Patriotic Parallels: A-Next 10 and Captain America Corps 1

Consider today’s post a sequel to a spin-off entry to the Spider-Symmetry series, because I’m looking at the visual parallels between other MC2 comics and their related fellow Marvel titles. I’m calling this particular spin-off Patriotic Parallels because this entry is about both the Captain America Corps and A-Next.

 

The first issue we need to look at today is the MC2’s own A-Next #10 which was first published in May 1999. The new team of Avengers (including Shannon Carter aka American Dream) have journeyed to an alternate universe where the entire world is ruled by Victor Von Doom (designated Earth-9907) and must prevent his use of a Universal Cube to conquer the entire multiverse. Upon arriving, the Avengers find themselves in a very different Times Square, New York.

 

Now, let us look at Captain America Corps #1 which was first published in June 2011. Shannon Carter aka American Dream would later be recruited into the ‘Captain America Corps’ by one of the Elders of the Universe known as That Ki aka The Contemplator. Alongside other time-displaced patriotic heroes including Earth-616’s Captain America aka Steve Rogers from World War II, Earth-616’s James ‘Bucky’ Barnes during his time as Captain America, the 25^th Century’s Kiyoshi Morales aka Commander A, Shannon Carter aka American Dream also works with Earth-616’s John Walker aka U.S. Agent who is taken from a point in time shortly after his brief stint as Captain America.

 

The Corps find themselves on the altered Earth-11418, where the Americommand rule over a dystopian America thanks to the manipulations of the time travelling Deidre Wentworth aka Superia. Where do they first arrive? Why, a dystopian alternative present day Times Square, New York, of course!

 

Have a great day, everyone.

 

Until I find myself suffering déjà vu will journeying across the multiverse, I remain

 

frogoat

 

John Walker in the MC2

Marvel Studios is set to release the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe entry with the Thunderbolts* movie. What better way to get into the spirit of things than to look at the most patriotic of the film’s protagonist characters through this blog’s usual MC2 lens? Today, we’ll take a brief look at U.S. Agent aka John Walker in the MC2.

 

Johnathan ‘John’ Walker first appeared in the pages of Captain America #323, first as Super-Patriot, assuming the mantle of Captain America in Captain America #333 before taking on his long-standing role as U.S. Agent beginning in Captain America #354.

 

Now that we’ve briefly brushed up on the Main Marvel Universe or Universe-616 John Walker, let’s transition over to John Walker in the MC2…sort of. When the newly reassembled Avengers team’s investigation into the last mission of the original Avengers leads them to an alternate universe ruled by Doom and the threat posed to all universes by his Universal Cube. It is 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 (A-Next #7).

 

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).

 

Captain America details the history of this alternate world (which the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005 designates as Earth-9907) which was roughly identical to their own until World War II. Whereas on the Main Marvel Universe and MC2’s Earth the Red Skull was trapped in suspended animation within a hidden bunker until the modern era, on Earth-9907 he escaped and killed Adolph Hitler and led the Axis Powers to victory, killing Captain America and conquering the entire planet. Many years later, the Red Skull spared a young Victor Von Doom, making him his heir only to be murdered and replaced as ruler by him. Needing new worlds to conquer, Doom spent billions to produce a Universal Cube capable of opening portals to other realities which led to the original Avengers team becoming aware of this universal threat (A-Next #10).

 

The rebel base is attacked by members of Doom's Thunder Guard, including the twisted version of John Walker known on this world as the SS Agent, 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 by Walker, Cap throws her the shield of his deceased counterpart, allowing her to free herself and knockout SS Agent. In the end, Doom is defeated when Crimson Curse sacrifices herself to banish him.

Shannon Carter aka American Dream would later be recruited into the ‘Captain America Corps’ by one of the Elders of the Universe known as That Ki aka The Contemplator. Alongside other time-displaced patriot heroes including Earth-616’s Captain America aka Steve Rogers from World War II, Earth-616’s James ‘Bucky’ Barnes during his time as Captain America, the 25^th Century’s Kiyoshi Morales aka Commander A, the MC2 or Earth-982 Shannon Carter aka American Dream also works with Earth-616’s John Walker aka U.S. Agent who is taken from a point in time shortly after his brief stint as Captain America (Captain America Corps #1).

 

This is notable as this U.S. Agent shares the same history as Shannon’s own John Walker on Earth-982. In fact, Captain America Corps #3 depicts the moment John was recruited by The Contemplator which includes an editors box specifying it occurs ‘circa Captain America #360’. For reference, here are the relevant scenes as depicted in the original story alongside U.S. Agent’s aforementioned ‘recruitment’ by Tath Ki (Captain America #360-#362).

 

The Captain America Corps are tasked with stopping an Entropy Wave from wiping out all of existence. The Entropy Wave is the result of someone excising various Steve Roger’s from across the multiverse before he could join the Avengers, causing unnatural alterations to those realities. The Corps find themselves on the altered Earth-11418, where the Americommand rule over a dystopian America thanks to the manipulation of the time travelling Deidre Wentworth aka Superia. Liberating the incarcerated superhuman population, the Captain America Corps lead an attack against Americommand and with the aid of Tath Ki, the team set reality back on its natural course (Captain America Corps #1-#5).

Following the Captain America Corps return to their respective points in time and space, only Bucky, Shannon and Kiyoshi retain memories of the event, having occurred in the past from their perspectives. Much like the young Steve Rogers returning to April 1941, John Walker is returned to the past, to the instant he left and recalls none of what transpired.

 

And with that, it’s a cap on John Walker in the MC2. Hope you didn’t mind that I cheated somewhat!  Special thanks to my buddy Jesús Arias for the spark that ignited this one, like a thunderbolt from the blue. 😉

 

Until I get my name from an alcoholic drink, I remain

 

frogoat

Avengers Headquarters in the MC2

In my ongoing effort to delay returning to my Clones in the MC2 series, I am currently procrastinating by focusing my attention on the home of the MC2’s own Avengers team. I thought I might channel this hyper focused tangent into a little post looking at the history of the Avengers Headquarters with particular focus on Avengers Mansion.

What is later known as Avengers Mansion made it’s first appearance way back in 1963’s Avengers #2 where we see the interior, referred to simply as ‘the library of Anthony Stark’, with the exterior of Stark’s Mansion first glimpsed in Fantastic Four #26 when the Hulk emerges from the sewers nearby.

 

The Avengers’ stalwart butler Edwin Jarvis made his first appearance in Tales of Suspense #59 before making his debut in the Avengers title itself with Avengers #16. The building is first identified as ‘Avengers Headquarters’ and ‘Avenger Mansion’ in Avengers #38 and aside from some pedantic variations (such as Avengers #51, Avengers #53, and Avengers #60) is referred to as the ‘Avengers Mansion’ from Avengers #61 onward. There is a two-page cutaway look at Avengers Mansion in Avengers Annual (vol. 1) #1 (or Avengers King-Size Special #1 if you prefer).

 The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (vol. 1) #1 features a fantastic profile detailing the history of the Mansion and includes a mention of several extensive remodels, including moving the Mansion 35 feet from the street. This is referenced in Avengers #230 where Hank Pym recalls Thor and Iron Man were responsible for the move. This write up also fleshes out details published previously, including that it was built in 1932 by Howard Stark (Avengers Annual #9) (though the sliding timeline may someday change this to an earlier Stark) in addition to confirming the address is ‘890 Fifth Avenue between 70^th and 71^st Streets in New York City’ which has remained almost entirely consistent since then with the exception of it being listed as ‘721 Fifth Avenue between 70^th and 71^st Streets’ in at least some reprints of this profile. The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #1 has a few minor updates to details, and a new additional schematic of ‘Sub-Basement Level Two’. A correction for this profile notes the depth of lowest Sub-Basement was left blank and should read 110 feet.

 

During the iconic ‘Avengers Under Siege’ storyline, the Avengers Mansion is destroyed, leaving team demoralised and with no base of operations (Avengers #270-#277). After temporarily using an office suite in Four Freedoms Plaza the Avengers move their headquarters to the artificial floating island Hydrobase while plans for renovation of Avengers Mansion began (Avengers #278). The rebuilt Mansion itself would be moved to Hydrobase in Avengers #288 and the island was dubbed ‘Avengers Island’ in Avengers #301, though the whole island was soon after sunk during an assault orchestrated by Doctor Doom (Avengers #311).

 

Without a base of operations once again, the Avengers temporarily utilize the remaining Sub-Basements beneath the grounds of 890 Fifth Avenue, the location having been recently converted into ‘Avengers Park’ (Avengers #300, Avengers #312).

 

Eventually, construction would begin on a brand new ‘Avengers Headquarters’ with the help of architect Eric Masterson (Avengers #314 - #328, Avengers Annual #19, Thor #423, Thor #434). Construction on Avengers Headquarters was completed in Avengers #329 before an official opening was held in Avengers #332. This version of the Avengers Headquarters is wrecked by the Avengers team member and Eternal Sersi during in Avengers #373, when she was driven mad by the effects of ‘Mahd Wy’ry’ or ‘Eternal Madness’ and the manipulations of the evil alternate-reality version of Dane Whitman known as Proctor.

With the Avengers Headquarters ruined, the alternate reality Watcher known as Ute uses his dying moments to supposedly restore the Avengers Mansion in its place (Avengers #375). However, the team quickly noticed things were not as they seemed (Avengers #378) and soon Black Widow discovers something hidden behind a wall deep in the Sub-Basements, identified as a ‘chronal displacement field’ by Dr Henry Pym aka Giant-Man, which explodes when the Vision attempts to phase through the wall, revealing a strange door (Avengers #382). After further attempts to investigate this strange trans-temporal door (Avengers #385, Avengers: The Crossing), the Avengers make use of the strange door to time travel to the past and recruit the younger ‘Teen’ Tony Stark from Earth-96020, who was not yet corrupted by ‘Kang’ (in actuality a disguised Immortus) (Avengers: Timeslide). Following this time travel adventure, the mystery door disappears and is never satisfactorily elaborated upon (Iron Man #325).

Soon after this point, the events of Onslaught occur, and at its conclusion the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Doctor Bruce Banner and even Doctor Doom apparently perished saving the world from the psychic entity known as Onslaught, a massively powerful psionic manifestation of the combined consciousnesses of Professor Charles Xavier and Magneto (Onslaught: Marvel Universe One-Shot). Consequently, this replacement Avengers Mansion was the final headquarters prior to events branching into the MC2. Oh, and don’t worry! The Avengers are okay thanks to Franklin Richards using his amazing abilities to create a pocket dimension to save his parents and all the other heroes. The reborn heroes would awaken in this pocket dimension to live out new lives, unaware of their pasts. Long story short, the heroes were all eventually returned to the Main Marvel Universe and things went back to some semblance of normality (Heroes Reborn: The Return #1 - #4). The Fantastic Four and Avengers reformed in their respective third volumes and that leads nicely into the MC2 portion of this post.

The MC2’s present day Headquarters first appeared in What If #105 when civilian Peter Parker visits hoping to recruit help. We get a much better look in the Avengers own MC2 series starting with A-Next #1. The Maria Stark Foundation runs tours with all gift kiosk proceeds going to charity. The property grounds still maintain a defensive grid with metallic restraining tentacles seen when Rock Trolls sent by Loki target Kevin Masterson. When Loki’s magical energy bolt is detected by monitors built into the Avengers Compound defences, they bring online a ‘long dormant program’. The program sends out an emergency call to assemble to over a dozen locations, but which is only received by two former Avengers; Jubilee and Jolt who would be joined by Stinger, Speedball and J2, while the program itself activates Mainframe.

 

It is worth noting it is referred to as ‘Avengers Mansion’ in What #105, though usually referred to as ‘Avengers Headquarters’ or ‘Avengers Compound’ (A-Next #1- #3). Characters such as Cassie Lang aka Stinger and even the narration calls the location ‘Mansion’ (A-Next #4, A-Next #8, Avengers Next #1) but it does not appear to be in common use by this point in time. I believe ‘Mansion’ is a colloquial and traditional term, while the building acts as the team’s ‘Headquarters’ and the grounds in their entirety are the ‘Compound.’ As Chief of Staff, Jarvis’ hires Scott Lang as a technical advisor responsible for upgrading and maintaining the team’s hardware (A-Next #3). The training room is located two floors below the ground level (A-Next #6) and the building has at least seven Sub-Basements (A-Next #6). The Avengers stylised ‘A’ logo is rendered on the roof (A-Next #7).

We know from Avengers Next #1 that there is a library, gym, and med lab as well as an armoury which is frequently updated by Tony Stark in areas restricted from the general public, in addition to many more areas. The Headquarters’ arsenal includes at least some of Tony Stark’s old Iron Man armours, the scythe once used by the villain Grim Reaper (Avengers Next #5). Some members of the Avengers take up residence within the Avengers Headquarters, such as Shannon Carter aka American Dream (American Dream #1)

 

This version of the Avengers Headquarters has strong visual similarities to the build designed by Eric Masterson, which raises some questions. Based on what we know of the shared history of the MC2 and Main Marvel Universe, the Avengers Headquarters designed by Masterson was destroyed and replace by a nearly exact duplicate from an alternate universe by Ute the Watcher. While this is most likely a case of artistic licence favouring Masterson’s design, I do have a theory to explain this. Given the interior of MC2 Avengers Headquarters retains many of the Mansion-style fittings and fixtures of old, it’s possible this is (at least in part) the ‘restored’ Mansion with various modifications and additions (such as a reinforced exterior modelled upon or inspired by Eric’s existing designs) made through the intervening years between what we know of the original Avengers team and the rise of the new Avengers in the present. This is partly supported by the mishmash of elements seen throughout, including the (at least) seven Sub-Basement levels.

 

Speaking of the Sub-Basements, there’s another (or possibly the same) mystery door behind which lies a cryogenic chamber containing the unconscious Wanda Maximoff aka The Scarlet Witch, who had been holding closed the mysterious portal to another universe following the original Avengers last mission which left many of them dead (A-Next #6- #9). I find the notion of their being a different doorway in the basement too similar to be merely a coincidence, though we never learn exactly where this interdimensional aperture originated, nor how the original Avengers first learned of the threat posed by the alternate reality on the other side. Just something to think about if you like to draw crazy patterns like I most certainly do.

 

That is about it for this post; the current Avengers Headquarters fortunately has not been destroyed in the MC2. Let us hope it stays that way.

 

Until I stop using these posts to dig deep into Marvel Lore, I remain

 

frogoat