Avengers vol. 3 #53Avengers vol. 3 #53
Title: “The Last Castle”
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Kieron Dwyer
Inker: Rick Remender
Colors: Tom Smith
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Vision, Quasar, Jack of Hearts, Living Lightning, Firestar, Photon, and Justice fly from the pyramid toward Damocles Base. Triathlon tells Captain America. He says that some will need help from Quasar to get there, but that they should get there swiftly. Triathlon stops talking when he sees Captain America hit by an invisible punch. He asks Cap if he is okay. Cap says, “Huh. He’s better than I remembered. But don’t worry about me, Triathlon… I’ll be fine!”
A giant holo-projection of Captain America punches a giant holo-projection of Kang. Kang lets off a blast, but Captain America blocks it with his shield. Centurion says that the initial scans are almost complete and that they indicate that they are using the inchoate energies within the pyramid to duplicate the simulacrum-projection technology. Centurion asks how skilled he can be at it, but Kang tells Marcus not to underestimate them. He says that Captain America is astounding and that he has never fought this way and yet he is better than those that have trained for decades. Centurion says that Kang will beat them and they are no match for Kang. Kang looks over at Centurion without saying a word. Damocles Base starts shaking. Marcus asks for a defense report from the force-shield commander. Marcus is told that they are being attacked from the planet below. He says that the shields are holding, but that they are taking on damage.
In Master’s base, Wasp tells them to keep it up and take advantage of the time that Cap has bought them. Stingray, Yellowjacket, and Black Knight are making the adjustments to compensate. Black Knight says that they are hitting Kang on two fronts and that they just have to hope that the others make it up there in time.
Iron Man, Wonder Man, Thor, Firebird, and Warbird fly towards Damocles. Warbird thinks to herself that they are actually doing some damage. She says that they are doing it with the Master’s technology now that they’ve figured out how to use it. She says that they wouldn’t have had to figure it out if she hadn’t killed him. She says that if they live through this that she will have to face that. Firebird flies up next to Thor. She apologizes for how she flipped out on him earlier. She says that she was just upset and that she shouldn’t have said it. Thor doesn’t even look over at Firebird and just keeps flying.
Captain America hits Kang in the stomach. He says that this is where Kang’s invasion of Earth ends, Kang hits Cap across the face and asks if it truly is. Kang tells Cap to fight back as hard as he can and that he wouldn’t have it any other way. Kang says that triumph is sweetest when it is hard-won. He says that they will lose their pyramid, their Arctic base, and their lives. The Avengers that were aboard the pyramid arrive at Damocles Base and begin attacking it. Quasar says to spread out their attack and that maybe they can overload the shields. Vision asks Justice how his scan for a weak spot is going. Justice says that he is still looking.
Triathlon tells Cap that Kang’s base keeps hitting them and that they are hurting. He says that they are fixing the ship as fast as they can. Cap tells them to keep it up and that they have Kang on the defensive. He tells Triathlon to be ready for the minute there is an opening. Tremont laughs to himself. Triathlon asks him if something is funny. Tremont says to think about it and points out that Triathlon was his foremost follower. He says that he judged him a criminal for gathering power to save the Earth from this craft that gathers power against others’ wills, but that now Triathlon wields that power and that considering that he is using the power now he asks if Triathlon still considers him so evil. Triathlon thinks.
The other Avengers from Earth arrive at Damocles Base and Quasar tells them to pick a section and start attacking. Iron Man says that they won’t get anywhere that way. He says that it is an adaptive field and that they all have to hit it in the same place and overload the field with variables. Presence and Starlight arrive to help destroy the base’s protective shield. Everyone pours their power into one spot. Iron Man says that his readings indicate that the field is actually weakening. He says that that have to pour it on. Presence says to Starlight that they will break this intruder, but that when it is done that they will return to Earth and collect their due. He says that perhaps they will get their own nation or maybe even dominion over Mother Russia. Starlight tells him to be quiet. She says that he is going to do what he has been asked to save the planet and then they will return to captivity. She says that he will do this because if he doesn’t she will leave him. Presence says that he will do it for her.
Kang wraps his hands around Captain America’s throat. Kang says that Cap may be the finest warrior of the age, but that he is the warrior of all ages. Cap says that this isn’t over yet. Suddenly Kang’s holo-projection disappears.
Kang is hurled backwards back in Damocles Base. Kang says that the shields are holding, but that the pounding they are taking is weakening everything else. He says that the holo-projection must have been damaged just as he was about the triumph. Scarlet Centurion says that they are now on the defensive on all fronts. He says that they should disengage, return to their home, rearm, recuperate, and return seconds from when they left. Kang says, “No. We will fight the battle before us, rather that resort to chronal guile. Time is our canvas, Marcus, not our weapon. I have made my preparations well… anticipated the alien pyramid, the Russian Presence, all the armies they have amassed…” Kang says again that the one thing he doesn’t understand how they gained the use of the Master’s technology. He says that if only he knew how they managed that. Marcus says, “I’m… I’m sure it will prove irrelevant, sire. You’ll triumph over them anyway…” Kang looks away from his son sadly. Kang says that is enough of this. He sys that they are hard pressed, but that is when the measure of a man is taken. He says, “As long as I have what matters… my strength, my skill, the battle before me… as long as I have those, and… and my son beside me… then all will be as it should be. Come, Marcus… let us show these fools how to wage war!”
Triathlon tells Cap that Kang is focusing his attack on the pyramid. He says that he wants to destroy them and then turn to the others. Cap says that they have to get back into the fight. Triathlon says that they may have a problem. Tremont tells Triathlon must be mad. Triathlon says that he wasn’t thinking of it, but that Tremont made him realize something. He says that the power that they are using is all stolen power and that it is alive. He says that it is the spirits of all the people that the Triple-Evil crushed and absorbed into the pyramid. Triathlon says that they are using it now, but they are sacrificing the spirits of ancient races in a fight that was never theirs. He says that they long for release after their long ordeal. Triathlon asks if they can really use their souls against their will. Cap says that they need that power desperately, but that to enslave others for their use. Tremont breaks in and says that they can’t do this and that the Earth lies in the balance. He says that they can’t stop at anything. Tremont’s eyes glow and says, “Damn you! I had a shred of power left… was surreptitiously absorbing more… I was going to use it to escape! But you… They’re aliens, damn you! Aliens! Who cares about their souls?!” Tremont bursts out of the pyramid and says that this is what must be done. Tremont flies at Damocles Base. The base hits Tremont leaving him in bad shape. Tremont lets off a blast with the remainder of his power.
Iron Man floats stunned as Tremont managed to knock down the force-field. Everyone starts attacking immediately. Wonder Man says that they need to get inside and Thor agrees. They rip the ship apart. Justice looks back at Tremont’s husk and says that he wouldn’t have believed it if he hadn’t seen it.
Back on Earth, Wasp tells the others to scan the interior of the ship and feed the data to the others at Damocles Base. She says that they are going to need all the help that they can get.
As the fighting continues, Iron Man, Photon, and Wonder Man are hit from behind. They are about to be hit with an energy axe when Justice plows into their attackers saving them. Iron Man thanks Justice. Justice says that he is going to get Wonder Man and Photon to safety. He says that he will be back as soon as he can. Iron Man flies off and says that he couldn’t imagine them being in better hands.
Damocles keeps blasting down attacks from Earth and firing back with its extra cannons.
On Earth, Wasp is told that the installation is falling apart and that they have to evacuate. Wasp ignores him and keeps working with Yellowjacket. They manage to find the base’s power core. Wasp calls up to the Avengers on Damocles Base and says that they can guide them to the ship’s power core.
Warbird tells Wasp that she is open and can take it. Wasp hones in on Warbird’s locator signal. Wasp finds Warbird’s position and tells her to make a right turn 75 yards ahead. She warns her that there are three life forms there. Warbird says that she got them. Wasp tells Warbird that there is a hatch on the rear wall. Warbird stands with a door hatch in her hand and says that there was a hatch there. Inside the hatch, Scarlet Centurion stands and tells the intruder to halt. Scarlet Centurion and Warbird both realize who it is they are facing. Centurion finally reacts. He points his spear at Warbird and says that he has helped her once and that he would rather not fight her, but that he is his father’s son and that he will if he has to. Jack of Hearts plows into Centurion’s back. Warbird stalls and Jack asks her what she is waiting for and shouts for her to do it. Warbird dives into the power core. Warbird absorbs the power and stores it in the vast capacity that used to allow her to let her command the power of a star. Warbird enjoys the feel of the energy, but as soon as she has it all she smiles and gives a little sigh. She releases the energy and it breaks through the containment field that held it in place. It bursts through the decks and bulkheads like they were tissue paper. Damocles Base starts to collapse. Vision says that they have to get out of there before the ship explodes. The Avengers escape, but Kang’s men are cooked alive.
Kang strides through the collapsing
corridors. He seems unconcerned as if seeking, searching. Kang
wonders where he is and says that he can’t abandon him and
that he has to take his place. Centurion sees Kang and says that
they can’t remain there any longer. Marcus says that Kang
must see that now. He says that they have to launch the command
pod and get to safety. He says that they can come back another
time. Kang says that Marcus is going, but that he is staying
there. Kang says, “You are my heir, Marcus. You have a
lifetime to live, to learn from your errors. To become a man, a
ruler, as I did. But this is my last battle, and I am content. I
will go out as I choose.” Marcus tries to object, but Kang
says that he is not only his father, but that he is also his
commander and that he is ordering him to escape. Kang pushes
Centurion into the pod and launches it. He says, “You have
an empire to rule. A throne to grow into. As for me, as long as I
have my strength, my skill and the battle before me… and the
loyalty of my son and heir… I have all a man truly needs.
Farewell, Marcus… bring credit to your father’s
name.” The pod launches and is gone. 
Kang says that
if this is his end that he will not shirk from it, but that he
will also not surrender to it. He tells the Avengers to bring
their worst and that he will fight to the end.
Damocles Base burns and falls from the sky towards the Earth. It burns faster as it enters the atmosphere.
Avengers Files rating: 7 out of 10
I like the story, but too much of it revolved around the breaking of the force field and less about the actual overcoming of Kang’s forces. It’s a unique ending with Warbird facing off against Centurion and the destruction of the base. Dwyer’s 3 out of 5 for art is me being generous because I can see that Dwyer is really trying here. I just don’t like his style and artwork.