Dark Reign
Dark Reign is a comic book story arc that first appeared in Secret Invasion: Dark Reign #1
The Invasion is finally over, and a group of villains lead by Norman Osborn is ready to turn the Marvel Universe upside down.
Dark Reign Reading Order
ChecklistDecember 2008
• Avengers: The Initiative #20
• Dark Reign: New Nation
• Invincible Iron Man #8
• Ms. Marvel #34
• New Avengers #48
• Secret Invasion: Dark Reign
• Secret Invasion: Requiem
• War Machine #1
January 2009
• Avengers: The Initiative #21
• Dark Avengers #1
• Deadpool #6
• Invincible Iron Man #9
• Marvel Spotlight: Dark Reign
• Mighty Avengers #21
• Ms. Marvel #35
• New Avengers #49
• Punisher #1
• Thunderbolts #128
• Uncanny X-Men Annual #2
• War Machine #2
February 2009
• Agents of Atlas #1
• Avengers: The Initiative #22
• Black Panther #1
• Dark Avengers #2
• Dark Reign Files
• Deadpool #7
• Invincible Iron Man #10
• Mighty Avengers #22
• Ms. Marvel #36
• New Avengers #50
• Punisher #2
• Secret Warriors #1
• Thunderbolts #129
• War Machine #3
• Wolverine Origins #33
Plot
Following the events of the 2008 storyline "Secret Invasion", Norman Osborn resigns as Director of Thunderbolts and disbands the team. Immediately afterward Osborn meets with the President and is given complete control of a new world peace-keeping organization, "H.A.M.M.E.R." (as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s viability had been deemed compromised by the massive Skrull infiltration). Tony Stark is removed as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., due to his inability to stop the Skrulls and his unwillingness to give up the list of secret identities of every registered SHRA member. The Avengers and Fifty State Initiative become the Thunderbolts Initiative. Norman later meets in secret with
Meanwhile, the New Avengers (Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Ronin, Wolverine) reunite having lost Echo and Doctor Strange but have gained the original Spider-Woman, Ms. Marvel, Mockingbird and the current Captain America. At first, Iron Fist says he quits, but then Luke Cage and Jessica Jones tell the team that they need to find his baby, so Iron Fist decides to stay. With the aid of the Fantastic Four, the team begins tracking down anyone who might have a lead on the Skrull-Edwin Jarvis. They finally find a Skrull posed as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent in a bar and interrogate her. Before she can reveal the location of the baby, a drunk S.H.I.E.L.D. agent shoots and kills her. Later on, it is revealed that Luke has gone to Norman Osborn for help and agrees to sign on with him in return for help in finding his baby. Norman Osborn manages to locate the Skrull-Jarvis and has Bullseye kill it. Luke Cage goes back on his deal with Norman Osborn and gives his child to Jessica Jones. The New Avengers later watch on television about Norman Osborn unvieling his Dark Avengers. Ronin refuses to stand for it and says that the true Avengers are going to get back at them for this.
Tony Stark is now seen as a coward and is hated by the public. His Extremis powers begin to fade and he becomes weaker. His company is handed over to Osborn, as well as his suits of armor. However, in order to protect his fellow superheroes from Osborn, he infects the Superhuman Registration Act database with a computer virus while keeping the only copy within his brain.
The heroes and civilians that had been replaced by Skrulls (namely Dum Dum Dugan, Edwin Jarvis, Frog-Man, Mockingbird, Razorback, She-Thing, and Thor Girl) alongside Alicia Masters meet with Doc Samson at Camp Hammond as part of a support group. While noting the hostilities of Red Nine, Annex, Geiger, Batwing, and Prodigy II over the supposed death of Crusader, Delroy Garrett states that he is leaving the Initiative and joining up with Ryder to hunt down any Skrulls still hiding out on Earth.
Norman is called to ride aboard Air Force One by President Barack Obama. On board, Doc Samson reveals that he has footage of Norman as the Green Goblin murdering security forces inside Thunderbolts Mountain. Norman Osborn tries to frame Samson by suggesting that he was actually involved. Before Samson can play this evidence, the new Thunderbolts (Yelena Belova, Ghost and Ant-Man) take control of Air Force One and someone dressed as the Green Goblin attacks.
When some of the graduates at Camp Hammond are assigned to different teams, Baron Von Blitzschlag encounters Ragnarok, the cyborg Thor-clone, which is reactivated by a failsafe programmed by Criti Noll (which requires his access code to keep him contained). The Thor clone kills the Baron within a couple of minutes and is then attacked by Thor Girl, whom he defeats after a long and heavy fight above Camp Hammond. Trauma then poses as the real Thor to catch him of guard, which fails. Reserve member Gorilla Girl then takes on the clone. Just as she is about to lose, Counter Force (the former New Warriors) appear to fight.
Due to War Machine's recent injuries, Bethany Cabe is currently working with him and appears to have developed a clone body, called "James Rhodes 2.0", for him to take over. However, the clone body is discovered by Norman Osborn.
Following the Skrull defeat and the rise of Norman Osborn to power, the Agents of Atlas decide to oppose Osborn's agenda by taking on the role of "supervillains". Their first act is to attack Fort Knox and steal the gold reserve, which Osborn planned on using to finance a secret weapons system.
After fighting off Tiger Shark (who alongside Bob, Agent of HYDRA was hired by Norman Osborn to kill him and retrieve his head), Deadpool and Bob discuss the current events Deadpool missed while being hunted by Tiger Shark. When Deadpool hears that Norman was the one who killed the Skrull Queen, he puts two and two together about who stole the data Deadpool got from the Skrulls during the Invasion. Knowing it was supposed to be Nick Fury who got the information to kill the Skrull Queen, Deadpool sends a letter to Norman asking for 100 million dollars in hush money to keep Deadpool from ruining Osborn's heroic outlook. When Deadpool comes to Stark Tower to collect his pay he is attacked by the Thunderbolts, however with the help of Taskmaster he is able to fight off the Thunderbolts but still walks away poor. When Norman goes on television for an interview he is interupted by footage of Deadpool who makes fun of Norman behind the scenes. Norman is getting sick of Deadpool so he sends Bullseye off on a mission to kill him, however Deadpool wins the fight between the two and Bullseye reveals that Norman has agreed to pay Deadpool off in order to keep him quiet. Deadpool accepts and is paid (However the money actually came from Bullseye's own savings) , which leads to him becoming so bored that he shoots himself in the head.
After Loki resurrects Bor, the father of Odin and sets him loose on New York City, Thor flies to intervene and tries to reason with Bor. This fails and the two mark up in battle, which Thor barely survives. He lets out a call for the Avengers, but the Dark Avengers arrive and attack both gods. After a long fight, Thor decides to end it permanently and the two gods attack each other in a last attack. Thor rises up victorious, but Loki and Balder appear and tell Thor that he was fighting Odin's father and that the punishment for killing him is permanent banishment from Asgard for all of eternity. After Thor leaves, Loki is seen convincing the disgruntled Asgardians to move their home to Latveria.
After realizing who the Dark Avengers really are, they send Spider-Woman to trick Osborn into leading his team into a trap, at the abandoned Hellfire Club Mansion, where they can de-power and fight them more fairly. However, Osborn realizes their plot and sends the Hood and his criminals to eliminate them. They manage to barely escape by Spider-Woman focusing her power through Ms. Marvel. After this, Ronin goes on live television, addressing the country that they seem to have forgotten that Osborn was a murderer, and that he was in league with the Hood and he and his "New Avengers" cannot be trusted.
After the events of Secret Invasion Norman Osborn became a national hero making him Director of H.A.M.M.E.R. the sucesor of S.H.I.E.L.D. Norman Oborn decided that there was a need to make some Avengers. Norman started recollecting some non super heroes to be the new Dark Avengers. Bullseye without question became Hawkeye, Ares and Sentry went along with Osborn and when Ms. Marvel was asked to join she refused. Moonstone then became the new Ms. Marvel, Wolverine's son Daken took his fathers role, Venom was given some kind of medicene to have him look normal insted of a hulkish monster and Noh-Varr took the role of Captain Marvel instead of Marvel Boy. Finally Osborn needed somekind of symbol to replace Captain America and Iron Man all together making himself the alter ego of the Iron Patriot. Osborn with the help of Ghost hacked into Iron Man's vault to gain acces to all of the Iron Man armors and create himself the Iron Patriot armo
During all this Osborn was being watched and Doctor Doom was confronted in Latveria by a mysterious woman using magic.
Vision and Stature are on the ruins of the Avengers statue memory lane. There a new statue appeared showing the death of Wasp. Suprisingly they see statues of the Young Avengers there too they notice that they have been cover in somekind of goo making super heroes into statues. They flee from this and see the unexpected, the woman who Vision loves and who killed Cassie Langs father, the Scarlet Witch, but before any of the three can say anything Wanda teleports them out of trouble.
She then scours the globe and recolects U.S. Agent out of battle, and Hulk out of being frozen. Iron Man had some trouble at Stark Enterprises and Jarvis and Hercules met up surprised that a whole state was gone. They went to Hank Pym for help to lead the new team of Avengers but he denied because he was afraid to lead the team. Scarlet Witch went to him and told him that he was needed for the team to be complete and that all he had to do was summon his team that she had arranged for him.
Later by the words AVENGERS ASSEMBLE spoken by Hank Pym, now Wasp, and the help of the Scarlet Witch's powers the new Mighty Avengers are summoned: Vison, Stature, Hulk, Hercules, Jarvis, Scarlet Witch, Jocasta and U.S. Agent. .
Elswhere, Norman Osborn is trying to create a great team dynamic. That resemble the classic Avengers. So, he convinces Ares God of War alternate version of Thor and the Sentry. Carol Danvers then arrives in Avengers Tower. Only to see Norman Osbon pouring a drink. He invites her to lead the new team of Avengers, but she denies. Because, he is a psychopath. Norman states that if she does not join, she will be held under arrest. For becoming an "outlaw". Ares and Sentry appear. She begins to have an upsetting notion. How could they help him? Ares said that Carol was putting her ego ahead of what is right. Sentry tells Carol that Norman is helping him. Carol begins to cry, and flies out the window. In which she becomes a full member to the New Avengers. Norman says "She'll be back. Until then there are a lot of Ms. Marvels out there."
Norman Osborn confronts Carla Sofen, whom is meditating on Thunderbolts Mountain, he throws the classic Ms. Marvel costume onto her lap. She complains that she likes to be Moonstone. Norman tells her that Moonstone has to be locked up with maxium security while Ms. Marvel gets to live in a penthouse in New York. A smile spreads across her face. Moonstone is next seen dressed up as Ms. Marvel. And with that, Norman Osborn has now assembled the Dark Avengers. The group comes into conflicts with them almost hating each other, and to add to their tension, when Osborn made up his X-Men team, and Daken was placed on thier as Wolverine, Bullseye stabbed him in the cheek with a knife and asked him if he was an Avenger or an X-Men, not to mention the time when he stabbed him with an arrow in the shoulder. Osborn's cabal has shorened from 6 members to 4. Emma Frost led a betrayal on Osborn against the Dark X-Men, with Namor assisting her.
Thunderbolts:
Waiting outside Air Force One, Norman Osborn patiently waits for the
Associated Issues
Edit
Marvel's Trial of the Century begins in "War Crimes" Part 1! After ten issues of taking on madmen and monsters around the globe, War Machine's quest for justice has finally forced the world to take action. But it's not the genocidists of Santa Marco or the murderous leaders of Eeaglestar International in chains in the courtroom -- it's War Machine himself! Find out where the biggest heroes stand in the Marvel Universe when the whole planet calls James Rhodes a criminal in the series that Wizard calls "the book to beat when it comes to badass action and international espionage."
What happens when the world's smartest man starts making sloppy mistakes? With the finish line in sight, Tony blows it for everybody and now his whole insane scheme to destroy his own mind, evade Norman Osborn, and save the lives of all his friends who have tried so desperately to help him goes wildly off the rails. Nothing gold can stay, Pony-Boy.
Blastaar's alien army has seized 42, the Initiative's prison in the Negative Zone. Someone has to take it back, and the Taskmaster has assembled a team to do just that. But when Komodo looks around her at the squad of Z-list super-villains she's supposed to go into battle with, she wonders if this is a recovery job...or a suicide mission! And when she encounters familiar faces who had been incarcerated within the prison, will they be friend or foe? Also, because you demanded it--the return of Butterball!
In this first in a series of spectacular one-shots, the finest writers working at Marvel are teamed up with the most sensational artists to unveil the darkest chapters in the Dark Reign! Norman Osborn, fresh from the shocking finale of Utopia, sets his sights on the rest of the Marvel Universe. He sits down and makes a list. A list of things that are wrong with the world. Things that he needs to take care of. And the list includes almost every major player in the Marvel Universe. These specials are exciting game changers for all of Marvel Comics and represent the finest talents. This first chapter has a startling confrontation between members of the New Avengers and Dark Avengers. Clint Barton fans... you are not going to want to miss this one! Plus, a preview of the upcoming Dark Reign: The List titles!
The climactic conclusion to the crossover event of 2009 is here! This is it, the final battle for the Dark Avengers and the X-Men that will change the status quo for the Marvel Universe. Emma Frost’s betrayal comes home to roost. Cyclops’ plan clicks into place, but is it too late? What can the X-Men do against the Sentry and Ares?
Norman Osborn! Black Widow II! Songbird! Nick Fury! When you finally learn how these four powderkegs intersect and collide, you will be picking your jaw off the floor! Secrets will be uncovered, agendas will be exposed, and heads will roll in the latest wicked installment of the book ComicPants.com calls "Bold and awesome. Diggle has woven a tale of underhanded evil and it truly is a great thing to behold.”
As an Avenger, Daken is supposed to be one of the good guys˜to the public, anyway. But when a tape revealing his true colors is leaked onto the internet, Daken will be forced to clean up his act...and confront the possibility that being a hero might just be more difficult than being the villain!
After the shocking events of DAREDEVIL 500, Norman Osborn’s eyes turn to Hell’s Kitchen – and he doesn’t like what he sees. Now Osborn dispatches the only assassin he can rely on to kill Daredevil – Bullseye – but all is not as it seems. It’s a fight that’s been brewing for years…featuring the DAREDEVIL debut of writer Andy Diggle, and the superstar talents of artist Billy Tan!
Tony hides out where it all began as Madame Masque's moment of triumph rings out across all the corners of Norman Osborn's empire. Black Widow and Maria Hill are trapped in the belly of the beast. Pepper's suit is in the possession of H.A.M.M.E.R. And when Stark's one last sloppy mistake gives up his location, it's Osborn himself that suits up and gets in the game. It all ends next issue, kids.
Down on his luck, MODOK moves back into his parent's house in Erie, Pennsylvania and discovers that his family, old classmates and apathetic locals can thwart his plans for world conquest better than any super hero. Featuring obligatory guest appearances by Norman Osborn and some Canadian mutant super hero you've probably never heard of.
Dark Reign : The List Part 3
Following an all-out war with Norman Osborn - director of the national peacekeeping organization H.A.M.M.E.R. - and his Dark Avengers, the X-Men left San Francisco. Raising the abandonned Asteroid M from the dephts of the Pacific Ocean, the X-Men declared it a haven for mutantkind, an island sanctuary fre of Osborn's juridiction. But Norman is determined not to let the X-Men slip through is fingers so easily... particulary the two mutants among their number who have betrayed him : Emma Frost and Namor, King of Atlantis
The fallout of UTOPIA begins here. What else could Norman Osborn possibly do to the X-Men? ...CLASSIFIED... Plus, Matt Fraction's first Marvel story featuring the X-Men!
WAR OF THE MARVELS CONTINUES! The only women who can hope to defeat Norman Osborn refuses to fight, and the Dark Reign takes permanent hold on the Marvel Universe--it's Moonstone triumphant as War of the Marvels reaches it's penultimate episode!
A one-shot collection of Marvel's digital exclusives released over the summer of '09. These shorts explore the impact of Osborn's rise on minor characters such as Attuma, The Enforcer, Spymaster, Jack O'Lantern and the Gamma Corps.
It was bound to happen and now it has. The Hood loses his grip on the colorful criminals that make his empire. It's a super-villian turf war and guess who is stuck in the middle? That's right... the powerless New Avengers. Not to mention the powerless Dark Avengers (who guest star, btw.) Who will replace the Hood as Kingpin of criminals??
The comic kicks off where #56 ended, with the New Avengers and Dark Avengers being drained of their abilities by a "power drainer" used by Doctor Harrow. The Hood's Gang now without the Hood asks for a deal with Norman..basically to work for him and he complies because of the situation. Horrow gives the Dark Avengers their powers back but leaves the New Avengers to die or be arrested by the Dark Avengers.Mockingbird comes with the Jet to rescue them,some more injured than others. On the way into the jet...Spider-Man decides to go at Norman Osborn who gave chase taking him out of commission so they could get away. Apparently upon losing his powers Cage suffered a cardiac defect and will die soon if he doesn't get his powers back. The New Avengers take him to Night Nurse but she cannot help him so when the Dark Avengers come to arrest them, Cage gives himself up hoping Norman will cure him of his ailment and the New Avengers escape.
Poor Marvel Boy... he had no idea how sinister a gang the Dark Avengers actually is. And now he is running for his life. And poor Ares, he has no idea where his son goes while he is off being an Avenger. And now he is going to find out. And when he does... there will be hell to play. Guest-starring Nick Fury and the Secret Warriors. Oh, you heard that right. Ares versus Nick Fury! You know when Stan used to say 'nuff said? This is the kind of thing he was 'nuff saiding about!
Emma Frost’s secret dealings with the Cabal come to light and her life will never be the same.
The seeds of discontent bear fruit in the new Initiative as several members rebel against Norman Osborn's new regime, and one state team openly secedes...but Norman and the Taskmaster don't take kindly to disobedience. The Avengers Resistance is having troubles of its own, however, as one New Warrior quits...another is taken prisoner...and Tigra's campaign of revenge escalates. Meanwhile, the therapy sessions between Trauma and Penance take what could be a very dangerous turn...and Butterball fever hits America! It's action, intrigue and tangled webs being weaved in the mighty manner!
Everything comes to a head in this fiery finale, as The Hood tries to hold together his mob, his family, and his sanity...and he will definitely lose at least one! Plus: Parker Robbins learns more about his relationship with the malevolent Dormammu, and just who has been betraying him! It's your chance to take one more look at the human side of the man in the center of the Dark Reign!
The mysterious circumstances surrounding the final showdown between the Lethal Legion and the Dark Avengers are finally revealed! What could have happened that day that forever altered Marvel's criminal underworld as we know it? Twits, turns, terror-and a shocking conclusion you won't want to miss!
This is it, the finale to writer Andy Diggle’s run! Who is Scourge? What is Black Widow II’s game? Who answers Songbird’s cry for help? All the answers are supplied here, in the latest shocking installment of the book that ComicPants.com calls “Bold and awesome…One of the best books Marvel puts out. Period.”
Mac Gargan vs. well, just about everyone. The Dark Avengers! The Redeemers, er, Redeemers! J. Jonah Jameson! It's a fight to the finish as your Frightening Neighborhood Spider-Man eats as many people as possible in 22 pages.
Nick Fury and a long-dormant spy now reactivated continue their top secret mission while the kids get in way over their heads as they go up against members of the Dark Avengers and the Thunderbolts...and while no one else is looking, HYDRA's grand plans continue to unfold. All that and Ares is finally reunited with his son - watch the sparks fly! It's GOD OF FEAR. GOD OF WAR. Part two of four!
Norman Osborn's got it in for Marvel's super spy, but what happens when he needs Nick Fury to uncover a breach in National Security? Nothing good, nothing good at all. It's lies, interrogations, double-crosses and just a whole bunch of meanness - It's the LIST. Plus, Nick Fury Files and a classic reprint.
Second Story: Today Earth Died!
(reprint from Strange Tales (1951) #168)
Nick Fury is reflecting on his recent encounter with Yellow Claw in space. Except Claw turned out to be a fake automaton! Nick is rehearsing a speech he wants to make to Jimmy Woo, inviting him to come and work for SHIELD. He dozes off but is awoken by an alert from Val (The Contessa) that something strange has been seen in the sky above New York. Fury hops in Val's Jaguar and heads off to see what's happening. People in the street are looking up at the strange sight of a weird space ship and psychedelic colors floating above the city. Chet Huntley of NBC reports on the scene, describing the arrival of Nick Fury, and the appearance of the strange occupant of the ship: a golden man in a tunic carrying a curious gem in his hand.
Meanwhile back at SHIELD, The Contessa and Dum Dum exchange in some casual banter as they get ready to head out and help Nick.
At the city, the golden man explains his presence. His name is Vaengr. He comes from a race that has decided to give humanity a means to end hatred, crime, war and violence! The gem he is carrying will grant Nick this wish if he chooses.
The Contessa and Dum Dum show up just in time to see Nick boarding the ship. The Contessa is suspicious - Nick urges them to join him, and The Contessa to use her scanner on their surroundings. When she points it at Vaengr he appears distinctly inhuman!
We briefly cut to see Jimmy Woo watching a video recording from Nick Fury, urging him to leave the FBI and join SHIELD. Jimmy silently absorbs what he hears in the message.
Back at the space ship Vaengr lashes out with an energy bolt - he knows he's been rumbled! Dum Dum and The Contessa are turned to ash right in front of Nick Fury! Vaengr moves to do the same to Nick but Fury's too quick and he throws a pellet at him that traps the alien, stopping him from reaching for his headband. Nick steals it for himself and puts it on. Both he and Vaengr now turn into horrific alien monsters and start to fight. As they wrestle, Vaengr reveals that the gem, the 'prism of miracles,' is in fact a 'world killing machine.' Vaengr was sent to Earth to eradicate all life. He says humans have turned on the machine and upset the balance of the Universe and now it is all over! Everything freezes for a moment... Then Nick Fury wakes up!
Dum Dum is standing over him - he thinks Fury is acting strangely, like he's never done before. He suggests they go to the gym for a few rounds together. Nick mulls over what must have all been a horrible dream. Dum Dum walks off - as he goes he says Val has news of a strange UFO that has been spotted. Nick freezes in terror and drops his cigar match...
The explosive climax! New York in flames! Norman Osborn tearing out his bizarre-looking hair! The deepest, darkest secrets are finally revealed as Zodiac makes his big play. But will a lone H.A.M.M.E.R. Agent expose him before he can fulfill his destiny? You've never seen super-villainy like this!
Oh hey, you know how Norman Osborn was once the Green Goblin, but he got it under control and now he's one of the most powerful people in the free world? Oh, and you know that whole thing about him being a ticking time bomb who could snap at any minute? Yeah... you might want to check this issue out. The smash hit of the year continues!!
Dark Avenger's latest mission has taken them to dinaosaur, Colorado, on the trail of a missing politician's daughter, where Norman has come face to face with the insanely powerful team of Molecule Man, The Beyonder, The Enchantress, Mephisto and Zarathos...
Norman Osborn thought he had a plan for keeping the Green Goliath frum mussing his wavy koif -- but he forgot about the Hulk's most dangerous incarnation. Now the H.A.M.M.E.R. comes down as Banner and Skaar face Osborn's deadlist female fatales in a monumental of brawn and brains. Plus a reprinting of Amazing Spider-Man #14, the first appearence of the Green Goblin & guest-starring the Hulk.
"MY HERO" The unimaginable has happened - both Daken and Norman's plans has backfired! Now the victim of his own manipulations, beat almost to death by a gang of second-rate villians - Daken is forced to make an almost impossible admission: this "hero" thing is harder than it looks! But will digging himself out of the hole he's put himself in restore his pride - or ruin him forever?
WORLD'S MOST WANTED: THE CONCLUSION. Everything ends.
Meet the new Thunderbolts...Power Man and Iron Fist?! Norman Osborn in need of a powerful duo to send on a top secret mission, makes the former heroes for hire a deal they can't refuse! Luke Cage and Danny Rand have no choice but to become Osborn's personal assassins! What could have caused all this? Fan-favorite writer Rick Remender (PUNISHER) and rising-star artist Mahumad A. Asrar (NOVA ANNUAL #1) spill all the secrets - and some blood - in this 100 proof blow-out!
It’s just a bloody mess as the ridiculously over-the-top Krew of Skrull Killers finally confronts an enemy that may be too much for them to handle. The cover has a cow with a gun mouth…and that’s nowhere NEAR the weirdest thing in the issue.
Ares - The God of War! His relentless brutality and his bloodthirsty drive to attain victory at any cost earned him only scorn from his fellow gods in the Greek pantheon, and exile from Olympus. After thousands of years living as a man and fighting in man's bloody, petty conflicts, Ares joined the ranks of Earth's mightiest heroes - the Avengers. Now Norman Osborn - the head of the corrupted Dark Avengers and director of the paramilitary intelligence agency H.A.M.M.E.R. - wants the finest fighting force the God of War can provide. He charges Ares with hand-picking an elite squad of soldiers and beating them into the hardest, sharpest warriors ever to wield a M-60 in each hand. And that's exactly what Ares will need, when the goddess hera provides him with a fighting chance to regain his standing in the patheon's eyes. And Ares is taking his men with him into the battle of their lives.
Frank Castle has disabled much of Norman Osborn's criminal underground, tarnished his well groomed public image and attempted to assassinate him. Today Osborn returns the favor. With Frank still torn apart from his battle with the Hood, Osborn dedicates himself and every single H.A.M.M.E.R. resource to one goal: killing The Punisher. To make sure they don't fail, The Dark Avengers are going with them. Somebody has to die. Somebody will. Legendary artist John Romita Jr. returns to The Punisher, joined by regular series writer Rick Remender for this, the most ferocious battle of Frank Castle's life. Plus, a preview of the next exciting chapter of the Punisher.
The power mad Norman Osborn wants control of the weapon plus program. The enternally-surly Wolverine wants to stop him. The artificially-evolved super-sentinal Fantomex wants to shoot everyone in the face and zip away in his kick-ass flying saucer. The Kree warrior Marvel Boy just wants the hell out. And the all-new Weapon XVI wants to bring the world to it's knees. And you should want to read it. PLUS: Jason Aaron's never-before reprinted first Wolverine story, from Wolverine (first series) 175 - and more!
The Hood's control over his turf is challenged. Big time. And you won't belive by who. And you won't believe wher the Hood is getting his newfound powers from. A big status quo change for the power brokers of the Marvel Universe. Guest-starring the Cabal. All that and guess which Avengers hok up in this issue.And by hook up... we mean "hook up".
WAR OF THE MARVELS: THE FINAL CHAPTER There's only room for one Ms.Marvel, and both Carol Danvers and Karla Soffen will kill for the mantle. It's the ultimate showdown of Dark Reign as the lines between good and evil are blurred...and the last Ms.Marvel standing will face the surprise
ending of the year!
GOD OF WAR. PART THREE OF FOUR! Nick Fury's secret base is infiltrated by Norman Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R., and with Marvel's super spy on a top secret mission, the kids have to fend for themselves. It's Ares, Bullseye, and Iron Patriot versus the Secret Warriors. GOD OF FEAR!
A DARK REIGN TIE-IN! For the last nine issues, Norman Osborn and James Rhodes have attempted to destroy each other's most precious hopes and dreams - all without ever seeing each other face to face. But now everything comes to a head as the Iron Patriot and War Machine finally throw down! And this ain't just another show fight, kids -- by the end of the issue, only one armoured giant will remain standing. Find out why Comicbookresources.com says, "Little did I know how far Greg Pak would take this concept...this issue proves that it refuses to let itself be overlooked. It won't sit quietly in it's little corner and play nice."
Norman Osborn has saved his best for last as he takes on the most powerful item on his evil To-Do List. The violent tension between Spider-Man and Norman has grown for years and has been building to a boil for the last few months after Osborn's last defeat at Spidey's hands at the end of American Son. Norman can no longer put off what needs to be done. Plus, the story from Pulse #5 outing Norman Osborn as the Green Goblin to the world.
The explosive smash hit from Brian Bendis and Mike Deodato continues!! The Dark Avengers are pitted against a foe they cannot defeat: A man with the power over every molecule in the world! Norman can't talk his way out of this one as the world gets turned upside down and no joke..someone dies. For reelz!!
The blood hits the fan in the first new issue by new writer Jeff Parker (AGENTS OF ATLAS)! It's been too long since Mr.X has killed and he neeeds his next fix! Ghost has taken notice, and sees an opportunity...while Scrouge is seeing things that no one should! Add in the selfish intentions of Paladin and Ant-Man, stir with a stick of dynamite and...BOOM! You've heard raves about Parker's ATLAS (heroes pretending to be villains)...but now it's time to let him loose on some real fiends!
Everyone’s favorite Merc with a Mouth has the Thunderbolts in his crosshairs – but don’t expect this murderer’s row of butt-kickers to lay down! The nastiest fight of ’09 has begun, and you’ve got the front row seat for all the ultra violence that Andy Diggle and Bong Dazo can dish up!
The phenom that is the Dark Avengers continues. BATTLEGROUND LATVERIA as Morgana Le Fey attacks with all the power at her disposal. Meanwhile these new Avengers discover all the dirt and hidden secrets of their notorious pasts.
“LIVING IN DARKNESS,” PART 3—The only thing
standing between the new king of crime and his dark reign of New York
is a lone soldier doing what none of the capes will: taking out the bad
guys permanently. Frank Castle has torn open an artery of the most
feared crime family in the history of New York, and it will not go
unanswered. A lesson must be taught — a bloody, public lesson. How can
the Punisher possibly contend? With an arsenal of the most powerful
weapons in the Marvel Universe — and a smile.
“WEAPON XI”
A DARK REIGN TIE-IN! Daken battles the X-Men for possession of the
deadly Muramasa Blade! Can Wolverine stop him, or is Daken’s fate
sealed? Is he, like his father, destined to become...a weapon? Part (2
of 5)
WHO IS THE NEW SORCERER SUPREME? Doctor Strange has failed as the Master of the Mystic Arts and all the other mystic characters are the heir apparent. Strange comes to the New Avengers for help as the mystic battle royale begins. Plus, how can the Avengers trust Spider-Man if he won't take his mask off?
How can the Mighty Avengers save all of reality from one of their greatest foes... when they can't even stop fighting each other? To survive their first trial by fire, lines will be crossed, ideals will be compromised, and not every hero will make the cut. You better read this issue of DARK REIGN, guys. Why? Because this one's going to change the Marvel landscape! Literally!
It's a throwdown in Hong Kong against the mysteriously powered Ghazi as Ms. Marvel finally discovers the origin of her mysterious enemy. However, Carol has been keeping a secret connected to the Dark Reign concerning Norman Osborn and it may just mean she won't survive the fight.
War Machine God of War = Get the heck out of the way! As Rhodey’s commando run against the mercenaries of Eaglestar International explodes into open warfare in the capitol city of Aqiria, our one-man-army makes two shocking discoveries. First, the horrifying secret of Eaglestar's wartech may strike closer to home than he ever suspected. And second, the only thing worse than having Ares, God of War, as an enemy...is having him as a friend!
She's the deadliest woman in the world...and she's never been in worse shape. Broken, beaten, and tortured by alien scientists, Elektra stumbles to freedom in the aftermath of the Skrull invasion. Now she struggles and fights to stay barely alive, and to clear her name for atrocities committed by an impostor. A LOT of people want Elektra killed...and in her state, that shouldn't be too difficult...By Zeb Wells (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and Clay Mann (DAREDEVIL)!
As Hera consolidates her takeover of Olympus, marking Hercules and Athena for death, she reaches out to forge an alliance with the greatest mortal power on the planet -- NORMAN OSBORN! With the forces of Heaven and Earth both arrayed against our heroes, how can they possibly survive? And what role does the ex-New Warrior AEGIS play in Hera's mad scheme?
Special crossover with the Thunderbolts! Love is in the air, and so are a lot of bullets! Is Black Widow really falling for Deadpool, or is she using her feminine whiles to bamboozle our questionable hero? Here's a hint: Her names Black Widow! Don't do it, Wade! Magnum Opus, the shoot 'em up romp of the year, as it revs toward it's conclusion as Deadpool pulls an ace from his sleeve. Enter: TASKMASTER!
******* SPOILERS *******
What she doesn't know but soon finds out is, that the This issue begins with Deadpool having asked The Black Widow if she had a boyfriend. The response is less than what Deadpool was hoping for, as the Black Widow takes her anger out on his man parts.
Or at leat she would have if he wasn't packing a gun in his jock. They continue their flirting until the Paladin shows up and starts gunning for Deadpool wh quickly teleports away.
Deadpool is back at his hideout talking to the Taskmaster, the two of them exchange witty banter as they prepare for the next attack. Something involving both of them being dressed the same.
We then cut to the Black Widow who is sittng barefoot at a table in the Thunderbolt headquarters. Paladin confronts her on what she is doing, she tells him she is researching Deadpool to come up with a plan to capture him.
His escape is one thing that Norman Osbourne is chastising the team about. When the quesion of how they are going to recapture him, Norman simply suggests they read the number of of the banner being dragged by an airplane.
Black Widow calls the number and understands that Deadpool is most likely tracing the phone call.
call is just a diversion, and Deadpool attacks her team outside their headquarters. He teleports into the Thunderbolt headquarters where he and Black Widow fight. A fight that ends with Deadpool giving her a big kiss.
Before he can find out where that might lead him, the Thunderbolts call on the radio saying they are on their way back up, and Deadpool teleports back to his headquarters.
There he reconviens with Taskmaster and the two set out to make their final run against the Thnderbolts. One on the ground, fighting the team, and one on the roof with Black Widow. The Widow does her flirting and offers to fly Deadpool away, but when he gets on th plane, he finds that he is trapped.
The fallout of Reed's machine results in Sue, Ben and Johnny finding themselves in the middle of a super hero Hyborian-age civil war, while Reed searches for answers to questions that can only be found in alternate timelines. Back on Earth, it's Val and Franklin versus the agents of H.A.M.M.E.R.!
Ronin & Mockingbird have found each other again, but they might be wishing they hadn't! There's a ticking time bomb out there and these two are going to have to either set aside their issues or duke it out before an entire city goes "BOOM!" Odds are there'll be a fight! Plus, what secret has Bobbi been carrying with her since BEFORE the Skrulls abducted her? Find out here as THE REUNION continues!
The Black Panther is back…and she’s badder than ever. That’s right -- she! Wakanda stands at the brink: Something happened to T’Challa -- something awful -- and there’s only one person who can replace him. As this brave soul embarks in the dangerous ritual to become the new Black Panther, the stakes have never been higher. An unstoppable force is headed toward Wakanda. Morlun -- Devourer of Totems -- is back, and he’s hungry.
The most talked-about new Marvel series continues as HYDRA's plans pick up speed while more remnants of S.H.I.E.L.D. fall. Nick Fury reconnects with an old colleague and finds out that the balance has shifted between him and some of his former soldiers. All that, and the Warriors suffer their first casualty of war.
Pepper Potts takes flight! Maria Hill fights back! And Iron Man heads for a Stark Lab hiding somewhere in the briny deep where Norman Osborn dispatches PRINCE NAMOR to take him out. Man oh man is THAT gonna be a fight for the ages.
Back in the 1950's our heroes fall deeper into the mystery of the Dragon's Corridor- leading them to Communist plots and two mysteriously familiar bodies on ice. In the present day, a similar trail of intrigue winds back to secret plans of the Atlas Foundation. The Agents look to be building a hellish arsenal for Norman Osborn, and they've just gotten the attention of none other than CAPTAIN AMERICA!
From a world where society as we know it has crumbled and humanity has been irrevocably changed, she comes—the all-new, all-different SAVAGE SHE-HULK! But now, a deadly mission has brought her to current Marvel continuity. What terrible secret does this gamma-irradiated beauty bare? And is she friend or foe, Inhuman or mutant, Avenger, Defender...or Invader?
From the pages of DARK AVENGERS—Bullseye cuts loose! The media knows him only as Hawkeye–-but we know he’s really the psychopath named Bullseye! How does the world’s deadliest assassin fit in with Norman Osborn’s hand-picked team of public do-gooders? What’s his agenda, and how does it instantly jeopardize the entire Avengers legacy? And how long can the most ruthless killer ever to walk the Earth be kept on a leash? The one-two punch of writer Andy Diggle (THUNDERBOLTS) and Tom Raney (SECRET INVASION: INHUMANS) unite for the solo mini-series that puts the innocent right in the angry archer’s crosshairs!
Frank Castle is being hunted. Lured into a trap, and torn to pieces by a team of unassailable foes, the Punisher retreats into the dark underground of New York in hopes of discovering the identity of his relentless pursuer. Someone who knows his modus operandi. Someone who anticipates his every move. Someone who has a personal investment in seeing Frank dead. The most astonishing reveal in years!
Who is the new sorcerer supreme? The entire marvel universe hangs in the balance as the new avengers race to help the fallen doctor strange battle the forces of the dark dimension as they make their earthly power play.
During the darkest days of the Cold War a weapon was forged; more powerful, more fearsome and more adaptable than any the world had ever seen. The world has since changed…and so, too, must the weapon that could one day destroy it. Evolution cannot be stopped, but there is one man –Wolverine, for the love of his son—who is going to try. Part 3 (of 5).
The SCARLET WITCH is back and her brother wants answers! Join QUICKSILVER as he races around the globe, hunting down the MIGHTY AVENGERS! Plus, what's HANK PYM'S problem with MR. FANTASTIC? And what does NORMAN OSBORN have in store for Earth's Mightiest Heroes?
Guest starring QUICKSILVER, and featuring appearances by the YOUNG AVENGERS and the FANTASTIC FOUR.
The DARK AVENGERS versus the OLYMPUS GROUP versus Herc & Co! 'NUFF SAID!
Even for a lethal ninja assassin who's been to the far side of death and back, Elektra faces the fight of her life! Freed from her torment at the hands of mad Skrull scientists, and delivered straight into the grabby hands of Norman Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R., Elektra's been imprisoned, tortured, vivisected, and even replaced with a genetic double. But the deadliest woman in the world still managed to free herself, and now, hobbling and wounded, she struggles to clear her name for her impostor's crimes even as she fights to stay alive!
Pulled from the ashes of 1994, straight to the 21st century, the Skrull Kill Krew is back more brutal than ever! Television writer and novelist Adam Felber (HBO's REAL TIME; Schrodinger's Cat) and superstar artist Paulo Siqueira (Ms.Marvel; Amazing Spider-Man) bring you a disturbing and violent tale of a man with a couple of big guns and a bunch of alien shape shifters who harkens back to the earliest days of the Marvel Universe. Pull up a chain gun and join us, won't you?
This is it...the explosive issue that changes everything! From the moment it was formed, the Initiative has had more than its share of dark secrets. Now, they've all come out. On top of everything else, can the Initiative survive this? Well, the title of this story is THE INITIATIVE: DISASSEMBLED...
FROM THE PAGES OF DARK AVENGERS! Now it can be revealed. After the fall of Carol Danvers, the villainous Moonstone has now taken up the mantle of the world’s greatest super-heroine. And don’t worry…she’s gonna save the hell out of you.
SPECIAL CROSSOVER WITH DEADPOOL! The maniacal Merc with a Mouth has Norman Osborn’s Thunderbolts in his crosshairs – and they’ve got him in theirs! The nastiest fight of ’09 explodes here, and you’ve got the front row seat for all the ultra violence that Andy Diggle (DARK REIGN: HAWKEYE) and Bong Dazo can dish up in the book that Aint It Cool News says “continues to impress”!
This issue opens and we see the Thunderbolts have Deadpool trussed up. Norman Osbourne is irritated that 1. Deadpool is still alive, and 2. he no longer has the teleporter on him.
Norman goes off on The Headsman to the point where the Headsman picks up his axe to cut off Deadpools head. Before he has a chance though, another Deadpool shows up and stops him.
Norman orders the Thunderbolts to kill them both. This prompts the Black Widow to immediately attack the Deadpool who had just escaped from his restraints. ( he is known as Deadpool 1) The two of them fight, and he quickly dispatches her, and turns his attention to the Headsman.
After a quick beatdown given to the Headsman, the story cuts to Ant Man who is in a panic now after watching his colleagues fall. Deadpool 2 tries to shoot him, but Ant Man crawls into his costume. Annoyed Deadpool 2 begins to shoot himself trying to take Ant Man out. Unfortunately he only takes himself out.
In the middle of the fight Norman Osbourne gets into a jet, and begins to take off. Deadpool 2, already healed up teleports into the plane, while Black Widow hooks a line up to it, and begins to be pulled behind the Jet.
Inside the Jet Deadpool 2 holds a gun to Norman Osbournes head and says that Norman owes him. This angers Norman to no end, and he attacks Deadpool and beats him to a pulp. Forgetting that he should have been flying the plane.
As the door to the plane opens, Black Widow jumps in yelling for Osbourne to get down as she shoots Deadpool in the chest. Osbourne orders her to cut off his head, but before she does that The Headsmans Axe falls across Deadpools neck.
A DARK REIGN TIE-IN! War Machine faces the biggest fight of his life when his new best friend, Ares, God of War, reveals his dark side! That’s right, everything you’ve seen Ares do before was him in a good mood! Meanwhile, Norman Osborn makes our one-man-army an offer that he might not be able to refuse! To save his soul, will Jim Rhodes work for the devil himself? Find out in the book that has IGN saying, "Leonardo Manco's beautiful art matches the subject matter perfectly…(for the) shoot'em up comic with the sci-fi twist."
Doctor Doom! Emma Frost! The Hood! Namor the Sub-Mariner! Loki! They’re the members of Norman Osborn’s secret Cabal of villainy, united in common cause as they move to change the very landscape of the Marvel Universe!
Now, in five all-new stories, learn how each member of this sinister syndicate intends to capitalize on the situation—and perhaps how they intend to deal with each other should it prove necessary!
Norman Osborn is through playing around with Deadpool—it’s time to send in the big guns. The big, crazy guns that never, ever miss. He may be wearing a new costume, but he’s still the same ol’ psychopath…
The mighty Thor and both the New and Dark Avengers join forces against the frost-giant Ymir in a battle that will have terrifying consequences for the Marvel Universe--and for these heroes--in the days to come! Top-flight creators Brian Michael Bendis and Jim Cheung combine talents to bring you an absolutely essential all-new touchstone story for what's coming up in the Marvel Universe--and it's yours, absolutely FREE!
After last issue’s bombshell revelation, the hits keep coming for Mockingbird and Ronin as they begin their infiltration to stop a weapon of mass destruction from destroying an entire city. Plus, the question that’s been on everyone’s mind, especially Clint’s: What happened to Mockingbird while she was held captive by the Skrulls? Find out here as the Reunion 15 years in the making continues!
What a difference a half-century makes: As the Agents of 1958 find themselves battling deep behind the Iron Curtain, the Agents of today are locked in mortal conflict with Captain America! And if Bob Grayson loses his mind, that may very well be the end for the Agents of today!
Tony's flight for freedom goes international! Pepper Potts: Prisoner of H.A.M.M.E.R.! And things get very bad for Maria Hill deep in the heart of Texas! As Tony struggles to keep the Silver Centurion armor up and running, Norman Osborn's noose tightens around his neck – every freak and fiend in his rogues gallery is gunning for him – and Madame Masque gets the keys to the kingdom. WORLD'S MOST WANTED hits the halfway point and absolutely no one is safe.
The most talked about new Marvel series rolls on as we find out the answer to the question: What happened to all the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Plus, Daisy Johnson recruits a new member to replace a fallen comrade, the kids spy on Nick Fury and we follow the Colonel as he starts his one man war against the endless hordes of HYDRA.
Bullseye cuts loose in this DARK REIGN tie-in! Reporter Ben Urich investigates a brutal massacre that has all the hallmarks of the notorious assassin Bullseye. But can Urich connect the murders to the Dark Avenger known as Hawkeye? Norman Osborn must bring H.A.M.M.E.R. down to hide the awful truth before it tears the team apart—and poisons the Avengers' noble legacy forever! The killer creative team of Andy Diggle (THUNDERBOLTS) and Tom Raney (SECRET INVASION: INHUMANS) spins the spotlight on one of Marvel’s most controversial characters!
The Melter; The Executioner; The Enchantress; Egghead; Big Zero and Coat of Arms: they call themselves the Young Avengers, teenage rebels, on the run from the authorities, hated and feared by a world they've sworn to protect. Their interests include interspecies romance, modern art and bloody murder. Everything is permitted, and so are they. Until they meet the original Young Avengers. And then their grey areas will come home to roost.
As the all-new, all-different She-Hulk continues her relentless rampage through New York, the mysterious target of the desperate mission that brought her to our time period is revealed -- and it's a doozy! Only one thing stands between the daughter of Hulk and Thundra and the object of her quest -- her name is JENNIFER WALTERS, and she won't let the She-Hulk mantle be taken away from her without a catfight that measures 10 on the Richter scale! And no matter what the outcome, the DARK AVENGERS wait in the wings to take on the winner! Plus, 8 pages of Director’s Cut-style extras!
Betrayal runs rampant! Spitfire is offered a high rank in the vampire state—will she take it? Does she have a chance? A traitor is discovered in the ranks of British Intelligence. But what are the chances that he’s the only one. Pete Wisdom’s main concern is keeping his people alive, but with his track record and who they’re up against, it’s not looking good.
Frank Castle will kill the Hood or die trying. With his city under siege, a high bounty on his head and nothing left to lose, The Punisher dives in for a direct confrontation with New York's new kingpin of crime -- and what he discovers within The Hood’s secret base will shock the Marvel Universe to its core. Who is The Hood’s mysterious new lieutenant? What is The Hood truly capable of? And exactly how far will he go to take down the biggest threat to his brutal underworld reign?
Issue #5 brings the throwdown to end all throwdowns! The Agents of Atlas face off with the NEW AVENGERS!!! What a perfect time for M-11 to take one of his unpredictable courses of decisive action. Rated V for VIOLENT.
Forced to fight their way through time, Sue, Ben and Johnny have to defend the Holy Land in the Crusades, Conquer the Wild West and beat back the Nazis while Franklin and Val are busy back in the Baxter Building preparing for the arrival of Norman Osborn.
All that, and the return of the Illuminati!
A new killer joins the Norman Osborn’s terrifying team! Our crazed covert ops squad sets out to recruit one of the world's deadliest fighters: the ruthless Wolverine foe known only as Mr. X! But first they must defeat him in single combat, and that's easier said than done—especially when one of the Thunderbolts is hiding a deadly secret that could spell death for them all!
A fatigued and badly wounded Elektra is out of H.A.M.M.E.R. custody and on the run, and Norman Osborn wants her neutralized. Nothing for it but to send his best anti-Elektra operative – the Dark Avengers’ own…HAWKEYE! He killed her once when he was Bullseye. Does a wounded Elektra even stand a chance?
Straight from the pages of NEW AVENGERS and DARK REIGN: THE CABAL—go deep into the cutthroat world of The Hood! You may know him as the tough-talking crime boss who’s organizing the villains of NYC while wheeling and dealing with the likes of Loki and Dr. Doom. But what about his pregnant girlfriend, addict cousin and institutionalized mother that we met back in his debut mini? And what price is he paying for his rapid climb up the ranks of crime and power? Writer Jeff Parker (AGENTS OF ATLAS) and Kyle Hotz (THE HOOD: BLOOD FROM STONES) invite you to spend a week in the life of Parker Robinson, one of the key characters in Dark Reign, as he struggles to keep his professional and personal lives from destroying each other!
Summery
Someone waits for someone on 53rd street on a stake-out. Minutes later the target appears. It is the Hood.
Meanwhile members of the Hood's gang wait in three different locations waiting for three trucks heading down three different routes. Only one of these trucks is the real target. While Piledriver and Bushwacker wait up town, and Griffin and Crossfire wait at the George Washington Bridge, Thunderball, Wreaker and John King wait in Central Park. The target truck is filed with a fortune kept by the sex crazed son of the Sultan of Brunel Bubu Marzouk. Meanwhile Bubu is in a limo with a masked prostitute who turns out to be Madam Masque who finds out from Bubu the real location of the fortune truck.
The truck is in Central Park. Thunderball knocks over the truck with his wreaking ball. Two men get out of the trucks nad shot bullets at Thunderball and Wreaker which have no effect. But then they pull out paralyzing guns which hurt the two. Bt they are saved by the Hood was in Central Park the whole time in vanishing mode. He shots the two men in the face. They drag the bodies in the truck and leave the park.
On the ride back, Hood begins o think if he is killing people for no reason. He is then confronted by Dormammu who tells Parker that he is always going to be by the Hood's side at all times. No matter what.
That night the Hood and his gang celebrate the capture of the treasure with a party of drinks and strippers. Meanwhile Controller talks of a plan with other gang members about a plan to heist Stark Tech. Hood gets into the meeting canceling Controller's plan. After Hood leaves to see Madam Masque, Demonicous and Controller mock Hood' s authority but John King comes in explaining who Hoods roots as a criminal at the start has gotten him and his gang to the top while they have failed in the past because they started as scientists and later as criminals. Meanwhile Hood and Madam Masque joke around in a private room before getting sexual with each other.
Moments later Parker arrives at the home of Sara and his daughter Brianna. It is revealed that Parker is just trying to make sure his daughter has a better life so she won't have to struggle. Sara tells Parker she doesn't mind what he does, but she doesn't want anyone to die at his hands.
Later on Hood sneaks into a building but is smashed threw a window by the one targeting him. As the Hood lays a wreak on the floor, White Fang stands above him.
WHO WILL BE THE NEXT SORCERER SUPREME? And will he or she survive the initiation? The Avengers fight a battle that they know will shape the future of the Marvel Universe for years to come!
The Dark Reign is in full effect. Carol Danvers is dead.Moonstone has taken on the mantle of Ms. Marvel. And the only hope for the forces of good is...Machine Man?! Brian Reed & Patrick Olliffe kick off a new chapter in the legend of Ms. Marvel!
THE INITIATIVE: DISASSEMBLED CONTINUES! A Dark Reign has fallen. Norman Osborn has disbanded S.H.I.E.L.D. and shut down Camp Hammond. That leaves the Shadow Initiative out in the cold...stuck in Madripoor with no means of escape, hunted by an army of Hydra agents, including Wolverine's old foes, Bloodscream and Roughhouse! They have no idea if Norman even knows they’re out there, or if they’re better off if he doesn’t! If you thought changing costumes was the biggest event in Taskmaster's career, you cannot miss this issue...
DARK REIGN TIE-IN!
The lead-up to Amazing Spider-Man #600 begins here.
Spider-Man editor Stephen Wacker here with a quick message. Look, this solicit is being written before you dear readers even know how CHARACTER ASSASSINATION ends and the major changes that spill out of it, so I can’t tell ya much, but believe me, if you haven’t been keeping up with Spidey...it’s time.
Following immediately on the heels of “24/7”, Spider-Man’s world has become more messed-up and stressful than ever and the fact that his biggest enemy, is in charge of the world…and the Avengers…is only the icing on a really dangerous cake.
Now faced with hard choices about family and friendship, Spider-Man knows exactly what he has to do to save the world…it’s time to take down Norman Osborn.
Disturbing visions plucked from the malignant mind of Norman Osborn lead the intrepid Agents to the darkest depths of the Atlantic Ocean, where Namora must have words with her infamous cousin - The Sub-Mariner! What happens next shocks her team, who must prepare to say goodbye to their aquatic avenger!
When Namora brings the Agents of Atlas to Atlantis..things seems to go well at first.Then it gets heated when Namora decides she's not staying in Atlantis where she may be needed and she's staying with the Agents of Atlas.Namor makes a comment about the Agents making weapons for Norman Osborn and Namora sticks it too him.Making fun of him and calling him a hypocrite for being a member of the Cabal (Dark Illuminati).Things only got worse when Namor discovers that Marvel Boy (Bob Grayson) had been reading his mind. M-11 attacks Namor and sets off an undersea battle.Venus ends it with her song and caused Namora and Namor to express their true feelings for each other.Which ended in a kiss.
AMERICAN SON continues. Spider-Man goes up against Venom and Bullseye as he prepares to infiltrate the Dark Avengers headquarters. Meanwhile Harry’s life takes a dramatic turn now that he’s reunited with Lily and wedding plans continue for two lucky Parker pals
When the public is reminded of Norman's terrible past, Norman's wheeling and dealing becomes a public concern. Plus, some of the Avengers are getting frisky with each other, and that can't be good.
The red-hot reunion reaches its explosive conclusion with part four, The Avenger Who Came in From the Cold. Secrets are revealed, literal bombs are dropped, and an emotional choice forever alters the course of both Ronin and Mockingbird's lives. Don’t miss the book Comic Book Resources says has "everything one might want in an intelligently written adventure comic. There are secrets and lies, trusts and betrayals, and more. If you want action, there's plenty of action."
'DEADLIEST OF THE SPECIES,' PART 4-Something bad happened to T'Challa. Wakanda stands at the brink as an unstoppable force advances toward the gates of the city: Morlun - Devourer of Totems - is back, and he's here to feast on the Panther totem. Wakanda's only hope is the new Black Panther if she's worthy to inherit the mantle. And the only one who can determine that is the Panther God.
“DEADLIEST OF THE SPECIES,” PART 5 Wakanda stands at the brink. Morlun -- Devourer of Totems -- is cutting through the Wakanda army life a hot knife through butter as he descends on the palace to feast on T’Challa’s body. Absolutely nothing can stop him. Wakanda’s only hope is the new Black Panther…if she’s worthy to inherit the mantle.
What would be the greatest heist of all time? Breaking into the First National Bank? The Tower of London? Fort Knox? No. It'd be knocking over the BAXTER BUILDING! But why would HANK PYM want to rip off MR. FANTASTIC? And are the other AVENGERS ready to become Earth's Mightiest Cat Burglars? Part one of the all-new MIGHTY AVENGERS/FANTASTIC FOUR throwdown starts here!
"Bullseye" Part 2 Okay, that was…unexpected. Bullseye has learned some new tricks since the last time they met! But now it’s Deadpool’s turn to go on the offensive…and there’s nobody more offensive than Deadpool!
AMERICAN SON continues. Spider-Man goes up against Venom and Bullseye as he prepares to infiltrate the Dark Avengers headquarters. Meanwhile Harry’s life takes a dramatic turn now that he’s reunited with Lily and wedding plans continue for two lucky Parker pals.
The Avengers/Fantastic Four slobberknocker continues!
This one's got it all true believers: from MR. FANTASTIC and HANK PYM'S battle of the brains to HERCULES and THE THING'S battle o' the brawn!
When it's over, expect BIG changes for Earth's Mightiest Heroes-- including the team's all-new headquarters and a very disturbing DARK REIGN alliance.
A no-holds barred gamma-irradiated slugfest as the all- new, all-different SHE-HULK throws down with the DARK AVENGERS -- which is fine with her, as one of their members is the object of her quest in this time period! Can you guess who -- and what the true nature of her mysterious mission is? The final pieces of the puzzle fall into place this issue! Plus, reprinting the new She-Hulk’s first solo appearance from the pages of HULK FAMILY by Paul Tobin and Benton Jew!
It’s the perfect jumping-on point, as the second half of WORLD'S MOST WANTED begins here! Don’t miss out on this critically acclaimed blockbuster! Tony's failing health makes the Iron Man too complicated to pilot. Hill hunts the world's most un-huntable man. Pepper defies Norman Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R. itself. And all of Iron Man's rogues' gallery is after him and the billion-dollar bounty on his head…starting with the murderous Madame Masque! But believe it or not, there’ll soon come a time when everyone looks back on these as the good old days.
Spider-Man's most mysterious new enemy takes
center stage in a 3-issue mini-series by Official Amazing Spider-Man
Web-Head Fred Van Lente and newcomer Gianluca Gigliotta. One-half benevolent philanthropist/One-half underworld mastermind,
Mr. Negative has carved out a substantial slice of the big apple for
himself over the past year. But when the super-villain mastermind The
Hood strikes at the heart of Mr. Negative's criminal operations with a
whole horde of classic Arachno-Foes (including The Scorcher, Speed Demon, The Squid and the long awaited return of the White Rabbit),
Spider-Man is left to clean up the mess between these two violent
nemeses.
Russ Manning Award winner Tan Eng Huat (GHOST RIDER, SILVER SURFER) joins critically acclaimed writer Rick Remender (Fear Agent) in chronicling Frank Castle’s war against Osborn’s Cabal as the corrosive affects of their “Dark Reign” further degenerates the Marvel Universe. The Hood’s crime organization has infected the entire world, and nowhere is it more prevalent than the street of New York where, hidden within the decaying husks of abandoned buildings, the Hood has built his secret empire out of everyone’s sight… including Norman Osborn’s. The Punisher is the one man standing between the new kingpin of crime and total domination, but in order to save his city from the decay and corruption, Frank Castle will first have to survive the rage of-- THE DEADLY DOZEN!
From the pages of DARK AVENGERS! The psychopath formerly known as Bullseye has been painting the town blood-red in the guise of the heroic Hawkeye. But the hero mask is starting to slip—along with his tenuous grip on reality! As the cold blooded killer struggles to cover up his murderous excesses and hide his deteriorating mental state from Norman Osborn, who should he be more afraid of—the killer within or the hero without?
The Young Avengers vs. The Young Avengers. Guilt and horror and sexual yearning. Race hatred and the super hero as serial killer. Anything is permitted. And Coat of Arms shows Norman Osborn some of her art and says “You were the Green Goblin, right? Right? Right? Right?” just to see what happens.
Dark Reign strikes Marvel’s first family—in an explosive way! Prepared to be blown away as: HAMMER agents attack the Baxter Building. Reed changes everything. The Human Torch suffers a horrible loss and Franklin and Val go shopping. There's Time travel, Alternate realities, Celestials, Eternals, Deviants and Doombots... and more important than all of that, we find out the answer to the question: What is the Bridge?
The creepy spin-off of Secret Invasion continues with the Krew leader Ryder’s attempts to take down a faction of surviving scions of the original Skrulls that Reed Richards turned into cows. Unfortunately he’s got to deal with the fact that his team is dead first.
The Dark Avengers’ first mission shows Norman Osborn all the pluses and minuses of the choices he has made for his team. So changes must be made. Some come, some go, and not everyone is happy about it.
Wolverine races to stop Daken from undergoing the procedure that will turn him into the ultimate weapon! But will saving his son’s life cost him his own? Nothing lasts forever…
The smashing first arc of Marvel's best new series comes to a climax as the battle between H.A.M.M.E.R., HYDRA, rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, and the Howling Commandos begins! This is the first shot in a war that will result in the establishment of a new global power structure...and who's caught in the middle? You guessed it: Nick Fury and his team of Caterpillars.
Big, bold choices! That’s what Norman Osborn’s H.A.M.M.E.R. and Avengers have been all about! And with every bold choice comes more and more risk! And with risk comes pressure! And with pressure…come the voices.
How long can Norman Osborn hold it together? And what is he willing to do to make it look like everything is just fine!
Norman Osborn may be running the show, but not every super-villain is going to accept the new world order. But who -- or what -- is ZODIAC? In this dark, brooding tale that snakes through the underbelly of the modern Marvel Universe, the new breed of super-villain has finally arrived! The order of the day is "mischief for mischief's sake," and no one -- neither hero *nor* villain -- is safe!
DARK WOLVERINE begins! Wolverine’s son, Daken, has finally emerged from the shadows, stepping out onto the main stage of the Marvel Universe. As one of Norman Osborn's Avengers, he has power, access, and an identity that he hates--his father's. This new Wolverine doesn’t know how long this will last, but one thing’s for sure: He’s going to have some fun while it does. All that, plus extra director’s cut style bonus pages!
The Dark Reign continues! What is the secret A.I.M. project that Karla Sofen has stumbled into...and what does it have to do with Carol Danvers? Special guest stars Spider-Man, Wolverine, Luke Cage...and Deadpool?!
That cover pretty much tells you what you need to know. Is there an evil obstetrician in the house?!?
From the pages of NEW AVENGERS, The Hood leaps into the spotlight! Meeting with Dr. Doom, bossing around his own crime family – anyway you want to cut it, Parker Robbins is getting big. His territory is growing like a wildfire, and you can't keep any of his boys in jail. But there's always someone bigger than you. Calling shots in New York is one thing...but calling them in Latveria, the Atlantic Ocean, and Asgard is another! Worse still, even some of the small fries are trying to edge out Parker, but there's a reason only one of these people is wearing The Hood!
Summery:
The Hood is getting torched to death by his old enemy White Fang. He tries to escape by turning invisible but is still taken of White Fang's technology. After be throw threw the floors and the walls he is being beaten to death by White Fang until he begs for the aid of Dormammu. Parker is then turned into his demon counter part and destroys White Fang's weapons. He almost kills her but gets control of his human side and escapes the scene leaving White Fang feeling failure for not killing the Hood.
Back at the Hood's hideout, the Enforcers are talking trash about Madame Masque but is stopped by the Hood. He later meets with John telling out his encounter with White Fang and his near experience with Dormammu taking total control which he is now seeing as a major problem. He tells John to see if Scarecrow knows anybody that is experienced in demons.
The next morning he meets with the Cabal in a volcano threw teleconfrence. Tensions in the group rise as Namor questions Hood's position in the Cabal but is later defended by Norman Osborn. This made Parker feel uneasy.
As he comes out of the meeting, he discovers his hide out burning to the ground. They don't know how is happened. As the gang relocates, John give the Hood a contact number on someone who knows of the occult.
The next morning Parker takes his wife Sara and his daughter Breanne see his sick mother who is in a retirement home with altimers. The meeting is painful for Parker but Sara tries to comfort him.
Minutes later, Parker arrives at the address given to him. He arrives in an occult store. The person that runs it is Satana.
When Norman Osborn takes over, what happens to the villains who don't make his short list of acceptable allies? Grim Reaper, Mr. Hyde, Absorbing Man, Nekra, and Grey Gargoyle are about to find out when their cooperative of crime lands on the wrong side of Norman's law - but they're not going down without a fight.
"THE INITIATIVE: DISASSEMBLED" reaches its shocking conclusion! The full effects of Dark Reign take hold as Norman Osborn reshapes the Initiative into a place to train the Dark Avengers of tomorrow! And wait until you see who's running things now...(Hint: they're on the cover!) But what will happen to the Gauntlet, Tigra, Trauma and the other heroes who've made the Initiative what it is? Oh, Norman has plans for them as well... DON'T MISS THE ISSUE THAT CHANGES THE INITIATIVE FOREVER!
A Sorcerer Supreme is chosen! Be witness to a very important chapter in Avengers history and the lore of Marvel magic! Plus, the Avengers finally have a big showdown with the Hood and not everyone walks away from it unharmed!
Elektra may be the world’s greatest assassin, but do sheer numbers win out when every other killer in the western hemisphere is after the price on her head? And who’s sending them? But Elektra will never discover the truth if she doesn’t survive Bullseye in the first place! Guest-starring WOLVERINE!
He ain’t friendly and this ain’t your neighborhood!
Yes, Mac Gargan, America’s favorite
sociopath-turned-symbiote-host-turned-hero-hunter now takes the
spotlight as Norman Osborn’s sinister Spider-Man. With the Dark
Reign-a-raining, the lives of our mighty marvel heroes are being
destroyed left and right – but for guys like Mac, the world is their
oyster and the chef’s covering the bill. Mac’s a beloved hero. Women
love him, men want to be him and nobody wants to run into him after
midnight – because the symbiote is still pretty darn hungry...
Mac Gargan (formerly known as the Scorpion and most recently Venom), who has been masquerading as Spider-Man during the Dark Reign storyline, has been hired by Norman Osborne as a local "superhero".
Held on a tight leash and being told when he could go out and whom he could interact with, Gargan rebelled by going out on his own and catching a burglar by the name of General Wolfram. Wolfram claimed to be a product of genetic experiments by Nazi scientists, but Gargan made quick work of him and Wolfram's German accent appeared to be fake, putting the rest of his origin into question.
While Gargan reveled in pleasing the crowd, he secretly took the money Wolfram had stolen and bit off one of Wolfram's arms.
To celebrate his victories, Gargan goes to a nightclub and picks up a woman he decides to name Candy. He passingly mentions a woman named Destiny that disappeared recently, alluding to the fact that he had recently taken her and murdered her. Unfortunately, the people there do not keep tabs on the women working there.
Gargan returns to the Avengers Tower with Candy in tow to an angry Norman Osborne. Osborne is infuriated that Gargan went behind is back and city officials are now wondering where the money he had supposedly rescued ended up. The two come face to face in a power struggle, with Gargan reluctantly backing down.
Meanwhile, the DB's chief Dexter Bennett exclaims a new love for this new Spider-Man. While Betty Brant and the rest of the staff seem reluctant in embracing the new "superhero", Bennett instructs everyone to research every inch of Spider-Man.
Betty Brant tries to get the attention of former Bugle editor and now New York mayor J. Jonah Jameson, but he is too busy in press conferences over recent crime increases since his time in office. Jameson comes across Doctor Shep Gunderson, a man who proposes to rehabilitate former criminals. Jameson quickly rejects his offer before leaving.
A small man in a costume enters General Wolfram's hospital room where he is recovering from his injuries against Gargan. It is revealed that the small man is in fact Doctor Shep Gunderson, under the guise of the Redeemer, who wants to take Wolfram and other criminals (Doctor Everything, Eleven, The Hippo, and Dementoid) under his wing to rehabilitate them. He reveals that the only way to do this is to take down the man responsible for their crimes in the first place, the Amazing Spider-Man.
It is also revealed that Gargan had killed Candy and left her body in Jameson's bed, framing the mayor for her murder.
Eisner nominee for Best New Series! Tony's on the run and turns to an old foe for friendship. Maria Hill is out of her mind on hunting her prey in the streets of New York City. And Pepper Potts flies in the face of Norman Osborn and all the horrible things he stands for. Oh, but don't fret for Norman, dear readers -- he's got some more horrible things up his sleeve that Tony and the gang won't even see coming. Guest stars and gut shots galore!
It's Thunderbolt vs. Thunderbolt, as Norman Osborn's black-ops hit squad targets former team-member Songbird—and this time, they're not underestimating this bird of prey! But even with a pack of blood-thirsty killers on her heels, Songbird has a few tricks up her sleeve...and enough experience fighting dirty to know that attack is the best form of defense!
Journey to the Deep!! The Agents and the Sub-Mariner face not only a deadly attack beneath the ocean, but Namor and Namora’s budding relationship is hit with some ugly facts of Atlantean history. Also: what does a Lung Dragon dream? Peer into the most treacherous space imaginable, the ancient and diabolical mind of Mr. Lao!
After the events of Utopia Chapter One, the riots are over and the next morning brings together the new X-Men team. Cyclops is on the outs and Emma Frost is leading the X-Men as far as the Marvel Universe is concerned.
Plus, what is the Omega Project? Who are these new X-Men? And is that really Professor X?
The Dark Avengers take on the Uncanny X-Men!
Kicking off the 6-part crossover event, rising star Matt Fraction (UNCANNY X-MEN, INVINCIBLE ) is joined by X-artist supreme Marc Silvestri (X-MEN: MESSIAH COMPLEX, CIVIL WAR: THE INITIATIVE ONE-SHOT) to bring you a story that shakes the foundations of the Marvel Universe.
When mutant riots break out in San Francisco, Norman Osborn declares martial law and sends the Dark Avengers in to quell the riots and take down the X-Men. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Don’t miss the first Avengers/X-Men crossover in over 15 years!
NOTE: This story continues in Uncanny X-Men #513.
While the machinations of Norman Osborn's DARK REIGN have our favorite heroes on the run, what's life like for the everyday folks of the Marvel Universe? See how the Amazing Spider-Man changed one man's life - and how this new world order can undo that good in an instant in DARK REFLECTION by Marc Sumerak and Javier Pullido! Meanwhile, over in THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-GIRL, May Parker must contend with threats on all fronts - a conspiracy that's rocked the foundation of her high school and friends, and keeping tabs on her new "cousin," April Reilly, the former Spider-Girl Clone! Back in Queens, Aunt May takes one last adventure as The AMAZING SPIDER MA'AM! And finally, May Porker, the SPECTACULAR SWINEY-GIRL faces down her deadliest threat yet in part two of CRAYFIN'S LAST BUNT!
One Wolverine ain’t enough for ya? How about TWO? Depending how our story conference goes tomorrow…you might even get three! Evil Skrull scions! Massively malevolent cow meat! And a guy with a gun arm! This over-the-top follow-up to last year’s Secret Invasion continues with the return of more members of the Krew…including a white-supremacist who hasn’t read the paper in about a year. All brought to you by a writer for National Public Radio. Man, one of these things just ain’t like the other.
In MS MARVEL #41, not only does new Ms. Marvel Karla Sofen have to deal with Deadpool, now she's got the New Avengers coming at her in full force. Prelude to this summer's epic WAR OF THE MARVELS! Then in MS. MARVEL #42, WAR OF THE MARVELS begins here! Karla Sofen battles for her life in the streets of Los Angeles as an exciting new chapter in the history of Ms. Marvel begins! Guest starring the New Avengers and...someone we can't tell you about!
AMERICAN SON CONCLUDES! It’s the ultimate battle between friend and family as Spidey’s battle against the Iron Patriot and his Dark Avengers leaves one man with a choice too painful to contemplate. Plus, with wedding plans at high-fervor, Pete’s identity stands revealed to the person who stands to be most changed by the information.
“BULLSEYE,” Part 3 As the chaos and wanton destruction of their continued battle reaches critical mass, both Deadpool and Bullseye come to the same realization: They don’t want this to end!
**** SPOILERS ****
After having a dream where Deadpool and Bullseye are kids killing their school teacher and burning up their school, Bullseye awakens in a hospital that apparently Deadpool delivered him to. Norman Osbourne is not very happy that Bullseye failed to kill Deadpool, and wants him to go after him again. Bullseye has other plans, and decides to wait and let an impulsive an impatient Deadpool come after him.
When he does Bullseye is waiting to fire a rcket into Deadpools truck, but a passerbyer changes the plans giving Deadpool an unfair advantage. As Deadpool is about to kill Bullseye. Bullseye offers to pay him off. The two of them talk as the money is being transferred, and find that they had fun fighting each other.
"UTOPIA: CHAPTER 3" The DARK AVENGERS/ UNCANNY X-MEN crossover continues! San Francisco teeters on the brink of absolute chaos and the X-Men keep getting in the way of Norman's vision of law and order. So Norman takes his game to the next level: who are the DARK X-MEN? And will Norman's Avengers play nice with Norman's X-Men? Here's a hint: no.
The streets of Chinatown run red with blood as The Hood sends in his entire villain army to take out the Last Villain Standing who refuses to submit to his rule, Mister Negative! The only thing that can save him is the latest ruthlessly violent enforcer he's converted to his cause: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN! Wha-huh? Plus: as Betty Brant gets ever closer to uncovering the terrifying secret behind Mr. Negative's origin, is she unwittingly sealing her own doom?
Doom, Thor, Black Bolt, Black Panther, Ka-Zar, Namor...There are many monarchs in the Marvel Universe, but only one so powerful and so reviled that he had to be written out of history. He is THE UNSPOKEN. And his return will have dire consequences on both our world and worlds beyond. The start of a new storyline that will bring dishonor for one Mighty Avenger, redemption for another, a family reunion, and ties to both DARK REIGN and WAR OF KINGS.
True Believers, can you withstand the mind-blowing revelations that await you in these pages? Can you retain your sanity upon learning the ultimate implications of Norman Osborn's DARK REIGN? Will you ever sleep again knowing the superhuman-spawned horrors of the twenty-third century are just around the bend? And the only woman standing between us and the apocalypse to come is the ALL-NEW SAVAGE SHE-HULK, locked in a climactic death-duel with the DARK AVENGERS! Plus: Reprinting the Scorpion vs. Venom tale by Fred Van Lente and Leonard Kirk.
“DEADLIEST OF THE SPECIES,” PART 5 It all comes down to this: The new Black Panther versus Morlun -- Devourer of Totems – in a fight to the finish. Cover-to-cover action, with the fate of Wakanda, T’Challa and Storm hanging in the balance.
“THE PRINCE” From the pages of DARK AVENGERS, the journey of WOLVERINE’S son continues! Just as Daken’s Machiavellian plans begin to take shape, he hits a snag. Or rather, four of them. Guest-starring THE FANTASTIC FOUR! Part 2 (of 3)
In MS MARVEL #41, not only does new Ms. Marvel Karla Sofen have to deal with Deadpool, now she's got the New Avengers coming at her in full force. Prelude to this summer's epic WAR OF THE MARVELS! Then in MS. MARVEL #42, WAR OF THE MARVELS begins here! Karla Sofen battles for her life in the streets of Los Angeles as an exciting new chapter in the history of Ms. Marvel begins! Guest starring the New Avengers and...someone we can't tell you about! Be ready as War rages in this ongoing series!!
Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors have launched their offensive against Norman Osborn's H.A.M.M.E.R., but the foot on Fury's throat might be a sign that things won't end well!
Marvel's most acclaimed new series of the year continues in Secret Warriors #6, as red-hot scribes Brian Michael Bendis (Dark Avengers) & Jonathan Hickman (upcoming Fantastic Four), team with Young Gun artist Stefano Caselli for the next shocking chapter in Nick Fury's war against the Dark Reign! What role does HYDRA play in this battle? What are Stonewall's powers? And just what does Fury have up his sleeve? Strap in for answers—and a shocking conclusion that rocks Marvel's world of subterfuge to its core! Plus, don't miss an exciting variant cover by Tomm Coker, celebrating the sexy 70s!
This all leads up to next month's confrontation between the Secret Warriors, the Thunderbolts…and the Dark Avengers! With critical acclaim from G4 to Entertainment Weekly, Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Secret Warriors. The time has come for war—and in Secret Warriors #6, Nick Fury's gonna show his enemies that a Howling Commando never quits!
UTOPIA TIE-IN Who are the Dark X-Men and how did they come to be? FIND OUT HERE! Each issue has 3 11-page stories, each dedicated to one of the Dark X-Men and how they came to be part of the team. This first two issues focus on Emma Frost, Mimic, Cloak & Dagger, Daken, Weapon X and Dark Beast!
The name's Mac Gargan, and the whole city of New York thinks I'm Spider-Man. They love me and I can do anything I like. What I like is making J. Jonah Jameson's life a living hell. Well, that... and eating people. But that seems to have ticked off some folks. Turns out even super-powered criminals have feelings, and they've all teamed up with this nutjob scientist named The Redeemer to kill me. Also, who the heck is THE HIPPO? By Brian Reed (Ms. Marvel) and Chris Bachalo (New Avengers).
Norman Osborn was sent to test the Marvel Universe, and now he's testing the Young Avengers, both wannabees and established, by sending his best and brightest against them, to show them that no good deed goes unpunished, and no bad deed unrewarded. And that dear old lady is still dead. And those tattoos indicate fascism. And the deeper the Young Avengers look into the group that would be them, the deeper that group looks back.
Put up your dukes as Wonder Man joins the fight...or is that starts one? Find out what was big enough to bring heroes and villains together, who thinks they're powerful enough to bring down Norman Osborn! The mystery unravels as the Lethal Legion gets closer to finding the traitor in their midst and it's every man for himself!
From the pages of NEW AVENGERS and DARK REIGN: THE CABAL! An insider to the occult underworld gives The Hood the lowdown on the dread Dormammu, the power behind his power! Can Parker Robbins possibly break the hold this infamous entity has on him-and will he even want to when he sees some of the benefits of giving into it? While his inner struggle dominates his attention, a vicious foe from The Hood's past regroups for a final showdown!
From the pages of DARK AVENGERS! As Ben Urich learns the awful truth about the terrorist cell operating in New York City, Hawkeye finally confronts the mysterious antagonist who's been haunting his dreams. But is he just a figment of Bullseye's diseased imagination? And if so, where the hell did all these dead bodies come from? You want some wicked Dark Reign fun? The dastardly duo of Andy Diggle (THUNDERBOLTS) and Tom Raney (SECRET INVASION: INHUMANS) hit the mark!
It’s Thunderbolt vs. Thunderbolt in “Widowmaker” part 2 of 4! Black Widow II leads the hunt for renegade ex-team-member Songbird, but one of her own squad of blood-thirsty killers is carrying a deadly secret! Who holds the secret, what is it, and how will it explode the delicate balance of power within Norman Osborn's black-ops hit squad forever? There's no going back after the latest chapter in the book that IGN.com calls “the vilest, most wicked book on the stands!”
Ultimate Spider-Man artist Stuart Immonen rejoins series regular Brian Bendis for this all-new blockbuster Avengers story. One of the Hood's gang has found a way to power drain the New Avengers and it turns the tides of the Dark Reign in ways no one would have expected it. Plus the new Sorcerer Supreme has a lot to learn, and they're going to learn it from...Spider-Man?
Before he was the ultimate power broker in the Marvel Universe, Norman Osborn was better known as the Green Goblin – the insane arch nemesis of everyone’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! Now, experience an early turning point in the ongoing war between the wall-crawler and his glider-riding rival – the unmasking of Norman Osborn from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #39-40 (1966) – like you’ve never seen it before, fully remastered with modern coloring. Also featuring an all-new framing sequence and a Saga-style recap of the complete history of the Green Goblin!
A shocking new era begins for the Initiative! Where Camp Hammond once trained future Avengers, Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. now trains tomorrow's Dark Avengers! Under orders from Norman Osborn, your new Principals are Taskmaster and the criminal kingpin, the Hood. They’re registering villains as heroes and spreading Norman’s empire across the nation with such specialized classes as How to Fake Being Champions While Fleecing the Citizens You’re Supposed to Protect! But the heroes who once made up the Initiative aren't about to let this happen. Hunted by the law, hidden from sight, a resistance movement has formed...and they're out to stop a Dark Reign from falling over the Fifty State Initiative... by any means necessary!
WORLD'S MOST WANTED continues! Tony and Pepper, trapped in Tunguska by Madame Masque, play the ultimate game of truth or dare at the business end of a very loaded gun. Is Tony strong enough and smart enough to escape the clutches of a woman who burns to see him suffer? And halfway around the world, the Black Widow joins Maria Hill, and they summon the most good of all the good guys...Captain America!! But is he willing to come to Tony's aid?
Guest-starring Ronin, Mockingbird, Tigra and Wonder Man! When one of your old teammates turns into a one man army determined to take out a major target on US soil, what's a former West Coast Avenger to do? Howzabout stage the most insanely explosive intervention in Marvel history? Don't miss the mayhem as Jim Rhodes' best friends from the past form a new crew to prevent War Machine from turning traitor in the book CBR.com calls “a visual spectacle…it’s high octane, higher-caliber adventure”!
A DARK REIGN SPECIAL from the superstar team of Jeph Loeb, Ed McGuinness and Tom Palmer! After the shocking ending of INCREDIBLE HULK 600 where <>, Norman Osborn wants the truth. He sends ARES, The God of War to find it…even if it means killing anybody who stands in their way. If you're a HULK fan -- this is one issue you can't miss!
"POWER," PART 1-Wakanda has been attacked on every front. Heroes have fallen, old alliances have been betrayed, the country is in turmoil. Now is the time for the new Black Panther to rise and make a stand against threats both foreign and domestic. "Power" is a bold new direction for the Panther, written by celebrated producer-director Reginald Hudlin and multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author Jonathan Maberry (Patient Zero, PUNISHER: NAKED KILL). New game, new rules, and lots of surprises as the new Black Panther is set on a collision course with one of the Marvel Universe's most feared and powerful beings.
Zodiac's master plan escalates to dizzying heights during Dark Reign. First up: a horrific act of super-villain terrorism that involves a group of iconic Marvel heroes! Next: a planet-wide threat that will test Norman Osborn's leadership abilities like no other has! And what does Galactus have to do with all of this? The new wave of Marvel villains has finally arrived!
UTOPIA rages on! Norman Osborn’s victory in San Francisco is cemented when the Dark X-Men succeed where the X-Men can’t. All the while the Dark Avengers are forced to watch from the sidelines. But how long will Bullseye and Ares sit idle? Part 4 (of 6).
Everyone has their price. Parker Robbins’ is just higher than most. And suddenly everyone seems to know what that price is! The Hood finds himself undermined by his gang, the source of his power, and even his own family—just in time for the explosive return of the revenge-fueled White Fang! Jeff Parker (AGENTS OF ATLAS) and Kyle Hotz (THE HOOD: BLOOD FROM STONES) continue their intimate look at the controversial Cabal member!
With THE HOOD and MR. NEGATIVE locked in a battle to the death, BETTY BRANT is poised to unlock the secret origin of the Chinatown's lord of crime, and to stop her he has sent his newest corrupted enforcer to end her life-- PETER PARKER, the Lacerating SPIDER-MAN!
Hood and Mister Negative are battling in Martin Li/Negative's home. Negative has one of his charged swords, but Hood uses a variety of magical tricks including limited teleportation to keep up the fight. Negative then touches Hood, but seeing as a demon has already corrupted Robinson, the touch has no affect.
Spiderman meanwhile, corrupted by Negative's touch, pursues reporter Betty Brant, who is on the verge of discovering Negative's identity of Martin Li. Brant reflects on the fact that superhuman battles--especially ones involving Spiderman--have caused the deaths of two of her loved ones (her brother was killed by Doc Ock and her husband was murdered when Hobgoblin I framed him). She then says she is not them though and she wants to live. Spiderman continues to follow her, taunting in Negative's voice and with his costume tainted grey by Negative's powers. Betty Brant is fully aware that it is really the crimelord causing the murder, but Spiderman continues to hunt her down. Snagging her high heeled shoe with his webbing, Peter Parker causes Betty to fall through a glass window. Cleverly, Brant ties a piece of her clothes to a cat, so Spiderman follows that instead. Brant is near Mrs. Li's house, so she runs in there because she thinks Li told Mister Negative to attack and can call the attack off. The older lady insists she didn't think Negative would kill her, and tells Brant a story. Once when she was younger she had reached China before her husband, Martin Li. Wanting to see each other, a deal was made with a gang called the Dragon Lords to have Li smuggled into the country on the boat Golden Mountain. A gangster on the ship paniked as it reached land and forced the captain at gunpoint to go into shallow water. The ship ran aground, and most of the passengers died, including, it appeared, Mr. Li. The Dragon Lords insisted that Li had died on land, so they had completed their part of the deal. Of course, Martin Li had had the money, so Mrs. Li couldn't pay the debts.
The Dragon Lords took Mrs. Li to a house in Brooklyn and began to torture her to death as punishment, when Mister Negative burst in. At that time, Negative was unknown, and had no gang with him. However, armed with only a charged sword, Negative mercilessly slaughtered the Dragon Lords. Li was chained from the ceiling, and when she saw Negative he seemed completely cold and cruel, and the lady expected to be killed too. Negative asked who she was and Li told her story. Negative seemed confused and momentarilly turned into a man (the comic pannel shows Mister Negative's alter ego Martin). Negative then released Mrs. Li and left. Years later, Mrs Li heard of a Martin Li who survived the Golden Mountain wreck getting a megal from the president. Excited, she got a photo to see if it was her husband, but did not recognize him.
The corrupted Spiderman then appeared to kill Betty.
Meanwhile, Hood overpowered Negative. As Parker Robinson grasped his collar, Negative told Hood that he was the Dragon Lord who paniked and caused the Golden Mountain to crash. Gangsters had so mistreated the people they were smuggling that the passengers died. Negative had taken the papers, money, and identity of a passenger, who turned out to be named Martin Li. Negative tried to radio for help from the other Dragon Lords, but got no answer. Returning to New York trying to find answers, he was ambushed by Silvermane, who had taken over Queens from the Dragon Lords (which was why Negative's signal hadn't been answered). Silvermane was amused that Negative was a Dragon Lord (also known as Snakeheads), so he threw him in with several other prisoners at an abandoned place on Ellis Island instead of killing him. Silvermane had the prisoners tested on as a chemist named Simon Marshall tried to develop a drug to replace heroin. Though most people died, Li became a Jekyll/Hyde creature, with a good side and and a very dark side with super powers. When a prisoner named Tyrone (possibly Rapier) was able to break out, Negative and Tyrone's girlfriend escaped. Negative departed from the couple, and adopted the good side as Martin Li and the dark side as Mister Negative. The Li side it appears was unaware of the Mister Negative side.
At the exact same time, Spiderman was killing Betty. Mrs. Li tried to stop him, but she was knocked down. Brant thoughy of how she used to blame Spiderman but now she new he was just a victim. However, as the wallcrawler was strangling Brant he remembered when his secret identity of Peter Parker loved Betty. Fighting back the corruption, he expelled Mister Negative's touch from his body (which left in the form of smoke). Spiderman apologized (though Brant was unaware he was Peter). Betty told him it was "No problem," but she was coughing badly.
Hood continued to hold Negative, who told Robinson that he only said his story to him because Robinson would die from the demon (Dormammu) inside him before it could cause harm. Then he said that the yin/yang signs in his garden stood for what he believed was a balance in the world. He says that since he allows Li to continue he is able to prosper more in both identities, unlike Robinson who has let evil take him over almost completely. However, it is quite evident that the Negative persona is stronger and is manipulating the situation over the Li persona. Several members of Hood's gang (including Speed Demon, White Rabbit, Squid, Answer, and Bloodshed) enter, and Hood says that Negative is about to die. Then, though, Norman Osborn calls telling him to stop the murder. As Hood argues, he lets go of Negative, who vanishes. Osborn is then seen telling his Goblin persona that it was all a plan to get the evidence Martin Li II had discovered of experimentation on illegal Asian immigrants by Oscorp.
Spot, who was working for Hood, then enters Negative's office, having stolen the evidence back. Negative says the evidence shows that whatever Li does it will always be corrupted. It is then revealed that Spot had been an inside man the entire time and had helped Negative escape. In return, Negative was helping to cure the condition of interdimensional (possibly from the Spot Dimension) corruption that Spot and Negative both had (though only Spot wanted to cure it).
Brant is then seen talking to Martin Li, planning to do a piece on Martin's construction projects to help the community. She says that even though her boss at the DB Dexter Bennett doesn't want her supporting Li (a political adversary of Bennet's allies), she wants a more balanced piece since her last one was a dangerous "wild goose chase." Brant then sees the destruction caused by the Hood/Negative fight and asks Martin how he doesn't hate the crimelords for causing it. Li then says that there is balance and without the evil of Negative he would never have a chance to do so much good. The final pannel shows Martin Li with half his body as a laughing Mister Negative.
Elektra finds her answers! As her quest for survival races toward its conclusion, the world’s most dangerous assassin discovers why every other killer in the world is gunning for her. Who put the 82-million-dollar price tag on her head? What was her impostor responsible for while Elektra was held captive? What will Elektra do about it?! By Zeb Wells (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and Clay Mann (DAREDEVIL)!
As the “partnership” between Spider-Man and Mayor J. Jonah Jameson gets worse by the day, learn a few of Mac Gargan's Spider-Man life lessons: if you bite someone's arm off, they will come back with a robot arm and try to kill you, as the Redeemer makes his move. Brian Reed and Chris Bachalo help you learn from Mac's mistakes.
Daken has proven himself capable of wearing many masks, but who's the real man underneath? As one of Norman Osborn’s Avengers, he has it all: power, fame, access...but what if it's not enough? Could Wolverine's son have a heart after all—and if so, will it be the Fantastic Four who help him discover it? Or will they find themselves on the receiving end of a betrayal so huge it will put them at war with the Dark Avengers? Part 3 (of 3)
The conclusion to the anthology that illustrates the conception of the Dark X-Men. If you’re reading UTOPIA and think you know the whole story, think again. In this issue, Emma Frost convinces Namor to join the team. And learn where Professor X fits into UTOPIA. Also, witness the first Marvel Comic with art by JOCK (Losers, Green Arrow: Year One)!
Hope is crushed and the battle is nearly lost as the Dark Reign event continues in WAR OF THE MARVELS Part 3! As Karla Sofen faces an unbeatable threat, the legacy of Ms. Marvel hangs in the balance.
Oh man, it is not a good day for the New Avengers. Someone has invented a power disrupter and unleashed it in New York City. The heroes have fallen. Some are hurt bad, others near death. Who will rise to the challenge and save the day? A very important DARK REIGN issue. Something big happens. Not going to tell you what it is but it happens on page 17, panel 4.
It’s a Marvel Massacre as the Krew stands up the vestiges of a Skrull threat that won’t seem to die. Villains, aliens, and guy with a gun arm! Somebody up here likes you.
It's CODE RED VS. X-FORCE. Who is Code Red? How about Red Hulk. Deadpool. The Punisher. Elektra. Thundra. The Crimson Dynamo. What terrible secret could bring this group together -- only to run headlong into the deadliest team of X-Men.
All this -- and wait until you see RED HULK VS. WOLVERINE! Superstar scribe Jeph Loeb is joined by art team Ian Churchill and Mark Farmer as the epic saga of the Red Hulk continues!
In the aftermath of SECRET INVASION, Iron Man is no longer the hero he used to be, and Tony Stark's entire life is torn apart.
Janet Van Dyne is dead. She was the only important casualty in the Skrull invasion. She may be gone but never forgotten by all her friends, comrade in arms, fellow Avengers. But no one is more devastated by her death than Hank Pym, her husband, who returned to Earth just to realize that he lost Janet forever.
The Invasion is over!! There are winners and there are losers and in this major one-shot from the Eisner award-winning team of Bendis and Maleev, (New Avengers: Illuminati, Civil War: The Confession) the stage is set for the next major era in Marvel Comics. Hold onto your beenies, boys, because you have NEVER seen your universe turned upside down like this!!
War Machine blasts into his own ongoing solo series! Across the globe, from the killing fields of Santo Marco to the blasted deserts of occupied Aqiria, butchers and tyrants are committing the most horrific atrocities imaginable. The outside world won't raise a finger to stop them, but now Jim Rhodes is on the job. And forget a finger - he's raising a couple of ginormous shoulder mounted rocket cannons! From WORLD WAR HULK scribe Greg Pak and DEATHLOK artist Leonardo Manco comes the most shocking incarnation of War Machine you've ever seen - along with a surprisingly familiar supporting cast and one of the biggest villains in the Marvel Universe!
The Invasion is over, and the shape of the world has changed, with new and returning players now center stage. Get the lowdown on the SECRET WARRIORS, the AGENTS OF ATLAS, WAR MACHINE, RONIN & MOCKINGBIRD, and the SKRULL KILL KREW, and learn how they fit into this brave new world in all-new stories setting up their upcoming titles.
- Secret Warriors: Declaration
- Agents Of Atlas: The Heist
- War Machine: Crossing The Line
- Skrull Kill Krew: Breakfast In America
- New Avengers: The Reunion: Suspicion
The Invasion is over! But who are the New Avengers!??! The first major roster change since the very first issue!! See here who the New Avengers are and what their place in the Dark Reign is!
At the end of the Skrull battle, Captain America says something to Clint, Mockingbird, Spider-Man, Iron Fist and Wolverine.
The next day at Bucky's place, Wolverine and Spider-Man walk through the secret entrance. They begin talking about continuing as Avengers until Spider-Woman walks in. Clint is angry she's there but Wolverine tells him he asked her to come and she's been the biggest victim in the whole Skrull Invasion. Wolverine also mentions that Ms. Marvel may be joining them. Bucky walks in and tells them that they are Steve's Avengers. They are welcome to use the place as their headquarters if they please. Iron Fist says he has to step down to deal with his business. Luke and Jessica Jones come in with Carol. They're in hysterics since Danielle has been taken.
The search begins. Jessica and the others ask the Fantastic Four for their help. If the Jarvis Skrull doesn't change his appearance, they may not be able to detect him. They all spread out and knock some skulls together to try to get answers. They finally detect a Skrull hiding out with some S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in a bar (who vow that they won't work for Norman Osborn). The Skrull claims she wants to be one of them. As Luke and Jessica pin her down, she agrees to tell them where the Jarvis Skrull would be. Before she can answer, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent shoots her in the head.
Luke makes a deal with the devil, agreeing to do whatever is needed to find his daughter.
The Invasion is over and the Initiative has been rocked to its core. Now that the truth is out, that the program was conceived as part of a Skrull plot, can it survive? Who will leave? Who will stay? And who will lead them? Also: Learn what's become of the REAL Hank Pym! And when Taskmaster discovers Mutant Zero's true identity, she gets fightin' mad!
Camp Hammond is under protest as the civilians don't feel safe since it was basically a Skrull plan set in motion. Doc Samson holds a therapy session with the recently returned heroes that were held captive. With Gyrich gone, War Machine having quit and Hank Pym returned from Skrull captivity, it seems that command has fallen on Gauntlet's shoulders (despite Baron Von Blitzschlag's protest that he has seniority). He asks Tigra where Hank is. He's seemingly in his room talking to Wasp (who died in the Invasion). She little by little informs Hank of the current events, including the other Hank's relationship with Tigra (who tells Hellcat that she's pregnant).
The Shadow Initiative meets under Gauntlet's command. He has a new assignment for them. Ant-Man's has been promoted to the Thunderbolts and Taskmaster has moved up to field leader. Mutant Zero starts to leave since her deal with Gyrich was she didn't have to sit in on briefings. Guantlet orders her back. The new mission is to go after Hardball since he's taken control over Hyrda. Komodo is there to give intel on Hardball but demands that she's the one to bring him in.
Outside, a bunch of Intiative members give 3-D Man the cold shoulder since he killed Crusader. He runs into Ryder and they prepare to leave. Ryder convinces Riot to that the war is over. She lets go, reverts to human form and dies in his arm. 3-D Man asks him if he lied to her about the Skrulls being gone. Ryder says of course and they leave to search for them.
Taskmaster follows Mutant Zero, trying to figure out who she is by her moves. She confronts him, they fight, and he figures out who she is...Typhoid Mary. Tigra talks to Trauma. Her fear is she'll have a litter of Skrull babies rip through her stomach. She's decided to terminate the pregnancy.
"Wasp" and Hank talk. She wants to know when he was taken. She wants to know who it was that hit her, Hank or the Skrull. Finally Hank confesses that it was him that hit her. She walks out. He asks if that's what Janet would've done. Wasp turns into Jocasta and tells him yes (since she shares her brainwaves). Hank decides to leave Camp Hammond and Jocasta goes along.
In the lab, the Blitzschlag is asleep as an alarm goes off. The fifteen day failsafe code has not been entered. Operation: Final Strike will begin as a recording of the Hank Skrull speaks. In a tube closeboy, a failed experiment begins to come to life once more.
Carol Danvers is fighting a one-woman war against the CIA, and her only ally is... Spider-Man?! Spidey stumbles into Carol's world of international espionage and may not come out in one piece.
Remember when Deadpool saved the Earth from those pesky Skrulls? Well, the guy who stole the intel Deadpool worked so hard to acquire -- and positioned himself as Earth’s Number One War Hero -- wants to make sure you don’t. The last thing this guy needs is a certain “Merc with a Mouth” letting everyone know the truth of how he saved the day, and he’s hired a certain maniacal man-eater to make sure Deadpool never does. Here comes Tiger-Shark! Plus, a surprise appearance by a certain palindromic pal!
A mass suicide by a branch of the Church of Hala has claimed the lives of twenty families. With Captain Marvel gone, Carol Danvers investigates this tragedy performed in his name, putting her directly in the path of would be Captain Marvel replacement: Noh Varr.
It all starts here!! A new roster! One of the team's most powerful foes! And one of the most popular and requested Avengers returns to the fold! When darkness reigns and chaos falls, there's no room for compromise, no time to run and hide. The world needs EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES! But after the events of Secret Invasion, is HANK PYM ready to rejoin their ranks? And what is the secret that haunts him, a secret dating back to the earliest days of the original team
Emma Frost has never been a simple person, nor hasshe had a simple past. The Hellfire Club. The Hellions.Generation X. Genosha. But you haven’t seen it all. Did you know about her history with Namor? With Tony Stark? With Norman Osborn? The X-Men have often operated on the outside of the Marvel Universe; that stops now and in this annual.
In the blasted heart of occupied Aqiria, the mercenaries of Eaglestar International literally write the laws, committing heinous atrocities with no repercussions. But today, the loopholes are closing -- around their necks! Who will pay the final price when the skies explode with the arrival of the world's only eight foot tall, hundred-gun-equipped, shoulder-rocket-mounted, titanium-vibranium-alloy-armored, kill-number-counting, one-man-army for truth, justice, and good old-fashioned payback? And what does last issue's mind-blowing ending mean for Jim Rhodes, the shattered man inside this shocking new War Machine?
Parnell and Bethany get visual on Glenda. She's been beaten and is imprisoned. War Machine arrives at the facility and fights off the defenses. He takes control of missiles shot and him and sends them back. Once he sees there are live soldiers on the ground, Rhodey has no choice but to intercept the missiles. The soldiers find him with his legs blown off. War Machine is still in the game. Modifying parts of a tank, War Machine is mobile once again.
Inside, War Machine finds where Glenda is being held. Some of the soldiers are former S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and want to help. He has Parnell track the men that ran and who allowed Glenda to go without medical treatment while she was in pain. When Glenda hears this, she tells him he can't kill them. She wants them prosecuted and the entire corporation taken down. Rhodey tells her that they're already planning on attacking again.
At the Avengers Tower, Norman sets Ares on War Machine. this is just another version of ironman
From the ashes of Secret Invasion, an all-new era for the Thunderbolts erupts, with repercussions felt right across the Marvel Universe! Yelena Belova (a.k.a. Black Widow II) leads the irredeemable Ant-Man and the sinister Ghost in a daring mission to take down the U.S. President aboard Air Force One! But even as Norman Osborn tightens his grip on power, he must battle toe-to-toe against his deadliest foe: the Green Goblin! Wait, what...? Be there as writer Andy Diggle (The Losers) and artist Roberto De La Torre (INVINCIBLE IRON MAN) flip everyone’s favorite team of villains upside down!
Norman is forced to wait at the Washington D.C. airport to meet with the President. He tells him that they have a S.H.I.E.L.D. replacement in mind, H.A.M.M.E.R. The President wants Norman to fly with him to Moscow but Norman says he's too busy right now. The President says he can fly right back and the reason he wants him to go is because he has misgivings about him, and wants to give Norman the chance to refute them face-to-face. On the plane, Norman finds out Doc Samson was the one talking to the President and has video footage he calls "Massacre At Thunderbolts Mountain."
Flashback to six weeks ago, Norman catches Yelena trying to steal S.H.I.E.L.D. weapons at decommissioned facilities. He tells her he wants her to be field leader of the Thunderbolts.
Back on the plane, Samson voices his concerns over Osborn. He quickly turns things around and makes Samson look bad in his treatment of Robbie Baldwin. The President tires of hearing the arguing and decides they should watch the footage. Osborn then presses his cuff link and the escorting jets are hit by missiles. Their plane is hit too. When the pilot tries controlling the plane, the co-pilot turns out to be Yelena, with Ant-Man hiding in a spot he specifically chose on her. As the President is secured with Samson and Osborn, Ghost appears and attacks the secret service. Ant-Man places a gamma emitter on Samson. Samson starts losing his cool and Osborn says that he must be working with "him." The hull is breached and it turns out to be someone green and on a certain type of glider.
It’s a fierce, fearful new world, and in the wake of the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D., Iron Man is the WORLD’S MOST WANTED! Tony Stark and Maria Hill go on the run from Norman Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R., while Pepper holds down the fort at the struggling Stark Industries. Iron Man is public enemy number one, but how far will Tony go to do the right thing?!
The fight against the “Dark Reign” begins as the duty of chronicling Frank Castle’s war journal is passed to new regular team of writer Rick Remender (End League, Fear Agent) and Jerome Opeña (Wolverine, Fear Agent).
One man with one bullet, in the right place, at the right time, can change the world. That’s why the Punisher is perched atop a building on the Jersey shore with a high-powered Skrull rifle, his crosshairs trained on a target in Midtown Manhattan. But who is his target -- and why? One thing’s for sure: They’re anything but helpless. Someone is watching their back. Someone big. Enter: The Sentry!
Frank notes that the heroes don't know how to go to war. He knows you have to get your hands dirty sometimes. As Norman Osborn is talking to a crowd of people, delivering a speech, the Punisher is four miles away with a Skrull sniper rifle. He pulls the trigger but the bullet is caught at the last second by the Sentry. Frank had prepared for eight different kinds of trouble except for that. Sentry is on him in a second. He tells Frank they can do it the easy way or hard way. Frank bolts.
Frank knows Sentry could have ended things right away so he must be holding back. He tries slowing him down to get away. Finally when it appears to be over, Frank holds up a remote. He tells Sentry that there's a bomb in the basement of a hospital and he has five seconds to get it. Having no choice, Sentry flies after it only to find it was a bluff. Returing, he finds Frank is gone.
Frank makes it to his van. Injured, he receives a message from someone claiming to be his new best friend. He tells Frank that Sentry will be on him in moments and he needs to leave. He gets instructions in which way to go. Staggering, he eventually reaches his final destination and collapses at the feet of the unknown man.
THE DARK REIGN IS HERE! The start of an explosive new era in the Avengers mythos! Who are the Dark Avengers? Who is the Iron Patriot? The answers will shock you! Brought to you by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato Jr.
Morgana Le fay is watching and waiting to strike at the new team that will come out of the nation's hero.
Norman Osborn has saved the world from the skrull invasion. Norman Osborn is now in charge of the world's security. And now, Norman Osborn is head of, THE AVENGERS!? Yes, the world's hero, who is really a sadisti psychopath has chosen his pick for earth's darkest mightest heroes.
Dr. Karla Soffen a.k.a Moonstone of the Thunderbolts is approched by Osborn and given a Ms.Marvel's 70's retro costuume. She denies at first stating she likes being Moonstone. But Osborn, who is a master of manipulation, mentions that Moonstone is a criminal woh should be locked up, she accepts with a smile.
In a bar, the son of Wolverine, Daken is about to enter for a drink wearing a cowboy hat similar to what his dad does, he sees Osborn with Ares having beer and pizza, Daken notices Osborn and begins to approach when Ares makes a rude comment about his conceivment, whoich causes Daken to pop his claws and Osbron calmly cools him down, and mentions that Daken's Father is a Samurai Warrior, and gives him the classic 80's brown Wolverine costume to Daken and says it will anger his Dad, which he (Osborn) wants to do, and Daken accepts.
Back in Colorado, Venom is at the Thunderbolts mountain where he has the pleasure of eating skrulls (yeah, like we really needed that in the book)who Osborn gives a dessert treat that miminizes his size and in a splash page, mirroring the first time Spider-man was in the black suit, Gargan gives off the same pose and and says he takes back all the bad things he's said about Osborn, most of them.
Bullseye sits down to have a meetin' with stormin' Normin. As soon as the meeting begins, Bullseye asks how Osborn wants to screw him over. Norman says he was thinking of offering him a new home, where Bullseye acts like he's getting fooled, but asks where. Norman mentions Avengers Tower, to which Bullseye's reaction causes him to fall back due to the shock of suprise.
Ms.Marvel (Carol Danvers) flys to her old home where Mr.O pours a drink and wants to negotiate her being a registered super-hero, meaning she workls for him. She reacts that she is on crazy pills. Ares and Sentry are in the room as well. Carol talks to them asking why they are with Osborn. Ares acts lazy and mentions it's cause it is his home, and the Sentry has no real answer, which Danvers sheds tears, and flies out of the window in a rage.
Bullseye is in his Hawkeye mantle given to him by Osborn who sees Moonstone in the retro Ms,Marvel outfit. They are in a private room, and they see modifications to Tony Stark's Iron Man armor, and that the armor is what IOsborn il wear himself.
In a press conference Norman Osborn holds, he brings out his recruits, and everybody say hi to the DARK REIGN annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd........ THE DARK AVENGERS!!!!!!!!!
Luke Cage must find his child and he will do anything he has to to bring her home safely... including teaming up with the one person he has sworn vengeance against. Building to the bombastic 50th anniversary issue.
THE INITIATIVE DISASSEMBLED begins here! The Fifty State Initiative stands revealed as a Skrull plot. Key personnel have left Camp Hammond, never to return. And that's the least of the shocking fallout from Secret Invasion. Is there a future for our heroes? It could be a moot question when the mad clone of Thor, last seen in CIVIL WAR, is revived and turned loose on Stamford! This is no idle hype, True Believer--after this story, the Initiative will never be the same!
For those of you who have embraced change, it is time for the DARK REIGN. In the aftermath of the Skrull's SECRET INVASION, the Avengers-verse has been rocked to its core. The New Avengers, Mighty Avengers and Initiative have been broken and battered, and now stand to be renewed. But which heroes will remain standing? Who are these Dark Avengers? With insider accounts from your favorite writers and artists, plus previews of new titles, this special issue of SPOTLIGHT gets you ready for DARK REIGN, the storytelling event for the comics industry in 2009!
Dark Reign strikes Marvel’s first family—in an explosive way! Prepared to be blown away as: HAMMER agents attack the Baxter Building. Reed changes everything. The Human Torch suffers a horrible loss and Franklin and Val go shopping. There's Time travel, Alternate realities, Celestials, Eternals, Deviants and Doombots... and more important than all of that, we find out the answer to the question: What is the Bridge?
SPECIAL CROSSOVER WITH THUNDERBOLTS! Deadpool unleashes his most insane plan yet: a full-on assault against Norman Osborn! As Deadpool storms his way to the top of Avengers Tower, Osborn is forced to pull out all the stops to save his own skin — and that means deploying the brand new Thunderbolts! Plug your ears, kids — this is gonna be loud!
Norman Osborn's shadow government looks to pull ahead in the arms race with the help of the Atlas Foundation and the Uranian weaponry of the world's most bizarre defense contractor, Marvel Boy! The dark contacts grow even more solid when Jimmy Woo meets his understudy - Temujin, the son of the Mandarin! How does this all connect to one of the Agents' 1958 missions? Access M-11's datahold and find out! And gorilla man is his usual self.
WORLD'S MOST WANTED PART 4! Tony risks it all to say goodbye to a friend. Maria Hill arrives in Texas - only to find she's been beaten to the punch and now is outnumbered, outgunned, and out of luck. And time. And hope. All this as Pepper Potts goes to an old ally in hopes of stopping things from getting a whole lot worse for Tony Stark - everybody's pal Jim Rhodes...once Iron Man himself and currently WAR MACHINE. Worlds are colliding! Guys in robot suits are fighting! Norman Osborn is ruling the world! Holy $%&#!
The Black Panther is back…and she’s badder than ever. That’s right -- she! What happened to T’Challa? Who is the new Black Panther? And just where does Dr. Doom fit into all this? Find out the answers to all these questions…and why the female is the deadliest of the species.
The Dark Avengers have made themselves known to the world and as the world takes them in, Morgana le Fey comes looking for blood!! Once you learn who the Dark Avengers are you'll see why this is the buzz book of the year!! The Dark Reign is here!!
Celebrate the very special milestone issue as the new roster of the New Avengers with the shocking news of the existence of the Dark Avengers by the only means they know how..... By taking them head on! But what is waiting for them is the stuff that Dark Reign is made of.
Avengers Assemble! Scarlet Witch! Hank Pym! Hercules! The Vision! Stature! Hulk! Jocasta! U.S. Agent! Iron Man! On the last patch of Earth, they're the only heroes left standing. And the enemy they must defeat…was once one of their own. It's Avenger versus Avenger! And at stake is nothing less than the fabric of reality itself! Join Dan Slott and Khoi Pham for the next part in this all-new chapter of MARVEL'S MIGHTIEST SUPER HERO TEAM!
Rhodey versus Ares! Man versus Immortal! War Machine versus God of War! With the life of one of his oldest friends in the balance, Marvel’s one man army must face the only warrior who can outdo his thirst for battle! Be there as armor meets axe, James Rhodes makes enemies in the highest places, and Dark Reign falls!
It's the latest mighty Marvel handbook, straight from the files of Norman Osborn! The Dark Reign's chief power broker assembles a case study of professional criminals on the superhuman grid -scrutinizing threat, loyalty, influence, power, and expendability. In the words of the Green Goblin himself: "Our purpose is to know our enemies - and our enemies' enemies - as we do ourselves."
The Green Goblin vs. the President of the United States! It’s terror at 10,000 feet when Spider-Man’s fearsome foe hurls pumpkin bombs at a special target: the new President! Just what is Norman Osborn up to…and who in the world are the new Thunderbolts? A Dark Reign is falling.
Frank Castle is losing the war. Organized crime has New York City in a death grip that, thanks to the powerful propaganda machine of the corrupt new government, is being swept under the rug. To stem this dark tide, Frank Castle must embrace new tactics, embarking on a bloody public campaign that will expose the dark underbelly of the supposedly squeaky-clean regime to the world, and a new sidekick, who’ll help him get out the message. Who would be stupid enough to team up with the Punisher now that his rifle is pointed squarely at the biggest villains in the Marvel Universe? The answer will turn the Punisher into the most proficient villain killer in town!
Picking up from the earth-shattering conclusion to issue one... we find out who Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors' real enemies are, where they've been hiding, and why they chose now to make their existence known. Get ready, this is going to send shock-waves that will ripple throughout the Marvel Universe. Hail Hydra!
"The Initiative Disassembled" continues as Counter-Force--the original New Warriors--return to join the battle against Ragnarok! But will they save Camp Hammond--or destroy it? Be here as events set in motion in our very first issue rocket towards their devastating conclusion...we're not kidding when we say the Initiative will never be the same!
Norman Osborn has handed the world's most dangerous genetic weapon to a madman, and it is up to Carol Danvers to retrieve it. But Carol is keeping secrets from everyone --secrets that could spell the end of Ms. Marvel as we know her.
In the wake of SECRET INVASION, Mockingbird is alive and has returned to Earth after being held captive by the Skrulls. Ronin, her estranged husband, volunteers to help her adjust to her new life as a member of the new Avengers, but some old wounds run too deep. And what deadly secret did she bring back with her that could tear them, and the world, apart once more? It's high-octane action and intrigue as the Mr. & Mrs. Smith of the Marvel Universe take on one of the biggest threats in the world...and each other!
SPIOLERS....
Mockingbird and Ronin are now part of the Avengers but Bobbi seems to want to work solo. After Secret Invasion Mockingbird left the skrull ship with many unattended trauma. Bobbi is on stelth mode searching a hospital and Clint is right behind her. She makes it clear that she doesn't want ex-Hawkeye to be there and he proves to her she needs him. In the hospital they find that it is actually a secret facility filled with A.I.M.
Before going after her he has a heated disscusion with bucky, the new Captain America, on what are the true intentions of having Mockingbird on the team. Clint storms off without before telling Bucky he is very much like the old Cap.
Mockingbird tells Ronin that she is trying to prevent another event such as the Secret Invasion, and Ronin makes it clear that she can't do it alone. In a warehouse where Bobbi secretly held an armory Clint uses a net and traps her, then he calls for the new Avengers telling then he "has her".
Bob: Agent of HYDRA is back! But his not-so-tearful reunion with Deadpool is cut short by Tiger Shark who, for some reason, just won't get over wanting to cut off Wade's head! Whatís the deal with that?
Perhaps there's something Bob's not telling Deadpool? The hottest new title on the stands swerves into a new and bigger direction this issue, heading right toward the dark heart of the Marvel Universe! Don't miss out!
In the world-shaking wake of SECRET INVASION, everything has changed. Now a fugitive, Tony Stark initiates the deletion sequence that could save the world, but end his life…while Norman Osborn assumes the reins of power and brings the H.A.M.M.E.R. down. How much trouble are Tony, Pepper, and Maria in? Things go from bad to worse as WORLD'S MOST WANTED continues here!
The heroes of the 1950s are back with big plans for the 21st Century! When Federal enforcers under the hand of NORMAN OSBORN burst into an armory under control of the Atlas Foundation, Jimmy Woo's Agents go head-to-head with the new powers that be. How it all goes down will make the playing field of the modern Marvel Universe more volatile than ever! PLUS: A 12-page 1950s flashback to the Agents of Atlas’ first savage encounter with the man known as Wolverine!
Nick Fury: Agent of Nothing
Exploding out of the pages of Secret Invasion and Mighty Avengers!! Nick Fury and his new band of young heroes uncover the darkest secret in the history of the Marvel Universe!! A secret that will crack the internet into tiny little pieces!! A secret that sends the Secret Warriors tumbling into an underworld of rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, super-powered spies, and global criminal organizations. This is the Nick Fury book you've been waiting for! Be there for the Marvel debut of award winning Nightly News creator Jonathan Hickman as he teams up with Secret Warriors co-creator Brian Bendis to unveil a new era in Marvel mania!!
The Black Panther is back…and she’s badder than ever. That’s right -- she! What happened to T’Challa? Who is the new Black Panther? Find out why the female is the deadliest of the species.
With Daken showing up in public for the first time, Nick Fury approaches Wolverine with a proposition: Tell me what you know about your son and I’ll tell you what I know about Romulus. What follows is an exploration of one of the darkest corners of the Marvel Universe, the mysterious program that produced both Daken and his father before him: WEAPON X!
| Story Arc: | Dark Reign |
| 1st Appearance: | Secret Invasion: Dark Reign #1 |
| Appears in: | 213 issues |
| Publisher: | Marvel Publishing |
