History of the MC2: The Avengers

I was inspired recently to make a timeline of events covering the history of the MC2, spanning the nebulous 15 year stretch of time after the Main Marvel Universe (or Universe-616) split off and became the MC2 (or Universe-982) and before the next-generation of heroes began to emerge in J2 #1, A-Next #1 and What If #105.

Given that Avengers: Infinity War is tearing up box offices worldwide, I figured a good place to start would be with the MC2's original Avengers team. The final days of the original Avengers is a major mystery within the pages of the A-Next series. The storyline culminates in the next-generation Avengers team learning the fate of the original team and deciding to put an end to the threat that disbanded them over a decade prior.

While we don't know the exact point at which the history of the Main Marvel Universe Avengers stops being the same as that of the MC2 Avengers, we do know a few things about the teams past history. At an unknown point in the team's past, an Avengers team which included Captain America, Iron Man and Thor fought Ultron Extreme, a new model of the team's old foe. Iron Man eventually managed to erase Ultron's programming and the villain's indestructible body was sealed away for over a decade (Avengers Next #3).


The Avengers became aware of an alternate reality in which Victor Von Doom wielded a Universal Cube which would allow him to travel to other universes via portals to conquer them. With all of reality at risk, the Avengers held an emergency meeting. Many attended this urgent summons including (but not limited to) Captain America, Firebird, Firestar, Giant-Man, Hawkeye, Hercules, Iron Man, Justice, Living Lightning, Scarlet Witch, Tigra, Vision and the Wasp (A-Next #7).

With a team assembled, the Avengers headed into the breach between worlds on what would become their final mission. We learn through Jarvis that this was around a year and a half prior to the Avengers officially disbanding. Sadly, many of the heroes did not return, with only Hawkeye, Hercules, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch,Vision and the Wasp re-emerging from the portal (A-Next #7). Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, Captain America had not died, instead choosing to stay behind and continue the fight (A-Next #10).

In the wake of the tragedy, Hawkeye was left blind (A-Next #10); Hercules went mad with grief and was held in facility in Mount Athena (A-Next #6); the Vision left to work in the White House and the Wasp died, leaving her twin children (Henry Pym Jr and Hope Pym) orphaned.

After mourning their fallen comrades, Iron Man and the Scarlet Witch worked tirelessly for months to seal the portal permanently against future attacks. Unfortunately, to achieve this the Scarlet Witch was sealed within a stasis pod, holding the aperture shut. Tony Stark retired as Iron Man, but continued to work to help the world (A-Next #7).

Around this time -though it's unclear whether it was before or after the team's final mission- Tony Stark developed Mainframe, a sophisticated robotic armour with Tony's own brain patterns, designed to ensure there would always be someone to answer the call to assemble (A-Next #7, Spider-Girl #95).

Designing and building a Nanite Agenda in an attempt to aid the Scarlet Witch, Tony discovered too late that his friend James Rhodes aka War Machine had tested it on himself to protect Tony. The Agenda proved harmful, caused a slow erosion of Rhodes' humanity, making him less and less human over time whilst also gifting him increasing superhuman abilities (Spider-Girl #95).

In the interim, a new group of heroes banded together to fill the role of the Avengers. Their roster included Nova, Jubilee, Speedball, Jolt and the Steel Spider. Over time, for various reasons, fewer members answered the call and eventually the team fell apart and the Avengers were officially disbanded (A-Next #7, Spider-Girl #32).

Fortunately, the day would come when a new team of Earth's Mightiest Heroes would answer the call and a whole new generation of Avengers would assemble....


Based on various comments throughout the series, the Avengers officially disbanded some 10 years prior to the events of A-Next #1 which, coupled with Jarvis stating the original Avengers final mission took place approximately a year and a half prior to this, we can form a rough timeline:

·  The Avengers fight Ultron Extreme, eventually erasing his program and sealing his indestructible body away

·  Tony Stark begins work on his Mainframe project to ensure there will always be Avengers

·  The Avengers become aware of the Universal Cube's threat and head to the alternate earth

·  Of all the Avengers who left for the mission, only six return. Captain America staying behind to help on the alternate earth

·  Iron Man and Scarlet Witch work to seal the portal between worlds

·  A new team of Avengers forms but struggles to stay together

·  Scarlet Witch is encased in a stasis pod, holding the portal shut

·  Tony Stark retires as Iron Man and finishes work on Mainframe

·  Tony Stark develops a Nanite Agenda, which James Rhodes tests on himself, gaining powers but slowly losing his humanity in the process

·  The interim Avengers team falls apart and the Avengers are officially disbanded

*At some point -either before or after the original team's final mission- Luke Cage served as a member (Avengers Next #1). Considering he's mentioned as being alive, we can assume he was not involved with the original team's final mission, but this fact does not preclude prior Avengers membership. It's equally possible Cage was a member of the interim Avengers team, as there is no evidence either way.*

Hopefully this helps shed some light on the final days of the original Avengers in the MC2. If I've missed anything or something isn't clear enough, please let me know.


Until I run out of Avengers to Assemble I remain,


frogoat

Iron Man 3 Movie Review

Last night I watched Marvel Studios latest film, Iron Man 3 with a group of friends and my partner. Let's skip straight to the bit everyone seems to want to know: No, the post-credits scene isn't integral to any future films, but it is funny....shwarma funny.

Shane Black directs this monster of a film, and the directorial differences between Jon Favreau (the director of the previous two films) and Shane are distinct yet similar in tone. Without spoiling to much in this review, the action scenes, along with some great character work by the cast make this a movie you won't want to look away from, even if you have a strong urge to pee. Which will suck for those with weak bladders, because this movie is great, but still clocks in at over two hours long.

Narrated by Robert Downey, Jr. in-character as Tony Stark, the film kicks off years before the first film, and ties a few events together, throwing a couple of new comic-concepts into the mix including AIM and the Extremis enhancile and giving us a nice set up for the rest of the film, as well as reminding us Tony can be a bit of dick.

I'll attempt to avoid most major plot points, but I can't review this film without mentioning in passing what a brilliant play on expectations this film delivers with the Mandarin. Ben Kingsley turns in a surprising performance, as do Guy Pearce, James Badge Dale and Rebecca Hall. As a matter of fact, the casting in this film is virtually flawless, and considering this film has an extended period featuring Tony interacting with a child actor (Ty Simpkins), that's impressive.

This film toys with some very dark stuff for a Marvel film, but manages to effectively dance along the edge, throwing in some well timed humor when things get too grim. Concerned with breaking Tony Stark down to his core, this third film really nails some home truths about who he is, with the occasional glimpse of something amiss behind his face and eccentricities. Apparently the events of The Avengers has taken it's toll.

All in all, highly recommended. This film wont change your life, but it's still darn good fun to watch and you'll be riveted to your seat. Until Stan stops making cameos, I remain

frogoat