New Avengers (Vol. 1) #30

Background

Last issue ended with the New Avengers still surrounded by Elektra and the Hand. The day before the Mighty Avengers arrived at Dr Strange's home with Brother Voodoo, in an attempt to break the illusion spell Dr Strange cast on his home.

Story Details

Brother Voodoo tries to break the illusion spell on the Sanctum Sanctorum and fails. He tells the MA there is no one in the house, but he is not sure as Dr Strange is called the master of the mystic arts for a reason. Iron Man tells the MA to leave, after they leave he enters the house and says he knows the NA are there, and they can be Avengers again and he doesn't understand why they are rebelling. After Iron Man leaves Peter notes he did have a point, but Cage tells him they will help who they want the way they want, they won't work for a government with unknown motives. Cage reminds everyone what's happened, from the breakout at the Raft, to the incident in the Savage land, the S.H.I.E.LD. and Hydra conspiracies and of course the civil war. Cage thinks these events are connected, and there not going to stop fighting until they find out who the real bad guy is.

As they decide to leave for Japan, Wong spots Clint Barton, A.K.A Hawkeye outside. The team decide to reveal themselves to him. Strange asks him if he found the Scarlet Witch, Clint says no. Wolverine tells him he's lying. Clint tells Wolverine what he found is not going to do anyone any good. Wolverine tells him she has a lot to answer for. Clint asks them what they are doing and if they are the New Defenders. Cage asks him why he's not with the Mighty Avengers? Clint says that being a "corporate Muppet baby" isn't his thing, and he came back to tell Dr Strange he's OK. Cage tells him to go but Strange tells him he can stay. Clint decides he's going to leave and try to honour Captain America's world view. Peter tells him they were Cap's team. Clint asks why aren't they storming the Avengers Tower and stopping the Superhuman Registration act? Peter says they're doing that on Saturday. Wolverine tells him tonight they are off to Japan. After some doubt from Cage the team agrees to let Dr Strange use a spell of purity to see if anyone has any other motives. After the spell is cast everyone checks out OK and they agree Clint can go with them. Cage tells Clint to get his Hawkeye gear and get ready, when Clint says that he cannot be Hawkeye anymore, Wolverine offers him the Ronin suit.

Back in Tokyo the team are still surrounded by Elektra and the Hand. Cage tells Elektra about the teams larger agenda. Meanwhile Maya, under the Hands control, stands up and stabs Dr Strange through the chest with a sword. The team jump into action and Cage says he was just buying time for Wolverine to heal up. As the team is overpowered by the Hand Elektra welcomes Maya to the Hand, as Dr Strange looks on.

General Comments

OK no big battle with the Mighty Avengers but plenty of ninja action towards the end of the book. Ronin is Clint Barton, I would prefer Matt Murdock but Clint is a good fit. The art is up to Yu's high standard and the writing is again solid.

Hopefully the original reason, (the S.H.I.E.L.D. Conspiricy) for the team getting together will be revealed soon, which would be great.

Overall Rating

3.5 webs for this issue, some action and the Might Avengers subplot appears to have finished. Oh yeah and Ronin was been revealed.