New Avengers #51
The Hood (Parker Robbins) has come to regret his deal with the source of his power, Dark Dimension ruler Dormammu as he is punished for failing to find Doctor Strange.[1] The demon causes Parker a great deal of pain and says that Strange is looking for someone to succeed him as the Sorcerer Supreme and he intends Parker to take up the mantle. He warns Robbins to hurry because they aren’t the only sones seeking Stephen Strange.
Meanwhile, at the hideout of the New Avengers, Carol Danvers (aka Ms. Marvel) watches the nightly news. The top story is about how her teammate Ronin (Clint Barton) issued a statement denouncing Norman Osborn’s new team of Avengers.[2] This is followed by a clip of a late night talk show appearance of Wonder Man (Simon Williams). In the clip, Simon who says that he has given up being a superhero after the civil war and Skrull invasion and says that America has the leader they deserve.[3][4] That’s when Clint returns and justifies his television appearance, saying that soon or later Norman Osborn will take a fall all they need do is wait for him to slip up.[5]
The next morning, in New Jersey, the young hero known as Wiccan (Billy Caplan) witnesses a police chase and nonchalantly uses his magic to cause the getaway vehicle to crash. That’s when he is approached by Stephen Strange who commends the youth for his response but points out he was lucky nobody was injured. He then invites Billy to have breakfast with him at a nearby diner. There, he tells Billy that he is searching for the next Sorcerer Supreme and how he first went to Jennifer Kale and has moved on to him.[6] He hopes to train Billy in the hopes that he will be the suitable successor, but fears that it could be someone like Doctor Doom. Billy the casual conversation is interrupted when Strange senses someone coming. It is the Hood in his demonic form and he is charging at the diner. Strange just has enough time to warm Billy to run before the attack.
At the same time the New Avengers — Ronin, Luke Cage, Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Wolverine (Logan), Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), Captain America (James Barnes), Mockingbird (Bobbi Morse) — have gotten together for a team meeting. Joining them are Luke’s wife Jessica Jones and their infant daughter Dani. Clint tells the team that they need to select a new leader.[7] Everyone at the table is reluctant about being leader and ultimately Clint takes on the role since nobody objects. He then names Carol as his second in command. Barton’s first order of business is to discuss an issue he has with Spider-Man. Namely, Clint has trust issues with the web-slinger since he is the only one who has a secret identity on the team.[8]
Spider-Man is reluctant to do so, especially since his old nemesis Norman Osborn is in charge and this could compromise his safety.[9] Spidey is reluctant but really enjoys being an Avenger, so he caves in to pressure and takes off his mask, introducing himself as Peter Parker.[10] This is a delightful surprise to Jessica Jones who went to high school with Peter. She then openly admits that she used have a crush on Peter, much to Luke’s annoyance. Peter doesn’t remember her until she explains the car accident and coma she found herself in back in those days. Peter then remembers her as “coma girl” and this kind of upsets her.[11] Peter then reiterates the importance of keeping his identity a secret, particularly since his best friend is the son of Norman Osborn.[12]
The New Avengers then begin trying to figure out a way to use this connection to their advantage. That’s when they hear a crash from the living room. When they rush to see what made the noise, they find Doctor Strange collapsed on the floor pleading for help!
Recurring Characters
New Avengers (Captain America, Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Ronin, Ms. Marvel, Mockingbird), Doctor Strange, Jessica Jones, Dani Cage, Wiccan, The Hood, Dormammu
Continuity Notes
Doctor Strange went walkabout in New Avengers Annual #2 because he lost sight of what it was to be the Sorcerer Supreme.
Norman Osborn became America’s top cop after he killed the leader of the Skrull invasion of Earth in Secret Invasion #8. He then formed his own team in Dark Avengers #1. Clint went on the news to decry this group last issue.
The superhero civil war was primarily chronicled in Civil War #1-7 and saw the passage of the Super Human Registration Act which divided the community. This law is partially responsible for Osborn’s rise to power.
The news ticker also references things that were going on in the Marvel Universe at the time of this story. These events are:
“The Mystery of Moon Knight”: After a bit of a hiatus, Moon Knight had recently resurfaced in his own series at the time starting in Moon Knight (vol. 5) #1.
“Red Hulk smashes Vegas” refers the events of Hulk (vol. 2) #7-9.
And Osborn will when he stages an ill advised invasion of Asgard in Siege #1-4.
Here, Strange says Kale usually hangs out with the Man-Thing. This has been the case since Fear #11. Billy also mentions his Young Avengers team, which was formed in the recent past. See Young Avengers #1-6.
Here, Clint acknowledges that Luke has been leading the team recently, even if Luke doesn’t see that way. Cage has been basically in charge of the group since New Avengers #27.
Wolverine confirms that Spider-Man is the real deal because of his scent. Clint says he can’t trust that because the Skrulls were able to fool him during the secret invasion. As per New Avengers: Illuminati (vol. 2) #1 and New Avengers #40, the Skrulls used DNA samples from the Illuminati to develop a way to the point where no conventional method of detection could sniff them out (pun intended) including Logan’s senses.
Norman Osborn (as the Green Goblin) has been Spider-Man’s deadliest foe since Amazing Spider-Man #14.
If you’re like “wait, didn’t the New Avengers know Peter’s identity already?” This is true but (as anything) is complicated. Let me explain:
Most of the core members learned Peter’s identity around the time he joined the team in New Avengers #2. The rest of the world found out when he publicly revelaed his identity in Civil War #2.
However, Peter managed to walk this back when he made a deal with Mephisto in Amazing Spider-Man #545 to save the life of his Aunt May. Mephisto re-wrote reality (infamously erasing Peter’s marriage to Mary Jane). In this new timeline, following the Civil War, Peter went to Doctor Strange who cast a spell to make everyone forget Parker’s identity, as told in Amazing Spider-Man #641.
Jessica’s time at Midtown High and her coma were chronicled in Alias #22-23, which shows her admiring Peter from afar around the time he first got his spider powers in Amazing Fantasy #15. Amazing Spider-Man #601 places her as being present during Spider-Man’s first clash with the Sandman in Amazing Spider-Man #4.
He is referring to Harry Osborn, whom Peter has known since Amazing Spider-Man #31. At the time of this story, Peter has reconnected with a man he thinks is his friend Harry in Amazing Spider-Man #545. In reality, the real Harry Osborn died in Spectacular Spider-Man #200, and the man he is interacting with now is later revealed to be a clone (it’s always a clone with this guy!) in Amazing Spider-Man (vol.5) #73.
Topical References
It is stated that Wonder Man had appeared on the Tonight Show a long running late night talk show that began in 1954. That said, since this is a real world television program its reference here should be considered topical.
