Civil War – The Case of The New Warriors V. eSCAPE Enterprises

 

From: She-Hulk Vol.2 #8

How the New Warriors kicked off Civil War (2006).

During a televised raid of a house containing select villains that had recently escaped from the super villain facility at Ryker’s Island prison during a massive breakout, the escaped villain Nitro let off a massive explosion that killed the majority of the New Warriors, as well as the children at a nearby elementary school. In the wake of the tragedy, the U.S. Government proposed the Superhuman Registration Act.  The act requires any person in the United States with superhuman abilities to register with the federal government as a “human weapon of mass destruction,” reveal their true identity to the authorities, and undergo proper training. Those who sign also have the option of working for S.H.I.E.L.D., earning a salary and benefits such as those earned by other American civil servants. Characters within the superhero community in the Marvel Universe split into two groups: one advocating the registration as a responsible obligation, and the other opposing the law on the grounds that it violates civil liberties and the protection that secret identities provide. A number of villains have also chosen to take sides, some choosing to side with the registration, others against it. Luke Cage (previously the second Power Man), an African American, compared registration to slavery, and did so to Iron Man’s face. Others compared the act to the norms under which the police and soldiers operate.

The incident in Stamford by the super villain Nitro causes the US Government to introduce the Superhero Registration Act. Those not adhering to it are deemed unregistered and rogue superheroes. Tony Stark and Dr Reed Richards lead the side of the pro-registration superhero. Captain America leads the anti-registration side. Spider-Man, initially with Tony Stark, eventually joins the team of Captain America. Goliath is killed by the pro-registration superheroes.  Many super-villains join the Government in hunting down superheroes.

The Mighty Thor vs. Juggernaut part 2! – Introducing THE NEW WARRIORS!!! (Acts of Vengeance, 1989)

Acts of Vengeance was a company-wide fall crossover that was centered on the Avengers and Fantastic Four. After three consecutive fall crossovers were built around the X-Men and related mutant teams, promotional materials teased the idea of a wide array of super-villains facing heroes they had never met (or at least were villains that weren’t part of the heroes’ regular gallery).

The core titles of the crossover include Avengers; Avengers Spotlight; Avengers West Coast; Captain America; Iron Man; Quasar; Thor; and Fantastic Four. Major tie-ins included The Amazing Spider-Man among other Spider-Man titles, Uncanny X-Men and the second Damage Control limited series. An epilogue features in Cloak and Dagger; Web Of Spider-Man and in an Avengers Annual.

The New Warriors first appeared in this issue of The Mighty Thor (v.1 #412, 1989) The team was compiled by writer/editor Tom DeFalco, consisting of the young superheroes Firestar, Marvel Boy, Namorita, Nova and Speedball, all of whom were once featured in solo series or were supporting characters in more established series. To this mix DeFalco added Night Thrasher, an original character to serve as the team’s founder and leader. The New Warriors were not sidekicks, as some prior teen superhero teams had been.

Click here to see part one of the epic battle between THE MIGHTY THOR and the unstoppable Juggernaut!