Posted in: Avengers, Comic Spoilers, Comics, Current News, Doctor Strange, Marvel Comics | Tagged: avengers, heroes reborn, james stokoe, jason aaron, marvel, mephisto, spoilers

Sorry WandaVision, It's All About Mephisto In Heroes Reborn (Spoilers)

Published Wed, 26 May 2021 06:57:12 -0500

by Rich Johnston

Last updated Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:05:24 -0500

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I know, I know, Bleeding Cool has been running theories over Mephisto's involvement in the current Heroes Reborn event. That the rules of Hades (recently restored) has been running a long game with the Avengers, creating them over the millennia, recently behind the return of Agent Coulson and the establishment of the Squadron Supreme Of America and that the new Heroes Reborn reality is a result of all this – a world without Avengers, Phil Coulson as President, the Squadron Supreme as the preeminent superhero team, and the absence of vampires down to his rivalry with Lilith, the mother of vampires, his former lover over the ruling of Hell. And in all the issues so far and all the crossovers so far, there has not been an inkling of Mephisto's involvement, save for one variant cover. That changed today, with the four titles out, Heroes Reborn #4, joined by three one-shots, Magneto And The Mutant Force #1, Young Squadron #1 and Siege Society #1. Now, part of the conceit of the Squadron Supreme is that they are a Marvel Comics take on DC Comics' Justice League Of America. And in Heroes Reborn, they double down with that, giving Nighthawk his own Arkham Asylum in Ravencroft and his own Jim Gordon in Luke Cage.

While Princess Power's life is steeped even further in Wonder Woman, decapitating Adolf Hitler in World War 2, and her Utopian Island taking over from both Asgard and Inhuman/Kree heritage as a source of power in Young Squadron. But it doesn't stop there, even Deadpool wants in on the DC Universe game, as he pops by…

Deadpool is often seen as the Marvel equivalent of Harley Quinn, certainly after Joe Kelly and Gail Simone were done with him, and now he has a mallet just like her as well. He does keep his fourth-wall breaking nature too as well, echoing the demands of Joe Quesada from decades before…

But what powers that be is he referring to here? Joe Quesada was the principal figure as artist and EIC in the One More Day storyline that saw Mephisto destroy Spider-Man's life and recreate it simultaneously. But is this a stretch? The lack of Kree influence may also be seen in Magneto Force #1, with Rogiue having absorbed the abilities and memories of a Skrull warrior rather than those of Carol Danvers, Ms Marvel – who we have seen is just a pilot in Heroes Reborn. Is there a further lack of Kree as well, which may also explain a lack of Inhumans on Earth?

As well as noted that might have directed towards the Heroes Reborn equivalent of Onslaught, with Xavier hidden in Magneto's mind rather than the other way around.

Heroes Reborn #4, drawn by the incomparable James Stokoe, reveals more about the hidden Wakanda nation that might be of note…

Even as Doctor Spectrum – somewhere between Doctor Strange, the Silver Surfer and Dr Manhattan, faces down a Starbrand that shouldn't even be here today.

But it is Seige Society that is first off the blocks with its choice of words.

No, not "bollocks" – though it is always good to see its return. More than Young Squadron will allow.

Rather the use of "Mephisto's name". Is this a one-off? Thsank Mephisto it's not.

Mephisto being used in the place of the name of God, in casual epithets. How far does this go? Well, never mind the bollocks, here's the Sex Pistols.

And in the conclusion to Heroes Reborn #4, all is made clear with Doctor Spectrum in his army identity, visiting President Coulson in the "House Of The Lord."

But which Lord would that be?

Because there doesn't seem to be much separation of Church and State in this United States Of America. But is there ever, really?

I have to say, the statue makers of the world of Heroes Reborn have a lot more work to do…

HEROES REBORN #4 (OF 7)
MARVEL COMICS
MAR210522
(W) Jason Aaron (A) James Stokoe, Ed McGuinness (CA) Leinil Francis Yu
With the cosmic might of his Power Prism, Doctor Spectrum has become the most feared lawman in the heavens. But now the dark forces of deep space have sent the galaxy's most notorious bounty hunter to end Spectrum once and for all. That's right, here comes Rocket Raccoon! Plus: In a backup tale, the all-new Starbrand finds herself alone in a strange new universe.
Rated T+In Shops: May 26, 2021 SRP: $4.99

HEROES REBORN MAGNETO AND MUTANT FORCE #1
MARVEL COMICS
MAR210528
(W) Steve Orlando (A) Bernard Chang (CA) Nick Bradshaw
CAN MAGNETO RESURRECT HOPE FOR MUTANTKIND BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE?
Years ago, Magneto and Professor X led Earth's mutants in a final push for independence against the Squadron Supreme of America. What followed was the Squadron's Mutant Massacre, a violent rebuttal that left Mutantkind forever wounded, and Xavier dead…or so Magneto thought. Years later, Magneto discovers Xavier clinging to life in the astral plane and gathers his allies for a first-of-its-kind rescue mission. Too bad the same mission puts the Mutant Force back on the Squadron's radar!.Failure means the last gasp of mutantkind, but success means the first breaths of something even more elusive to the mutants of Heroes Reborn: HOPE. Rated T+In Shops: May 26, 2021 SRP: $4.99

HEROES REBORN SIEGE SOCIETY #1
MARVEL COMICS
MAR210533
(W) Cody Ziglar (A) Paco Medina (CA) Ken Lashley
BLACK WIDOW & HAWKEYE LEAD AN ASSAULT ON THE SQUADRON!
•  After the Civil War that split the Squadron Supreme in half, Nighthawk formed his own Squadron in Europe.
•  But not all of Europe is okay with it. Baron Zemo has put together his own team to take them down. Who's on this team?
•  Natasha Romanov, Clint Barton, Scott Lang and Victor Creed.
•  The Squadron doesn't stand a chance.
Rated T+In Shops: May 26, 2021 SRP: $4.99

HEROES REBORN YOUNG SQUADRON #1
MARVEL COMICS
MAR210531
(W) Jim Zub (A) Steven Cummings (CA) Karl Kerschl
The Squadron Supreme of America have taken root in the hearts and minds of all, but none more so than a trio of youthful champions who call themselves the Young Squadron!
Kid Spectrum (Sam Alexander), Girl Power (Kamala Khan) and the all-new Falcon (Miles Morales) are here to fight for truth, justice and the American flag…or are they?
Beneath the flashy facade of colorful adventure, something grim is stirring and Deadpool is determined to bring it to light.
Rated T+In Shops: May 26, 2021 SRP: $4.99

I picked up my Marvel haul from Piranha Comics in Kingston-Upon-Thames. Piranha Comics is a small south London comic store chain with a small south-west store in Kingston-Upon Thames's market centre, and a larger south-east store in Bromley, with an extensive back issue collection and online store. With a new store planned for Watford, if you are in the neighbourhood, check them out.