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Marvel Comics’ Avengers are known to have an ever-changing cast. Now the team has some Enduring figureheads – Captain America, Iron Man and Thor – are the main team trinity in both the comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But since 1964’s “The Avengers” #16 (when all of the team’s founding members quit, leaving Captain America to lead Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch), “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” hasn’t been as exclusive a club as its name suggests. Avengers take a leave of absence, new ones arrive in the meantime, etc. The MCU is currently finding that movie audiences may not be as receptive to this revolving door as comic book readers; There’s a reason Chris Evans is returning in Avengers: Doomsday.
The current Avengers comic series, written by Jed MacKay, began with a very classic team lineup: Captain Marvel, Iron Man, Captain America (Sam Wilson), Thor, Black Panther, Scarlet Witch and Vision. In “Avengers” #18, MacKay (who is Also (who is currently writing “X-Men”) Storm added to replace the outgoing Thor. In “Avengers” #22, the team gains another unexpected new member: Black Cat.
Also known as Felicia Hardy, she is Spider-Man’s own Catwoman, sometimes a master thief, sometimes an antihero, in love with the superhero she also fights. Aside from her acrobatic skills, she can unconsciously cause misfortune to others. (Spider-Man: The Animated Series had Black Cat’s powers instead come from the same super soldier serum that gave Captain America the power.)
MacKay previously wrote a Black Cat solo seriesso it’s no surprise that he takes her to join the Avengers for the first time. The problem summary is:
BLACK CAT JOINS THE AVENGERS?! For a cosmic caper! The Avengers attend an intergalactic auction to forestall some of these Tribulation events… but they’re in for a shock when Black Cat shows up on SOMEONE’S arm! The most shocking date of 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 faces of the Avengers painted on them.
Marvel Comics
Avengers #22 follows the Avengers and Black Cat at an intergalactic auction
The first inside page of the issue is a summary and goes back to the first story arc. At that time, Kang the Conqueror warned the Avengers of coming “Tribulation Events” (terrible threats that even Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are no match for). The first story arc of the series covered the first event in which the Avengers faced the aforementioned alien warriors the Ashen Combine. The next tribulation has not yet come, but it has will will come.
Marvel Comics
On the next pages you will find out what is important. Scarlet Witch has discovered that a data archive that once belonged to Kang is being auctioned off at a grandmaster casino. If the Avengers get their hands on it, they can prepare for the upcoming Tribulation Events. But since they can’t win At the auction, which requires “wealth on a planetary scale” (too much even for billionaire Tony Stark), they will simply steal him. As Storm excitedly explains, the Avengers are about to go on a prank.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Wanda and Vision arrive at the casino, and Wanda uses her shame across the multiverse to gain an official invitation. As they bide their time in the casino, Wanda realizes the environment is ripe for her probability-altering powers. Vision agrees that “a woman who changes fortunes is indeed someone to keep an eye on in a casino” – which seems like a sign for Black Cat to enter, especially since the preview page ends with that Wanda meets someone you can’t see.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
This “Avengers” arc, tellingly called “The Casino Job,” will consist of three parts based on calls “Avengers” #23 And #24. All covers of the three issues feature Black Cat as the main focus, so one has to ask: will she be used as the new main character? Or maybe she’s just a guest star and the Avengers say “Bye Felicia” after “The Casino Job” ends.
“Avengers” #22 will be available in print and digital formats on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
