Warning! Spoilers for Heroes Return #1 by Marvel Comics below.
Marvel's Justice League is finally taking on the Avengers, as the two superteams will fight for their right to exist in a new preview for Heroes Return #1. In a reality where Mephisto and Agent Coulson erased the Avengers and made the Squadron Supreme of America the Earth's greatest heroes, the mirage is starting to fade. Now, the Avengers have been reformed and are coming after Marvel's pastiche of the Justice League.
Marvel's Heroes Reborn event hasn't been subtle about its influence coming from both the publisher's greatest stories and the DC Universe. The Squadron Supreme, after all, were created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema as pastiches of DC's Justice League. Hyperion (Superman), Doctor Spectrum (Green Lantern), Power Princess (Wonder Woman), Blur (The Flash) and Nighthawk (Batman) are clearly based on the most iconic heroes from Marvel's rival publisher - which is part of the reason why the event is so fun - as writers and artists have heavily leaned into the concept.
In Heroes Return #1 by Jason Aaron, Ed McGuinness, Mark Morales, and Matthew Wilson, the Avengers have been reawoken in Mephisto's reality and reform to take on the Squadron Supreme in a fight for their own existence. The team, featuring Captain America, Black Panther, Thor, Blade, the Phoenix (Echo), and an aged-up Starbrand don't waste any time when it comes to trying to put down their opponents.
In the preview, Echo embraces the Phoenix and takes on Power Princess - who previously defeated their own version of the cosmic entity in the Heroes Reborn universe.
Meanwhile, Doctor Spectrum refuses to entertain fighting a child, even one as powerful as Starbrand. While he tries to use his Power Prism to contain Starbrand, the youngster attacks with great rage in revenge for his friend Rocket Raccoon.
The always talkative Blur tries to figure out the Black Panther and is surprised (and entertained) when he learns the vibranium-enriched hero has become a speedster worth racing.
Lastly, Blade deconstructs Nighthawk to his face, calling him a "rich kid who bought himself a rep." The vampire hunter lunges at his opponent, as Nighthawk throws a hawkarang at him.
It appears the Avengers vs. Marvel's Justice League is going to be an epic battle that ends with only one superteam gaining control of reality. Will the Avengers come out and top and restore things to how they once were? Or will the Squadron Supreme take down their Avengers and continue being Earth's Mightiest Heroes? Heroes Return #1 is in stores on Wednesday.