New Avengers (Vol. 1) #13

Background

Last issue the New Avengers, with the help of a mysterious ninja, battled the Hand, captured Madame Hydra and were confronted by the Silver Samurai

Story Details

One of Samurai's goons asks what American heroes are doing in Japan. Cap tells them they are the Avengers, and they are here to stop the Hand power base before it begins. Samurai tells them that he was kidnapped by America, and asks why he wasnt given a trial? Cap tells him they are here to find that out and for him to drop his weapon. Samurai turns an kills a bunch of Hand ninjas, Iron Man finally uses his concussion blast to take the rest of them out. He explains he couldn't use it earlier as they were all in his way. Samurai thanks them for coming as he wanted to make sense of this, as soon as he starts to talk Cage knocks him down. Cap tells Cage to stop as this isnt what they are there for. Iron Man explains that Haradah was one of the S.H.I.E.L.D files they couldnt match up as he was declared dead. Cage gives Samurai more grief until Samurai asks him if he went to prison once. Samurai tell them hes a changed man. Cap tells him they are here to find out what happened and the US government were not to blame for his kidnapping and he could help by telling them exactly what happened to him. Samurai tells them he fell asleep in a private plane then woke up in a cell in the Raft. Iron Man asks him what hes going to do. Samurai tells him he will put his house in order, and he tells the Avengers to tell their masters that he will tell the world what has happened to him, and the only thing that stops him turning his house into something to be feared is his fathers name. Samurai also tells them he will take credit for taking the Hand down, and he will be going public. He argues with Spider-Woman about who gets Madame Hydra, but Spider-Woman ends up taking her away.

In the Quinjet the Avengers all agree that they are ready for the Sentry to join them, as someone at his power level would have sorted the Hand in three minutes. On the news Samurai blames America for his kidnapping, Iron Man tells Cap now is the time to go public.

In the back of the jet the others are asking Ronin who he is, after a few guesses they get nowhere. Meanwhile Madame Hydra motions Spider-woman to let her go. As Jessica presses the door release button as Cap turns to check something. Air pressure is lost in the jet, and Madame Hydra and Cap are blown out of the cabin, Jessica flys to save him, but shes not fast enough. Ronin tells Iron man to go after them as he can fly the plane. Jessica catches Cap just before he hits the ocean, and Iron Man catches them before they both go in the water! After they are back on board, Iron Man tells everyone they that he couldnt find Madame Hydra, but she always survives and they wonder how she escaped. Ronin looks at Spider-Woman, while Cap looks pissed.

Back at Avengers tower/Sentry's watchtower, Ronin tells them he will return to Japan to keep an eye on Samurai, and Elektra is running the Hand now and she will be looking for her men or revenge. Iron Man offers to fund Ronins adventures but Ronin tells them he has plenty of money. Iron Man asks how he knows to fly a Quinjet as no one else knows. Ronin tells him he saw him fly it, and he can copy peoples actions. Cap realises that Ronin is willing to go the distance with the New Avengers. Iron man asks who Ronin actually is....

Ronin removes his mask... Her name is Maya Lopez AKA Echo, (more details below). The next day Jess is sat in the kitchen when Cap walks in, she says hey, they agree it was a rough night. Cap then asks who she's working for....

General Comments

This issue had a few key points, first of all Ronin is unmasked, Ill get to this in a moment, Samurai turns good and Madame Hydra escapes.

Ok time for Ronin - When I first saw the new Avengers line up it bugged me that they used the mystery character plot device, and the mystery character didnt appear for months. Now after 13 issues the team is finally assembled - bout damn time!!! As for the identity of Ronin, I was really hoping for Daredevil to be under that mask, as im a huge DD fan. Still Echo could fit the team as it only has one female on it at the moment.

Overall Rating

Nice twist - wasnt expecting Ronin to be Echo until I read the Ultimate guide to the Avengers, HUGE spoiler! Still this is Finch's last NA for a while, and his art is great as usual. We get some more Samurai details, and like I said before the team is now complete.

Footnote

One thing thats bugged me for a while - on the variant Finch cover of NA issue 1 theres a guy with a silver mask - Is this supposed to be Ronin? If anyone could let me know that would be appreciated!