Avengers (vol. 3) #1
Once an Avenger…
Credits
Prologue
Avengers past and present are being attacked. In New York’s Little Transia neighborhood, Quicksilver, Crystal, and the Scarlet Witch are attacked by the Flying Trolls of Thryhem while out for dinner. in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Firebird is attacked by Rock Trolls. In Wakanda, the Black Panther is attacked by the flying dragon Nidhogg.
Back in New York, Hawkeye is ambushed by Mutaurus along the East River waterfront. While Swordsman and Magdalene fight off a plant monster.
In Cincinnati, Hercules battles another dragon. At the UCLA campus, the Living Lightning battles gnomes. In Las Vegas, Moondragon fights off Gullen the Boar-God. In Denver, Spider-Woman is ambushed by the Vanna. Deep below the shores of Hebrides, the Sub-Mariner battles a sea giant. In San Francisco, She-Hulk clashes with the Demon Riders. In Queens, Darkhawk fights Ice Giants. Lastly, in the Bronx, Justice, Firestar, and Rage fight more trolls.
Despite the surprise attack, each individual hero holds their own and, moments after this assault begins, the creatures all vanish just as suddenly as they first appeared.
Now
The unexpected attack has prompted the core Avengers — the recently returned Captain America, Iron Man, Giant-Man, and Wasp — to meet at Avengers Mansion.[1] The only connection between all of the attacks was that the attackers were all Asgardian in origin. That’s when a battered and beaten Thor comes crashing into the room warning of some dire threat. Exhausted after his long travels, Thor gets to his feet and reiterates that the Avengers are in grave danger. The reformed Avengers then agree to face this threat head on and send out the call for the Avengers to re-assemble.
Sometime later, Hawkeye, the Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver arrive at the mansion at the same time. There they are greeted at the door by Jarvis who tells them that the others are waiting in the living room. Entering the room, Hawkeye is shocked by the sheer number of past Avengers who have answered the call. They include Machine Man, the Falcon, Black Widow, the Beast, Hercules, She-Hulk, Binary, Sersi, Darkhawk, Crystal, Starfox, Rick Jones,[2] Magdalene, Swordsman, Moon Dragon, D-Man, Black Panther, the Sub-Mariner, Spider-Woman, US Agent, Rage, Darkhawk, Spider-Man, Photon, the Black Knight, Stingray, Quasar, the Vision, Tigra, Living Lightning, and Firebird.[3] As they wait for Captain America to address them all, everyone mingles. Hercules offers Wanda a drink,[4] while Namor and Moondragon gawk at the slovenly D-Man.[5] Darkhawk thanks Firestar and Justice for coming along, even though they were never Avengers.[6] Eventually, Binary grows impatient and demands to know how long Cap will make them wait.[7]
The reason why things are taking so long is because the founding members of the team are still in the sub-basement putting out the call to past members.[8] Captain America is just ending a call with Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, and the Thing, who have all been Avengers in the past.[9] They politely decline the invitation as they are busy with Fantastic Four business. Their attempts to call the Hulk are less than cordial, as the gamma spawned monster wants nothing to do with the Avengers and rudely hangs up on Cap.[10] Confident that they have all the Avengers they can get, Captain America finally calls the meeting. After a rousing speech about the threat the Avengers face, Spider-Man interjects to nope out of whatever the mission is because he already has a full plate at the moment. When the Swordsman questions the wall-crawler’s bravery, the Sandman comes to Spidey’s defense until Cap calls the meeting back to order.[11]
Cap then turns things over to Thor, since the attack on the Avengers appear to be strongly tied to Asgard. The thunder god begins his tale at the moment the Avengers and Fantastic Four were returning home from Franklin Richards’ pocket dimension.[12] As they were crossing the dimensional thresh hold, Doctor Doom tried to nab young Franklin to exploit his power. Thor came to the boy’s rescue and both he and Doom were lost in the dimensional void. What happened immediately after is unknown to Thor,[13] but when he finally woke up he found himself in the ruins of Asgard.[14] Thor found the city deserted and searching the entire realm, he discovered that there was not a single trace of life to be found. More disturbing he discovered that the Twilight Sword had been removed from the Sea of Eternal Night where it had been kept.[15] He fears that whoever took the sword was responsible for the attacks on the Avengers and suspects that they used the Norn Stones to pull this feat off. He suggests that the group split up into five teams and try and track down each of the stones as they will surely lead them to the Twilight Sword and whoever is responsible for this attack on their group. That’s when Justice speaks up and points out that they could be walking into a trap. Everyone else turns and gives the New Warrior a sarcastic look, like this was obvious, prompting him to keep his mouth shut.
Soon, five Quinjets take off from Avengers Mansion and take to the air. As they go, Moon Knight arrives on the scene — alive after all — he received the call for past Avengers, but decided that his current path is one he must travel alone. Inside the mansion, Rick Jones wonders how Jarvis can sit back and watch the Avengers leave on mission after mission, not knowing if they will make it back alive. The dutiful butler tells Jones that he takes it a day at a time and focuses on making sure the mansion is in proper running order to occupy his mind. Elsewhere, the woman who is responsible for all the attacks tells her nephew to prepare himself as the Avengers are coming.
One team comprises of Captain America, the Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Crystal, Quasar, Hercules, and D-Man. They have tracked a Norn Stone to the island of Tintagel Head off the coast of Cornwall. As they approach the island they are suddenly caught in a sudden and violent storm. As Quasar and Crystal head outside to try and stabilize their Quinjet, Cap gets a call from the Black Panther who reports that his team had found their Norn Stone only for it to vanish moments later. As the ship is steadied, Cap orders the Scarlet Witch to use her hex powers to dispel the storm.[16] Reaching out with her powers, Wanda is able to end the storm with relative ease and notes that she felt some kind of living presence in the storm that she was able to command.[17]
As they arrive at Tintagel Head, they spot the hilt of the Twilight Sword jutting out of the ground. Landing the Quinjet, the Avengers race to the weapon where they are greeted by Mordred the Evil, the man who orchestrated the fall of Camelot.[18] At the snap of his finger, the Scarlet Witch is pulled underground and the rest of the team is attacked by an army of Rock Trolls. While the other Avengers are busy, Quicksilver races up and ambushed Mordred from behind and strips off his armor at super-speed. He then demands that the evil knight release his sister. However, Mordred tells them that he is not the mastermind behind this scheme and points to being them. That’s when the gigantic form of Morgan le Fay appears before them.[19] She is wearing the Norn Stones around her neck and explains that she launched these attacks on the Avengers in order to lure the team into a trap. As the other teams are busy fighting more Asgardian threats, Morgan reveals that her ultimate goal was to capture the Scarlet Witch so le Fay can exploit her affinity to magic and channel it through the Twilight Sword and reshape all of reality to suit her whims.
With that, Morgan casts her spell, which painfully courses through the Scarlet Witch and into the Twilight Sword. Before the Avengers can come to her rescue, Morgan pulls the Twilight Sword out of the ground and holds it high in the air. Suddenly, there is a bright flash of magical energy and everything goes white…
Recurring Characters
Avengers (Beast, Binary, Black Knight, Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America, Crystal, Darkhawk, D-Man, Falcon, Firebird, Giant-Man, Hawkeye, Hercules, Iron Man, Living Lightning, Machine Man, Magdalene, Moondragon, Photon, Quasar, Quicksilver, Rage, Sandman, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Woman, Starfox, Stingray, Sub-Mariner, Swordsman, Thor, Tigra, US Agent, Vision, Wasp), Morgan le Fay, Mordred, Firestar, Justice, Rick Jones, Edwin Jarvis, Luna Maximoff, Megan McLaren, Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Thing), Hulk, Spider-Man, Moon Knight, Jormungand, Ymir
Continuity Notes
The core Avengers had all just recently returned from Franklin Richards’ pocket dimension following the events of Heroes Reborn: The Return #1-4.
Here, Rick Jones is depicted in a hover chair. This is because — at the time of this story — he had been crippled by the Hulk who was, at the time, transformed into one of the Horsemen of Apocalypse as seen in Incredible Hulk #456-457. Rick will eventually be healed by the Supreme Intelligence in Avengers Forever #1-12.
Oh boy its roll call time. Lets go over everyone’s history with the Avengers. Every member retains reserve status on the group unless otherwise stated. This list only references actual membership stints, and not cameos or random appearances during recruitment drives and so on:
Machine Man: Fought alongside the Avengers in Avengers #287-290 and again in Avengers West Coast Annual #5/Avengers Annual #19. He was given reserve status on the team in Avengers West Coast #69 (nice). However, he only served on the team once in Avengers West Coast #83.
Falcon: Reluctantly joined in Avengers #184 as a favor to Captain America so the group could fill an employment equity quota. He resigned from his post in issue 194, but had returned for brief stints in issues #312, 341-342, 345, Annual #17 and 19 as well as Incredible Hulk #445 and Onslaught: Marvel Universe #1.
Black Widow: Had been an ally of the Avengers since issue #32 but wasn’t given official membership until Avengers #111, she quit the following issue. She would return for her second stint from Avengers #173-177 and was forced to quit in issue #181. Her longest stint was from Avengers #329 until issue #402. After the most of the Avengers seemingly died in Onslaught: Marvel Universe #1, Natasha attempted to keep the team going, as shown in Avengers Annual 1999, but this plan fell through.
Hercules: Was an ally of the team starting in Avengers #38. He was given official membership in issue #45 but left in issue #50. He had shorter stints on the team in issues #98-100, 173-177 and was forced to quit in issue #181. He returned from issue #249-285 when a brain injury couched him. He briefly returned in Avengers Annual #17. He next stint after that was 329-399. He was passed over on Natasha’s failed team from Avengers Annual 1999 because he was too drunk.
She-Hulk: Had a couple of long running stints on the team. The first was from Avengers #221-243. She left to join the Fantastic Four from issue #265-301 of their own series before returning to the Avengers for a second time from Avengers #278-297. She returned again briefly in Avengers #305-310 and #329-333, 340, and 345.
Binary: Had been an associate since Avengers #171-177 and 181. She officially joined the group as a reserve member from 183-200. She quit the team in Avengers Annual #10.
Sersi: Had been an ally of the group since Avengers #247. She was officially made a member in issue #314 and served almost continuously until issue #375.
Rick Jones: Has been an Avengers associate since Avengers #1. He was briefly associated with the team until issue #17 before he got fed up with them not making him an official member.
Darkhawk: Had a very short lived career on the West Coast team (despite living in Queens, quite the commute!) serving on the team from Avengers West Coast #93 to 95.
Hawkeye: A long standing member, first joining the second roster in Avengers #16 serving on the team consistently until he quit in issue #109. He rejoined in Giant-Size Avengers #2 and from 130 through 147 when he quit again to pal around with the Two-Gun Kid. He rejoined from Avengers #168 until Henry Gyrich forced him to quit in issue #181. He would occasionally work with the group unofficially in issues #198-204, officially rejoining from issues #221 to 243 when he was charged with founding the West Coast team. He led that group from West Coast Avengers #1-4 and vol. 2 #1-42 when he was bumped as leader and left in issue #45. He’d come back from issue #55 until the group was disbanded in Avengers West Coast #102. He’d return to the eastern team in Avengers: The Crossing #1 and was one of the Avengers “killed” in Onslaught: Marvel Universe #1. He served on the Counter-Earth version of the team from Avengers (vol. 2) #1-13 before being brought back home in Heroes Reborn: The Return #1-4.
Scarlet Witch: She also joined in Avengers #16 served on the team almost consistently until issue #211 when she and the Vision left to try and raise a family. They then joined the west coast team in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #37 where Wanda remained until the group disbanded in issue #102 of that series. Where she joined Force Works from for their entire 22 issue run. After they disbanded, she rejoined the Avengers in Avengers #397. Another Onslaught victim she also served on the Counter-Earth team until their return.
Quicksilver: Joined the Avengers with his sister in issue #16. Ran with them (get it!?!) until an injury took him out in Avengers #104. He was back for a brief stint from issues #171-177 and 181. He rejoined following Avengers #369 and remained up until the group was seemingly wiped out in Onslaught: Marvel Universe #1.
Crystal: Got membership in issue #336-337 and served the group consistently and was part of the group “killed” by Onslaught. However, she was not one of the Counter-Earth Avengers.
Starfox: Joined the Avengers on a whim in issue #232 and remained on the team until Avengers #260. He left in order to learn what connection Nebula might have to his brother Thanos and has been a reservist ever since.
Swordsman and Magdalene: Started off as enemies of the Avengers in Avengers #343 as members of Proctor’s Gatherers. Betrayed by their master, the pair joined the Avengers in issues #357 and 363 respectively. They were intermittent members and were last seen operating with the group in issues #391 (Magdalene) and 397 (Swordsman) respectively.
Sandman: Was given reserve membership status in Avengers #329. He quit over a misunderstanding with Captain America in Amazing Spider-Man #348.
Moondragon: Had been an associate of the group since Avengers #125. She officially joined the group in issue #137 as a trainee but passed up full membership in issue #150. She was back briefly in issues #174-177, but left again in issue #181. She attempted to force her own team in Avengers #211, but abandoned this goal. She has maintained reserve status despite being an annoying bitch.
D-Man: See below.
Black Panther: T’Challa was invited to join the Avengers in issue #51-52. He served until Avengers #88, returned briefly in issue #100. He had a second stint from issue #105-126 before leaving again. His third tenure ran from Avengers #159-181. He briefly rejoined in issues #305-308 and 335-339. He was one of the Avengers who sacrificed themselves in Onslaught, but was not part of the Counter-Earth Avengers.
Sub-Mariner: Namor joined the Avengers in issue #264 and served until issue #272 and again from issues #282-293 and lastly in issues #305-310.
Spider-Woman: Became an associate of the west coast team in Avengers West Coast #71 and formally joined in issue #74. She remained with the group until they disbanded in Avengers West Coast #102. She joined up with Iron Man in Force Works #1-22.
US Agent: Assigned by the US government to work on the West Coast team in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #44. He remained on the west coast roster until it disbanded and was also a member of Force Works afterwards.
Rage: Began his association in Avengers #326 and convinced them to sign him on as a trainee in issue #329. He lasted until issue #342 when it was revealed he was only 14. He went on to join the New Warriors in issue #22 of their series.
Photon: Joined the Avengers as Captain Marvel in Avengers #227, she served on the time consistently until significant losses to her body mass while in energy form forced her to resign in issue #294.
The Black Knight: Dane Whitman was an associate of the team dating back to Avengers #47. He was offered official membership in issue #71. However, he only had brief stints on the team due to the fact he was living in England at the time, as we saw in issues 84-85, and issue #100, he didn’t join as a full time member until issue #225 until issue #297 when the blood curse of his Ebony Blade took him out of commission for a while. Once cured, he rejoined the team in Avengers #329 and remained with the group consistently until issue #375.
Stingray: Had been an ally since Avengers #262. He was closely associated with the team from issues #289-290 because the Avengers had relocated their headquarters to Hydrobase, an artificial island Stingray owned. He was given brief membership from issues #319-324.
Quasar: After helping the team in Avengers #302-303, he was given full membership in Avengers Annual #18. However, his membership record was spotty due to his role as Guardian of the Universe only helping the team on select missions in issues #305-308, 311, 317-325, 329, 331-339, and 345-347. After Operation: Galactic Storm he resigned in Captain America #401.
Vision: A long standing member since his creation in Avengers #57-58. His membership on the team mirrored that of the Scarlet Witch until they joined the Avengers West Coast. After his emotional connections were erased he moved over to the eastern team in Avengers #311 where he served nearly consistently until Onslaught: Marvel Universe #1. He also was part of the Counter-Earth Avengers.
Tigra: Had a short stint on the Avengers from issues #211-216, she quit because she felt out of her depth. She did end up joining Hawkeye’s eastern team in West Coast Avengers #1 and remained on that team until she went feral in Avengers West Coast #49 and fled (She got better in Avengers Spotlight #38).
Living Lightning: Was associated with the west coast team from Avengers West Coast #63 until issue #100 of that series.
Firebird: She was never actually an Avenger. She courted the west coast team from West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #4 through 10, but the team chose the Thing over her. She later helped the group from issues #17-27. When Hawkeye asked if she wanted to join, she turned him down.
Spider-Man: Had failed attempts to join the Avengers in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3, and Avengers #221 and 236-237. Offered membership during the Avengers fight with Nebula in Avengers #314-318, although he initially accepted he backed out because he found himself out of his league. Still, despite this he was offered reserve membership in issue #329, but was never called to duty. Spider-Man will only have a passing association with the Avengers until he is offered full membership in New Avengers #1-6.
At the time of this story, Hercules had developed a heavy drinking problem after he believed most of his teammates had died in Onslaught: Marvel Universe #1. His drinking problem gets confronted in X-Men (vol. 2) #59, of all places. Hercules will continue to struggle with alcohol addiction to this very day, as of this writing in May, 2022.
Namor and Moondragon can’t believe D-Man is an Avenger and are surprised that Cap hand picked him for the team. D-Man’s tenure on the Avengers happened shortly after the team disbanded in Avengers #297. He offered D-Man a spot on the Avengers in Captain America #349. D-Man’s tenure didn’t last longer than a single mission as he appeared to perish during a battle with ULTIMATUM. D-Man actually survived and began caring for the homeless people in Zero Town since Captain America #410, hence while he is so grubby here.
Indeed, neither Justice nor Firestar had been a part of the Avengers at this point. At least in the case of Justice, it was not for a lack of trying. He previously tried to join the group early on in his career, as seen in New Warriors #1. He was turned down by Captain America who believed he was too young. The age requirement would later become a less stringent criteria after the Avengers admitted Rage (who was 13/14 years old) from Avengers #329-342 and Deathcry (who was 16) from Avengers #364-399.
Here, the Beast wonders if Binary will go back to calling herself Ms. Marvel now that she is back wearing he old costume. Carol originally called her Ms. Marvel back in, you guessed it, Ms. Marvel #1. The costume she is wearing here is her most iconic look that she first sported in Ms. Marvel #20. She had retired the identity after having her powers and memories stolen by Rogue in Avengers Annual #10. Carol eventually developed new powers and took on a new name (Binary) and costume that she has sported since Uncanny X-Men #164.
In the background of this scene are a series of monitors listing Avengers and associates who are unavailable for various reasons. They are:
The original Captain Marvel: He was never officially a member, but had been an associate with the group helping them in the Kree/Skrull War from Avengers #89-97, during the Thanos War in Captain Marvel #25-33/Avengers #125 and lastly during the Korvac Saga in Avengers #167-177. Mar-Vell would later die of cancer in Marvel Graphic Novel #1.
The Guardians of the Galaxy (Charlie-27, Marintex, Vance Astro, and Yondu): Were never officially Avengers either. They worked closely with them during the Korvac saga until they returned to the 30th Century where they live.
Deathcry: Was with the Avengers from issue #364 through 399, when she left Earth. At the time of this story she is presumably in the Shi’ar galaxy.
Doctor Druid: Druid was a member of the Avengers from issues #278-297. Was murdered in Druid #4. He wll be briefly resurrected in Avengers (vol. 3) #10-11, Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernautral #5, and Chaos War: Dead Avengers #1-3. He will be fully resurrected in Squadron Supreme (vol. 4) #4.
Gilgamesh: Had a short stint on the Avengers from Avengers #299-310. Died in Avengers: The Crossing #1. He will be resurrected in Eternals (vol. 4) #2.
Hellcat: Was associated with the team from issues #139-151. She turned down official membership when offered. Also deceased. She committed suicide in Hellstorm: Prince of Lies #14.
Human Torch: The original android from World War II, not Johnny Storm. He was a member of the west coast team from Avengers West Coast #50. He remained with the team until issue #83 of that series. Here, the Torch is listed as inactive. He had retired from heroics to run Oracle, Inc. in Heroes for Hire #1 until his resignation in issue #19 of that series.
Jocasta: Had been associated with the group since issue #170. She ran away in issue #211 just as they were going to make her part of the team. Briefly served again in Avengers Annual #17. She was deactivated during an attack by Terminus in Iron Man Annual #11. She will be rebuilt in Iron Man (vol. 3) #18.
Mantis: Associated with the group from issue #112, became a official member in issue #114. She later left the group in Giant-Size Avengers #4. At this time her status is listed as unknown as the Avengers believe she betrayed them during The Crossing storyline in Avengers #390-395/Iron Man #319-325/Force Works #16-20/War Machine #20-23/Avengers: The Crossing #1/Avengers Timeslide #1. Avengers Forever #8 reveals that this was an impostor. The Avengers will learn the true fate of Mantis in Avengers: Celestial Quest #1-8.
Marrina: Is listed as deceased. She had a brief stint from Avengers #286-293. The Avengers believe she was killed in Avengers #293. However, it has been stated in Alpha Flight #79 that she was still alive. However, this won’t be confirmed until Avengers (vol. 3) #47.
Masque: Also had a brief association with the Avengers from issues #395-399. She was kidnapped by a cyborg named Benedict and the Avengers lost track of her due to the whole Onslaught thing. Her ultimate fate will be revealed in Avengers (vol. 3) #32-33.
Mockingbird: Was a member of the West Coast Avengers almost consistantly since their formation. She’s listed here as deceased, apparently dying in Avengers West Coast #100. In reality, per Secret Invasion #8 and New Avengers: The Reunion #2, this was actually a Skrull spy who took her place circa Avengers West Coast #91.
Moon Knight: Spector was a member of the west coast team to satisfy the curiosity of Khonshu. He joined in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #21 and left in issue #37. Was also deceased at the time of this story, having perished in Marc Spector: Moon Knight #60. He will be resurrected in Moon Knight (vol. 3) #1.
Swordsman: Tried to infiltrate the Avengers in issue #19-20 but was exposed as working for the Mandarin. Returned briefly in issue #100. Rejoined in from issues #114-129 and died in Giant-Size Avengers #2. He will be briefly resurrected in Dead Avengers #1-3.
Thunderstrike: Joined in Avengers #343 when he was Thor’s replacement. His membership continued when he became Thunderstrike but only had minor stints with the group in as Thor Avengers #343-345, 347, 349-351, and as Thunderstrike in 355-356, 374-375, 383. He died in Thunderstrike #21. Has been resurrected briefly since in Avengers (vol. 3) #10-11 and Strange (vol. 3) #1-2.
Two-Gun Kid: Was never officially an Avenger but worked with them Avengers #142-144 and was brought to the present day. He joined them again in issues #161-175 when he got very homesick and was returned to his own era. He will remain in the old west until being brought back to the present day in She-Hulk (vol. 2) #3.
Yellowjacket: Aka Rita DeMara the female Yellowjacket. She was never an Avenger in any capacity. She stole Hank Pym’s Yellowjacket identity in Avengers #264. She was later murdered by Iron Man in Avengers: The Crossing #1.
By this point in time, three of the four members of the Fantastic Four had memberships in the Avengers. After quitting the FF in Thing #23, Ben Grimm was courted by the west coast team from West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #4. He agreed to join in issue #9, but quit the following issue due to the fact that his body was starting to mutate. He was cured in Fantastic Four #296 and rejoined the FF. Reed and Sue joined briefly after leaving the FF in Fantastic Four #307. They joined the Avengers #300, but rejoined the FF in Fantastic Four #326.
The Hulk famously was a founding member of the team, but quit in Avengers #2 because his teammates never trusted him. He only returned to the group officially in Avengers #100. He won’t be affiliated with the team again until Avengers Assemble (vol. 2) #1.
As Spider-Man leaves the meeting, Captain America wishes him luck with his current legal troubles.At the time of this story Spider-Man had been framed for murder by Norman Osborn during the Spiderhunt event (Sensational Spider-Man #25, Amazing Spider-Man #432, Spider-Man #89, and Spectacular Spider-Man #255) Spidey will clear his name in the follow up, Identity Crisis event (Sensational Spider-Man #26-28, Spectacular Spider-Man #256-258, Spider-Man #90-92, and Amazing Spider-Man #433-435)
The Avengers and the FF lived in this pocket dimension for a time following Onslaught: Marvel Universe #1. See Fantastic Four (vol. 2) #1-13, Iron Man (vol. 20 #1-13, Captain America (vol. 2) #1-13, and Avengers (vol. 2) #1-13.
Thor and Doom ended up on the desert world of Balatraan, there Doom tried to take over by was stopped by the thunder god, see Thor Annual 1999. While Thor went on to end up on Asgard, Doctor Doom will end up crash landing back on Counter-Earth, as seen in Heroes Reborn: Doomsday #1.
The fall of Asgard was caused when a physics professor named Price who built the Worldengine to trick the world ash tree Yggdrasil to think Ragnarok had already happened in order to create a new race of beings, as seen in Thor #491-494. This resulted in the Asgardians to be tossed out of the golden realm and cast into mortal lives, Asgard then fell to its enemies for a time. See Thor #497-500 and Journey into Mystery #503-513. Although they succeeded in restoring the Gods, they and all other creatures were swept away by Morgan le Fay, as revealed later this issue. Thor would ultimately find his people and Asgard will be restored following a war with the so-called Dark Gods, as chronicled in Thor (vol. 2) #1-12.
The Twilight Sword was created by Surtur to destroy Asgard in Thor #343. It had been placed in the Sea of Eternal Night since Thor #425.
Here, the Scarlet Witch is referred to as a mutant. However, years later, it is revealed that she and her brother Quicksilver actually isn’t. As explained in Uncanny Avengers (vol. 2) #4-5, they was experimented upon as children by the High Evolutionary. To cover up his work, he made it so future genetic testing on the twins would have them register as mutants.
The living personality that Wanda sensed in the storm turns out to be Wonder Man. Simon Williams had previously died in Force Works #1. As explained in Avengers (vol. 3) #11, Simon’s love for the Scarlet Witch was so strong that he has been hanging on the precipice between life and death and it is her powers that have been drawing him back to the world of the living. He’ll first manifest in next issue.
How Mordred could be alive in the Modern Age is not really explained here, but there is a reason and as you’d expect it is complicated. Mordred was killed during the fall of Camelot by the Black Knight, aka Sir Percy of Scandia, as chronicled in Marvel Super-Heroes #17/Black Knight (vol. 2) #1/Mystic Arcana: Black Knight #1. He was ultimately restored to life in the present day by the demon Necromon as explained in Captain Britain Summer Special #1, tucked away in a bunch of reprints where nobody in their right mind can find the reference, thanks a lot Marvel UK.
Quasar recalls reading the Avengers file on Morgan le Fay. The Avengers previously encountered the sorceress back in Avengers #240-241 when Morgan was trying to take over the body of Spider-Woman.
