drive-by readings: War of Kings: Ascension #4

War of Kings: Ascension #4 (Marvel) "Fugitive" Dan Abnett Andy Lanning Wellinton Alves Scott Hanna Guru eFX Cory Petit Brandon Peterson (cover)

last time we left Chris Powell, a.k.a. Darkhawk, he wrests back control of the suit from the Raptor Razor, but just right after the latter assassinates Lilandra for Vulcan. this immediately makes him somewhat Sh'iar Public Enemy Number One (depending on who you talk to), and the anti-BFF of Gladiator and the Starjammers. give him credit for making the best out of a really bad situation and taking the fight back to the Fraternity of Raptors. this series started out slow, but ends up a winner. and the open ending paves the way for the next cosmic crossover? right? right??

checkmates

with Secret Invasion winding down, we look forward to next summer's crossover. this seems to be more along the lines of Annihilation, so am not sure what happens to the more-Earthbound heroes (a.k.a. Spidey).

as this poster suggests, it seems to boil down to a showdown between a revitalized Black Bolt and the Sh'iar emperor (and third Summers brother) Vulcan. this means the Inhumans rescue Black Bolt from the Skrulls, although will he still be their king, as his batshit crazy bro Maximus sits on the throne?

among other players, we have the Starjammers leading the resistance against Vulcan. The 'Jammers current leader is Havok, who took his dad's place after being killed by Vulcan/Gabriel. Alex is doubly pissed because he's no longer the youngest child, who always gets all the privileges.

there's also my favorite space cop Nova (sorry, Green Lanterns - his job is much harder because he's all alone policing the universes), who'll likely oppose Vulcan. i hope the Guardians of the Galaxy follow suit.