Superior Avengers #4 – Panopticon

Cards on the table in Superior Avengers #4 by Steve Foxe, Kyle Hotz, Luca Maresca, Rachelle Rosenberg, Mattia Iacono and Cory Petit, Marvel Comics

ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM

While Victor Von Doom unified the world under his flag, his son Kristoff Vernard took it upon himself to summon an Avengers from the future! There is a problem: these Avengers were not fans of Doom’s regime. Previously, they killed Doctor Doom in their time period! Hence they’re on a mission to return magic to their world.

This villainous team arrived from the future with an agenda of their own. Unbeknownst to everyone, they have been collecting as much magical energy as possible. So they can abandon the past and return to their time to undo Doom’s world.

CLASHING AVENGERS

Until their plans are complete and they can return home, they are playing along as Doom’s Superior Avengers. Deploying all over the world fulfilling every mission they’re assigned to. While actively serving as propaganda for Doctor Doom’s United Latveria.

Previously, the Superior Avengers clashed with earth’s mightiest heroes, the Avengers lead by Captain Marvel. Tensions were extremely high from the moment they met. Unfortunately, the Superior Avengers had some personal axes to grind with the heroes. Finally, things got out of hand fast and there were casualties. 

*SPOILERS FOR ISSUE #4*

FROM SOLICITATION:

“WHO PULLS THE STRINGS? As the SUPERIOR AVENGERS solidify their place as EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES, the cracks begin to show. Where does each member’s loyalty lie? And can they stay together long enough to reach their ultimate goal?”

GHOST SWAP

During the fight between the two teams, Vision blasted Ghost seemingly killing her. But it wasn’t the real Ghost, only a drone substitute. Unknown to the Superior Avengers, Ghost had stayed behind in Doomstadt. She took the opportunity to reveal the truth about her teammates to Kistoff Vernard.

First, the truth about who the Superior Avengers are and their ulterior agenda. Also, Ghost shared what little backstory she knew about Killmonger, Doctor Octopus, Malekith, Onslaught and Abomination. Moreover she confessed who she really was as well. 

FUTURE ANNIHILATION 

The reason this team came back was the villain Annihilation. The moment Doctor Doom perished, all defenses of earth collapsed. Allowing way worse monsters to invade earth. Annihilation being the first one. That is their real purpose. To gather all the magical energy they can. So they can use it to defeat Annihilation. 

HOW ABOUT THE ART?

Once again, Kyle Hotz and Rachelle Rosenberg are in charge of depicting the unfortunate world of the future. They managed to convey the desperation of that world through their craft. Meanwhile Luca Maresca and Mattia Iacono continued their sharper and cleaner interpretation of the current timeline. The two styles contrast each other amazingly well. 

OVERALL GRADE: 8.5/10

I was pleasantly surprised by the plot twist in this issue. Not only Ghost betrayed her teammates, but she has ulterior motivations from them. Also, we finally got origins of some sort for all these characters. The stakes have been increased two fold. I can’t wait to see how Steve Foxe is landing this story.

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