New Avengers (Vol. 1) #49

Background

Danielle, the daughter of Luke and Jessica has been kidnapped by a Skrull posing as The Avengers butler Jarvis. Desperate to get his dughter back Luke Cage makes a deal with the new top cop, Norman Osborn.

Story Details

This issue starts with Norman Osborn, Venom, Bullseye and Luke Cage arriving on The Raft to interorgate the Skrull prisoners left on Earth since the Invasion. At Norman's command Venom eats one of the prisoners, fritend one of the Skrulls tells them they have a meeting place. Later we see "Jarvis" approaching a warehouse, he's then confronted by Luke Cage. Luke promises that if he returns his daughter no harm will come to him. Jarvis hands over the baby, then he is assasinated by Bullseye who is perched with sniper rifle outside of the warehouse.

The next morning in Avengets Tower, Luke and Danielle are reunited with Jessica. Norman says S.H.I.E.L.D. doctor gave Danielle the all clear. Jessica says she just wants to raise her child, Norman tells her the deal was with her husband. When they are on thier own Luke asks Jessica to make the call, she asks him what hes going to do. Luke tells her he's going to make his intentions clear. Luke returns to the kitchen where Norman is busy dealing with S.H.I.E.L.D. and Bullseye and Venom are eating breakfast. Luke tells them about the enchanted crowbar he took from The Wrecker, Bullseye sounds impressed just before Luke uses it to beat him and Venom unconcious. Luke goes to confront Norman when a crash is heard from the next room, outside the window we see MS. Marvel and Jessica flying away with Danielle. Norman calls Luke a liar, Luke calls him a murderer and the only reason he doesn't use the crowbar on him is because he got his daughter back. Luke uses the crowbar the smash the window and he leaps through it. Norman looks on and says "Guess who just made the list".

Later The New Avengers are all together when the new roster of Avengers is announced to the world on television. They appear to be Marvel Boy, The Sentry, Ms. Marvel, Ares, Wolverine, Hawkeye, Their leader calls himself The Iron Patriot, he takes off his helmet and says "My name is Norman Osborn and I approve these Avengers". Ronin tells The New Avengers every time the world goes to hell someone takes advantage of it, and Osborn is using The Avengers legacy to do this. Ronin then says "We're The Avengers. We take it back".

General Comments

Well first of all let me say I'm glad Cage did not join the Dark Avengers. Over the last few years he's really become one of the driving forces behind The New Avengers. Anyway this issue appears to be leading to the big confrontation between both sets of Avengers, which should be very interesting.

Overall Rating

3.5 webs - A solid build up to issue 50