Spider-Island: Avengers #1
Spider-Island continues from Spider-Island: Cloak and Dagger #3…
Infestation: Day One
Flag-Smasher is facing a mutiny among the ranks of ULTIMATUM as his troops are tired of always losing to heroes like Captain America.[1] However, when his troops begin developing spider-powers, this drastically changes things for the future of ULTIMATUM.
Infestation: Day Two
New York City is under quarantine and the cities heroes are busy keeping those infected with the spider-plague out of danger and out of trouble. Among them are the Avengers known as Ms. Marvel, Jessica Jones, and Hawkeye. Hawkeye is very upset because he has started developing spider-powers and has little control over them.[2] Getting tangled up in his own webbing, he proclaims that Spider-Man sucks. The two women are quick to defend Spider-Man, which doesn’t help his mood, especially when they think he is jealous of the web-slinger.[3] However, they stop bickering when they see an explosion and head off to investigate.
The explosion happened at the United Nations Building and the three Avengers soon see that it is under attack from Ultimatum. Realizing that she is going to be latter than planned, Jessica calls Squirrel Girl at Avengers Mansion so she can continue watching Jessica’s daughter. When Squirrel Girl gets off the phone she goes to check on baby Dani Cage and is surprised to discover that the baby has developed spider-powers of her own.
Back at the United Nations, the attack is also seen by Eugene Patillo who decides it is time for Frog-Man to go back into action. As the Avengers leap into action, Ms. Marvel is knocked away from the scene by a rocket. When she picks herself up she is greeted by Frog-Man, who reminds her that he was part of the Kentucky Initiative team.[3]
Inside the UN Building, as officials try to get to cover, Flag-Smasher and an army of minions force their way into the council chambers where they plan to set up a bomb to destroy the UN and everyone inside. While outside, Ms. Marvel rejoins the others with Frog-Man. Hawkeye and Jessica can hardly believe what they are seeing as Frog-Man attacks the ULTIMATUM soldiers that have been stationed outside.
While back at Avengers Mansion, Squirrel Girl flees from Dani Cage and frantically tries to call the girl’s mother what happened. Unfortunately, the call goes to voice mail. It is also too late as Dani Cage has finally found her.
Meanwhile, the Avengers and Frog-Man have entered the building and discovered the bomb. They try to get to it but have to deal with the ULTIMATUM soldiers that have spider-powers. During the fight, Flag-Smasher manages to hit Ms. Marvel hard enough to break her nose, revealing that he too now has spider-powers. Meanwhile, Hawkeye’s spider-sense begins going off, warning him that the bomb is about to go off and Frog-Man, Frog-Man starts feeling sick to his stomach. Quick thinking, Hawkeye uses his webbing and bow and arrow to fire the bomb outside of the building where it blows up harmlessly in the air. Furious over his scheme being ruined, Flag-Smasher tries to take it out on Frog-Man who ends up throwing up in the villain’s face. The vomit-covered terrorist is then knocked out by Ms. Marvel in retaliation for her broken nose.
Once the situation is under control, the trio return to Avengers Mansion where they find no trace of Squirrel Girl. Fearing their headquarters has been compromised they do a security sweep but find no danger. Jessica then checks on Dani, who is fast asleep in her bed. She envies her daughter who is able to sleep while all this craziness has been going on, unaware that Dani had webbed Squirrel Girl up onto the ceiling before going to bed.
… Spider-Island continues in Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #524.
Recurring Characters
Avengers (Hawkeye, Iron Man, Red Hulk) New Avengers (Ms. Marvel, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Wolverine), Frog-Man, ULTIMATUM (Flag-Smasher), Squirrel Girl, Dani Cage, Shang Chi, Agent Venom, Firestar, Gravity, Spider-King,
Continuity Notes
Mention is made about how Flag-Smasher lost his arm. His arm was bitten off by Agent Venom in Amazing Spider-Man #654.1
Hawkeye remembers some past Avengers missions:
When the team saved the city from giant octo-mechs created by Doctor Octopus happened in Amazing Spider-Man #648.
He also mentions the time that everyone was turned into Venoms. That was the Venom Bomb incident that happened in Mighty Avengers #7-9.
Hawkeye mentions how both Ms. Marvel and Jessica have had things for Spider-Man in the past:
Jessica Jones knew Peter Parker back in high school during the brief time she attending Midtown High. However, when she mustered up the courage to ask him out her attempt was interrupted when Peter was bitten by the radioactive spider that turned him into Spider-Man. See Alias #22.
Ms. Marvel on the other hand only went one date with Peter and it didn’t go to well. See Ms. Marvel (vol. 2) #47
The Kentucky Initiative team was called the Action Pack and was formed in Avengers: The Initiative #7 and included Frog-Man as a member. The group apparently disbanded following the events of Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #3.
Topical References
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is depicted as Ban Ki-Moon in this story. This should be considered a topical reference because he stepped down from this position in 2016.
