Heroes Reborn #½
Heroes Reborn
After Earth’s greatest heroes sacrificed themselves to save the world from Onslaught, the Watcher argues that the so-called “Age of Wonders” has not ended.[1] He points to another reality where the lost heroes have been reborn in brand new lives.
He focuses particularly on the life of Captain America and those around him in this new world. He starts with the young woman named Rikki Barnes who will go on to become Cap’s new partner, Bucky. Her brother John, and how his associations will see Rikki’s dreams twisted into a horrible nightmare.[2][3]
The Watcher wonders if Rikki’s association with Captain America will be enough to save her dreams and make them a reality. He also wonders what role Nick Fury will play in this unraveling drama. He admits, however, he will be unable to predict what the Red Skull’s evil schemes might be.
Regardless, Uatu has faith that the beacon of hope that Captain America brings will not be so easily extinguished.
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Bucky, Nick Fury, John Barnes, Red Skull, the Watcher
Continuity Notes
The Avengers and Fantastic Four sacrificed their lives to stop Onslaught in Onslaught: Marvel Universe #1. Although believed to be dead in the Prime Marvel Universe, it’s later explained that they were transported to a pocket dimension by Franklin Richards where they are living re-imagined versions of their past lives. They will be returned to their proper realities in Heroes Reborn: The Return #1-4.
Everything that the Watcher speaks of here is alluding to the events of Captain America (vol. 2) #1-5.
Of all the characters in this story, only Captain America is from the Prime Marvel Universe. All others are constructs created by Franklin Richards, per Heroes Reborn: The Return #1-4. In addition, the Nick Fury seen here is actually a rogue Life Model Decoy who has taken his place, as will be revealed in Captain America (vol. 2) #10. The Watcher seen here is also likely from the Prime Marvel Universe as he is aware of the events of Onslaught, unlike his Heroes Reborn counterpart who we’ll see in Captain America (vol. 2) #12 and Heroes Reborn: The Remnants #1.
Oz Never Gave Nothing to the Tin Man
Ever since the death of his friend, Rebel O’Reilly, Tony Stark has been pouring over his new Promethean Armor to find out what went wrong.[1] After weeks and finding no clue as to the suit’s malfunction he admits that he hates his creation. Regardless, he refuses to stop until he learns the truth. Tony’s thoughts are interrupted when he is visited by his colleague Reed Richards. Reed had come at the behest of Tony’s assistant, Pepper Potts, to check in on him as Tony has not left his lab in days.[2]
When Tony explains how his examinations couldn’t find what’s wrong with the armor, Reed suggests that perhaps the problem wasn’t the armor, but the person wearing it. Richards agrees that what happened to Rebel was a huge tragedy, but Tony shouldn’t let it destroy his life as well. This convinces Tony to finally leave his lab. Putting the face plate back on the suit, he tells it that this pep-talk doesn’t let it off the hook.
Recurring Characters
Tony Stark, Rebel O’Reilly (in flashback), Reed Richards
Continuity Notes
As will be more clearly explained in Iron Man (vol. 2) #1, Rebel was killed when running the first live test of the Promethean Armor. It’s later revealed in issue #9 that the suit’s failure was due to the fact that Rebel took it out on an earlier unauthorized test and it was damaged in a battle with Titanium Man and the Crimson Dynamo, making it unstable when it was officially tested after the fact.
Both Reed and Tony are from the Prime Marvel Universe, while everyone else they mention (other than Victor Von Doom) are constructs created by Franklin Richards. Here, Reed makes mention how he, Tony, Rebel, and Doom all attended university together. This is expanded upon in Fantastic Four (vol. 2) #5. These are false memories planted by Franklin to convince them all that the world around them has existed for years instead of merely a few months.