Avengers vol. 3 #42Avengers vol. 3 #42
Title: "No More Tomorrows”
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Alan Davis
Inker: Mark Farmer
Colors: Tom Smith
Editor: Tom Brevoort
In Siberia in the forbidden zone of Khystym, some of the Avengers (Thor, Captain America, Quicksilver, Black Knight, and Firebird) are sent in to investigate a developing problem. It has been seven hours since the Winter Guard were sent in to investigate, but there has been no word from them since the Avengers arrived. Quicksilver translates Vanguard'’ message that the research center has been abandoned. He says that there are signs of violence, but no bodies. The Avengers tell the technicians that they will go in alone from here. Suddenly there is a loud noise about a mile or two away. The Avengers rush in. Quicksilver takes off.
In Manhattan at the United Nations Plaza, tanks surround the force field that now encases the destroyed United Nations building. Wasp tells the Avengers to be ready for anything. Scarlet Centurion stands behind Kang and tells them all to shut up and pay attention to Kang. Kang tells the Avengers that he is not there today to kill them or they would already be dead. Kang says that he is there to talk. Kang asks them to turn their attention to his omni-screen where he will show them their future. Glowing green skeletons fly through a desolate landscape. A poster of the Presence is posted near the melted open armor of Iron Man and Spider-Man’s mask. Kang says that this threat comes out of the East, and that by the time credible resistance is mounted their numbers are already too great to overcome. They are all linked by one communal mind. Their radioactive touch is poisonous and converts their victims to more like them. Resistance doesn’t last long, and even those that survive are eventually poisoned by the water or the air and transform. Each mind is brought into the communal and all individual thought or action is eliminated.
Kang says that it is possible, if unlikely, that this future could be avoided. He says that even if they do survive it however they will have no defense against what might come next because they have no idea what it could be. Kang shows them another future where over industrialization creates a tiny upper class and robotics eliminate a need for a working class. Riots are everywhere and humans are suppressed by the law becoming little more that chattel for their employers. Nations cease to exist and there is only tiny packs of free humans scavenging for food and technology that will help them continue running from the law.
He asks if they manage to survive that do they think they could survive the destruction of the moon at the hands of a rebellious colony. Kang says that it causes global winter and civilization shatters. Kang says that the remnants of civilization are locked in constant warfare. Kang shows them a future where the world is invaded by beings from Mars. The population is decimated reduced to a band of refugees fighting for a freedom that can’t be won. Kang shows them Ragnarok actually happening as Thor flies up at the Midgard Serpent. He shows them a future where Chthon rises up with an infection. He shows them a future where the sun flares up and the Earth’s oceans are boiled away. He shows them a future where Magneto and his group of mutants enslave mankind. He shows them a future where a group from space gains retribution for the actions of a few superheroes, ones that come for greed, or one that comes for even more mysterious reasons. He shows them a future where science turns to worldwide horror as a giant mass of creatures that look like the Abomination fight with each other. He shows them a future where the Avengers and humanity are supplanted by robotic creation. He shows them a future where the world’s economy is damaged by one nation defending itself. People stand outside the Capitol and seem to be picketing the Black Panther. He shows a future where a faulty computer circuit causes twin Earths to collide. Kang says that it could one or a thousand of these choices. He says to be sure and understand that these are not worst case scenaria. Kang says that he is a time traveler, and he has seen them with his own two eyes.
Some of the Avengers start talking among themselves about trying to jump Kang. Scarlet Centurion comes up behind them and says that if they make a hostile move towards Kang that he will begin killing ambassadors. Wasp tells them all that this is Kang’s show for now. Scarlet Centurion thanks Wasp. Centurion leans in towards Warbird and says that he hopes the hostilities will be over quickly so that there will be peace between them. Vision asks Warbird why Centurion effects her so much. Warbird says that Centurion’s eyes, voice, and stance make her think that it is Marcus.
Kang says that the times ahead will be harsh, and that their only hope lies in a man who has seen all these futures and can guide them through it. One of the men from the United Nations building says that is enough. He says that they have been communicating with the military forces outside. He says that they have only let him keep talking so that they could break Kang’s cloaking technology and find Damocles Base. He says that Kang’s offer is rejected as missiles launch at Kang’s base. The missiles explode, but Kang’s ship is unaffected. Kang says that he allowed them to communicate with the outside forces, and he allowed them to find Damocles Base. He says that he is quite able to protect himself from their backward technology. Kang adds that they are misunderstanding him. Kang says that he is not making them an offer, but that this is a declaration of war. Kang says that he is going to conquer Earth in order to save it. He says that he will offer them the opportunity to surrender, but that he knows they won’t take it. Kang says that he can even tell him what will happen to them. Kang says that his army is undefeated on a thousand worlds. They will take Germany and France first. America will argue amongst themselves and delay their response. Kang says that Europe will fall in three weeks, twenty-six days at best. After that the rest of the world will fall just as easily. Superheroes will undergo a re-education that will make them loyal soldiers. The rest of the world’s able-bodied will be assigned to their rightful places be it military or some other function. Genetic scanning will ensure that only those with the best traits are allowed to pass them on. Kang says that the Earth will have purpose and build defenses against the coming threats. The man from the United Nations says that the world will unite against him. Kang asks if they will really. Kang says that the governments will that it sure, but that the people might not. He says that the world’s governments only really offer uncertainty and the possibility of worldwide calamity. Kang says that he offers security and protection. Kang says that he knows that the world’s governments don’t want to be replaced, and don’t want the people to hear what he has to say, but that it is already too late for that. Kang says that as soon as he started talking he broadcast his message to the global internet as well as to every television and radio. He says that the people can choose for themselves. The man says that they will find a way to defeat him. Kang says that he looks forward to the coming battle. Kang says that they should know however that Kang has also made an offer to anyone who rises up, takes over a piece of land, and swears fealty to him will have a place in his new order. Kang opens up full radio contact with the outside world so they can discover what is happening.
In Rollo Bay in Prince Edward Island, Attuma and his Atlantean forces charge out of the water. In Wuwei China, the Deviants come out of the ground to attack. Other reports of rioting, armed insurrections, militias, super-villains, and renegade military cadres are rising up.
Kang says that the war has already begun and his men have not even fired a shot. Kang says that he is going to go make his preparation for the coming war, but that he wants to be clear that any attacks on him or Scarlet Centurion will be met with immediate responses by Damocles Base and no mercy will be shown. Kang dissolves the force field. None of the gathered armies attack. Kang says how good it is that they understand him. Kang says as he leaves that the first future threat he warned them of is starting in the east.
In Khystym,
Siberia the Avengers are standing in the location that the huge
noise came from, but there isn’t anyone there. They hear a
sound, and discover Darkstar buried under some rubble. Captain
America says that the Winter Guard was there. Darkstar says that
“he” returned and took them all. Captain America asks
who has returned. A green flash of light flares up behind them.
They turn to see the Presence surrounded by the green glowing
skeletons of the Winter Guard. Presence says, “Yes… yes
it is I… and I bring with me a new dawn … and the
blessing of a new kind of life…”
Avengers Files rating: 9.5 out of 10
I’ve always loved the villain issue of the story arc and this one is a beauty. Kang lays all his cards on the table and shows them why he is so confident of his winning. Kang knows it all and has planned for all contingencies. Alan Davis does a fantastic job. The green skeletons are a fantastic visual. I like Davis’ style, and he has a good presentation and storytelling ability.