New Avengers (2010 series) #23

Norman Osborn has combined his HAMMER troops with AIM, the Hand and Hydra to attack the Avengers both in this series and the main 1. Here he has created a new Dark Avengers to pit against the NAv while in the Av series his forces have captured Captain America and that team. 1 of the DAv is Skaar, son of Hulk, but when at the end of last issue he heard that Hydra had Cap prisoner in the HAMMER/DAv's base he turned on his teammates.

This issue begins with a flashback to a flashback in #18 where Osborn tried to recruit him. He said he'd think about it and Osborn should return the next day. Meanwhile he phoned Cap and asked what he wanted him to do.

Next we have 5 pages of Skaar beating up the Dark Avengers. He plucks Trickshot's arrows out of the air, then resists Toxie Doxie's poisonous breath and throws her at Superia. He uses Gorgon as a weapon to batter Ai Apaec and Trickshot and then throws *him* at the team's aircraft causing a massive explosion which knocks them all out.

Then he finds 2 AIM guards. He KOs 1 with 1 blow and persuades the other to take him to Cap. He frees Steve Rogers from a chair he's fastened to with high-tech manacles and explains that he figured now was the right time to blow his cover. Cap tells him that his other mole Victoria Hand is in danger and tells him to get the NAv to save her. (We know that they've already done that last issue.)

The DAv recover. Gorgon's eager to get revenge on Skaar, but Ai Apaec says this isn't what he signed up for and reverts from his 6-armed Spider-Man guise to his giant spider with a human torso and snake hair 'normal' look. Superior (in an old Ms Marvel outfit) tries to rally the troops. But then most of the NAv show up (including Thing who hasn't been involved since #16.1 and Daredevil who joined the fight in #19). Another 8-page battle sees:- Dr Strange wrap Doxie in the Crimson Bands Of Cyttorak and throw her at Gorgon. DD and Spider-Man take om AA. Ms Marvel attacks 'Ms Marvel'. Barney Barton fires arrows at his 'sister-in-law' Mockingbird and is dismayed by her enhanced (since #13) powers until she takes him out with a kick to the jaw. AIM agents intervene but Thing bowls them all over with the force generated by slamming his hands together. Iron Fist and Gorgon have an extended martial arts duel until DD takes the foe out, also with a flying kick. Spidey's still having trouble with the other spider-man when a thrown red, white and blue shield solves the problem ...

... Wolverine wasn't in the brawl because he'd slipped away to find Cap and has now returned with him and Skaar, who gets introduced to the NAv. Cap tells them that the other Avengers are dealing with Osborn, and they'll go to join them (in Av#24). But he takes time to exchange a salute with Victoria Hand in the NAv's minicarrier. Ms Marvel is still punching Superia in the face although she's probably unconscious by now. Cap finally notices that Luke Cage isn't here ...

... Luke is looking for the other missing NAv member, his wife Jessica Jones. She left Avengers Mansion to keep their daughter Danielle safe, indicating she didn't want to be found. Now we see him checking out the office of her Alias detective agency, but it's deserted.