Warning! Spoilers for Savage Avengers #25 by Marvel Comics
When it comes to collecting rare superhero items from across the universe, Kang the Conqueror gives The Collector a run for his money. In a new preview for Savage Avengers #25, Conan the Barbarian visits Cidatel Kang, which is chock-full of superhero suits, helmets, and weapons that the villain has acquired over his days time-traveling across the Marvel Universe. His collection is extremely impressive and makes Kang seem like Marvel's biggest superfan.
Kang the Conqueror's time-traveling gives him ample opportunity to take items from across different eras to put in Citadel Kang. In his ongoing series, readers have learned that Kang's origin is incredibly complicated. Marvel revealed Nathaniel Richards was recruited by his future self and taken back in time as part of his training. Along the way, he's met Revonna Renslayer (who was Moon Knight) and will come into conflict with Apocalypse. Elsewhere in the timeline, Kang is the Marvel Universe's last hope after Kulan Gath killed most Marvel heroes, leading Conan the Barbarian to call for his help to prevent the dark future from being permanent.
In a new preview for Savage Avengers #25 by Gerry Duggan, Patch Zircher, and Javier Tartaglia, Kang the Conqueror answers Conan's message for help. The latest preview shows the two powerful characters (with Conan sporting Doctor Doom's armor) sparring together, as Conan informs Kang that Doctor Strange is dead. As Conan fights waves of Kulan Gath's forces, he tells Kang that Doctor Strange told him he was "already dead -- you just don't know it yet." Kang immediately takes the hero to his citadel.
Back at his "castle beyond time," Conan can't help but notice it looks more like a museum than a stronghold. Inside Citadel Kang are numerous artifacts and costumes from familiar heroes, including Iron Man's armor, Nova's helmet, Black Knight's complete armor, Captain America's bitten shield, Mjolnir, and Doctor Octopus' metal tentacles. The collection is awe-inspiring, as throughout Kang's journeys through space and time, he's accumulated quite the library of items.
Hopefully, the issue takes a deeper dive into Kang's Citadel and answers whether his collection is the real thing or just replications of Marvel's greatest suits, helmets, and weapons. Considering the different timelines in the Marvel Universe, it's likely these aren't from the 616-universe. Regardless, as a museum and an armory, it's an incredible collection that would make even the galaxy's greatest collector a little bit jealous. Kang the Conqueror is a Marvel superfan, even if he'd never call himself that. Savage Avengers #25 is in comic book stores next week!