The Avengers have always been a Marvel Comics lynchpin. They’ve saved the world and even the universe countless times. But now, things are a bit different for Marvel’s Mightiest Heroes as the publisher’s summer event kicks off. And in a world without Avengers, this first issue of Heroes Reborn changes the Marvel Universe in some pretty unexpected ways.
In Heroes Reborn #1, the Squadron Supreme is now the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Their existence meant the Avengers never existed as if the universe revolves around the Squadron. And thanks to this universe’s suspicious President, that may be the case.
**SPOILERS for Heroes Reborn #1 by Jason Aaron, Ed McGuinness, and Mark Morales**
In this newly altered timeline, it seems to be Blade, the only person outside of the Squadron, and President Phil Coulson who remembers the Avengers even exist. The Mighty Thor is now a hammerless alcoholic. In this reality, Odin sent Thor to Earth to learn humility as he did in the normal timeline. Unfortunately, Thor never learned before the Mangog slew the other Asgardians and destroyed Asgard.
Tony Stark never became Iron Man and is still an arms dealer. Meanwhile, Carol Danvers is still a pilot who not only never became Captain Marvel, but she never made the rank of Captain in the Air Force either. Robbie Reyes never even became the Ghost Rider. Most of the world still considers the nation of Wakanda to be a myth. The powers of the Iron Fist never made its way out of Tibet. Finally, with no Avengers to find him, Captain America remains presumed dead.
As a result of this new timeline, the heroes aren’t the only ones who’ve changed either. Without the Avengers, the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver never reformed. Wanda absorbed Pietro’s powers to become the villainous Silver Witch. Thanos returned from an apparent death wielding Infinity Rings instead of the Infinity Gauntlet. Doctor Doom now wields the power of the Juggernaut. And the Red Skull, in possession of the Venom symbiote, now calls himself the Black Skull.
How will the Avengers find their way back to each other? What do you think of the changes Heroes Reborn has made to the Marvel Universe? And finally, what ramifications do you think this will have on the future of Marvel? Let’s discuss down in the comments!