Dark Avengers #1 (2009)

In the distant year of 690 A.D., the dark sorceress Morgan Le Fay scries for the man who has betrayed her, her former lover and apprentice, Doctor Doom. The Waters of Avalon show her Doom, many years in the future, at the first meeting of the Cabal. In the present day, Norman Osborn, former head of the Thunderbolts Initiative has been promoted to head of national security. As his first point of action, he disbands S.H.I.E.L.D. replacing it with a new organization called H.A.M.M.E.R.. For his deputy director, he recruits Victoria Hand, a S.H.I.E.L.D. accountant who had been critical of Nick Fury's regime. He proceeds to fire current deputy director Maria Hill, blaming her and S.H.I.E.L.D. for failing to prevent the recent Skrull invasion of Earth. He informs Thunderbolts member Bullseye to pack his bags and follow him to New York, where he will serve as the Hawkeye on Osborn's new team of Avengers. Having received command of what was once S.H.I.E.L.D., Norman has also inherited command of the Avengers and ownership of Avengers Tower. He confronts Avengers field leader Ms. Marvel, refusing her resignation from the team and threatening to place her under arrest if she fails to report for duty. When Ms. Marvel tells Norman that none of the Avengers will work for him, he reveals that he has already recruited Ares and the Sentry. Ms. Marvel angrily storms out after Ares berates her for putting her ego above the security of the nation. To replace her as Ms. Marvel, Osborn recruits another former Thunderbolt; Moonstone, and also adds former Thunderbolt Venom as his new Spider-Man. Together with Ares and Victoria Hand, he approaches Daken Akihiro at a diner in New Orleans, recruiting him to play the part of his father Wolverine. He then goes to the now abandoned super-prison the Cube, recruiting Noh-Varr as the new Captain Marvel. With his new Avengers gathered, Norman notes that something is missing. Ares points out that he lacks an Iron Man and Captain America, explaining that they are key symbols that people gather behind. With the help of Ghost, Norman gains access to Tony Stark's armory, containing dozens of Iron Man suits. Norman appropriates one of the suits, and after re-painting it to evoke the heroic imagery of Captain America, Norman himself completes the Avengers line-up as the Iron Patriot. His Avengers are presented to a cheering crowd at a press conference. Meanwhile, making good on his promise to Doctor Doom at the Cabal's first meeting, Osborn has arranged for him to be returned to Latveria. As his H.A.M.M.E.R. escort lands at the ruined site of his castle, he is immediately attacked by Morgan le Fey.