New Avengers (Vol. 2) #22

Background

The New Avengers have been defeated by Norman Osborn’s own team of Avengers but have disabled the cyborg clone of Thor, Ragnarok. After returning back to the mansion the team were told the mansion is being seized by the federal government.

Story 'The New Avengers Versus Authority'

Soldiers, who I can only say play too much Halo, are trying to take the team in for questioning. The New Avengers tell the soldiers that the mansion is private property. Luke Cage is shot while trying to get inside of the mansion. At a remote location, Osborn’s team are watching the situation on the news. Dr. Strange has transported the team to his home so they could avoid being arrested and figure out how Osborn played them. Luke Cage needs to get back to Jessica and the baby. Wong tells him that they left and gives him Jessica’s phone. Cage goes to find Jessica leaving the team to deal with Osborn.

The next morning Victoria Hand is packing her clothes when The New Avengers, (including Ms. Marvel who appears to have just shown up at random) arrive to interrogate her. After pleading her innocence Wolverine throws her out of a window. It turns out it was an illusion spell cast by Dr. Strange and if Hand doesn’t want it to happen for real she needs to start talking about who she’s really working for. At H.A.M.M.E.R. headquarters Madame Hydra tells The Gorgon it’s nearly time for them to take over H.A.M.M.E.R. The New Avengers are on the run, The Avengers are down and she has something everyone wants – a captured Captain America. Gorgon goes to kill Cap but Madame Hydra tells him she needs him so she can put him on trail for war crimes.

Back with The New Avengers, Hand reveals she’s been working for Captain America as a triple agent. Spidey asks her why she was going to run away. Hand tells him she hasn’t heard from Cap so she doesn’t know what to do. They decide to use Hand as bait to lead them to Osborn. Hand calls Osborn who tells her he’ll have someone pick her up. Later at H.A.M.M.E.R. headquarters, The Dark Avengers are getting ready to attack The New Avengers when Gorgon lets it slip that Hydra have Captain America. Skaar says “I guess that’s my cue... AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!” and attacks his “teammates”.

General Comments

When the new team of Dark Avengers was announced I was wondering why Skaar was part of the team. Sure he's a power house but the last story I heard about him was he decided to rule the Savage Land. What could Osborn offer him that he couldn't just take for himself? Hopefully next issue will have some more answers.

As for this issue we finnaly get an answer for who Victoria Hand is working for and we now know Madame Hydra and The Gorgon are ready to betry Osborn.

Overall Rating

Once again Deodato and Bendis are leading the way in how quickly a high quality comic can be produced on a monthly basis. With AvX on the horizon I have a feeling they'll be working even harder over the summer.

The 3.5 webs is for the usual standard of art and writting and an extra 0.5 for the ending - Skaar smash!