New Avengers (Vol. 2) #32

Background

Something is trying to get into the regular Marvel Universe through the astral plane. They have possessed Victoria Hand to eliminate any sorcerer that may stand in their way. With Daimon Hellstrom and Jennifer Kale out of the way, this thing has headed to Avengers Mansion and seems to have left Victoria for Captain Marvel.

Story Details

Dr Strange is tending to an unconscious Victoria Hand. He has taken her mind to the astral plane so that he may interview her as to what she remembers; it turns out she has no memory of what happened. Stephen thinks whatever it is, it’s after him.

Meanwhile, the F.B.I. agent is still outside wanting to arrest Victoria. The possessed Captain Marvel goes out to deal with him and the entity jumps into the agent. He then pretends that the Avengers have taken over his mind and are making him kill himself. The agent’s death understandably rattles the rest of his team, heightening the already tense situation between the Avengers and F.B.I. The Avengers protest their innocence as none of them are psychics but Maria Hill says she doesn’t know what powers they may have and takes charge, locking down the area and calling for S.H.I.E.L.D. reinforcements.

It is now the possessor reveals himself to Dr Strange on the astral plane as Daniel Drumm; seems he’s after revenge for his brother Jericho’s death back in New Avengers (Vol. 2) #6 (Story 1). Drumm kills Victoria on the astral plane, but in the physical world only Dr Strange is with her, making it appear that he is the murderer. Maria Hill gets even angrier declaring no one is to leave and the mansion is a crime scene. Luke Cage decides to flee with his wife and child and Captain Marvel helps them get to the escape tunnels under the mansion. Dr Strange apologises but also runs teleporting away. After warning his friend and servant Wong to stay away, he calls in on Daimon Hellstrom for help but finds him dead. A team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents appear behind him, led by Maria Hill, wanting to place him under arrest.

General Comments

Quite an eventful issue! Victoria Hand is dead, the F.B.I. agent is dead and Daimon Hellstrom is confirmed as dead! Daniel Drumm has returned and seeks vengeance for his brother’s death. Dr Voodoo, as Sorcerer Supreme, sacrificed himself to save the Earth but Brother Voodoo blames the Avengers and is after Dr Strange specifically. Clever tactics from Drumm by possessing the federal agent and then killing himself and then framing Dr Strange for Victoria Hand’s death. Only Stephen knows what’s going on at this point which makes the Avengers question themselves and the authorities even less trusting then they were before. This comes on the back of the Norman Osborn arc and AvX so the Avengers’ public relations aren’t that great. I also liked how Maria Hill just stuck to the law and took charge, although she did go a bit over the top, it seemed fitting to the bits of her character I’ve seen. Quite how she got from Avengers Mansion in New York to Daimon Hellstrom’s house in New Orleans so quickly I don’t know but I’m sure it’ll all be explained next issue!

The art was so much better this time round (completely different artist). Shame he didn’t see what he’s predecessor had done though, as Victoria Hand and Jessica Jones are wearing different outfits in this issue even though it is set seconds after the last! A minor thing but I’m a stickler for continuity!

Overall Rating

Action packed issue, which seems strange to say as there weren’t any fight scenes. Moved the story along nicely.