Synopsis / Summary / Plot
This issue really contains 2 intersecting stories. Ostensibly it's about Captain America (Steve Rogers) picking the next Avengers lineup. It's after Fear Itself, and Cap (Bucky Barnes) and Thor are supposedly newly-dead. But it's also the story of a new character, disillusioned SHIELD scientist Carolina Washington, who will play an important role in upcoming issues.
Carolina's tale bounces through some of the lowlights of the last few years.
We first meet her in the aftermath of the Super Hero Civil War, where she collects a hair sample from the body of Goliath (Bill Foster). She is disgusted to hear that he was killed by Thor (actually the Thor clone later called Ragnarok).
She next collects a blood sample after Cap is 'killed'.
The debris of the battle in Central Park at the end of the Secret Invasion is a field day for Washington We see her taking some of Spider-Man's discarded web, samples of Skrull blood, and (I think) one of Marvel Boy (Noh-Varr)'s guns.
Now we reach the present where Cap and Tony Stark are discussing what to do about Avengers Tower, destroyed in Fear Itself. Tony says he can't afford to rebuild it. Cap is adamant that it must be rebuilt for symbolic reasons (directly related to the fall of the World Trade Center). He suggests they use part of the Asgardian treasure provided for Stark's rebuilding of Asgard.
Washington overhears this, and it (quite rightly) adds to her unease about super-hero morality. Meanwhile she collects some tech from a fallen mechanoid with a swastika on it.
Cap convenes a meeting of nearly all the current Avengers at Avengers Mansion, presently the home of Luke Cage's family and the New Avengers team. (Stark sold it to Cage for a pittance.) Cap tells the Avengers that any who want to can live here, and thanks Luke and Jessica Jones for their hospitality. Except Luke and Jessica were never consulted.
Thing apologises for destroying the Tower when he was transformed into Angir, one of the Worthy in Fear Itself.
Jarvis goes to help Dr Strange's manservant Wong in the kitchen. But Wong throws him out.
Spider-Woman asks Ms Marvel if she can share her apartment, rather than the crowded Mansion. Carol declines. Mockingbird doesn't like Jessica Drew either, because of her relationship with Hawkeye.
Cap ends by saying it's time to decide who will be on the adjectiveless team. (Luke Cage still has full control over the New Avengers membership.)
But the issue itself ends with Carolina Washington. She has defected from SHIELD and gone to AIM with all the genetic superhero secrets she has collected. And AIM have brought her to meet Norman Osborn, Madame Hydra and Superia.