Story continues from NEW AVENGERS #64
In the aftermath of the failed siege of Asgard, the fugitive Madame Masque goes to her estranged father, Count Nefaria, to ask for help for herself and The Hood. He will gladly help his only daughter—and he also asks her to bring the money she offered….
As Norman Osborn is unmasked on live television, a fearful Jessica Jones receives a call from her husband Luke Cage that he is all right but the situation is a mess. The Avengers regroup on the battlefield and ascertain that everyone is well but they are uncertain about their legal status after the recent political upheaval. Captain America (Steve Rogers) is summoned by the President and he heads off. The others see the captured villains being interrogated by the warriors of Asgard. The Avengers question the Wrecking Crew as to the whereabouts of The Hood, and his disgruntled minions don’t know but can give the name of his cousin John King. They track him down easily and force him to phone The Hood, who asks King to fly to Los Angeles and bring all the money. The heroes head out there in a SHIELD jet and use its x-ray capabilities to learn who is in Nefaria’s penthouse waiting for them. John King tries to talk/bribe his way out of trouble by reminding them that if they remove The Hood, another crimelord will only take his place. Luke Cage assures him (and the others) that no matter what the future holds, they are committed to taking down this baddie. After some preparation, they have King phone The Hood and learn that the villain has lost the powers bestowed on him by Loki’s Norn Stone. Seems like a good time to attack….
Inside the penthouse, Count Nefaria is offering The Hood a deal: all the money the crime boss possesses in exchange for enhanced powers like Nefaria’s. Nefaria is disgusted with Parker’s indecision—when the Avengers crash through the window. Ms. Marvel takes on Nefaria while the others snatch Masque and Hood. Nefaria with his panoply of powers nearly overwhelms Ms. Marvel—then Wolverine suddenly drops on him from above and slashes him gruesomely. Ms. Marvel then grasps him by the head and delivers a massive electrical charge which leaves him in a battered bloody heap….
In Broxton they stop off to deliver Nefaria, Hood, Masque, and King to SHIELD, and Maria Hill smilingly suggests they listen to the news….
And the big news is that the Superhuman Registration Act has been repealed, with Steve Rogers named the nation’s chief law-enforcement official. Steve meets with the Avengers to tell them they have been cleared of all criminal charges and are again able to operate openly. But where do they go from here? Steve makes a speech explaining that it is an honor to be the team that handles problems that no one else can. Even when things went crazy they kept fighting. But when they started fighting each other, it seemed as if it was time to quit but they didn’t. So what did they want from all this? How will they know when the fight is over? When they can go for a walk, free and true to their convictions…
…and the last we see of the Avengers, they are in their civilian clothes, going for a walk in the park.