New Avengers (Vol. 1) #59

Background

Last issue Luke Cage was captured by H.A.M.M.E.R. who performed the heart surgery he desperately needed, but as always Norman Osborn has a plan...

Story Details

Luke wakes up in a H.A.M.M.E.R. medical bay. He is then told by Norman and Ms. Hand that he is under arrest. They offer Luke a deal, if he hands over The New Avengers his wife and child will not be charged. At The New Avengers hideout the team discuss their options to save Luke. Spidey tells them The Kingpin used to always have one thing happening in public while a bigger plan was being enacted somewhere else. The team agree to do something big while they rescue Luke. Spider-Woman tells them she wasn’t sure a plan like this would work as they don’t have the man power. Jessica Cage then says “You don’t @#$^ with Luke Cage”. Luke’s friends have gathered to help, Doctor Voodoo, Misty Knight, The Thing, Hellcat, Iron Fist, Valkyrie, Daredevil and Doctor Strange. They are there because through the years Luke has been there for them and the people and never asked for anything in return. Doctors Voodoo and Strange do some recon via the astral plane and find Luke on the H.A.M.M.E.R. helicarrier. Iron fist warns them that Osborn may have someone on his side that may have been able to detect them so they should act quickly. Captain America tells them to suit up.

Captain America, Ms. Marvel, Spider-man, Iron Fist, Spider-Woman, Ronin and Mocking Bird attack Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. in New Mexico. Taskmaster tells someone to get Osborn. On the H.A.M.M.E.R. helicarrier Osborn discovers the energy signature left earlier by the two doctors. He decides it’s time to move Luke, he’s them told that Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. is under attack. He assembles his Avengers and sets off. Luke is being escorted onto a transport when he is rescued by the other heroes from earlier, (including Iron Fist, more on that later). Back at Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. The Dark Avengers are surveying the damage when Osborn is told that Luke has been rescued. He tells Ms. Hand not to worry he was prepared for this. Meanwhile The Avengers, (without Iron Fist) that attacked Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. are watching. Later back in New York everyone is gathered around Luke thanks them all, while we see that Osborn has attached a device to Luke’s heart.

General Comments

Let me get this out of the way, Iron fist is present in the attack on Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. as well as being involved in the rescue of Luke from the H.A.M.M.E.R. helicarrier? I know Marvel continuity isn’t what it used to be but this happens in the same issue! Every New Avenger reader should demand a no prize. Anyway this issue was a step above the last issue, something actually happened, (the rescue of Luke cage) and there was a great cliff hanger.

Overall Rating

3 webs, great art and story direction. Continuity problems aside this is one of the better parts of this story arc.