New Avengers (Vol. 1) #25

Background

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

The main supporter of the act is Tony Stark A.K.A. Iron Man.

Story Details

Outside The Avengers tower, which is being guarded by S.H.I.E.L.D. Capekillers, a man activates something on his PDA. This causes the Capekillers armour to shutdown. The man enters the building and uses Tony Starks' ID and password to get though the automated security system. Once he gets into the Avengers meeting room he is spotted by Jarvis, the Avengers butler. The man shoots Jarvis in the shoulder, he apologises for this and blames Stark for putting him in danger. Iron Man appears and asks the man what he's doing? The man says "Cinculla tempest mupon" this causes Iron Mans' armour to shutdown.

Meanwhile on the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier, Director Hill is informed that there may be a problem with the guard unit at Avengers Tower, even though they called in as normal earlier. Hill asks the operator to zoom in so she can see what's going on. Once she realises the unit is down she scrambles all units to the Tower. Back in the tower the man is talking to Iron Man. He asks Iron Man what did he think he was going to do. The man tells him that he dedicated his life to Iron Man and The Avengers, and now Iron Man has used his designs against Captain America, and he would have never said yes to that.

Outside the tower the S.H.I.E.L.D. unit is on the scene and trying to devise a plan, while the man continues to talk to Iron Man noting that since the war started he never comes out of his armour anymore. Back outside, Hill decides she's going in alone and starts to get suited up. Inside the tower the man decides that he wants to see Starks' face. Stark calls the man Kenny and tells him there are better ways to get his attention. Kenny pulls out an antimatter generator and activates it. He tells Stark that he plans to destroy the tower with them inside it to end the war once the generator has warmed up. Hill has managed to get into the building and uses her antigravity shoes to go up the staircase. Stark tells Kenny that he will become a martyr and no one will know what happened. Kenny tells him that he has written and posted a blog about his actions. Stark asks him what he did to him. Kenny tells him that he stole his work. Stark tells him that he paid for that work, and Kenny works for him, he agreed the deal. Kenny tells him that not a sicko in a cape, he is a loyal friend and confidant who was so disgusted and betrayed by what Stark has done. Stark tries to reactivate his armour but Kenny knew about that code too. As the generator starts to power up Kenny is shot and killed by Hill. Stark tells her to get out but she tries to contain the bomb but that appears not to work. She tries to protect Stark as the bomb goes off but the S.H.I.E.L.D. gear she used works so the bomb doesn't do much damage.

Later Stark thanks Hill, she notes that Stark hates her because she was picked to lead S.H.I.E.L.D. even though there are people more qualified than her. She asks why was she, a low-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with no leadership experience and no superhuman contacts was given the Directors position, and that Stark should be the one running things.

General Comments

This issue unlike the other New Avengers CW doesn't add to the characters motivations. Every other issue has shown why the character chose the side they were on. I guess Iron Mans' reasons have been shown elsewhere but it would have been nice to show something extra here. I did pick up the CW issues of Iron Man but they didn't add much either. The writing is ok, Bendis is a top writer but this issue didn't do much for me. The art by Cheung is fantastic, and the only plus for the issue - the cityscape on page one is amazing.

Overall Rating

Overall I would give this 2.5 webs and that's mainly for the art. This issue doesn't contribute to CW as much as the previous issues which is a shame. I've also heard rumours of a new S.H.I.E.L.D. Director being announced soon, could it be Tony Stark?