A number of superheroes suddenly find themselves in a space station in a remote region of the galaxy and floating nearby is the craft’s twin containing several supervillains. The most puzzling aspect for the heroes is the presence of Magneto among them. As the two parties watch, this entire galaxy is destroyed in seconds, and a new planet is formed near the last remaining star. On the villains’ ship, Ultron pursues his purpose to destroy every living thing with an attack on Absorbing Man. Doctor Doom appeals to Molecule Man as the only one with the power to stop him. Molecule Man, reformed from evil and insecure about his powers, flips Ultron into Galactus’ leg, bringing the robot to the attention of the cosmic being. Galactus drains Ultron of all his energy, leaving him an empty adamantium shell.
A rift opens in space and the voice of the Beyonder addresses them, telling them to slay their enemies and he will grant them their hearts’ desires. Galactus, irritated at this interference in his life, launches himself across the void to confront his enemy—and Doctor Doom follows in his wake, hoping to escape and also learn the secrets of the universe. They are swatted back to their craft like flies. The two ships are deposited on different areas of the newly created planet. Among the heroes, a dispute breaks out over whether Magneto can be trusted, which the Master of Magnetism settles by levitating away. After more argument, they agree on Captain America as their leader.
Doctor Doom awakens near the unconscious form of Galactus and heads to a nearby citadel which the villains have occupied as a base. They want Doom to be their leader, but Doom disdains their petty ambitions of wealth and power, instead seeking to gain the Beyonder’s secrets of knowledge and immortality. Doom holds the baddies off with his force bolts, choosing to head off to contact Reed Richards in a small ship. A bitter Kang uses one of the citadel’s weapons to shoot down Doom’s craft. The heroes investigate the crash and find the injured Doom ranting about power. They try to help him but Doom is insulted by their pity, drives them back with his blasts, and leaves. Moments later, the heroes are under attack by the villains, wielding weapons supplied by the Beyonder….