Last Defenders, The (2008 series) #4

On a drilling platform in the North Atlantic, Nighthawk discovers that Warlord Krang, calling himself the new “Avenging Son,” about to kill U-Man and tries to stop him. Then Paladin, Junta, and Atlas come crashing through from the platform while fighting a Quintronic Man. Nighthawk tries to bluff Krang into thinking he’s an authorized hero but soldiers arrive to halt Nighthawk and the gang. And then the Avengers (Wasp, Wonder Man, and Sentry) arrive to take over. Kyle gets in a nasty argument with Jan over whether the Defenders constitute a lawful team; meanwhile, Krang and U-Man have escaped and the Avengers depart, Jan telling Kyle to report to Tony Stark on his return. Kyle then tells his three hired heroes not to worry, they did their jobs well, and any trouble will come down on Kyle…

…which it does, aboard the SHIELD Helicarrier. Tony Stark demands to know what Kyle thought he was doing, while Henry Peter Gyrich takes a tougher, angrier tack. Kyle insists he is doing what he has always done, in defiance of the rules made up of people like Tony Stark. Gyrich points out that violation of the Superhuman Registration Act requires the offending hero to give up his costumed identity immediately. Kyle tells Tony that the idea of heroism has become tainted by bureaucracy. Reminding him that some don’t wear masks to hide but to be free, he drops his mask and cape on the floor and walks out….

Daimon Hellstrom suddenly appears in the bedroom of his ex-wife Patsy (Hellcat) Walker. She awakens with a start and he explains he is searching for redemption. She responds that he won’t find it with her and demands he leave….

Kyle Richmond visits Joaquin Pennysworth in a SHIELD hospital, asking if he is trying to atone for his father’s crimes with the Sons of the Serpent. Joaquin insists it’s more complicated than that, something a rich man in a costume can’t understand….

Yandroth and his Recorder sidekick (actually just a head) visit the boardroom of Brand Corporation, moving through time in that single place to manipulate the board into making certain decisions….

Kyle returns to his penthouse to brood over what has just happened and ends up throwing a fit, wrecking his furniture and décor. Then a portal to Hell opens up and Daimon Hellstrom, Son of Satan, arrives armored and in a horse-drawn chariot, saying he wants to discuss the Defenders….