New Avengers #31
Revolution, Part 5
At Doctor Strange’s Sanctrum Sanctorum, Jessica Jones and Wong wait to hear from the New Avengers who are off on a mission in Japan.[1] That’s when the Orb of Amogatto suddenly begins projecting an image of Doctor (Stephen) Strange. He has been stabbed through the chest by a sword by Echo (Maya Lopez) and is in critical condition. Wong then rushes to a nearby bookshelf to find a spell book that can aid the team.
In Osaka, the New Avengers — Luke Cage, Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Wolverine (Logan), Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew),[2] Iron Fist (Danny Rand), Ronin (Clint Barton) and Doctor Strange — had come to Japan in order to rescue Echo from the Hand. During the clash with the ninja cult and their leader, Elektra,[3] Echo suddenly stabbed Doctor Strange as she was under the influence of the cult.
While Luke Cage fights with Elektra, the rest of the team has to deal with an army of ninjas that just keep coming wave after wave. As Spider-Man fights alongside Ronin, he realizes that he is going to be competing with him for who can make the most quips in battle now that Clint is on the team.
Meanwhile, Elektra confirms that none of her bladed weapons can pierce Luke Cage’s tough skin so she decides to change tactics. Ramming him into the kitchen she uses the broken gas main there to light Cage on fire. Spider-Woman suggest that they retreat back to the United States, but Logan is certain that the Hand will follow them all the way back home if that’s what it takes to kill them all.
At the same time, Doctor Strange continues to call out to Wong asking him to get the book of Karkuthi. When Wong finds the volume he flips to a spell that they have to recite in tandem in order to allow Strange to free his astral form from his body — which has been trapped thanks to the Hand’s magics. Finally free, Strange is able to pull the blade out of his chest. He then sends his astral form out. First he casts a spell to make all the ninjas around his physical body fall asleep. He then tracks down Echo — who is fighting Iron Fist — and uses another spell to free her from the Hand’s control.
While everyone is trying to figure out how to get the Hand to stop their attack, Echo picks up a sword and comes up to Elektra from behind. She fatally impales their foe, killing her in moments. Something then begins to happen to Elektra’s body after her death. With their leader down, the Hand ninjas retreat uncharacteristically leaving their dead master behind. When the New Avengers take a look to see why they are all horrified to discover that Elektra was a Skrull. Iron Fist then wonders what this all means.
Meanwhile, back in New York, Wong tells Jessica that the team is still alive. This is enough to satisfy Jessica’s concern so she goes back to feeding her baby. The baby suddenly opens its eyes as if she is aware of the drama unfolding back in Japan.[4]
Recurring Characters
New Avengers (Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, “Spider-Woman”, Echo, Ronin, Iron Fist, Doctor Strange), The Hand (“Elektra”/Pagon), Jessica Jones, Dani Cage (unnamed), Wong
Continuity Notes
Jessica’s daughter is not mentioned by name here as she and Luke Cage have not decided on one yet. Unnamed here, Jessica and Luke named her Danielle “Dani” Cage in New Avengers #34.
The woman who appears to be Spider-Woman is actually a Skrull spy named Veranke as will be revealed in Secret Invasion #3. Per New Avengers #42, she took the place of the real Jessica Drew in Giant-Size Spider-Woman #1.
As we’ll discover at the end of this issue, “Elektra” is actually a Skrull as well. In Mighty Avengers #16 we will learn that her name is Pagon and that she took the place of the real Elektra prior to New Avengers #1.
This story ends on an odd note. I’m not entirely sure what writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Leinil Yu were going for here. Maybe suggesting that Dani Cage might be a Skrull? If that’s the intention, spoilers, she isn’t.
Topical References
A banner outside the Sanctum Sanctorum states that it is the future location of a new Starbucks. This should be considered a topical reference as this is a real world brand.
Translations
This story features dialogue that is presented in Japanese with no English translation. These lines are:
“それらなうの郡 さ去ら存ない” = There is no escape from the castle.
“それらな右でないか” = Isn’t that right?
“ここかちの退去！今、皆！” = Withdraw from here swiftly! Now, everyone!
The Initiative Reading Order
Civil War: The Initiative #1, Ms. Marvel (vol. 2) #13, 14, 15, 16, 17, Thunderbolts #112, 113, 114, 115, Omega Flight #1-5, Moon Knight (vol. 3) #13, Captain America (vol. 5) #26, 27, 28, 29, 30, New Avengers #27, 28, 29, 30, 31, New Warriors (vol. 4) #1-8, Black Panther (vol. 4) #27, 28, 29, 30, Iron Man: Agent of SHIELD #15, 16, 17, 18, Avengers: The Initiative #1, 2, 3, Fantastic Four #547, 548, 549, 550, Punisher: War Journal (vol. 2) #6-11, Mighty Avengers #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Sub-Mariner (vol. 2) #1-6, The Order (vol. 2) 1-4, Penance: Relentless #1, 2, 3, 4, 5