Captain America in the MC2

With all the build up for Avengers: Endgame, I've elected to cover some of the MC2 incarnations of the films main cast. For this entry, we'll be taking a look at the star-spangled super soldier, the patriotic World War II veteran and Avengers team leader; Steve Rogers aka Captain America in the MC2.

We get our first glimpse of Captain America in the MC2 via a flashback to the last mission of the original Avengers in A-Next #7. It's Captain America who announces to the assemblage of Avengers the danger posed to all worlds by the alternate universe's Doom and his Universal Cube. It's here we learn that many of the Avengers died during their final mission, with Iron Man among the few to return declaring there were no other survivors.

However, when the new team of Avengers arrive in the alternate world, they discover the rumours of Captain America's demise were greatly exaggerated. Cap reveals he chose to stay behind and aid the rebel underground, allowing his teammates to add his name to the list of the dead to discourage any would-be rescuers (A-Next #10).

The rebel base is attacked by Doom's Thunder Guard, forcing Cap to order the rebels and Avengers to retreat before he destroys the jump portal to cover their escape. When Steve tries to send the new and inexperienced Avengers team home to save them, believing they are not prepared for the upcoming battle, the heroes refuse, declaring they are staying (A-Next #10).

In A-Next #11, Captain America leads the Avengers in a mission to stop Dr Doom's use of his new Universal Cube. The team separates into groups and combat the various members of the Thunder Guard, with Cap, Thunderstrike and American Dream's aiming to destroy the Cube itself. When American Dream is pinned, Cap throws her the shield of his deceased counterpart, allowing her to free herself. In the end, Doom is defeated when Crimson Curse sacrifices herself to banish him. Following this, Thunderstrike elects to stay behind to aid Captain America with his efforts and to bond with that world's version of his father.

It's some time before we see Captain America again, making his next appearance in Spider-Girl #58 when American Dream and Spider-Girl journey to the alternate world to recruit Thunderstrike, his father and Captain America in the fight against Seth.

After this, Captain America is seen working with the Avengers during the events of Last Hero Standing. Here we see just how much of a toll his many battles have taken on his body, and we learn that Steve's abilities are declining.  When Loki kidnaps and places various heroes under his dark spell in a plot to bring about the end of the heroes, Captain America leads a team made up of Spider-Girl, Thunderstrike, Wild Thing and J2 to Asgard. There, they learn of Loki's plans and join with Thor to return to Earth to stop the evil god.

Having planned to retire after this last battle, Captain America is instead mortally wounded in combat with Loki when he breaks the Asgardian's spell, freeing the other heroes. As he lays dying, Thor intervenes, combining Asgardian life force with the spirit and power of Captain America's country channeled through Mjolnir to transform the heroes soul into a new star that will inspire generations to come. 

As one of my favourite Avenger's, I enjoyed seeing Captain America fighting another war against Nazi's in another world almost as much as his moments of doubt and vulnerability during Last Hero Standing. I also think there was (and still is) room to explore more of this Captain America's past both in the MC2 universe and during his time on Doom's world. Despite that, I think Captain America's heroic death here is beautifully fitting.

Until I figure out how to get these posts out on time, I remain

frogoat

Hawkeye in the MC2

With all the build up for Avengers: Endgame, I've elected to cover the MC2 incarnations of the films main cast. For this entry, we'll be taking a look at Marvel's greatest archer and Avengers mainstay, Clint Barton aka Hawkeye.

Making his first appearance in the MC2 in the A-Next #7 in a flashback to the last days of the original Avengers team, we learn that not only did Clint join the team on their final mission, he was among the few to return alive. However, Hawkeye did not make it out unscathed, returning without his sight.

While Clint makes his first present day appearance in A-Next #10, I'm going to jump around a bit to cover the years after the Avengers final mission. Despite the loss of his eye sight, Clint open's up Barton's Dojo and began teaching martial arts. It's in American Dream #3-#4 that we glimpse Barton's group of special students: later known as the Dream Team consisting of  American Dream, Freebooter, Crimson Curse and Bluestreak.

We first learned of the young heroes mentor via mentions and allusions in the A-Next series, including my personal favourite mention in A-Next #9.

When the new Avengers team venture to the alternate world, Clint Barton visits Avengers Compound seeking his former students, but instead encounters Edwin Jarvis and the long-absent Tony Stark, leading to Clint and Tony arguing about how their last mission ended (A-Next #10).

When the Avengers return, they are immediately captured by the Red Queen and her Revengers and join the already-captured Jarvis, Stark and Barton as captives. However, thanks to a ploy by Stark, the group are freed by Mainframe's reinforcements. Clint's remaining former students inform him of the apparent death of Crimson Curse (A-Next #12).

We don't see Clint again until the events of Last Hero Standing, wherein Barton is kidnapped by Loki in a scheme to turn all the heroes against each other by filling his captives with malice. Notably, Clint returns to his Hawkeye identity here for the first time. It's also worth pointing out that Hawkeye doesn't appear to be vision impaired while under Loki's dark spell, though this may be simply my interpretation. Perhaps it's a side benefit of Asgardian magic? After the spell is broken, Clint returns to his usual self, asking about Captain America's condition as the latter lays dying (Last Hero Standing #2-#5).

With so many members of with injuries or otherwise absent, Stark takes it upon himself to recruits some 'experienced pros' to fill out the Avengers roster. The Scarlet Witch, Ant-Man and Hawkeye are joined by Stark's 'personal bodyguard' (actually Jim Rhodes) on a mission to investigate and apprehend Normie Osborn. Things go awry when Rhodes (now more machine than man) is inadvertently hit by a hex bolt from the Scarlet Witch, triggering a violent rampage. Equipped with special goggles that allow him to see, Hawkeye assists the rest of the team in stopping Rhodes. Ultimately, Hawkeye and the other older heroes decide they can serve better as mentors and advisers to the new generation of heroes (Spider-Girl #93-#95).

Presumably still making use of Stark's fancy goggles, Hawkeye meets with his former students, Freebooter and American Dream for a spar and a pep talk before joining the assembled heroes in combating the threat of Galactus. During the conflict, Hawkeye convinces the Revenger known as Sabreclaw to join in the effort, an act which ultimately leads to the former villain joining the Avengers shortly after (Last Planet Standing #1-5).

While we don't see Hawkeye in the flesh after this point outside of the aforementioned American Dream flashbacks, we do see a magical energy duplicate created when Sylene attempts to recreate Asgard on Earth in Avengers Next #4-#5.

While he may be blind and less powerful than most of the other older heroes in the MC2, I believe Hawkeye has had the most impact on the next generation of heroes. Not only did he train Freebooter, American Dream, Crimson Curse and Bluestreak, his influence also inspired the villainous Sabreclaw to reform and apply for membership on the Avengers. While Tony Stark went into isolation and Captain America was believed dead, Clint Barton kept the spirit of the Avengers alive.

Until I learn how to pull of a trick shot or two or even just loose and arrow with accuracy, I remain

frogoat