Warning! Spoilers for Avengers #40 below.
Marvel's Phoenix Force is looking for a new host and in order to decide which hero or villain will be granted the immense powers of the cosmic entity, a competition will be held. Among the participants are Captain America and Doctor Doom - and in a new preview for Avengers #40, both characters will get a fiery upgrade courtesy of the Pheonix Force.
The Phoenix Force is one of the most powerful (if not the most powerful) entities in Marvel Comics history. It is all psionic energy combined through all of time and the multiverse as it represents death, rebirth, and evolution. Marvel recently revealed the first host of the Phoenix Force - who was actually a mutant and member of the first mutant superteam - and ahead of the competition to choose the new one, previews showcase a battle between Captain America and Doctor Doom, both of whom will get a taste of the immense power.
In the first part of the 'Enter The Phoenix Force' arc in the upcoming Avengers #40 by Jason Aaron, Javi Garron, and Leinil Francis Yu, Captain America recalls his life before getting physically enhanced the Super-Soldier Serum, saying it's made him a better fighter since he still remembers all the beatings he's taken when he was weaker. He says Doctor Doom never learned the lesson of how it feels to be weaker, as the supervillain strikes him with a fiery punch.
With a small bit of the Phoenix Force seemingly given to Doom in the tournament, he makes his case to be its host telling it that they could burn the cosmos down together. Captain America has other ideas about Doom's call to be the new Phoenix Force host.
The next panel shows Captain America getting his own Phoenix Force upgrade, as he questions what he has become. In the image, Steve Rogers' armor and shield are replaced with symbols of the Phoenix.
Marvel is teasing something epic is about to happen between the challengers of the Phoenix Force. While it seems Doctor Doom wants nothing more than the power it comes with, Captain America doesn't seem keen on fighting it out - but it appears he has no choice considering the near-infinite power might fall into the wrong hands if he doesn't. The battle for the Phoenix Force begins in Avengers #40. Check out the solicit for the issue below.
- Avengers #40
- Written by Jason Aaron
- Art by Javi Garron
- Cover art by Leinil Francis Yu
- ENTER THE PHOENIX!The infamous firebird of cosmic destruction and rebirth known as the Phoenix Force has returned to Earth to find a new avatar. So now the Avengers and some of the most powerful heroes and villains in the Marvel Universe are being called into a competition unlike anything they've ever seen. A globe-spanning battle that will transform them all and ultimately decide...who will be the all-new Phoenix.
- In stores December 30, 2020.
Next: Iron Man Should Have Been Worthy To Wield Mjolnir (Because Of Cap)