2009, THE WORLD AT WAR! From the ashes of long dead Soviet Russia arises a new threat. Its
mission? World domination! One by one countries have fallen in line behind the flag of the one
globe, through either force, coercion, or bribery . The United States and its few remaining allies
are pushed into a corner, but our first line of defense, as always are The Mighty Avengers,
Earths Mightiest Heroes! This is their story in the worlds darkest hour! This is
Splash Page : A Quinjet flies low over the ocean, the golden burning sky above as it's hypersonic
flight sends walls of water crashing upwards towards that ever burning sky .
Page 2
Captain America, Iron Man , Vision , Hawkeye , Yellow Jacket , Darkhawk, Nova and
Spider-Man watch the video monitor before them. IronMan explains his plans to them.
Iron Man : "We'll enter here, along Wakandas southern coast line. According to what little info
we have , the Panther's being held here, at the royal palace's dungeon. We'll have about fifteen
miles of dangerous territory to fight through. Half of us will be doing the diversion thing , while
the other half actually breaks T'Challa free."
Dark Hawk : "Okay Iron Man, but what are the teams here ? How do we split up ?"
Cap A : "You D.H. , Iron Man , and Nova will run interference for us while the rest of us make
our way to the palace and attempt to free T'Challa."
Spider-Man : " Well boys, I guess it sounds like a reasonable facsimile of a plan. Who get's the
soda and popcorn when we're done ?"
Page 3
Nova and Darkhawk snicker at Spideys remark while Cap looks forward and smiles slightly.
Iron Man : "You've never changed Spidey, you know that ?"
Spider-Man : "Well I haven't gotten older, just prettier. Don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful."
Iron Man turns away, anything but laughing behind his mask.
IronMan : "No more jokes , okay web spinner ? Nothing could be more serious then our situation
here."
Spidey : "Sorry Shellhead, t'tell you the truth , I'm a little nervous and it's just my way of coping ,
ya know ?
Page 4
Iron Man : "Believe me, I know what you're feeling here. Cap's the only one of us who's actually
seen action in wartime."
CapA : "Not true hero, we all have, every one of us. We've fought in battles that have been more
warlike then anything we'll see here."
Darkhawk : "How can you say that Cap ? You don't know what we're going to head into here ? "
Cap turns and looks long and hard at his younger teammate .
Cap A : " 'Hawk , you've been to other worlds, you've fought some of the toughest villains this
planets ever seen, this is the same mission. Yes, the stakes may be higher, but the story is an old
one. We , as usual are on the side of right. Our enemies are not. That's the story. We go in, we do
our job , and we get out. Period. We're Avengers Mister. Let's live up to the name and rescue one
of our own. "
Page 5
Hawkeye : " We're coming up on Wakandas coastline now gents."
Yellow Jacket: "Uh-Oh, somehow they've pierced our cloak, and their targeting the Q-jet.
They've got weapons lock ."
Hawkeye : "Evasive maneuvers ! "
The Quinjet banks hard as it fights to avoid being hit. Searing lasers cut the air like sun hot
knives all around the Q-jet.
Cap moves to the front of the cabin, looking on silently.
Yellow Jacket : "Those shots are getting closer and closer every second guys. We--"
Page 6 Large panel of the Quinjet being atomized by several energy beams from the shore
SSShhAA-KKOOWWW!!!
Wreckage floats to the water from the sky as the pieces of the plane continue sizzle as they hit
the cool sea.
Cap A : "well, I hope that was worth it. Those Quinjets are expensive. Aren't they Iron Man ?
Iron Man : "Yeah, and more so every year. Y J , bring this sub in to about two miles from the
shoreline."
Page 6
Vision : "We are in our designated drop off zone my friends. I see it is time for us to disembark."
Cap A : "Good luck and God speed to us all."
Vision floats upwards and out of the submarine as Iron Man , Darkhawk and Nova leave via a
hatch in the subs deck.
Cap A : "Spidey , you and Hawkeye will be with me . We swim the last mile. The Avengers
wetsuits will keep our costumes dry until we hit the shoreline. The we dump them."
Hawkeye : (To Spidey) "Gee aren't you glad you decided to come back now? "
Spidey : "Yeah well I already took my monthly shower arrowhead, I hate these long swims.
Blecch."
CapA : "No more chatter men, let's do it ."
Page 7
The heroes don their wetsuits and one by one drop through the hatch to the murky water.
CapA :" Suit com units working okay ?"
Hawkeye : "Yeah Steve, they are."
CapA : Spidey ? How's yours? "
Spidey : "Yep, fine ."
CapA : "What's the matter son, you've been preoccupied this whole trip so far."
Spidey : " Just thinking about MJ and May. "
Cap A : "Don't worry about it Spider-Man, you'll be back with them soon enough."
Spidey : "I hope. I keep worrying something will go wrong back home, not so much here."
CapA : "Stow those thoughts Spider-Man, nothings going wrong."
Yellowjacket : "Steve, I think we're coming up on the shore. I'm shrinking down and going up
above for a look."
Page 8
CapA : "Okay Hank , keep your eyes open."
Y J : "Will do Avenger."
Yellowjacket disappears from next to the swimming heroes and leaves the water almost
instantly.
Y J : "Cap, we're very close to shore, and it looks desolate. There's nothing here but sand and
surf as far as the eye can see."
Cap A : "Okay Hank. Shellhead, you with us yet ? "
Iron Man : "Yes Cap, I'm here. Scanning the shoreline now and everything looks empty, just as
YJ said."
Cap A :" Alright then. Let's go."
Page 8
Cut to Avengers Bunker in the heart of N Y.
Wasp enters the monitor room
Wasp : "Any word on the team yet Michael ? "
O'BRIEN : "No Janny, nothing yet. Give 'em a chance, These guys are the best. "
Wasp : " I know, I just don't like the silence."
The Scarlet Witch walks in
Wanda : " Hello Jan , Michael. Any word yet ?"
O'Brien :" No Mrs Wanda, nothing yet."
Wanda : "Join me for some breakfast Jan ? "
Wasp : "Why not ? No use sitting here wondering. O'Brien, call me the first sign of any news."
O'Brien : "Will do boss lady ."
Page 10
The two women walk down the corridors of Avengers bunker
Wasp : "How are you this morning ? "
Wanda : "How do you think ? "
Wasp : "Yes, me too. Don't worry, they'll all be okay. We've all faced worse."
Wanda : "Have we ? I don't know about that. Sure we've saved the world more times then anyone
can remember, or even care to, but this time it's us vs. The world, not us saving it ."
Wasp : "Wanda, you're starting to sound like Steve* with all the doom and gloom."
*Steve Rogers is Captain America
the women enter the cafeteria. There Jarvis is cooking his morning sweet rolls.
Jarvis : " Good Morning Madame Wanda , Madame Jan."
Wanda : "Good Morning Jarvis, how are you today ?"
Wasp : Morning Jarvy, ."
Page 11
Jarvis : "I am the same as you two are , worried."
Wasp : "Yeah, I guess we all are. Why don't the three of us sit down and have some breakfast
together. No serving today Jarvis, as much as you love it, today you sit and talk with us. You are
the backbone of the team you know."
Jarvis smiles a weary smile and pulls off his apron, sitting across from the two beautiful women.
Jarvis : "Thank you Madame Jan, Madame Wanda."
Just then Michael O'Briens voice and image appear above the startled Assemblers heads
O'Brien: "Sorry to interrupt ladies and Jarvis, but I 've got a wee bit'o news. The One Globe has
released a data vid of a Quinjet gettin' blown ta bits."
Wasp : "So everything is going according to plan so far."
O'Brien : Also I have the Widow on link from the mid-west team."
Wasp : "Put her through here then Mr. O'Brien."
Page 12
Instantly the picture of O'Brien wavers and disappears as the holographic projectors realign and
the Mid-West Avengers take his place.
Widow : "Hello Jan, Wanda. How goes the mission so far ? "
Wanda : "As far as we can see it goes well. How 're things in your area Natasha ? Anymore
incursions ?"
Natasha :( With a smile )" None that we couldn't handle, we are Avengers actually ."
Wasp : "That you are ."
Widow : "Well keep me informed then of any development."
Wasp : "Will do Tash, give our best to everyone there."
Widow :"Will do ladies, goodbye."
Page 13
With that the connection is terminated. The widow turns away from the monitor to look at her
team, they're all at the ready, this team is perhaps the most tense of Avengers groups, having as
that this is a new branch of the team and they all feel they must prove themselves. She looks at
them, Thunderstrike , Firebird, Rage , Moonstone, Cannonball and Vixen and smiles.
Widow : "We have nothing new yet troops, I'm sure we will soon enough though."
Vixen : "Yes, I can't stand this waiting around , it makes my skin crawl."
Thunderstrike :( Smirking) "Well I can help you there Sharon, let me rub your back a little."
Page 14
Vixen : "Get outta here you punk kid, I went out with the Thing for a while, you think I can't
handle you ?"
Cannonball : "Settle down ya 'll. Ol' Kev's only joshin with you Miss. Ventura. He don't mean no
harm and you know it . And you Thunderstrike, show the lady some respect, you're still the
greenest of the green here so's ah wouldn't be tryin' ta stir up any excitement here, if'n ya know
what ah mean."
Thunderstrike : "Relax hayseed, I was just kidding with her, and she knows it."
Widow : "All of you relax. Stand down for now. Nothing is happening at this minute, so I
believe we have a free minute or three to ourselves, and I for one welcome it."
The heroes disperse to different sides of their compound, some going to practice skills, others
going to relax. Cannonball follows the Widow and begins speaking/
cannonball : "Well Tasha, ah got the feeling we shouldn't be so ready ta relax here."
Widow : "I feel the same way Sam, but there's to much tension here for any good to come of it."
Sam : "Ah know it ma'am. Sorta like the calm before the twister."
Widow : "I just hope that wasn't more appropriate then you know Sam."
Page 15
Cut To Wakanda...
Spider-Man, Cap, and Hawkeye traverse the rooftops of this modern metropolis, while
Yellowjacket flies in miniature nearby, in search of a captured friend.
Spidey : "I always hate these cities with low lying rooftops. What a pain the keester for a
swingin' guy like me."
Hawkeye: "What are you complainin' about? I have to notch and shoot every three seconds.
Sheesh, this is no fun."
CapA : (Whispering)"Face front gentlemen, I think we have our first obstacle before us."
The Avengers look over the roofs edge and see several dozen black garbed One Globe warriors
herding Wakandan nationals into penned areas.
Spidey : "Concentration camps."
Cap : "Yes."
Cap says nothing more, but by the set of his jaw it's obvious how he feels here.
Hawkeye: " We have to free these people."
Page 16
Cap A :"We can't now Clint."
Hawkeye begins to protest, but Cap raises his hand up in a quieting motion.
CapA: "We're here for one thing right now, that's freeing T'Challa. Once he's loose and safe ,
these people will have hope. Right now their conquered in mind as well as body with their king
in chains. When the right time comes we'll be back and Wakanda, as well as the rest of the world
will be freed."
The heroes back off as a group, seeking a street to cross further down the line, away from prying
eyes.
Page 17
Cut to Iron Man, Darkhawk and Nova
Iron Man: "Okay men, this is where it gets tough, I've got a half dozen incoming, and fast. from
the profiles I'm getting fed back to me, it looks like the Guardsmen suits ."
Darkhawk: "Okay then, let's rock !"
Nova : "Wha-Hoo !"
The three heroes rocket into their foes , scattering them in the first pass.
Iron Man loops around behind one and unleashes full powered Repulsor blasts at his foes boots,
skragging their circuitry.
Darkhawk flies into two Guardsmen , forcing them backwards with a roar as two more attack
Nova with multiple Repulsor-like blasts
Nova : (Unngh, this stuff hurts, good thing I'm mostly invulnerable. Let's see if they are.)
Nova reverses direction and throws a powerful right at the first ones head
KLONG!
The second circles away warily and then unleashes his Repulsor blasts again.
Nova : "Okay silent Sam, two can play that game."
Page 18
Nova fires his Nova Pulse , which completely overpowers the Guardsmans blast and envelopes
the Guardsman himself, destroying the suit he's wearing.
Nova : "Hey Shellhead, these things don't seem all to sturdy, what gives here? "
Iron Man : " I noticed that myself Nova. They seem to be powered up for nothing but speed and
some damage, but against a good foe these guys go down like paper in a wind."
Nova : "Yeah , unless there's a few thousand of them."
And suddenly it hits Iron Man like a ton of bricks.
Iron Man : "That's exactly what they are planning here. Thousands of troops, all wearing the
redesigned Guardsman armor. They could bring the world to it's knees in a few weeks at most
We have to get this info back to the states immediately."
Darkhawk. : "Wow that wasn't so hard, I took out both of my guys pretty fast, what gives here ?"
Nova : "I think we just found out."
Iron Man : "Yes, and we have one problem with that, the sixth Guardsman is getting away."
Nova :"Oh no he's not."
Page 19
Nova races after the escaping Guardsman, the human rocket catches him , but it's not as quick as
he would've liked.
Nova : (I can't believe how fast these guys are. These suits are nothing BUT speed and power.)
Nova grabs the fleeing Guardsmans legs and spins him away in one heave. Out of control , the
Guardsman flies into the ocean and explodes on contact
SHHOOOMF !
Iron Man and Dark Hawk finally catch up.
IronMan : "Good maneuver there Nova, using his own inertia against him."
Nova : "Thanks. I'm a little bit worried here though. The tactics these guys are using here,
basically shoddy weapons, based on older designs but in huge amounts, man that's like old
Soviet cold war tactics."
Page 20
IronMan :"Precisely, that's what worries me."
As the heroes talk slowly and unknown to them three huge forms rise up silently behind them.
Off panel Voice : "Worry no more Amerikanski scum , it will soon be beyond your providence to
do so."
The three heroes spin as one. Behind them are ....
Iron Man : "Titanium man ! Three of them !"
The Titanium men attack, one plows right through Darkhawks energy blast and begins pounding
him continuosly while another grabs Novas head and savagely slams him with a massive attack
Ba-Doom !
Page 21
Iron Man:( Talking to the Titanium man who approaches him)"It won't be that easy mister, not
here and now."
Iron Man fires his unibeam laser at the Titanium mans right shoulder, instantly the suit goes
haywire as sparks fly everywhere and cooling gases begin to vent from the ruptured seam.
T-Man 1 :"Wha? What have you done to me what? I cannot control my armor ! AAAAAAA"
Whooomf !
The suit explodes in a shower of exploding metal and flesh. Iron man turns in time to receive
two powerful punches in unison from both remaining T-Men.
Kra-Kow !
His last thought is of Caps team as the blackness claims him.
Page 22
cut to Captain America and friends.
Yellowjacket : "Cap, I can't raise IronMan and the others. Something's gone wrong here."
Cap says nothing for a moment as all heads turn towards him.
Cap : "Okay, we continue with our original mission for now. Until we hear otherwise, we
assume the worst has happened and worry about the ramifications later."
Hawkeye : " Well then lets move out ."
Spidey : "Yeah, I'll take point. "
Spider-man leads the heroes deeper into ever lit city, the Burning sky always a disadvantage
here.
Spider-Man : "Whoa gents, major spider-sense buzz. Find cover."
The four heroes dive into a buildings rooftop shadow as two Titanium men fly above, carrying
their friends.
Page 23
Spidey : "Now we know what happened to them."
Yellowjacket : "Yes but are they still alive ?"
CapA : "Must be, why would they be carrying them yet if they weren't."
Spidey : "Okay, now we have two missions here."
Hawkeye : "Yeah find T'Challa and our friends."
Y J:"We might get lucky here, they could be all brought to the same holding area."
CapA : "Could be, but I doubt it. The Panther will be in a public area where he'll be seen by the
general populace, I'd say the Palace. This will serve two purposes . One, to keep the people in
line so to speak, for fear that if they react , T'Challa dies and two, to show that if their leader, the
world famous retired Avenger could be so easily captured and beaten, what chance does the
average man on the street have."
Spidey : "Psyche 101 huh? I took that class too."
Page 24
Cut to...
Iron Man awakens slowly at first, then he snaps back to clarity almost instantly.
Iron Man : ( My armors de-powered somehow, but my reserves are on line. At least I have
sensors. Lets do a slow sweep of the area first.
His armors dampened circuits scan the huge structure he's in. Several black garbed one globe
warriors move about , jabbing chained and disheveled Wakandans ,prodding them to work
quicker.
Iron Man : ( We're in a huge cave. Dark Hawk and Nova are tied behind me with this same
energy sapping cable. Looks like our playmates are here also.)
The two Titanium men move about also, speaking with several of the one globe warriors before
moving on, deeper into the cavern.
Iron Man : ( Hhmm, what are they doing here I've got to probe a little deeper.)
Stretching his limited resources to their maximum ability Iron Man suddenly comes to a startling
revelation
Iron Man : ( Vibranium ! They're mining vibranium ! Now it's all beginning to make sense.)
Dark Hawk (Whispering) : "You awake Iron Man ?"
Iron Man : "Yes Hawk, we've got a problem here."
Dark HAWK : "No kidding."
Page 25
Iron Man : "More so then you know son. These men are mining Vibranium, one of whichs
properties is the ability to absorb sound as well as impacts."
D H : "So?"
Iron Man : "So Imagine thousands upon thousands of Guardsmen suited One Globers attacking
wearing Guardsman armor made from vibranium. They'd be virtually indestructible."
D H : "Oboy."
Back to Cap and friends...
Spidey :"Palace ahead gents let's move it, I'm getting nary a buzz."
^The four heroes make their way to the palace rooftop, Spider-man pulling a door lock apart as
they enter the roof access.
CapA : "No rooftop sensors of any kind, hhmmm."
Hawkeye: "Not necessary Cap-o. T'Challa's well loved by everyone here. Who would try to break
and enter ? This ain't Manhattan under Dinkins you know."
Spidey : "Guys I'm getting a mild buzz when I face those two corridors, and none down this way."
Cap : "Okay let's find some safe haven here then and catch a brief rest before we go on ."
Stealthily they make their way down the empty, dimly lit corridors until Spider-Man comes to a
door he finds unlocked and enters, the others behind him.
Spidey:" A Little dark here, but otherwise seemingly safe ."
Voice from the darkness: "For whom ? We've been waiting for you Peter , yes we have."
Suddenly the lights go on as a large black garbed figure leaps at the startled Web-Spinner
Spider-Man : "VENOM !"
Venom : "We want to eat your brains, and your little friends too !"
Next : Mission : Wakanda part II, Nuff said.