New Avengers #7-10 (2005): Sentry joins; 1st Illuminati

This is the story that brings Sentry into The Avengers. Sentry has already had his own little series where we learned he was a Silver Age hero who worked with many Marvel heroes, but had to retire using his powers because they attracted a powerful being called The Void who threatened to destroy humanity.

1st Sentry

That Silver Age gimmick continues throughout this arc, and it’s great.

Sentry was a prisoner on The Raft during the big prison break, but he helped the heroes contain some of the escapees. As a result, he’s now being held by SHIELD and Captain America and Iron Man go to find out who he is. And they bring with them his creator…

Paul Jenkins.

Emma Frost is selected to go into Bob’s mind and try to figure out his secrets.

That journey is well done, fun, and full of Easter Eggs and the love of comics.

The Void emerges and OF COURSE he’s just an alter-ego for Sentry himself. Didn’t we all see that coming?

It doesn’t matter that readers probably saw that twist coming because it’s so well executed. Sentry is able to overcome his evil self and restore his own sanity–apparently the now-dead Mastermind was partly responsible for his evil alter-ego.

The Avengers take him on as a member, and he is fully redeemed for his past.

Meanwhile, another contingent of heroes track down Wrecker–one of the escapees from The Raft. That’s a fun little side story.

Also in this story: Earth’s most wickedly powerful heroes meet to discuss the issue and threats presented by Sentry.

This is the first appearance of The Illuminati–an alliance of superhumans who serve as architects for major hero initiatives. They don’t always get along well, either, especially given that most of them are extremely narcissistic egomaniacs.

Note that Captain America is NOT one of them.

illuminati first appearance

The cabal are Professor X, Black Bolt, Doctor Strange, Namor, Tony Stark and Reed Richards. So…ALL of them are narcissistic ego maniacs.

I like that Avengers’ subtitle is often, “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” but The Illuminati are truly the most powerful–not The Avengers.

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