Avengers vol. 4 #1

Title: “Breakout! Part one”

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Penciller: David Finch

Inker: Danny Miki

Colors: Frank D’Amarta

Editor: Tom Brevoort

A man sitting in the shadows talks with Max Dillon. He asks if the deal is acceptable. Max says that it is kind of vague. The man starts to refer to the money, but Max says that he means that the plan is kind of vague. The man says that the plan is up to him. He says that Max is a talented man and that they wouldn’t presume to tell him how to do what he does. He says that Max will need to create a distraction so complete that the authorities won’t even know what has happened until it is long complete. He says that they need the trail to be cold before they even know there is a trail. Max says that it is more than he has ever tried. The man tells Max that they have faith. Max says that if he blows it that they don’t have to pay him the other half either. The man in the dark says that there is that as well. Max asks when they want this done. The man tells Max that their intelligence indicates that the Fantastic Four are out of town, the X-Men are preoccupied, and that the Avengers have called it quits. He says that the time is now. Max asks, “Costume or no costume?” The man says that is up to him. Max pulls his Electro mask on and says, “costume”.

At the Raft, Ryker’s maximum-maximum security installation, a helicopter lands. Jessica Drew waits as Matt Murdock and Luke Cage get off the helicopter. Jessica tells Matt that it is an honor to meet him. Matt says, “Spider-Woman”. Jessica says that she was the first and the best. Matt thanks her for arranging this for him. Jessica says that she didn’t, he did. She says that he has some powerful friends and that they don’t let civilians on this facility anymore. Matt introduces Luke Cage. Jessica says that they have met and tells Luke that he looks great. Luke asks if the SHIELD agents are going to aim their weapons at them all day. Jessica says that it is SHIELD policy and that they will have to suck it up until they get inside. Matt goes to introduce Foggy Nelson, but realizes that he is still in the helicopter. Matt tells a sweat covered Foggy that they have landed. Jessica says that she will take them through security and I.D. check, and then they will go down and meet him.

As they walk along the corridor there is face after face looking though the screens. Matt asks how many super-villains are down there. Jessica says that there are eight levels of them. She says that they have Bushwacker, Carnage, Crossbones, Jigsaw, Tiger Shark, Vermin, Scarecrow, Mister Hyde, Purple Man, the whole Wrecking Crew, the U-Foes. Luke interrupts her and asks if Purple Man is really there. Jessica says that he is right over there and asks Luke if he knows him. Luke looks at the screen. He asks Jessica if he can see them. Jessica says that he can. Luke scowls at Purple Man. Purple Man doesn’t react. Jessica says that he is drugged out of his mind. Foggy says that they are all locked up in one place and asks if they get what he is saying. Jessica says that is what a prison is for and that she isn’t thrilled with it either. She says that there are no civilian visitors without a super powered SHIELD agent chaperone and that she is their SHIELD agent. She says that even super-powered civilians get a super-powered chaperone. She tells Matt that she thinks it sucks that they outted him in the press as Daredevil. Matt says that especially since it isn’t true. Foggy asks what precautions are taken. He asks how thick the glass between them is. Jessica says that she is no expert, but that it wasn’t glass. They were monitors. She says that it was live broadcasts of their cells which are behind a thick steel metal, adamantium-lined cell. Jessica says that she doesn’t know what else they can do. She says that they are underwater, there is an army of highly trained fully armed SHIELD agents, and that all of them have been cut off from human contact, their powers have been neutralized. Luke says that they could take them out back and shoot them in the head. Jessica says that everyone has rights. Jessica says that this is probably the safest place in New York City. They get in an elevator and head down.

Down in the corridor, Luke asks Jessica when she joined SHIELD. Jessica says that it was a few years ago. She says that she needed the paycheck and the goals. Foggy says that this is too creepy. Jessica says that even if the billions of dollars of equipment suddenly malfunctioned, if all sixty-seven SHIELD agents disappeared, that he would still be next to three big time superheroes. Matt starts to repeat that he isn’t Daredevil, but then everything goes dark. Foggy asks if this is a shtick. He hears a noise and asks what it is. Jessica says that it is the generators and that they are powering down.

All of New York City goes dark.

There is an electrical explosion on the Raft.

Peter tells Mary Jane that he is putting his foot down. He says that they have so little time together and asks if she really wants to spend it watching a Hugh Grant movie. MJ says that it is romantic. Peter rolls his eyes and says that he is so weak. MJ “tee-hees” Peter. Peter says that she did not just tee-hee him. MJ says that it worked. Suddenly the lights go out. Peter says that is a shame. MJ starts to accuse him of doing that on purpose, but then both of them spot the electrical explosion from the Raft. MJ starts to tell Peter that he had better go, but he is already gone.

Spider-Man swings along through the rain. He says that everything is functioning and wonders how the hell he is supposed to get out there. He says that the webs only work if there is something to swing on. Suddenly a helicopter flies over his head. Spidey says, “All right” and hits the copter with a line of web. Suddenly the helicopter is hit by one of the stray bolts of electricity in the air. The helicopter explodes. Spider-Man falls into the water. He swims to the surface. Spidey says that now he is swimming toward the disaster, not that he can tell from his frozen feet, and that after he gets through what he just dove headfirst into that now he has no ride home. Spidey starts to climb up the side of the Raft. He says that his spider sense is going so loud that he can barely hear himself talk. Spider-Man gets to the top and looks up. Captain America is there offering him a hand. Spider-Man asks Cap if he has a spare costume and that his is soaked. Cap asks, “What’s happening here?” Spider-Man says that he gives up and asks what it is. Cap says that they don’t have time for him to be a smartass. Spider-Man says that he just got here. Cap tells Spider-Man to stay behind him. Spider-Man asks what this place is.

Agent Melvey on level B says that they have a situation, but the equipment he is on zaps him. Electro rides a magnetic wave and breaks through the windows into the Raft. He zaps each monitor and the cell doors open. Electro says, “Sir, if you’re ready to go… and the rest of you listen up! My name is Max Dillon. Some of you know me, some of you don’t… but I broke you losers out!! Have fun, enjoy your lives… but from here on in, now and forever… you guys owe me huge!! All of you.” Electro stands in a room among dozens of villains.

The corridor explodes from the electrical backlash. Matt tells Foggy to stay behind Luke. Foggy tells Matt that he should stay behind him and that he is getting the hell out. Matt tells Foggy that Luke has unbreakable skin. He says that is why they hired him. Jessica says that they need to find the stairs. Matt says that they don’t know what is up there. He asks Jessica where the man they came to see is. She points to one of the doors. Matt opens the door a bit and introduces himself to Mr. Reynolds. He says that he was coming there to see him as a favor to Reed Richards, but that right now they are in need of his immediate help. Sentry sits dejected in his cell. Jessica asks who he is. Matt says that he is Robert Reynolds and that he went by the name of Sentry. He says that according to Reed Richards that he may be the most powerful superhero on the planet Earth. Jessica asks why he is there. Matt says that he killed his wife.

Avengers Files rating: 9 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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