New Avengers (2005 series) #64

Two days ago, Norman Osborn met with The Hood in the ruins of Avengers Tower. Osborn asked to see the Norn Stones given to The Hood by Loki, which increased his power and endowed him with the ability to enhance the powers of his gang. Osborn revealed his plans for the invasion of Asgard and recruited Hood and his henchmen to be his troops. The reward? Hood will be named head of the new Thunderbolts who will replace the Avengers as the chief paramilitary team and it will be made up of Hood’s thugs—with complete legal immunity. The Hood took the offer back to his gang and after Mandrill balked and was punished by having his new mystical powers revoked until he pleaded to be reinstated, the gang signs on to invade Asgard ….

And now, The Hood and his gang have suddenly appeared on the battlefield and Sentry lays waste to the home of the Norse Gods. When the smoke clears Hawkeye and The Hood both see a black-gloved hand protruding from under a massive block of stone. The Avenger believes it is his wife Mockingbird while the villain takes it for his beloved Madame Masque. It turns out Hawkeye is right and after rescuing Bobbi they head back to the fray to rescue the injured. The Hood frantically searches for Madame Masque and, finding her unharmed, they make plans to escape. Thus the two pairs of lovers cross paths just as a repentant Loki removes the power of the Norn Stones from the villains and bestows it upon the heroes. The villainous couple murders two soldiers and hijacks their vehicle to make their getaway.

Later, as the news reports that Norman Osborn has been arrested and the Avengers vindicated as heroes, The Hood sinks into despair, fearing his own capture at any minute. Madame Masque slaps his cowardly face and tells him that when the Avengers come for him he had better be ready with something they will never expect….

Story concludes in NEW AVENGERS FINALE.