Warning: contains spoilers for The Union #2!
Marvel's new team, The Union, has given the world new hope in the fight against the King in Black in The Union #2. In the latest tie-in issue to the King in Black event, the British super team has shown that there is still a chance to save the day. As hopeless as the fight has seemed to be, these heroes may have the key to turning the tide.
The King in Black event has taken down some of the strongest superheroes Marvel has. The fight against Knull, the god of the symbiotes, has left a lot of casualties and taken the Earth to one of its darkest points. The sky is dark, symbiotes cover the planet, and nobody seems to be making any headway. Instead of being able to just fight Knull, heroes are fighting each other. The newest development shows that the end may not come as soon as Knull would like.
The second issue of The Union picks up where the first issue left off. During a training exercise, Britannia, the new team's leader and Great Britain's greatest hero, is dead. The symbiote attack has come to the United Kingdom and is wasting no time in taking out the heavy hitting heroes most people think would be leading the way to victory. Having to face one of their own teammates-turned-symbiote, Union Jack and Darwin Tech leader Steve Darwin find a potential key to saving some of Earth's mightiest heroes. While Union Jack keeps their teammate busy, Darwin gets an idea. He grabs Union Jack's sword, wraps wire around it and gives it to back to Union Jack, who then slams it into the pool of water surrounding everyone. The wire provides a direct electrical connection, shocking every symbiote in the water.
The issue then goes into the fallout from Britannia's death, including the separation of members from the team. Since this is early into the conflict, none of the members seem to be aware of what is happening in other parts of the world. There is no sense of hope emanating from the Union, but readers should have plenty. Thor and Storm were thought to be the most valuable heroes in this fight because of the symbiotes' weakness to high levels of electric shock. It turns out, this weakness can be exploited by everyday citizens. Union Jack is a hero without super powers. Steve Darwin is just a guy who runs a technology company. The playing field may be evened if this knowledge can be spread to Earth's remaining heroes. Knowledge is power, especially if that knowledge can be used to bring back heroes that have caused the fight to lean in Knull's favor and to charge up weapons specifically for taking down symbiotes.
The next step is definitely getting the Union back together to tackle this new threat. This would be the perfect time to start an overseas partnership between Darwin Tech and Stark Industries. Connecting heroes around the globe and getting a leg up is critical to Earth's survival. Tony needs to be getting some electric gear to everyone. It is time to shed the past losses and head towards victory. Whatever happens next, it is bound to be shocking - either to readers or to Knull.