New Avengers #50
After the end of the Skrull invasion of Earth, Norman Osborn has been given the position of top-cop in America.[1] He has just unveiled his new team of Avengers, much to the disgust of the New Avengers: Captain America (James Barnes), Luke Cage, Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Wolverine (Logan), Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), Iron Fist (Danny Rand), Ronin (Clint Barton), Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), and Mockingbird (Bobbi Morse). Reviewing the news footage of the press conference, the team notices that Osborn’s Avengers are all dressed as previously established heroes with Osborn dressed up as the “Iron Patriot” using a suit of Iron Man armor painted in the colours of Captain America.[2][3] After looking at these impostors — dressed as Ms. Marvel, Wolverine, Hawkeye, and Spider-Man — Luke realizes that some of them are members of the Thunderbolts.[4] Clint is pissed off that they have Bullseye dressed up as Hawkeye.[5] Wolverine recognizes his impostor to be his son, Daken, and assures the team that he is with Osborn of his own free will.[7]
Putting everything together, Captain America confirms that Osborn is a killer and has formed a team of like minded individuals and will likely abuse his power. The team then begins to think of a way to take them all down. Ronin suggests they get into a fight with them since villains always reveal their true stripes. Ms. Marvel suggests that they use the same power inhibitors that Tony Stark once used against the team, something she can get access to.[8] That’s when Luke’s wife, Jessica Jones, speaks up and says that she doesn’t want to lure these evil Avengers somewhere that puts her daughter at risk. However, the team is already thinking of the ideal place to set this trap. Spider-Woman says that she has an idea and the team begins to get an idea of what she is suggesting and like it.
Later, Norman Osborn is meeting with his team — Captain Marvel/Marvel Boy (No-Varr), Ms. Marvel/Moonstone (Karla Sofen), Hawkeye/Bullseye, Wolverine/Daken, Ares, Spider-Man/Venom (Mac Gargan), and the Sentry (Bob Reynolds) — and deciding how best to utilize them on a mission.[9] That’s when Spider-Woman lands on the window outside. Venom quickly grabs her and pulls her inside. Osborn tells them all to stand down as this isn’t Veranke, the Skrull Queen, but the real Jessica Drew.[10] She tells them a story about how she needs to do something to redeem her image and has come to Osborn after the New Avengers turned her away. Osborn isn’t interested and a brief fight breaks out before the Sentry subdues Jessica. Osborn tells his team to stand down and tells Jessica he isn’t interested in recruiting her. That’s when Spider-Woman offers to reveal them where they can find Luke Cage and his team.
Osborn is very much interested in getting Cage since Luke screw him on a deal, but he is concerned that Jessica will do the same thing. Spider-Woman says that is where she got the idea to come to him and reminds him that she has been an agent of SHIELD and Hydra and just wants a job.[11] Considering this for a moment, Osborn and then smiles.
Meanwhile, Wolverine has brought the New Avengers to an abandoned mansion that once home to the elite Hellfire Club. Ms. Marvel hands out pills that will nullify the effects of the power dampener. That’s when Spider-Woman arrives and tells them that the trap has been set. Seconds later, the power dampener overloads and explodes. That’s when Spider-Man’s spider-sense goes haywire. Wolverine detects multiple scents coming in fast but is then shot in the head. Moments later, the Hood and his gang come smashing in through the front door.
The sounds of the battle can be heard all the way at Avengers Tower where Norman listens from the rooftop. Karla doesn’t understand why they aren’t going after the New Avengers themselves. Osborn explains that he doesn’t want his first order of business to be clashing with Captain America, because that would be a bad PR move. Besides, the team has a mission of their own.[12] Everyone reluctantly — especially Ares — comply with their orders.
Back at the Hellfire Club, the massive brawl continues. Iron Fist is briefly distracted by his own personal worries and how he needs to hang up his costumed identity for a while and get his personal life back in order.[13] Luke Cage doesn’t understand why they are being attacked by the Hood’s gang when they were supposed to be luring Osborn. This makes him wonder if Spider-Woman somehow betrayed them. Ronin also wonders what the connection between the Hood and Osborn is. Meanwhile, Mockingbird is reveling in the thrill of the battle, bringing back old feelings she had when she was part of the West Coast Avengers. Spider-Woman, on the other hand, feels like she has screwed up badly and hates how this makes her feel. Spider-Man on the other hand is thinking that his timing to accept membership on the Avengers (having passed it up many times in the past) has been terrible and in line with his lousy luck.[14] All Wolverine wants to do is kill these assholes and thinks that their continued opposition is just invitation to end some of these crooks. For Captain America, he thinks about how he could have easily been on the other side of the fight not too long ago. Now, as the new Captain America, he has the legacy of Steve Rogers to uphold. However, since he is armed with a gun, he intends to do things his way.[15]
Ms. Marvel on the other hand, refuses to lose to these 10 time losers and vows to nail Norman Osborn to the wall. She then comes up with an idea to end the fight and tells Spider-Woman to hit her with the full force of her venom blasts. Carol then re-channels these energies and unleashes a massive power blast that takes all the villains out so the New Avengers can retreat. When they get back to their hideout, the team realizes that Norman Osborn must be working with the Hood’s gang. Having had enough with how dire the situation is getting, Clint decides to do something about it. Going to one of the local TV stations, Ronin gives a live statement about Norman Osborn’s Avengers team, reminding viewers of their past crimes and makes his accusations.[16] He then promises that, no matter what, he will continue to be an Avenger and keep fighting until Osborn and his corrupt group are brought down.[17]
Recurring Characters
New Avengers (Captain America, Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Ronin, Ms. Marvel, Iron Fist, Mockingbird), Dark Avengers (Iron Patriot, “Ms. Marvel”, “Hawkeye”, “Spider-Man”, “Wolverine”, Ares, “Captain Marvel” Sentry), Hood’s Gang (The Hood, the Answer, Blackout, Blood Brother, Brothers Grimm, Centurius, Chemistro, Corruptor, Crossfire, Cutthroat, Doctor Demonicus, Griffin, Jigsaw, Living Laser, Madame Masque, Mandrill, Razor-Fist, Scarecrow, Shockwave, the Slug, the Wizard, Wrecking Crew (Wrecker, Bulldozer, Piledriver, Thunderball), Dormammu, Jessica Jones, Dani Cage, Victoria Hand
Continuity Notes
This story comes off the heels of Secret Invasion #1-8. The footage of Osborn’s Avengers press conference is taken from Dark Avengers #1.
Spider-Man quips about his experiences with Norman Osborn say that he is crazy enough to create his own team of evil Avengers. This is because, as the Green Goblin, Norman Osborn has been a foe of Spider-Man since Amazing Spider-Man #14.
Luke also talks about how the Sentry is mentally ill. Bob Reynolds has a history of addiction, trauma, and mental health problems that have dogged him his entire life. See Sentry (vol. 2) #1-8 for details into his psychopathy.
Specificaly, Moonstone, Bullseye, and Venom who were under Osborn’s leadership since Thunderbolts #110. Here, Carol mentions how she told Osborn to go fuck himself. She did this when he offered her a spot on his Avengers team in Dark Avengers #1.
On the Hawkeye front there are a few things to note here:
Spider-Man quips that while Bullseye is dressed like Hawkeye, Hawkeye is dressed like Echo. This is in reference to the fact that the Ronin identity was originally worn by Echo starting in New Avengers #11. When she was captured by the hand and the New Avengers came to rescue her, Clint took on the Ronin guise in New Avengers #27.
Clint had given up being Hawkeye after he was killed and resurrected by the Scarlet Witch. See Avengers #500-503, House of M #1-8, and New Avengers #26.
Spider-Man asks where Echo is, and Iron Fist says she was last seen during the final battle against the Skrulls in Secret Invasion #8. Indeed, other than a brief cameo at the start of New Avengers #48, we haven’t seen her since. She will turn up again in New Avengers (vol. 2) #7.
Here, Mockingbird asks who Echo is and Clint ignores it. The reason why is very complicated:
Clint had married Mockingbird way back in Hawkeye #4. During their marriage (as revealed in New Avengers: The Reunion #2), Bobbi was replaced by a Skrull circa Avengers West Coast #91 who would later die in her place in issue #100 of that series. She was discovered to be alive in Secret Invasion #8.
In the years since thinking he was a widow, Clint has had other relationships. One of these other women was Echo, whom Clint had a one night stand with in New Avengers #39.
Everyone is surprised to learn that Wolverine has a son. In the 1940s, Logan was married to a woman named Itsu who was murdered by the Winter Soldier in 1935, as seen in Wolverine (vol. 3) #40. What Logan did not know was that she was pregnant with their son. The child was c-sectioned and raised by Romulus, and the boy only resurfaced when sent to eliminate his father. See Wolverine: Origins #5 and 10-15.
Carol mentions how Iron Man used the power inhibitor on the New Avengers after luring them into a trap. Which is a little more nuanced than she lets on. The details:
The New Avengers have been outlaws since its members refused to sign up under the new Super Human Registration Act that went into law in Civil War #3. In the end, Captain America surrendered to end the war and was seemingly killed by an assassin in Captain America (vol. 5) #25.
Iron Man later used a Life Model Decoy of Captain America to lure the New Avengers into a trap, as seen in New Avengers #28-29. The team only managed to get away thanks to Doctor Strange.
Sidebars here: Cap isn’t really dead but caught in a time loop that he will be freed from in Captain America: Reborn #1-6. The SHRA will be repealed in Siege #4. There is also a mention of how Doctor Strange went walkabout. This was in New Avengers Annual #2.
One suggestion is to go after Tony Stark, this is because he had become the fall guy for the Skrull invasion because his technology was used in national security and was compromised by the invaders. Osborn says here that Stark’s situation is a matter for the courts. However, Tony will go on the run leading to a world wide manhunt spearheaded by Osborn. See Invincible Iron Man #8-19.
Veranke was the leader of the Skrull invasion of Earth. She took a hands on approach to infiltration, as seen in New Avengers #40 and 42. She had taken the place of Jessica in Giant-Size Spider-Woman #1. She was revealed to be a Skrull in Secret Invasion #3, and Spider-Woman became the face of the invaders during the final battle.
Spider-Woman, per Marvel Spotlight #32, was originally a Hydra agent before Nick Fury convinced her they were a terrorist organization. More recently, she became a double agent for SHIELD, spying on Hydra after they came to her to spy on SHIELD. See Giant-Size Spider-Woman #1 and New Avengers #14.
Namely helping Doctor Doom defend Latveria from Morgan le Fay, as seen in Dark Avengers #1-3.
In New Avengers #48, Danny said he was leaving the team so he can focus on his business which has suffered since the Skrull invasion. Unfortunately, he hasn’t had the opportunity to actually leave.
Spider-Man states here that he turned down an offer to join the Avengers when he was in high school, and again in college, and when he was a young adult. His assessment of when these offerings were made are kind of off. Let me break it down:
He first says he was propositioned in high school. That’s not correct. Peter was first offered Avengers membership in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3. However, Peter had already graduated high school a few months earlier in Amazing Spider-Man #21. He didn’t end up joining then because he failed the membership test to bring in the Hulk.
The next time he was considered in Avengers #221 he turned down until he learned that the Avengers got paid and invited himself on a mission in issues #236-237. Ultimately, he couldn’t be a team player and didn’t end up joining. However, this was after Peter had dropped out of grad school in Amazing Spider-Man #243.
He did get another offer to join up as a young adult in Avengers #314-318, but after facing Nebula he found fighting cosmic level threats too much for him to handle. He eventually settled for reserve status in issue #329, but almost never called in for help.
It wasn’t until New Avengers #2 that he finally accepted and became a full fledged member of the Avengers. I think we can excuse Peter for confusing the timing of when he rejected or was turned down in the past since Spider-Man does a lot on a month-to-month basis and he is recalling all of this in the middle of an insane battle. If you have a problem with that, you get into a dire life-or-death battle and try to remember shit you did a decade ago and tell me how well your recollection is.
We already talked about how Steve Rogers is seemingly dead, now lets talk about James for a minute. See, after his alleged death in Avengers #4, Bucky was actually transformed into a Russian assassin called the Winter Soldier. In more recent times, the Winter Soldier was freed by Steve using the Cosmic Cube as seen in Captain America (vol. 5) #1-14. Bucky became Steve’s replacement in issue #34 of that series.
Here Clint mentions his previous identities. They are:
His best known and most consistent identity of Hawkeye, which he began using back in Tales of Suspense #57. He abandoned this identity in House of M #8.
Goliath: There were two periods in which Clint used size-changing Pym Particles to become the Goliath. The first time was from Avengers #63-97 and the second was from Avengers West Coast #90-97.
Lastly Ronin, his most recent identity, which he took up starting in New Avengers #27. He will continue to use this identity until he goes back to being Hawkeye again in New Avengers (vol. 2) #1.
Here, Clint reminds the viewing audience that Norman Osborn was the Green Goblin and has been jailed and institutionalized in the past. Norman has had his criminal identity publicly revealed twice. The details:
The first time was in Spider-Man: Legacy of Evil #1. Osborn would later use the Daily Bugle to discredit this outing in Spectacular Spider-Man #254. His identity will be exposed again in The Pulse #1-5.
Osborn was first institutionalized at the end of the the Final Chapter story arc in Amazing Spider-Man #441/Spider-Man #97/Spectacular Spider-Man #263/Spider-Man #98. His first prison stint was following his capture in The Pulse #5.
Topical References
When talking about Doctor Strange’s walk-about, Luke Cage says it is like “Caine from Kung Fu” This is a reference to the main protagonist (originally played by David Caradine) who appeared in this titular TV show that ran from 1972-1975 and spawned a film, two spin-offs and a reboot. This should be considered a topical reference as you could replace it with a more contemporary example.
During the battle with the Hood, Mockingbird doesn’t recognize many of the villains. Spider-Man quips that she can look them up on Google later. Google is, time of this writing (April, 2024), the internets most popular search engine. Its reference should be considered topical as this is a real world business.
