Synopsis / Summary / Plot
The previously page recaps the last 2 issues. AIM accidentally brought some alternate Avengers from their timeline which was being destroyed by 1 of the incursions from the pages of New Avengers. This more violent team escaped and set off to explore (and conquer) Marvel Earth. AIM sent their new Adaptoids to recapture them (imbued with abilities from DNA of our Avengers). The Adaptoids figured they couldn't succeed at that and decided to kill the Avengers instead, starting with Giant-Man. AIM recalled the androids because they were showing too much free will. Then the Adaptoids decided to obey their primary directive and explore the multiverse.
Also last issue the alternate Hulk abandoned his teammates, and that Bruce Banner ran across this universe's Banner in a shared hideaway. Alternate Bruce explains how he and the Avengers got here, and reveals his status in the team. The Avengers have removed the emotional centre of his brain, so he can't become Hulk by getting angry anymore. But they have replaced it with an implant which allows them to switch Hulk on and off. But the control device was damaged during last issue's fight.
This callous behaviour is typical of his team, who are conquering murderers. And alt-Banner also admits that his lobotomy has turned him into a sociopath. In some confusing panels that Banner finds a wrench, but it is our Bruce that hits him with it. Then our Bruce guesses that Banner really still has anger within him. And 1 of them starts to turn green.
On AIM Island the Scientist Supreme executes the scientist responsible for bringing the alternate Avengers here and failing to recapture them. The SS comments that never again will he allow an impressive CV to tempt him to hire an academic scientist. Instead they'll return to their standard procedure of recruiting only from the private sector.
Superia then orders the dead guy's subordinates to bring the alternate Avengers in dead or alive.
The alternates are currently battling some of our Avengers (the group Maria Hill previously called in) in New York. The Captain Americas, Iron Men and Thors are fighting each other, with Smasher, Captain Marvel and Hyperion tag-teaming. Black Widow tackles Wasp.
The alternate IM claims to be an Iron Monger rather than an Iron Man. Our Shellhead removes his opponent's helmet to reveal alternate-Jarvis. Who says he killed Howard Stark after he invented the armour (or some other machine?), then smothered infant Tony. Angry Tony Stark blasts him in the face.
Our Captains think the rival Cap is a Nazi or Soviet imposter. But it's just alternate Steve Rogers, who claims to be a General. And believes in the American virtues of apple pie, baseball and conquest.
The Thors are evenly-matched. (We can tell which is ours because he has the modern armoured arms and legs.) But then Hyperion downs the other Thor with an eye-blast.
Wasp is helping the injured Jarvis, and trying to sue for peace. But then a Hulk lands in their midst, batting aside our Thor.
But then (again) AIM surround them all in a bubble of temporal stasis. They nip in and carry off the alternates, including Hulk.
Meanwhile back on AIM Island the Adaptoids activate the Auger, which is a gateway to the multiverse, and step though.