Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers | |
---|---|
Mike Deodato Jr. | |
Series publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
Schedule | Monthly |
Format | Ongoing series |
Genre | |
Publication date | (Volume 1) March Scarlet Witch (Toxie Doxie) Ragnarok |
Dark Avengers is a 2009–2013
Publication history
The series debuted with issue #1, dated January 2009, as part of a multi-series story arc entitled "Dark Reign."[1] In the premiere, writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mike Deodato[2] (working from a continuity begun in a previous, company-wide story arc, "Secret Invasion," involving an infiltration of Earth by the shape-shifting alien Skrulls and that race's eventual defeat) chronicled the aftermath of the U.S. government's disbanding of the federally sanctioned superhero team, the Avengers. Bendis described the thinking behind the team: "These are bad-ass, hardcore get-it-done types. They'll close the door and take care of business and he's dressing them up to make them something that the people want.[3] This is in contrast to the changes Norman Osborn is shown making to the Thunderbolts, where, according to writer Andy Diggle, he turns that team into "something much more covert and much more lethal: his own personal hit squad".[4]
The series ended with Dark Avengers #16, at the culmination of the Siege storyline.[5]
The Thunderbolts comic book was renamed Dark Avengers beginning with issue #175, but the creative team remained unchanged.[6][7] Dark Avengers ended with issue #190.[8]
Fictional team biography
First Dark Avengers
The government assigned the team's redevelopment to Norman Osborn (the reformed supervillain now calling himself the Iron Patriot) whom the government had previously assigned to head the superhero team the Thunderbolts and who had become a public hero for his role in repelling the Skrull threat. Osborn, also given leadership of the espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D., reforms that agency into H.A.M.M.E.R. and creates a new Avengers team under its aegis.
The initial line-up consists of former Thunderbolts members and new recruits, including the
The Dark Avengers arrive in San Francisco to set up martial law and to quell the anti-mutant riots. In doing so, Norman sets up
A series of disappearances throughout Colorado causes Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers (except for Venom) to visit the small town of
After declaring war on the Asgardians, Norman Osborn has the Dark Avengers and those in The Initiative prepare for the Siege of Asgard.[18] Norman considers The Sentry, specifically his dark side, known as The Void, his secret weapon.[19]
In flashback, it is told how Robert Reynolds received his vast powers from experimental drugs, using his might as the Sentry to live the life of a superhero, while his darker emotions manifested as the Void. Osborn has manipulated Reynolds into allowing the Void to take over, to do Osborn's murderous bidding. Osborn has somehow recreated the addictive serum that gave Reynolds his powers, making him dependent on Osborn and his approval. Meanwhile, Reynolds's wife Lindy has been a virtual prisoner in the Sentry's Watchtower, has even attempted to kill him, and begs Reynolds to either kill her or let her go. Reynolds's warring personalities, however, have stalemated. The Sentry even attempts suicide, flying into the heart of the sun, but such is his invulnerability that it doesn't work. He tires of struggling against the Void. Norman orders Bullseye to kill Lindy, blaming her for Sentry's uncertainty and weakness.[20] When an emergency evacuation occurs, Bullseye takes Lindy on a helicopter, antagonizes her cruelly, then strangles her to death and dumps her body into the ocean. When Sentry arrives looking for Lindy, Bullseye claims that she committed suicide, out of fear of Reynolds, by jumping out of the helicopter in the countryside. Sentry leaves to look for her body. From this point on, it could be said that the murderous Void was in full control of Reynolds and his unprecedented power.[21]
Following the events of Siege, Norman Osborn is incarcerated in The Raft penitentiary. Moonstone, Bullseye and Venom are captured by the heroes, while Daken manages to escape capture by military personnel. After being interrogated by
New Dark Avengers
A new Dark Avengers team is formed by Norman Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R. The roster includes
The Dark Avengers capture Captain America during their successful attack on both Avengers teams with the intention of executing him for his 'crimes'. Gorgon and Superia are already planning to betray the team, while Victoria Hand, apparently Norman's double agent inside the team, reveals to the New Avengers her real allegiance to Captain America and Skaar turns on his teammates after they confirm their intentions to assault Captain America, exclaiming the famous rallying cry, "Avengers Assemble!" as he does so.[32] Skaar reveals that he is a double agent for Captain America, allowing the New Avengers to defeat the rest of the team.[33] Norman Osborn is shown to have developed the abilities of the Super-Adaptoid, enabling him to copy the abilities of the other Avengers. The Avengers find a way to overload this power, which puts Norman Osborn into a coma. After Osborn is defeated, the rest of the Dark Avengers are detained. It is suggested in a conversation with Captain America that they be considered for the Thunderbolts Program.[34]
As of #175, Thunderbolts is renamed Dark Avengers with writer Jeff Parker and the art team of Kev Walker and Declan Shalvey remaining on the title.[6][7] When the Thunderbolts are missing in the time stream, the Dark Avengers were recruited as a replacement team. In order to keep the Dark Avengers in line, they were implanted with nanites and placed under the leadership of Luke Cage.[35]
The Dark Avengers team are thrown into the alternate world of Earth-13584 with
Roster
Founders
Character | Real Name | Joined in | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Iron Patriot | Norman Osborn | Dark Avengers #1 (March 2009) | AKA the Green Goblin. Former leader, captured in Dark Avengers #16. Redesigned Stark armor to represent both Iron Man and Captain America. Rejoined in New Avengers #18 acquired the power of the Super-Adaptoid after reassembling the team. |
"Spider-Man" | Mac Gargan | AKA Scorpion. Captured in "Dark Avengers" #16. Became Scorpion again after Venom suit was taken by government. | |
"Ms. Marvel" a.k.a. Captain Marvel | Karla Sofen | AKA Moonstone. Captured in Dark Avengers #16 and joined Luke Cage's Thunderbolts in Thunderbolts #144. Rejoins the team in Dark Avengers #184. | |
"Hawkeye" | Lester | AKA Bullseye. Captured in Dark Avengers #16. Killed by Daredevil in Shadowland #1. | |
"Wolverine" | Akihiro | Wolverine's psychopathic son, Daken. He avoided capture in Dark Avengers #16 and remains at large. | |
Captain Marvel | Noh-Varr | Left the team in Dark Avengers #6 and joined the Avengers. | |
Ares | Ares | Killed in Siege #2 by the Sentry. | |
The Sentry | Robert Reynolds | AKA Void. Went rogue in Siege #3 before being killed by Thor in Siege #4. |
Post-Fear Itself recruits
Character | Real Name | Joined in | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
"Wolverine" | Tomi Shishido | New Avengers #18 (November 2011) | Fought and killed by Wolverine in Wolverine #31. Revived by the Hand in Secret Warriors #2. Leaves the team in New Avengers vol. 2, #23. |
"Hulk" | Skaar/Hiro-Kala
|
Recruited by Osborn in the Savage Land, Skaar was actually double agent working for Captain America in secret, along with his twin brother Hiro-Kala. Both rejoined the team in Dark Avengers #175 and left again in Dark Avengers #190. | |
"Ms. Marvel" | Deidre Wentworth
|
Led a H.A.M.M.E.R. team after Norman Osborn's incarceration. Leaves the team in New Avengers vol. 2, #23. | |
"Hawkeye" | Barney Barton | Joined after having his death in a hospital bed faked by Osborn. | |
"Spider-Man" | Ai Apaec
|
South American spider god. First encountered by Osborn in Osborn #1. Changed into a six-armed humanoid form resembling the black suit version of Spider-Man by an unknown substance. | |
"Scarlet Witch" | Dr. June Covington
|
Biologist and geneticist. First encountered by Osborn in Osborn #1 following the Siege of Asgard. | |
"Thor" | Ragnarok | Currently held and being repaired by A.I.M. on Norman Osborn's behalf. He was repaired in time to help the Dark Avengers fight the New Avengers. |
Marvel ReEvolution recruits
Character | Real Name | Joined in | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
U.S. Agent
|
John Walker | Dark Avengers #185 (2013) | Former warden of the Raft swept along with the Dark Avengers to an alternate reality. Resumes his role as U.S. Agent after receiving a lobotomized alternate reality version of the Venom symbiote that recreates his missing limbs. |
Reception
Accolades
- In 2018, CBR.com ranked the Dark Avengers 13th in their "25 Most Powerful Avengers Teams" list.[38]
- In 2020, CBR.com ranked the Dark Avengers 6th in their "Marvel: 10 Most Powerful Teams" list.[39]
- In 2022, Sportskeeda ranked the Dark Avengers 6th in their "10 best supervillain teams in comics" list.[40]
- In 2022,
Other versions
Ultimate Marvel
In the
In other media
Television
The Dark Avengers appear in a self-titled episode of Avengers Assemble.[44] This version of the group are reality-flipped versions of the original Avengers who operate as supervillains while the Squadron Supreme work to stop them. However, the Dark Avengers eventually discover that the Squadron used the Reality Gem to change the world in their image and use it to undo the Squadron's changes.
Video games
- The Dark Avengers appear in Venom.
- The Dark Avengers appear in Marvel Puzzle Quest,[47][48] consisting of Ares, Bullseye, Daken, Moonstone, Ragnarok, Sentry, Mac Gargan / Venom, and Yelena Belova.
Collected editions
The series is being collected into individual volumes:
- Volume 1: Dark Avengers Assemble (collects Dark Avengers #1–6, 160 pages, premiere hardcover, September 2009, ISBN 0-7851-3852-8)
- Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men - ISBN 0-7851-4234-7)
- Volume 2: Molecule Man (collects Dark Avengers #9-12, 112 pages, premiere hardcover, February 2010, ISBN 0-7851-3853-6)
- Dark Avengers: Siege (collects Dark Avengers #13-16, and Dark Avengers Annual #1, 144 pages, Marvel Comics, premiere hardcover, July 2010, ISBN 0-7851-4811-6)
- Dark Avengers: The End is the Beginning (collects Dark Avengers #175-183, softcover, February 2013, ISBN 0785161724)
- Dark Avengers: Masters of Evil (collects Dark Avengers #184-190, softcover, July 2013, ISBN 0785168478)
All the issues (Except the Utopia crossover) are being collected into one hardback book:
- Dark Avengers ISBN 0-7851-5650-X)
As were the spin-offs:
- Ms. Marvel:
- Volume 7: Dark Reign (collects Ms. Marvel #35-40, 176 pages, Marvel Comics, premiere hardcover, September 2009, ISBN 0-7851-3839-0)
- Volume 8: War of The Marvels (collects Ms. Marvel #41-46, 120 pages, Marvel Comics, premiere hardcover, January 2010, ISBN 0-7851-3841-2)
- Volume 7: Dark Reign (collects Ms. Marvel #35-40, 176 pages, Marvel Comics, premiere hardcover, September 2009,
- Dark Wolverine:
- Volume 1: The Prince (collects ISBN 0-7851-3866-8)
- Volume 2: My Hero (collects Dark Wolverine #78-81, 112 pages, Marvel Comics, premiere hardcover, April 2010, ISBN 0-7851-3977-X)
- Siege: X-Men - Dark Wolverine & New Mutants (includes Dark Wolverine #82-84, 128 pages, Marvel Comics, premiere hardcover, June 2010, ISBN 0-7851-4815-9)
- Volume 1: The Prince (collects
- Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man (collects Dark Reign: The Sinister Spider-Man #1-4, 112 pages, Marvel Comics, softcover, January 2010, ISBN 0-7851-4239-8)
- Dark Avengers: Ares (collects Ares #1-5 and Dark Avengers: Ares #1-3, 192 pages, Marvel Comics, softcover, April 2010, ISBN 0-7851-4406-4)
- Dark Reign: Hawkeye (collects Dark Reign: Hawkeye #1-5, 120 pages, Marvel Comics, softcover, May 2010, ISBN 0-7851-3850-1)
References
- ^ Rogers, Vaneta (September 29, 2008). "Getting Dark: Brian Bendis on Dark Avengers & Dark Reign". Newsarama. Archived from the original on January 1, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
- ^ Rogers, Vaneta (December 23, 2008). "Mike Deodato Explores His Dark (Avengers) Side". Newsarama. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ Richards, Dave (January 22, 2008). "The Osborn Supremacy: Dark Avengers". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on May 26, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
- ^ Rogers, Vaneta (December 17, 2008). "Andy Diggle: The Future of the Thunderbolts". Newsarama. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
- ^ George, Richard (January 15, 2010). "Siege Ends the Avengers". IGN. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
- ^ a b Ching, Albert (March 18, 2012). "WonderCon 2012 Exclusive: THUNDERBOLTS Becomes DARK AVENGERS". Newsarama. Archived from the original on January 4, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
- ^ a b Richards, Dave (March 19, 2012). "WC12: Parker & Shalvey Cage The "Dark Avengers"". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
- ^ staff, CBR (14 February 2013). "Marvel Comics Solicitations for May, 2013". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ^ Dark Avengers #1 (March 2009). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #2 (April 2009). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #5. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Avengers #50. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #8. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #10 (2009). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #11. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #12. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Siege #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #13. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #14. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #15. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #16. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Thunderbolts #144. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Avengers #2. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Avengers #1 (2010). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Amazing Spider-Man #651. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Avengers vol. 2 #18. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Avengers vol. 2 #19. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Avengers vol. 2 #20. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Avengers vol. 2 #21. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Avengers vol. 4 #23. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Avengers vol. 2 #22. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Avengers vol. 2 #23. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Avengers vol. 4 #24. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #175. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #184. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Avengers #190. Marvel Comics.
- ^ C. B. R. Staff (2018-10-04). "The Mightiest: 25 Most Powerful Avengers Teams, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ Harth, David (2020-09-17). "Marvel: 10 Most Powerful Teams, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved 2022-11-25.
- ^ Hill, Brad. "From Sinister Six to Suicide Squad: 10 best supervillain teams in comics". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ Harth, David (2022-09-08). "10 Marvel Teams That Exceeded Expectations". CBR. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ Harth, David (2022-05-29). "The 13 Strongest Avengers Rosters, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved 2022-11-25.
- ^ Ultimate Comics: Ultimates #25. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Segall, Mason (November 5, 2017). "The 15 Most Uncomfortable Episodes Of Marvel Cartoons - 10". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on June 2, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
- ^ Siegel, Lucas (July 20, 2013). "SDCC '13: Marvel Video Games Panel LIVE - Thor: The Dark World, LEGO Stan Lee". Newsarama. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
- ^ Shaul, Brandy (Jul 7, 2014). "Marvel: Avengers Alliance updated with "Fear Itself" storyline on Facebook". Adweek. Archived from the original on December 11, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
- ^ Gallaway, Brad (November 11, 2016). "The Best Marvel Puzzle Quest Characters - Page 1". Paste. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
- ^ Gallaway, Brad (November 11, 2016). "The Best Marvel Puzzle Quest Characters - Page 2". Paste. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
External links
- Explaining it All: Brian Bendis Talks Dark Avengers #1, Newsarama, January 22, 2008
- Dark Avengers at the Grand Comics Database
- Dark Avengers at Marvel Wiki
- Dark Avengers at Comic Vine
- Dark Avengers at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)