Spider-Man’s Black Cat Joins the Avengers in New Marvel Comic (Exclusive Preview)

Marvel Comics’ Avengers are known to have a constantly rotating lineup. Now the team has it some Permanent Characters – Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor are the main trinity of the team in both the comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But since 1964’s “The Avengers” #16 (when all of the founding members of the team resigned, leaving Captain America to lead Hawkeye, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch), Earth’s Mightiest Heroes has not been as exclusive a club as the name suggests. . The Avengers take leaves of absence, new people join in the meantime, etc. The MCU is currently discovering that movie audiences may not be as receptive to this revolving door as comic book readers; There’s a reason Chris Evans returned in Avengers: Doomsday.

The current “Avengers” comic series, written by Jed McKay, begins with a very classic team-up: Captain Marvel, Iron Man, Captain America (Sam Wilson), Thor, Black Panther, Scarlet Witch, and Vision. In “Avengers” #18, McKay (and… also Writing “X-Men” now) Storm added To replace the departing Thor. In Avengers #22, the team gets an unexpected new member: Black Cat.

Also known as Felicia Hardy, she is Spider-Man’s Catwoman, a sometimes skilled thief, sometimes an anti-hero who is also fascinated by the superhero she fights. Aside from her acrobatic skills, she can unconsciously induce bad luck in others. (Instead, “Spider-Man: The Animated Series” had Black Cat’s powers It comes from the same Super Soldier serum that empowered Captain America.)

MacKay previously wrote a solo series titled “Black Cat”.so it’s no surprise that he brought her to the Avengers for the first time. The case summary reads:

Black Cat joins the Avengers?! For the sake of cosmic greatness! The Avengers attend an intergalactic auction in an attempt to move forward with some of these misfortune events… but they are shocked when Cat Noir appears on someone’s arm! The most shocking date is 2025, and the year has only just begun.

The issue’s cover, drawn by Valerio Schiti, shows Black Cat throwing several playing cards with the Avengers’ faces on them.

Marvel Comics

The issue’s opening inside page is a recap going back to the first arc. At that time, Kang the Conqueror warned the Avengers of coming “events of adversity” (terrifying threats that not even Earth’s mightiest heroes could handle). The first arc of the series revolved around the first event, where the Avengers encountered the aforementioned alien warriors Combine ashen. The coming tribulation has not yet come, but it is coming will be coming.

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The following pages outline the risks. Scarlet Witch discovers that the data archive, which used to belong to Kang, is being auctioned at a casino owned by the Grandmaster. If the Avengers can get their hands on him, they can prepare for the events of the upcoming Tribulation. But since they can’t wins The auction, which requires “wealth on a planetary scale” (too much even for billionaire Tony Stark), will steal it. As Storm excitedly announces, the Avengers are about to set off on an adventurous journey.

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics

Wanda and Vision arrive at the casino, where Wanda is using her fame throughout the multiverse to get an official invitation. As they buy time at the casino, Wanda notices how the place has become ripe for her powers to change the odds. Vision agrees that “a woman who changes fortunes is indeed a woman to watch in the casino” — which seems like a cue for Black Cat to enter, especially since the preview page ends with Wanda bumping into an unseen person.

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics

This “Avengers” arc, called “The Casino Job,” will be in three parts based on requests for “The Avengers” #23 and No. 24. Black Cat is the focus on the covers of all three issues, so you have to wonder: is she being set up as a new main character? Or maybe she’ll just guest star, and the Avengers will say “goodbye Felicia” after “The Casino Job” ends.

Avengers #22 will be available in print and digitally on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.