Avengers vol. 3 #41Avengers vol. 3 #41
Title: "The High Ground”
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Alan Davis
Inker: Mark Farmer
Colors: Tom Smith
Editor: Tom Brevoort.
Kang and Scarlet Centurion stand looking at Earth from space. Kang points out the location of things in out future, but in Kang’s past. He says that the Earth looks so helpless and that is because it is helpless. Centurion points out that Kang had said that Earth was not to be taken lightly. Kang says that doesn’t mean that they are meant to be feared. Kang says that he has fought thousands of battles and mastered the great principals of war. He says that the most important thing to know is that a good commander controls the battlefield. He says that if you have superior numbers that you can simply crush your opponent, but that if you are outnumbered that you must subvert their forces, shatter their confidence, and throw them into disarray. He says that you must have position and that if you are being attacked that it is best to be somewhere that is hard to reach and naturally defensible, but that if you are attacking you want to have greater access to the enemy than they have to you. The Damocles Base, a large ship shaped like a sword, moves towards the Earth after having been shunted from nineteen centuries in the future. Kang tells Centurion that the time is at hand and for him to get to the transport chamber. Kang says that if the Avengers get involved that the Avengers will not be able to withstand them.
In the combat room of Avengers mansion, Hank Pym is running a program for Warbird. Warbird says that she wants to know the limits of her new power level. Hank tries to warn her that she is headed towards the corusci-bars. Warbird says that she knows. For four seconds Warbird shudders in the energy, but then she breaks loose destroying all the robots in the room. Pym says that it was ninety-two tons of pressure and that is probably still not her limit. Pym says that it looks like Warbird was right about her ability to absorb ambient energy allowing her to temporarily boost her power levels. Hank says that they should arrange to have the whole team do similar battle tests to gauge their levels. Warbird heads off to the shower, but she can’t help but feel a sense of foreboding as she once did when she has precognitive powers. After Warbird leaves, Pym doubles over in pain. He quietly says to himself that the other one was the one to get these kind of pains and that it was the pains that proved he was the fake.
In Arizona, Wonder Man and Scarlet Witch are on weekend leave. They’re spending the days riding horses in the mountains. Simon says that he didn’t realize that Wanda was such a good rider. Wanda says that growing up with the gypsies that she could ride almost as soon as she could walk. Simon tells Wanda that Second Chances, the foundation he set up, wants him to come out and take a more hands on approach with the foundation. Wanda says that is great and asks what the catch is. Simon says that he would have to relocate to Los Angeles. Simon asks Wanda if she wants to come with him. Wanda mumbles while thinking about the fact that Simon came back from the dead for her. Simon breaks in and says that he doesn’t have to go if she doesn’t want to. Wanda says that he should go. Both think about the fact that their relationship is very passionate and physical and that a long distance relationship will be hard. Both also wonder why this separation doesn’t feel harder to take. Simon says that they want him as soon as possible and that he will fly out from there.
Tony Stark and Wasp are checking out the new Avengers locating system. Wasp tells Tony that he is dodging her questions. Tony says that he turned his fortune over to the Maria Stark foundation, that the Avengers are still fully funded, and that Iron Man is still a member. Wasp says that isn’t the point, but Tony says that is the point and that Avengers aren’t supposed to intrude on personal lives. Tony wonders how the Avengers they sent to Siberia are doing.
In Siberia, the Avengers are moving along in a transport. The Black Knight says that an unnatural heat is turning the snow and ice into fog. Black Knight tries to radio ahead to the Khystym Technical Mission. The people there tell the Avengers that they are experiencing inexplicable energy surges. He says that the Winter Guard went in hours ago, but that they haven’t heard from them since. The people are overwhelmed by something and the transmission is cut off. Captain America, Thor, Black Knight, Firebird, and Quicksilver rush to get into radiation suits.
Triathlon is in the Avengers mansion kitchen with Jarvis. Triathlon is looking in the fridge. Jarvis asks Triathlon if there is something the matter and says that lunch will be ready soon. Triathlon apologizes and says that he just snacks when he is angry. He says that he has been trying to look into the disappearance of the 3-D Man. He says that he disappeared right around the time that the Triune Understanding started up and gave Triathlon powers pretty much the same as the 3-D Man’s, but he just isn’t getting anywhere fast. Jarvis suggests that Triathlon ask some of the other Avengers for help. Triathlon says that maybe if he was someone else he might. He says that the team is pretty tight, but that he is an outsider. He says that he ruffled a lot of feathers when he joined and that he didn’t seem to click with the others. Warbird overhears Triathlon as she walks by the kitchen. Triathlon says that when it all shakes out he thinks that he is going to wind up being one of those Avengers like Rage, Mantis, or Deathcry that you never hear about. Jarvis suggests that Triathlon trying reaching out to the others, but then the priority alarm goes off.
At the United
Nations Plaza, the Scarlet Centurion pops out of nowhere. He
introduces himself and says that he represents one far greater
than they dare dream of becoming. He says that he has come to
address their leaders so that they will make him welcome. The
guards outside the doors say that he isn’t getting by them.
Centurion suggests that they reconsider or suffer the
consequences. Suddenly the Avengers; Goliath, Triathlon, Warbird,
Wasp, Vision, and Iron Man, are there. Iron Man says that they
need to talk about this. Centurion says that he will not be
dictated to by his inferiors. He says that they might be
Earth’s mightiest heroes, but that they are nothing to him.
Centurion uses his staff to send a blast at the Avengers. Iron
Man tries flying at Centurion, but Centurion palms Iron
Man’s facemask as he slaps Warbird away with the other one.
Centurion says that all his life he has heard how great the
Avengers were supposed to be, but that he isn’t impressed.
Centurion says that he will crush them and present them to his
lord as a gift. Centurion starts draining Iron Man’s power
out of his suit. Goliath punches Centurion and gets him to drop
Iron Man. Vision tries to phase his hand into Centurion’s
chest, but Centurion says that he is protected by a field that
Vision cannot penetrate. Centurion then uses his staff, which has
a similar charge, and swats Vision. Wasp flies up and keeps
stinging Centurion’s face. Goliath grabs his hands from
behind. Triathlon tries to grab his weapon and Iron Man is flying
in when Centurion overpowers Goliath and flips him onto the
others. Centurion is about to blast them when Warbird tries to
sneak up on him from behind. Warbird grabs hold of
Centurion’s staff and tries to drain the energy out of it.
Centurion asks how she dares. After she keeps soaking the energy
up Centurion says that Warbird is magnificent. He starts
complimenting her and says that he hopes when the hostilities are
over that they might be able to meet under better circumstances.
Warbird seems to recognize Centurion’s voice. Triathlon
leaps onto Centurion’s back. Centurion starts unloading
energy into Triathlon. Goliath knocks Centurion to the ground
while grabbing his floating platform. Warbird takes the staff.
Suddenly there is an explosion and someone shouts,
“Cease!”
Kang appears on a floating reclining
platform. He says that his son seems to have overstepped his
bounds, but says that he came on a peaceful mission and was
treated abominably. Goliath says that they have stopped Kang
before and that they will again. Kang says that it is possible,
but that he doubts it. Kang says that rules of diplomacy
doesn’t permit envoys to be treated discourteously. He says
that they have no idea of the power they face, but that they will
learn. Kang tells Damocles Base to charge the main batteries and
fire. The United Nations building shatters into rubble. The
Avengers rush over to start to look for survivors while Wasp
yells at Kang for killing so ruthlessly. 
Kang tells her
to save her outrage as no one was hurt. Bubbles rise out of the
rubble with everyone who was in the building safe inside. Kang
says that this was just a demonstration of his power. He says
that he has seen what the future holds for the world, and that
the only man who can save them from destruction is him.
Avengers Files rating: 8 out of 10
What an explosive start to a story. Kang has always been the Avengers’ greatest foe, and now it looks like he is more dangerous than ever. The issue is very busy dealing with various members’ lives. I don’t really like the innuendo that Wonder Man and Scarlet Witch are growing apart. I mean I accept that nothing last forever, but less than forty issues ago Simon came back from the dead for her. Wanda tells him to do what will make him happy, but wouldn’t that be her if he came back from the dead for her? Alan Davis’ pencils are fantastic. His art has real fluidity and presence.