), Iron Fist (Danny Rand) and the new Ronin (Clint Barton, formerly known as Hawkeye). They’re supported by Strange’s servant Wong and Cage’s wife Jessica Jones (the one-time hero Jewel and mother of Cage’s child).
• As part of the “Initiative” event, the Mighty Avengers are embroiled in a tense struggle against a new Ultron, who seized control of Tony Stark’s biomechanically enhanced body, transforming it into a female form not unlike the Wasp’s and deploying near-unstoppable new powers against the team—most recently killing the Sentry’s wife Lindy.
• Meanwhile, the New Avengers’ battle to rescue their teammate Echo from the clutches of the powerful ninja cult called the Hand ended abruptly when Echo stabbed the Hand’s leader Elektra to death—revealing that she’s not Greco-American Elektra Natchios at all, but a Skrull impostor. The fact that a member of this shape-shifting alien race—whose long and hostile history with Earth’s heroes was recently illustrated in New Avengers: Illuminati—could assume control of the deadliest group of assassins known to man left the team wondering: Who else might be a Skrull? And who can they trust?
• Not Spider-Woman, apparently: Whether because she’s secretly a Skrull or just thinks taking Skrullektra’s body to Tony Stark for analysis is the right thing to do despite the objections of her teammates, Jessica Drew takes advantage of the crash of the New Avengers’ jet to zap Wolverine and make off with Skrullektra’s corpse.
• Tempers rise and paranoia spreads like a disease, causing the New Avengers to almost disassemble! As the team takes a much-needed break from one another, Wolverine comes face-to-gun-barrel with the criminal underground’s newest head honcho—the Hood!
• Finally, New Avengers: Illuminati has been depicting untold tales of a clandestine group of heroes known as the Illuminati: Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Professor X (Charles Xavier), Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards), Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon, king of the Inhumans) and Namor the Sub-Mariner (ruler of Atlantis). Brought together in secret by Stark in the wake of the Kree-Skrull War to quietly protect humanity from major threats, the group played a major behind-the-scenes role in the Marvel Universe before splitting up prior to the Civil War. Among other tasks, they’ve chased off a Skrull fleet, gathered the Infinity Gems, attempted to banish the Beyonder from this universe, convinced Marvel Boy to rethink his life, and exiled the Hulk from the Earth.
• Capitalizing on the disarray facing Marvel’s heroes following the Civil War and the Initiative, the new Kingpin-in-training—the Hood—gets organized and rounds up virtually every villain who broke out of the Raft back in New Avengers #1. Promising his newfound allies more money than they can imagine, the Hood pledges to hit heroes where it hurts—particularly their families—if any cape comes near his new operation. To prove his dedication to his new world order, the Hood physically and psychologically takes out Tigra and sets his sights to earn big while the heroes are occupied with a symbiote infestation.
• While the Mighty Avengers continue their metallic melee with the horde of Iron Man armors unleashed upon them by Ultron, Ares leaves the battle to travel to the S.H.I.E.L.D helicarrier and reveals his plan to take down Ultron. After a brief meeting of the minds, Ares and Hank agree to implant a virus directly into Ultron’s system. However, to keep the Avengers busy, Ultron hacks into government systems causing the launch of a nuclear missile of the coast of Florida. While the Avengers halt the missile, the Starktech 940 drone secretly launches a shrunken Ares into the mouth of Ultron to implant the virus.

NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI #5
Brian Michael Bendis (W)/Jim Cheung (A)



SYNOPSIS ASSEMBLE!

• Disturbed by recent events (and a body bag dropped on his doorstep), Iron Man calls an Illuminati meeting to address the corpse of Skrullektra and threat of a Skrull invasion, which is the result of their past attack.
• As the group tries to rationalize how to approach this threat, Black Bolt is revealed to be a Skrull spy who immediately attacks the stunned heroes.
• In the fight against…umm, Black Skrolt, the Illuminati seemingly kill him, only to be surprise-attacked by Skrulls mimicking the powers of Thor and Colossus.
• To end the battle quickly, Iron Man creates a huge explosion that appears to have destroyed the Skrull attackers.
• Fueled by distrust and betrayal in light of the current situation, the team disbands again, leaving Iron Man to lament the Skrull invasion.

BLACK SKROLT



Holy crap! At first glance, you’d think that a word balloon attached to Black Bolt was an editorial error; but that’s how well writer Brian Michael Bendis caught us (and the Illuminati) off guard! What better way to get back at your enemies than to hide in plain sight—and then beat the crap outta them?! Upping the ante, the Skrulls have added copying their victims’ powers to their repertoire, and if the explosion from Black Skrolt is any indication, this invasion is no longer a secret.

WORST. YEAR. EVER.



To shine some logic on the timing of the Skrull invasion, Iron Man gives a 60-second review of the sucky year our heroes have faced, citing: the Avengers’ dissolution, the Civil War, Atlantis’ destruction, Nick Fury’s long absence, and the death of Captain America. Amidst all the drama, you can almost imagine that someone, somewhere, had to say “What else could go wrong?” and bam! Skrulls. Be on the lookout for things to get worse, and if you see Uatu showing up anytime soon, let us know, and we’re hitchin’ the first boat outta this solar system.

OUR BAD…



In hindsight, maybe barging into the Skrull homeworld “A-Team” style and shoutin’ ultimatums back in New Avengers: Illuminati #1 wasn’t such a good idea. But hey, now’s not the time to say, “I told you so.” With the evidence of Skrullektra’s corpse, Iron Man fills in his former colleagues about the mess they’ve created and the threat it poses to the entire planet. And to add insult to injury, it would appear that the Skrulls aren’t without a sense of irony, since the same person who originally blew up their warship back in issue #1 (Black Bolt) is the same guy they used to initiate their assault on the Illuminati. Coincidence? No.

A SKRULL FOR EVERY HERO



As shown with Black Skrolt, the Skrulls not only have the ability to mimic the powers of Marvel’s heroes, but also the ability to mimic the thought patterns of their victims’ identities. In this issue, we get a glance at two heavy hitters, Skrull-Thor and Skrull-Colossus, who already caught the Illuminati on the ropes after their first battle with Black Skrolt and could only be defeated at the hands of a mini-nuke-exploding Iron Man! If the Skrulls have their sights set on the major players of the Marvel U., don’t be surprised if your favorite hero becomes the next member of the Skrull Kill Krew! We’re looking at you, D-Man!


It's already taken so long for this mini-series to have just the FIVE issues released, I'm hoping this final issue will shake up the status quo and make it worth waiting all this while for.

Earth's Mightiest Column: Oct 10, 2007

More stuff being shaken up in the Avengers universe! Can you imagine: Wolverine with the Venom symbiote? It's like a bad 1990s comic storyline come true!

EARTH’S MIGHTIEST COLUMN: OCT. 10, 2007
Wizard Universe’s regular rundown of Marvel’s mightiest teams

By Matt Powell

Posted October 10, 2007 2:10 PM

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Beyond the umbrella of ‘The Initiative,’ Earth’s mightiest heroes soldier on to unravel the shadowy threats that menace the Marvel Universe! For regular recaps of post-‘Initiative’ New Avengers, Mighty Avengers and New Avengers: The Illuminati, swing by with each new issue for insight into the costumed conspiracies and superpowered slugfests that break out every time the Avengers assemble! )

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

PREVIOUSLY IN THE ‘AVENGERS’ TITLES:

• It was a period of Civil War. Though seemingly brought together by fate out of the ashes of the disassembled Avengers team to stop a supervillain breakout at the supermaximum security prison the Raft, the group of heroes known as the New Avengers—Captain America (Steve Rogers), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Wolverine (Logan/James Howlett), Luke Cage, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), the Sentry (Robert Reynolds) and sometimes Ronin (Maya Lopez, aka Echo)—were torn between Iron Man’s drive to register all superhumans and Captain America’s determination to resist.
• When the dust settled, Captain America was dead and Iron Man triumphant, installed as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. As a result, two separate teams claim the Avengers mantle.
• Duly authorized under the Superhuman Registration Act, the Mighty Avengers consist of Iron Man, the Sentry, Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), the Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), the Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Wonder Man (Simon Reynolds) and god of war Ares.
• On the run from the government—including the Mighty Avengers—the New Avengers comprise Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme), Iron Fist (Danny Rand) and the new Ronin (Clint Barton, formerly known as Hawkeye). They’re supported by Strange’s servant Wong and Cage’s wife Jessica Jones (the one-time hero Jewel and mother of Cage’s child).
• As part of the “Initiative” event, the Mighty Avengers are embroiled in a tense struggle against a new Ultron, who seized control of Tony Stark’s biomechanically enhanced body, transforming it into a female form not unlike the Wasp’s and deploying near-unstoppable new powers against the team—most recently killing the Sentry’s wife Lindy.
• Meanwhile, the New Avengers’ battle to rescue their teammate Echo from the clutches of the powerful ninja cult called the Hand ended abruptly when Echo stabbed the Hand’s leader Elektra to death—reveal-ing that she’s not Greco-American Elektra Natchios at all, but a Skrull impostor. The fact that a member of this shape-shifting alien race—whose long and hostile history with the Earth’s heroes was recently illustrated in New Avengers: Illuminati—could assume control of the deadliest group of assassins known to man left the team wondering: Who else might be a Skrull? And who can they trust?
• Not Spider-Woman, apparently: Whether because she’s secretly a Skrull or just thinks taking Skrullektra’s body to Tony Stark for analysis is the right thing to do despite the objections of her teammates, Jessica Drew takes advantage of the crash of the New Avengers’ jet to zap Wolverine and make off with Skrullektra’s corpse.
• Tempers rise and paranoia spreads like a disease, causing the New Avengers to almost disassemble! As the team takes a much-needed break from one another, Wolverine comes face-to-gun barrel with the criminal underground’s newest head honcho—the Hood!
• Finally, New Avengers: Illuminati has been depicting untold tales of a clandestine group of heroes known as the Illuminati: Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Professor X (Charles Xavier), Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards), Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon, king of the Inhumans) and Namor the Sub-Mariner (ruler of Atlantis). Brought together in secret by Stark in the wake of the Kree/Skrull War to quietly protect humanity from major threats, the group played a major behind-the-scenes role in the Marvel Universe before splitting up prior to the Civil War. Among other tasks, they’ve chased off a Skrull fleet, gathered the Infinity Gems, attempted to banish the Beyonder from this universe, convinced Marvel Boy to rethink his life, and exiled the Hulk from the Earth.

NEW AVENGERS #35
Brian Michael Bendis (W)/Leinil Yu (A)



SYNOPSIS ASSEMBLE!

• Beginning with a flashback, Jigsaw—looking to make a quick buck—breaks into a pharmaceutical warehouse to shakedown the night watchman for a key to the safe.
• However, the heist goes awry when Tigra intercepts the robbery, but is hounded by the local police and shot after as if she were a criminal herself.
• Escaping during the blaze of gunfire, Jigsaw goes home emotionally defeated, but finds a mysterious note persuading him to attend a secret meeting.
• The meeting is called by the Hood, who has assembled many of the villains who have escaped from the Raft to unite them as an organized underground to make money and watch each other’s backs for protection. As a promise the Hood reveals he plans to hit heroes where they’re most vulnerable—their families—if anyone gets in their way.
• To prove his point and persuade any potential dissenters, the Hood brutally attacks Tigra in her home and calls her mother as proof he’ll kill her and Tigra if the heroine attacks his men—all while Jigsaw records the torture as evidence.
• Present day reveals the Hood’s utilization of Deathlok to rob a bank, stealing over $12.7 million in the process.
• Catching up on current events, the Hood and company learn the Avengers are caught in battle with an infestation of symbiotes in NYC. Ever the opportunist, the Hood looks at this event as a grand opportunity.

TIGRA TAMED



Holy crap! Tigra just got pistol-whipped! The Hood’s got no time to waste in his new regime, and to prove he can hit heroes where it hurts, the new “Kingpin” went straight to Tigra’s doorstep and laid down a brutal beating with more teeth and blood flying than fur. We don’t know what hurts worse: Tigra’s body from the beating and gunshot wound, her mind from the menacing realization that her mom’s life is on the line, or her spirit from being videotaped and left for dead like an alley cat. Either way, this kitty’s been spayed.

THE HOOD'S HOODS



Parker Robbins has assembled a gaggle of costumed cohorts to usher in his new world order. Most of the villains are fugitives from the Raft prison, and to key you in on who’s who, here’s a list of some of the Hood’s new hoods:

Blackout Shockwave
Bushwacker Slug
Centurius The Answer
Chemistro The Armadillo
Crossfire The Blood Brothers
Cutthroat The Brothers Grimm
Deathwatch The Constrictor
Dr. Demonicus The Controller
Foolkiller The Corrupter
Graviton The Crusader
Grey Gargoyle The Griffin
Hydro Man The Living Laser
Jigsaw The U-Foes
Mandrill The Wrecking Crew
Mentallo Tiger Shark
Mister Fear Typhoid Mary
Mister Hyde Vermin
Purple Man Rampage
Razor-Fist Scarecrow

HOW MUCH DOES CRIME PAY…?



Apparently, $12.7 million and change. We might as well start calling the Hood “Robin,” because he sure knows how to take from the rich and give to the…well, undeserving.

DEATHLOK: GUN FOR HIRE



When you’re lookin’ to rob the oldest and largest partnership bank in the United States, you need some heavy artillery. To get the big gun, the Hood’s gang of diabolical geniuses reprogrammed a reluctant Deathlok to provide the firepower for their heist. Sadly, the man-machine was destroyed during the robbery, but not before bringing the thieves’ bank accounts into the six-figure range.

Earth's Mightiest Column: 8 August 2007

EARTH'S MIGHTIEST COLUMN: AUGUST 8, 2007
Wizard Universe’s regular rundown of Marvel’s mightiest teams

By Kevin Mahadeo

Posted August 8, 2007 9:20 AM

(Editor’s note: Beyond the umbrella of ‘The Initiative,’ Earth’s mightiest heroes soldier on to unravel the shadowy threats that menace the Marvel Universe! For regular recaps of post-‘Initiative’ New Avengers, Mighty Avengers and New Avengers: The Illuminati, swing by with each new issue for insight into the costumed conspiracies and superpowered slugfests that break out every time the Avengers assemble!)

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

PREVIOUSLY IN THE ‘AVENGERS’ TITLES:

• It was a period of Civil War. Though seemingly brought together by fate out of the ashes of the disassembled Avengers team to stop a supervillain breakout at the supermaximum security prison the Raft, the group of heroes known as the New Avengers—Captain America (Steve Rogers), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Wolverine (Logan/James Howlett), Luke Cage, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), the Sentry (Robert Reynolds) and sometimes Ronin (Maya Lopez, aka Echo)—were torn between Iron Man’s drive to register all superhumans and Captain America’s determination to resist.
• When the dust settled, Captain America was dead and Iron Man triumphant, installed as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. As a result, two separate teams claim the Avengers mantle.
• Duly authorized under the Superhuman Registration Act, the Mighty Avengers consist of Iron Man, the Sentry, Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), the Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), the Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Wonder Man (Simon Williams) and god of war Ares.
• On the run from the government—including the Mighty Avengers—the New Avengers comprise Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme), Iron Fist (Danny Rand) and the new Ronin (Clint Barton, formerly known as Hawkeye). They’re supported by Strange’s servant Wong and Cage’s wife Jessica Jones (the one-time hero Jewel and mother of Cage’s child).
• As part of the ‘Initiative’ event, the Mighty Avengers are embroiled in a tense struggle against a new Ultron, who seized control of Tony Stark’s biomechanically enhanced body, transforming it into a female form not unlike the Wasp’s and deploying near-unstoppable new powers against the team—most recently killing the Sentry’s wife Lindy.
• Meanwhile, the New Avengers’ battle to rescue their teammate Echo from the clutches of the powerful ninja cult called the Hand ended abruptly when Echo stabbed the Hand’s leader Elektra to death—reveal-ing that she’s not Greco-American Elektra Natchios at all, but a Skrull impostor. The fact that a member of this shape-shifting alien race—whose long and hostile history with the Earth’s heroes was recently illustrated in New Avengers: Illuminati—could assume control of the deadliest group of assassins known to man left the team wondering: Who else might be a Skrull? And who can they trust?
• Not Spider-Woman, apparently: Whether because she’s secretly a Skrull or just thinks taking Skrullektra’s body to Tony Stark for analysis is the right thing to do despite the objections of her teammates, Jessica Drew takes advantage of the crash of the New Avengers’ jet to zap Wolverine and make off with Skrullektra’s corpse.
• Finally, New Avengers: Illuminati has been depicting untold tales of a clandestine group of heroes known as the Illuminati: Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Professor X (Charles Xavier), Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards), Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon, King of the Inhumans) and Namor the Sub-Mariner (ruler of Atlantis). Brought together in secret by Stark in the wake of the Kree/Skrull War to quietly protect humanity from major threats, the group played a major behind-the-scenes role in the Marvel Universe before splitting up prior to the Civil War. Among other tasks, they’ve chased off a Skrull fleet, gathered the Infinity Gems, attempted to banish the Beyonder from this universe, convinced Marvel Boy to rethink his life, and exiled the Hulk from the Earth.

NEW AVENGERS #33
Brian Michael Bendis (W)/Leinil Yu (A)



SYNOPSIS ASSEMBLE!

• Captain America lives!… on in our hearts and memories as displayed by Hawkeye, who flashes back to an explanation on where he developed those spectacular fist-to-cuffs skills demonstrated in Japan.
• Cooped up in a hotel room, Luke Cage’s paranoia pushes him over the edge as he takes out his frustration on poor ol’ web-head. The Skrull accusations thicken the air and makes dinner severely awkward as Hawkeye asks the question people have been wondering since Civil War: “Where are the bad guys?”
• Apparently, they’re gathering together at some sort of secret warehouse meeting! Madame Masque, the Crimson Cowl, Jonas Harrow and the Wizard convene under the request of the Owl, who plans on auctioning off one heck of an item—Luther Manning, aka Deathlok!
• However, before bidding can begin John King, cousin to the Hood, arrives to inform the group that permission must be asked if an auction were to occur. Showing his stern disagreement, the Owl fails to wizen up before being gunned down by the Hood.
• Returning to the Sanctum Sanctorum, the New Avengers disassemble for the night in order to clear their heads—deciding to reconvene in 24 hours to formulate some sort of plan. However, even marriages aren’t safe as Luke’s perturbed demeanor causes Jessica Jones to storm out the door.
• Wolverine takes a walk down to his local shakedown house/bar where he is inadvertently directed to the back room. Upon investigating, Logan finds himself face to gun barrel with the Hood!

HOLY CRAPPERS! IS THAT DEATHLOK?!



In a far-distant post-apocalyptic future, Colonel Luther Manning awoke to find himself transformed into the cybernetic Deathlok after sustaining life-threatening injuries. Between toppling corrupt corporations and military regimes, Manning took numerous trips through time and teamed with some of Earth’s Mightest, including the late Captain America. But wait! The last time we saw him, Deathlok was still in his future. What’s he doing here? Can a Skrull impersonate a mandroid? The plot thickens…

HERE’S WHAT’S IN HIS BASKET



While donning his ever-colorful red cape, the Hood remains invisible so long as he holds his breath. So when it comes time to make himself known, he poignantly whispers his comment to Owl, appears mid-air thanks to his gravity boots, blasts the little birdy away and vanishes faster than a couple of speeding bullets. Now that is how you make a first impression!

TROUBLE AT HOME



Sweet Christmas! The threat of the Skrulls is a legitimate reason to question the loyalty of those around you, but is it really necessary to question your wife in such a dickish manner? “You’re not an alcoholic. You love me. You’re a better person. This upsets me.” Can you really blame Jessica for bringing out that embittered, snippy side of her, thought lost in the midst of married life?

Earth's Mightiest Column: 1 August 2007

EARTH'S MIGHTIEST COLUMN: AUGUST 1, 2007
Wizard Universe’s regular rundown of Marvel’s mightiest teams

By Michael Fitzgerald

Posted August 1, 2007 10:35 AM

By Michael Fitzgerald

Posted August 1, 2007 10:35 AM

(Editor’s note: Beyond the umbrella of ‘The Initiative,’ Earth’s mightiest heroes soldier on to unravel the shadowy threats that menace the Marvel Universe! For regular recaps of post-‘Initiative’ New Avengers, Mighty Avengers and New Avengers: The Illuminati, swing by with each new issue for insight into the costumed conspiracies and superpowered slugfests that break out every time the Avengers assemble!)

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

PREVIOUSLY IN THE ‘AVENGERS’ TITLES:

• It was a period of Civil War. Though seemingly brought together by fate out of the ashes of the disassembled Avengers team to stop a supervillain breakout at the supermaximum security prison the Raft, the group of heroes known as the New Avengers—Captain America (Reed Richards), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Wolverine (Logan/James Howlett), Luke Cage, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), the Sentry (Robert Reynolds) and sometimes Ronin (Maya Lopez, aka Echo)—were torn between Iron Man’s drive to register all superhumans and Captain America’s determination to resist.
• When the dust settled, Captain America was dead and Iron Man triumphant, installed as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. As a result, two separate teams claim the Avengers mantle.
• Duly authorized under the Superhuman Registration Act, the Mighty Avengers consist of Iron Man, the Sentry, Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), the Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), the Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Wonder Man (Simon Reynolds) and god of war Ares.
• On the run from the government—including the Mighty Avengers—the New Avengers comprise Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme), Iron Fist (Danny Rand) and the new Ronin (Clint Barton, formerly known as Hawkeye). They’re supported by Strange’s servant Wong and Cage’s wife Jessica Jones (the one-time hero Jewel and mother of Cage’s child).
• As part of the ‘Initiative’ event, the Mighty Avengers are embroiled in a tense struggle against a new Ultron, who seized control of Tony Stark’s biomechanically enhanced body, transforming it into a female form not unlike the Wasp’s and deploying near-unstoppable new powers against the team—most recently killing the Sentry’s wife Lindy.
• Meanwhile, the New Avengers’ battle to rescue their teammate Echo from the clutches of the powerful ninja cult called the Hand ended abruptly when Echo stabbed the Hand’s leader Elektra to death—revealking that she’s not Greco-American Elektra Natchios at all, but a Skrull impostor. The fact that a member of this shape-shifting alien race—whose long and hostile history with the Earth’s heroes was recently illustrated in New Avengers: Illuminati—could assume control of the deadliest group of assassins known to man left the team wondering: Who else might be a Skrull? And who can they trust?
• Not Spider-Woman, apparently: Whether because she’s secretly a Skrull or just thinks taking Skrullektra’s body to Tony Stark for analysis is the right thing to do despite the objections of her teammates, Jessica Drew takes advantage of the crash of the New Avengers’ jet to zap Wolverine and make off with Skrullektra’s corpse.
• Finally, New Avengers: Illuminati has been depicting untold tales of a clandestine group of heroes known as the Illuminati: Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Professor X (Charles Xavier), Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards), Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon, King of the Inhumans) and Namor the Sub-Mariner (ruler of Atlantis). Brought together in secret by Stark in the wake of the Kree/Skrull War to quietly protect humanity from major threats, the group played a major behind-the-scenes role in the Marvel Universe before splitting up prior to the Civil War. Among other tasks, they’ve chased off a Skrull fleet, gathered the Infinity Gems, attempted to banish the Beyonder from this universe and exiled the Hulk from the Earth.

NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI #4 (of 5)
Brian Michael Bendis and Brian Reed (W)/Jim Cheung (A)



SYNOPSIS ASSEMBLE!

• As this issue’s Illuminati meeting begins, Dr. Strange notes that his lover, Clea, has left him. Everyone around the table discusses similar “women problems.”
• Reed mentions that he’s had a disconnection with his wife Sue lately, and off-handedly mentions that she might be seeing Namor. Namor takes issue with this accusation and reminds Reed that he should always cherish his wife and family.
• The Illuminati try to convince Noh-Varr, a young Kree agent codenamed Marvel Boy and bent on conquering Earth but currently imprisoned in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s ultra-high security prison the Cube, to become the new heir to the Captain Marvel legacy. They leave Marvel Boy alone to think their offer over.
• In an epilogue, Reed resolves to spend more time with his family and wife.

SKRULL-WATCH: DETAILS, DETAILS…



Normally when a hero doesn’t even remember their scores of team-ups with loveable D-list characters, we’d say Skrull, but this example of poor social skills tends to be par for the course for absent-minded professor Reed Richards.

TAKE MY WIFE (AND HER PSYCHOKINETICALLY ANIMATED HAIR)—PLEASE!



Being an unmarried millionaire playboy with a suit of armor that makes you one of the world’s greatest superheroes has got to make it hard to get chicks. So when Tony Stark complains that he’d rather be married so he could get the proverbial milk on demand if not for free, mutant psychic Professor X has to inform him of the humor that the mute king (and married guy) of the Inhumans finds in that statement.

NAMOR SMASH!



Something tells me that if belt buckles with slogans were fashionable under the sea, Namor’s would be all like, “DON’T MESS WITH ATLANTIS.” Seriously, nigh-invulnerable alien invader Marvel Boy probably had it coming and maybe didn’t even feel this, but is this really the best way to make friends, Namor? Someone should probably re-take kindergarten.

Earth's Mightiest Column: 11 July 2007

Just found out that "Earth's Mightiest Column" has been a Wizard Universe feature for a couple of months now. Posting here for my (and others') reading pleasure!

EARTH'S MIGHTIEST COLUMN: JULY 11, 2007
Wizard Universe’s regular rundown of Marvel’s mightiest teams

By Sean T. Collins

Posted July 12, 2007 4:25 PM

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Beyond the umbrella of ‘The Initiative,’ Earth’s mightiest heroes soldier on to unravel the shadowy threats that menace the Marvel Universe! Wizard Universe will provide regular recaps of post-‘Initiative’ New Avengers and Mighty Avengers—visit the site with each new issue for insight into the costumed conspiracies and superpowered slugfests that break out every time the Avengers assemble!)

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

PREVIOUSLY IN THE ‘AVENGERS’ TITLES:

• It was a period of Civil War. Though seemingly brought together by fate out of the ashes of the disassembled Avengers team to stop a supervillain breakout at the supermaximum security prison the Raft, the group of heroes known as the New Avengers—Captain America (Reed Richards), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Wolverine (Logan/James Howlett), Luke Cage, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), the Sentry (Robert Reynolds) and sometimes Ronin (Maya Lopez, aka Echo)—were torn between Iron Man’s drive to register all superhumans and Captain America’s determination to resist.

• When the dust settled, Captain America was dead and Iron Man triumphant, installed as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. As a result, two separate teams claim the Avengers mantle.

• Duly authorized under the Superhuman Registration Act, the Mighty Avengers consist of Iron Man, the Sentry, Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), the Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), the Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Wonder Man (Simon Reynolds) and god of war Ares.

• On the run from the government—including the Mighty Avengers—the New Avengers comprise Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme), Iron Fist (Danny Rand) and the new Ronin (Clint Barton, formerly known as Hawkeye). They’re supported by Strange’s servant Wong and Cage’s wife Jessica Jones (the one-time hero Jewel and mother of Cage’s child).

• As part of the “Initiative” event, the Mighty Avengers are embroiled in a tense struggle against a new Ultron, who seemingly seized control of Tony Stark’s body, transforming it into a female form not unlike the Wasp’s and deploying near-unstoppable new powers against the team.

• Meanwhile, embarking on a dangerous mission to rescue their slain ally Echo from the clutches of the ninja cult and organized crime faction the Hand—who slew her for her efforts to dismantle the Japanese underworld and planned to resurrect her as their servant and assassin—the New Avengers engaged the ninjas and their leader Elektra in combat.

• The battle ended abruptly when the resurrected-then-rescued Echo stabbed Elektra to death—revealing that she’s not Greco-American Elektra Natchios at all, but a Skrull impostor. The fact that a member of this shape-shifting alien race—whose long and hostile history with the Earth’s heroes was recently illustrated in New Avengers: Illuminati—could assume control of the deadliest group of assassins known to man left the team wondering: Who else might be a Skrull? And who can they trust?

THIS WEEK…

NEW AVENGERS #32
Brian Michael Bendis (W)/Leinil Francis Yu (A)



SYNOPSIS ASSEMBLE!

• Returning to America aboard one of Iron Fist’s Rand Corporation jets with “Skrullektra’s” body in tow, the New Avengers are beset by pressing and painful questions.

• First, who can they trust? Wolverine runs down the unusual or out-of-character actions each teammate has undertaken in their recent pasts, arguing that any one of them could be a Skrull—even him.

• Second, how far does this go? Cage, who’s long suspected that the horrific events hitting the Earth’s heroes—from Nick Fury’s Secret War to Scarlet Witch’s disassembling of the Avengers to the breakout at the Raft to Quicksilver’s creation of the House of M world to the Civil War between Iron Man and Captain America—are all connected, argues that this is the first step in a Skrull invasion plan. Doubt is cast on everyone and everything from S.H.I.E.L.D to Hydra to the Avengers to the X-Men to Iron Man to the president.

• Third, what to do with Skrullektra’s corpse? Peter Parker wants to take it to the press, but the idea is shot down by the other team members, as is Jessica Drew’s suggestion that they go to “the biggest cop in the world,” Tony Stark.

• Suddenly, the plane powers down and begins heading toward a catastrophic crash. The combined efforts of the heroes barely enable them to survive the nosedive.

• Seeing her opportunity, Spider-Woman—who was thrown clear of the plummeting plane by Wolverine and flew to safety—rummages through the crash site for Skrullektra’s body, zapping Wolverine into unconsciousness when he tries to stop her. The green-eyed (!) heroine strides away with the corpse…

TRUST NO ONE



Looks like Wolverine’s adamantium claws can cut to the chase, too. In short order, Logan runs down the reasons why every single New Avenger might be a secret Skrull: Spidey unmasks himself. Echo goes from assassin to crimefighter. Hawkeye comes back from the dead, again. Spider-Woman is, like, a quadruple-agent. Luke Cage and Iron Fist drift apart as Cage assumes control of the Avengers. Strange sits out of the Civil War. And Wolverine himself has his claws in every team in the Marvel U. and now knows his whole history. Paranoid much?

DEUS EX MACHIN—OH, FORGET IT



He’s the Master of Mystic Arts who’s battled the evilest entities in creation and thwarted Scarlet Witch’s whacked-out rampage with a few Steve Ditko hand gestures. But when it comes time to stop a plane from crashing, you’re better off calling Randy Quaid’s drunken trailer-trash character from “Independence Day.”

THE GREEN-EYED…MONSTER?



The New Avengers feel the sting of the Spider-Woman when their teammate goes rogue, flashing emerald irises as she swipes Skrullektra’s corpse from the crash site. But is she just a normal human with green eyes who’s taking the body to Tony Stark as she argued for earlier because she thinks that’s the best course of action—or a Skrull herself, trying to conceal the evidence of invasion? U-DECIDE!

What's happening in the Avengers universe

I haven't read New Avengers in a long time...a LONG LONG time. That's because all the single issues that are on hold for me are back home in Singapore. Which is a real shame, because I'm reading Mighty Avengers and since Michael Brian Bendis writes both those titles, I'm sure I'm missing out on some goodies that he's left as visual clues in both books. :(

Now's a good a time to catch up as any I suppose, since Wizard Universe dedicated an entire article to it. Gets me up to speed!

EARTH'S MIGHTIEST COLUMN: SEPTEMBER 12, 2007
Wizard Universe’s regular rundown of Marvel’s mightiest teams

By Kevin Mahadeo

Posted September 12, 2007 10:45 AM

(Editor’s note: Beyond the umbrella of ‘The Initiative,’ Earth’s mightiest heroes soldier on to unravel the shadowy threats that menace the Marvel Universe! For regular recaps of post-‘Initiative’ New Avengers, Mighty Avengers and New Avengers: The Illuminati, swing by with each new issue for insight into the costumed conspiracies and superpowered slugfests that break out every time the Avengers assemble!)

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

PREVIOUSLY IN THE ‘AVENGERS’ TITLES:

• It was a period of Civil War. Though seemingly brought together by fate out of the ashes of the disassembled Avengers team to stop a supervillain breakout at the supermaximum security prison the Raft, the group of heroes known as the New Avengers—Captain America (Reed Richards), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Wolverine (Logan/James Howlett), Luke Cage, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), the Sentry (Robert Reynolds) and sometimes Ronin (Maya Lopez, aka Echo)—were torn between Iron Man’s drive to register all superhumans and Captain America’s determination to resist.
• When the dust settled, Captain America was dead and Iron Man triumphant, installed as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. As a result, two separate teams claim the Avengers mantle.
• Duly authorized under the Superhuman Registration Act, the Mighty Avengers consist of Iron Man, the Sentry, Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), the Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), the Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Wonder Man (Simon Reynolds) and god of war Ares.
• On the run from the government—including the Mighty Avengers—the New Avengers comprise Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme), Iron Fist (Danny Rand) and the new Ronin (Clint Barton, formerly known as Hawkeye). They’re supported by Strange’s servant Wong and Cage’s wife Jessica Jones (the one-time hero Jewel and mother of Cage’s child).
• As part of the ‘Initiative’ event, the Mighty Avengers are embroiled in a tense struggle against a new Ultron, who seized control of Tony Stark’s biomechanically enhanced body, transforming it into a female form not unlike the Wasp’s and deploying near-unstoppable new powers against the team—most recently killing the Sentry’s wife Lindy.
• Meanwhile, the New Avengers’ battle to rescue their teammate Echo from the clutches of the powerful ninja cult called the Hand ended abruptly when Echo stabbed the Hand’s leader Elektra to death—reveal-ing that she’s not Greco-American Elektra Natchios at all, but a Skrull impostor. The fact that a member of this shape-shifting alien race—whose long and hostile history with the Earth’s heroes was recently illustrated in New Avengers: Illuminati—could assume control of the deadliest group of assassins known to man left the team wondering: Who else might be a Skrull? And who can they trust?
• Not Spider-Woman, apparently: Whether because she’s secretly a Skrull or just thinks taking Skrullektra’s body to Tony Stark for analysis is the right thing to do despite the objections of her teammates, Jessica Drew takes advantage of the crash of the New Avengers’ jet to zap Wolverine and make off with Skrullektra’s corpse.
• Tempers rise and paranoia spreads like a disease, causing the New Avengers to almost disassemble! As the team takes a much-needed break from one another, Wolverine comes face-to-gun barrel with the criminal underground’s newest head honcho—the Hood!
• Finally, New Avengers: Illuminati has been depicting untold tales of a clandestine group of heroes known as the Illuminati: Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Professor X (Charles Xavier), Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards), Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon, King of the Inhumans) and Namor the Sub-Mariner (ruler of Atlantis). Brought together in secret by Stark in the wake of the Kree/Skrull War to quietly protect humanity from major threats, the group played a major behind-the-scenes role in the Marvel Universe before splitting up prior to the Civil War. Among other tasks, they’ve chased off a Skrull fleet, gathered the Infinity Gems, attempted to banish the Beyonder from this universe, convinced Marvel Boy to rethink his life, and exiled the Hulk from the Earth.

NEW AVENGERS #34
Brian Michael Bendis (W)/Leinil Yu (A)



SYNOPSIS ASSEMBLE!

• Continuing one second after last issue’s cliffhanger, Wolverine gets holey as the Hood blasts him (and little Wolvie) away! In the ensuing battle the Hood freaks and lets out his inner demon, who promptly tosses aside our clawed hero and makes his escape.
• Grabbing a bottle o’ booze, the battered Logan takes some time to regroup and…regrow.
• Back at the Sanctum Sanctorum, Night Nurse “tends” to Doctor Strange’s emotional wounds, Echo gets an eyeful of Hawkeye, and Jessica Jones and Luke Cage finally reveal the name of baby Danielle—much to the delight and honor of long-time friend Iron Fist.
• Desiring to put an end to the issues of mistrust amongst the team, Doc Strange conjures a spell designed to publicly reveal one’s inner self, which in the process exposes Jessica Jones’ deniable desire to once again be a caped-crusader, Spidey’s longing for his wonder years and Hawkeye’s aspiration to be…Captain America?!
• Wolverine’s entrance to the psychoanalytic party heralds the reassembly of the New Avengers and a much-needed break from the rampant paranoia infesting the minds of our heroes.
• However, evil never takes breaks! It’s a fact that becomes apparent as Logan fills the team in on the return of formerly small-time supervillain the Hood and his plan to launch a reprogrammed Deathlok into Avengers Tower! This leaves the New Avengers with an interesting dilemma: how do they warn Tony Stark’s band of government heroes without being arrested?
• Deciding to “do good guy s---,” the team confronts the problem head on and teleports into Manhattan. But instead of finding Deathlok, the team is horrified to discover the city being overrun by Venom symbiotes!
• To make matters worse, as the team rushes into battle, a piece of venomous black goo latches onto the arm of Echo!

HARDCORE, ANYTHING GOES MATCH-UP


Known for his rough-and-tough, berserker-rage fighting style, Wolverine tends to jump claw-first into any battle no matter the odds. There’s almost no question about the size of Logan’s fortitude, but when you leap onto someone with your legs spread and they’re holding a gun, that fortitude becomes a very large and easy target, as the Hood clearly demonstrates. Talk about your all-time low blows! There ought to be rules when two guys duke it out about those kinds of shots, but when immeasurable healing factors come into play, I guess anything truly does go since, as Wolverine says, “it’ll grow back.” Regardless, that scene definitely adds an element of cringe-worthy brutality to this jaw-dropping encounter.

RELEASING THE DEMON INSIDE



Small-time crock Parker Robbins really lucked out when he encountered the mystic ritual leading to the acquisition of his handy-dandy red Hood and levitation boots. However, power comes with a price, which becomes evident when Robbins demons out during his fight with Wolverine. Previously, the Hood’s eyes would turn red if he lost control of himself while donning the cape and boots, but this is the first time we see a full-out demon form—a form that resembles the Nistanti creature originally possessing the Hood’s items of criminal endeavor.

FREUD’S FIELD DAY



Doctor Strange’s earlier spell of unveiling inner motivations get kicked up a notch this issue by exposing how the New Avengers see themselves—leading to a number of hilarious and discomforting moments. Luke Cage reminiscing about his olden days in a tiara and bright silk shirt brings a smile to long-time fans, while Petey’s nerdy, younger self spins a tighter web of tragedy around the life of the consistently troubled hero. However, Hawkeye easily claims the “How Do You Respond To This” prize of the year as his longing to live up to the standards of Captain America reminds readers of the profound affect the Star-Spangled Avenger’s life and death had on the denizens of the Marvel U.

‘SYMBIOTES. LOTS AND LOTS OF SYMBIOTES.’



Venom meets ‘28 Days Later.’ ’Nuff said.


Wahoo! Venom! Lots of Venom!