Superior Avengers #5 – Undeniable Future

The future hunts the present in Superior Avengers #5 by Steve Foxe, Kyle Hotz, Luca Maresca, Rachelle Rosenberg, Mattia Iacono & Cory Petit, Marvel Comics

ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM

Previously, the Ghost from the Superior Avengers revealed her true identity. Her real name is Ava Starr. She wasn’t one of Doom’s court lieutenants in the future, she was a prisoner in the Negative Zone. The real Ghost was her prison warden.

When Annilus made his move and invaded the Prison she took the opportunity to kill the real Ghost and replaced her. Unfortunately, Ava lost her daughter to the Annilus Wave during the invasion. Ever since she took on the Ghost mantle, she’s been hiding her identity from everyone. Including her teammates.

ARCHANE WARHEAD

Finally, Ava revealed the true intentions of the Superior Avengers. They are collecting Magic for an Arcane Warhead. They intend to take this bomb into their timeline so they can eradicate Annilus for good. However, the worst part is they’re willing to destroy anything and everyone to accomplish their goal. Including the Sorcerer Supreme. With a plan of her own, Ava revealed the truth to Kristoff Vernard, Doctor Doom’s heir.

*SPOILERS FOR ISSUE 5*

FROM SOLICITATION:

“Killmonger strikes! Is this a sign of budding romance? Or murder? The pieces are falling into place, and the team is ready for their true mission to begin. But who is playing who?”

WAKANDA: ANNO-DOOM +112

Once again, the two-story theme continues in issue #5. First let’s begin with Killmonger’s story hundreds of years into the future. The people believed Wakanda was the last bastion of freedom. So, they risked their lives traveling to the hidden country with the hopes of finding a haven. However, the truth was completely different. Doctor Doom kept the rumors of Wakanda being safe alive as he watched people trying to reach the hidden country. In the end, it was a rite of passage for people to be recruited into Doctor Doom’s court. Hence Killmonger became a member of Doom’s entrusted Lieutenants.

WAKANDA: PRESENT TIME

The Superior Avengers began the final stages of their plan. First, they unleashed Annilus on Wakanda as a distraction. Then, Killmonger proceeded to steal a magical weapon from the Dora Milaje. The weapon is called Skybreaker. Also known as “The Voice of the Heavens”. The Skybreaker was a Vibranium sword forged in ancient Wakanda and held by the Wakandan Royal Family. Which first debuted in Marauders #13 (2020). This blade contains enough magical energy to complete the Archane Warhead the Superior Avengers were assembling. Killmonger used the Skybreaker to kill Annilus. After the Annilus Wave dissipated, Killmonger persuaded Shuri to allow her to keep the blade.

DOOMSTADT, LATVERIA

 Later in Latveria, the Superior Avengers prepared their departure. While they mobilized the Archane Warhead to the time platform things got out of hand. They failed to realize somebody from their team had been compromised during their fight with the Annilus Wave in their timeline. Their plans now thwarted, and their team’s true intentions revealed they find themselves scrambling for survival.

HOW ABOUT THE ART?

Luca Maresca and Mattia Iacono’s is bright and feels inspiring and hopeful. In contrast, Kyle Hotz and Rachelle Rosenberg’s depiction of the world in the future is gnarly and visually barren. Thus, making the stakes of this story plain and obvious.

OVERALL GRADE: 9.5/10

If there ever was a do or die story it’s this one. The Superior Avengers managed to be one step ahead of almost everyone. Except for the consequences of their own actions. There is a time paradox about to be completed in the next issue. Even after I understand this to be so, I still have no idea how it’s going to play out. Hence this series a must read.

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