New Avengers (Vol. 1) #24

Background

The Superhuman Registration Act has been passed. All superhumans must register or become a criminal.

One hero who has registered is The Sentry. A man with the power to end the war on his own.

Story Details

On the Moon The Sentry thinks about how he could end the war by killing everyone, but if he did The Void would return. He thinks about how he could return to Earth and mould the whole planet into the world it could be, he could remove the war from the history books. Suddenly the Inhumans appear. It's fine as he knows them, we are then shown an old school Marvel comic cover showing The Sentry teaming up with the Inhumans against Red Ronin. The Sentry notes that there is no sound on the moon, he tries to motion that he wants to be left alone and he forgot this is the new Inhuman home. Gorgon from the Inhumans attacks him, the attack is followed up by the rest of the Inhumans. The Sentry fights back and holds them at bay. He debates whether or not to leave when Crystal give him one of Black Bolt's headdresses, it's a summons from Black Bolt.

Later at the Inhuman city Attilan, The Sentry is asked why he is there. Sentry realises that the Inhumans are reading his thoughts and memories. He tells them he was on the moon to be alone, and that the Inhumans attacked him. Medusa tells him that is because they are at war with the humans. Sentry tells them that he was not aware of this, and he forgot they were there. Sentry then tells them he will go and he only came to the city out of respect for Black Bolt. Medusa asks him about the battle they were in that their 'seer' can see in his mind, and why they cannot remember it? Sentry tells them its not very easy to explain, but the seer explains it, Medusa asks what this civil war she's hearing of. Sentry tells them to stop reading his mind he's not comfortable with it. Medusa agrees and invites Sentry to dinner.

At the feast Sentry explains everything, from the paranoia left by Fury's secret war to the disaster in Stamford. After finishing everything Sentry realise he smells something familiar, Medusa invites him to stay the night as a guest of the king. Later Sentry admits he accepted as it was the polite thing to do. Crystal brings him some food as he didn't eat that much during the feast. Crystal then admits they used to know each other, they were lovers after Jonny Storm had a fight with her. Crystal kisses him but he pulls away and tells her he is married. Before Sentry can explain Iron Man interrupts and tells him its time to go home. Iron Man tells him they need him and they will win if he joins them. Sentry tells Iron Man that he does not like fighting his friends, Iron Man agrees. Sentry tells Iron Man that he may have to kill Captain America to stop him and asks him if he's prepared to do that? Iron Man tells Sentry that he will not kill Cap, he's just going to stop him, and make him see the world has changed. Iron Man tells him to stop thinking about the fight and what comes after it, a better more peaceful world. Medusa tells Iron Man that he is under arrest for trespassing on their territory. Iron Man tells the Inhumans that he's only passing through and he came for his friend. Sentry tells them he is ready. Iron Man promises he will leave and not return and the war will not involve the Inhumans.

After Sentry and Iron Man leave the Inhuman seer notes that it's sad - they are not ready for what happens next, not nearly ready enough.

General Comments

Writing a character who could end civil war by himself is a difficult task, but Bendis does another great job of explaining a characters choices. The Sentry is registered but is staying neutral, (mostly - see Wolverine: Civil war). The art by Ferry is excellent he really seems suited to drawing cosmic/space stories, seen also in Ultimate Fantastic Four. I also love the way they show Sentry's past with the old fashioned covers - it works really well. This one was by Paul Smith and looks spot on even the colouring looks authentic.

Its nice to see the Inhumans after the events of Son of M and Black Panther, but I do feel that Gorgon/Inhumans attacking everyone first is becoming a bit of a cliche.

Overall Rating

Solid four and a half webs. Great art, great characterising and a bit more to The Sentry's past. Again not much to do with the civil war but this issue has a nice link to the upcoming silent war.