In Marvel’s status-quo changing event, “Dark Reign,” there are two flagship teams that are the focus of this event. On one hand, we have the Dark Avengers. Led by the recently declared protector of the world and criminally insane super villain, Norman Osborn, the Dark Avengers consists of a few misguided heroes and several dangerous and violent criminals posing as heroes. On the other hand, we have the New Avengers. Led by Ronin (Clint Barton), the New Avengers consists of several street-level heroes who are disgruntled with Norman Osborn’s criminal rise to power and who seek to put an end to this “Dark Reign.” When these two teams inevitably clash in a violent and spectacular fashion who will win?
The Dark Avengers team is comprised of The Iron Patriot (Norman Osborn), Ares (the Greek god of war), Sentry (Robert Reynolds), Spider-Man (Mac Gargan), Wolverine (Daken), Hawkeye (Bullseye), Captain Marvel (Noh-Varr), and Ms. Marvel (Moonstone).
The New Avengers team is comprised of Luke Cage, Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Wolverine (Logan), Ronin (Clint Barton), Captain America (Bucky Barnes), Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), and Mockingbird (Bobbi Morse-Barton).
In terms of raw power, the Dark Avengers heavily outclass the New Avengers. Every single member of the Dark Avengers is extremely powerful and dangerous. The Sentry alone with his “power of a million exploding suns” could probably dispatch the New Avengers roster single handedly. Carol Danvers is the strongest member of the New Avengers, but she would easily be overwhelmed by the shear collective power of Norman’s team. Luke Cage has indestructible skin and has in recent issues come into possession of The Wrecker’s magically enchanted crowbar (giving him a significant power upgrade), but even then, the team would still not have enough firepower to compete. Barring an intervention from one-time New Avenger and walking deus ex machine, Dr. Stephen Strange, in terms of raw power the New Avengers lose.
While most aren’t heavy hitters and a few of them are even baseline humans, in terms of skills and team work, the advantage goes to the New Avengers. Most members have been on a team together before and generally have more experience using their individual skills and power in conjunction with others. Clint and Bobbi were on the West Coast Avengers; Luke Cage was part of Heroes For Hire; Wolverine is on the X-Men and X-Force; Ms. Marvel was an Avenger; Bucky worked with Namor, Jim Hammond, and the original Captain America during World War 2. Clint Barton as leader has better control of his team than Norman and fighting alongside a Captain America uniform is enough to inspire anybody to fight till the end.
The Dark Avengers haven’t been on a team together very long and most members are sociopaths and have failed to work together in the past. The Sentry may be the most powerful being on earth but he is also the most unstable. Norman Osborn in his stolen Iron Man armor is a liability in the field. His unfamiliarity with the armor could prove fatal and he could lose control over his team at any moment due to its unpredictability. Ares and Noh-Varr are in the gray area of villainy and could disagree with Norman at any time and leave. Daken has his own agenda (revenge against his father Wolverine) and Moonstone originally wanted to be team leader and may harbor some ill feelings towards Norman. Mac Gargan and Bullseye were both part of Norman’s old team The Thunderbolts where they failed to work together and were beaten by the C-List superhero Jack Flag. Gargan himself has trouble keeping his urges to eat people under control and Bullseye is a deranged bloodthirsty killer, but strangely enough, probably the most loyal member of the team (due to his paycheck).
A lot of things have to go right for the New Avengers to defeat the Dark Avengers. Norman’s team’s unpredictability and insanity certainly give the New Avengers an advantage but they don’t guarantee victory. It will take all of the New Avengers skills, teamwork, and resources to defeat the Dark Avengers. They are clear underdogs in this fight and Marvel’s readers will probably be treated to an excellent “overcoming the odds” storyline as the “Dark Reign” develops.
