Chapter Summaries

Michael fought Victor Von Doom after Doom’s dark magic enhanced his strength and fighting skill, but Michael repeatedly gained the advantage. Doom drew in even more magic and summoned a vast wave of black lightning and darkness that swept through the city.

• Doom attacked Michael at close range, and their exchanged punches blasted them both backward.
• Doom used unfamiliar combat techniques and dark magic, but Michael dodged his strike and forced him to retreat.
• Michael diverted Doom’s powerful punch with a Magic Circle, struck his armor, and knocked him from the air into the street.
• Doom rose from the crater and drew in more magic, causing his energy readings to soar as he floated above the street.
• Doom summoned black lightning from the sky, forming a towering magical wave that swept through the street and demolished buildings.

Victor Von Doom unleashed enormous power from the Dark Dimension, but Michael used his upgraded armor and its Inhumans abilities to overpower him. Doom was blasted into a collapsing building and buried beneath the rubble.

• Doom unleashed a dark-magic storm that devastated the street and swept up the nearby sorcerers.
• Michael praised Doom's growing power, then explained that his armor could now switch between three Inhumans' abilities.
• Michael used super speed to evade Doom's vortex and kicked him away, crushing his Gauntlet.
• Doom charged Michael with a towering dark-magic giant behind him, but Michael dodged his punch and caught his elbow.
• Michael struck Doom with a Pulse Cannon and then a Shockwave Cannon, sending him into a crumbling building that collapsed over him.

Michael restrained Victor Von Doom before he could draw in more dark magic, then entered Doom’s inner world and confronted the memories and voice urging him toward darkness. Doom stood before the scarlet eyes, but Michael stopped him from approaching them.

• Victor Von Doom tried to absorb more magic, but Michael used an advanced duplication spell and Cyttorak’s Crimson Chains to restrain him and disrupt his magic.
• Michael told Doom that the nightmare was over and cast a golden spell that brought him into Doom’s inner world.
• Young Doom saw visions of Cynthia Von Doom and Werner von Doom, who accused him of being selfish and a disappointment before disappearing.
• A voice with scarlet eyes urged Doom to accept its power and take revenge, and Doom began walking toward it.
• Michael placed a hand on Doom’s shoulder, stopped him, and commanded him to be a man.

Michael helped Doom overcome Dormammu’s influence in his inner world, but Doom warned that the expanding rift would let Dormammu invade. Michael entered the Dark Dimension and came face-to-face with Dormammu.

• Dormammu attacked Michael and the childlike Doom inside Doom’s inner world, but Michael shielded them and urged Doom to reclaim his identity.
• Doom declared himself Victor Von Doom, drove Dormammu from his mind, and returned to his adult form as his dark magic index returned to normal.
• Doom explained that his machine and use of Dark Dimension energy had guided Dormammu to the rift, then accepted that Michael would handle the invasion.
• Michael flew through the rift into the Dark Dimension, deflected Dormammu’s black spikes, and landed on a black sphere.
• Dormammu appeared as a colossal face in the darkness, and Michael met him at last.

Michael confronted Dormammu in the Dark Dimension, using the dimension’s dark magic to attack while evading the giant’s assaults. After Dormammu shattered his defenses and blasted him into an asteroid, Michael emerged unharmed behind a green barrier, wielding the Eye of Agamotto and its Time Stone.

• Dormammu challenged Michael for entering his domain, and Michael reminded him of his promise to drive Dormammu back to his lair.
• Michael evaded Dormammu’s punch, absorbed dark energy from the dimension, and fired Black Magic Pulse Cannons at him.
• Dormammu swallowed Michael’s beams and counterattacked with a multicolored blast, while Michael dodged through asteroids and struck Dormammu with golden lightning.
• Dormammu crushed floating planets and blasted Michael through an asteroid, shattering the Seraphim Shield.
• Michael remained unharmed behind a dark-green barrier and revealed the opened Eye of Agamotto, the Time Stone.

Michael used the Eye of Agamotto to manipulate time and attack Dormammu in the Dark Dimension. Dormammu broke the temporal domain with his overwhelming power and began retreating as the gateway to Earth closed.

• Dormammu fired a purple beam at Michael, who froze it with the Eye of Agamotto and rewound it into Dormammu's mouth.
• Dormammu attacked with asteroids and a dark-energy spike, but Michael reversed both attacks through time manipulation.
• Michael froze Dormammu and unleashed the Time Stone's power, breaking apart the dark god's body.
• Dormammu shattered Michael's temporal domain with the Dark Dimension's power and threatened him.
• Michael saw the surroundings recede and the gateway to Earth contract as Dormammu began to flee.

Michael defeated Dormammu and returned the Eye of Agamotto to Stephen Strange, leaving the next Sorcerer Supreme responsible for defending Earth against mystical threats. He then sent Victor Von Doom to search for a hidden temple in the Tibetan highlands, believing Doom was destined to find it.

• Dormammu withdrew from Earth, ending the dark magic empowering Kaecilius and his followers, who surrendered to Michael and the Kamar-Taj sorcerers.
• Michael gave Stephen Strange the Eye of Agamotto and warned him that defending against Dormammu and other mystical threats would be his responsibility as the next Sorcerer Supreme.
• Michael found Victor Von Doom weakened and told him he had become too dependent on Michael instead of solving problems himself.
• Michael described a hidden temple in the Tibetan highlands and its prophecy that someone who had lost everything would find it and become the monks' Overlord.
• Michael gave Victor the information he had gathered and told him to search for the temple alone, saying he believed destiny had chosen him.

After the battle with Dormammu, Michael studied Kamar-Taj’s spellbooks and assessed S.W.O.R.D.’s new recruits, Jessica Jones and Venom. Venom proved powerful and cooperative, especially when Wanda gave it orders.

• The damaged Sanctums began rebuilding after Dormammu’s retreat, while Mordo left Kamar-Taj over Ancient One’s use of dark power.
• Doctor Strange became Sorcerer Supreme and granted Michael access to Kamar-Taj’s library so they could exchange magical knowledge.
• Michael reviewed Jessica Jones’s strength and planned for Winter Soldier to train her in combat.
• Michael assessed Venom’s versatile combat abilities, including its shapeshifting, healing, and ability to assemble weapons from concealed parts.
• Venom repeatedly urged Eddie Brock to obey Wanda, who told Jessica that Venom was very obedient, like a husky.

Victor Von Doom survived the mountains and was rescued by the monks of the Lost Temple, where he believed his fate had led him. Elsewhere, a mysterious woman watched Bruce Banner through a glass sphere and decided to seek him out for fun.

• Victor Von Doom searched the snowy mountains for the Lost Temple, convinced fate was guiding him.
• After running out of food, Victor Von Doom killed a Yeti with a Thermal Grenade but suffered severe wounds.
• Victor Von Doom collapsed from blood loss and was carried to the Lost Temple by its monks.
• Victor Von Doom awoke surrounded by the monks and remembered the prophecy that he would learn their secrets and become their Overlord.
• A mysterious woman dismissed Dormammu and remarked that he had distracted attention from Zemo's gathering.
• The woman used a glass sphere to view Bruce Banner and decided to go find him.

Tony Stark showed the Avengers their renovated headquarters and introduced the rooms he had prepared for them. Natasha reassured Bruce Banner that the team accepted him, but Banner briefly saw a mysterious woman on a blank television screen before following the others.

• Tony welcomed the Avengers to the renovated Stark Tower and showed them the facilities and rooms he had designed for each member.
• Clint questioned Spider-Man being recruited as a teenager, while Tony praised Peter and defended his place on the team.
• Thor thanked Tony for his room, and Rogers appreciated the nostalgic design of his own.
• Natasha told Banner that S.H.I.E.L.D. had seen Hulk as a hero and reassured him that the Avengers were a place for him.
• Banner saw a blonde woman in green smiling at him on a television that was supposed to be off, then shook off the vision and caught up with the group.

Wanda reported on the Supernatural Operations Squad’s personnel and affairs to Michael, including Jessica Jones’s psychological concerns, Venom’s readiness, and newly registered Inhumans. She asked about Michael’s recent battle and urged him not to bear everything alone, but he said he was fine as she left the office.

• Wanda told Michael that Jessica Jones showed promise but was not ready for field assignments because of alcohol abuse, irritability, and trauma from mind control.
• Wanda reported that Venom was stable and ready for combat, then gave Michael the latest list of registered Inhumans and their recorded abilities.
• Wanda explained that Jiaying oversaw Inhuman assessments while Daisy handled liaison with the tribe and had grown closer to her mother.
• Wanda asked where Victor had gone and whether it was related to the crisis involving Dormammu, but Michael said the matter was over.
• Wanda told Michael she had noticed how exhausted he was after the battle and suggested he find someone to share his burdens; Michael thanked her and said he was fine, and Wanda left.

Tony received an anonymous warning to watch out for Bruce Banner, while Banner struggled with his fear that Hulk could never be a hero. A mysterious woman provoked Hulk into transforming, and the Avengers arrived as the change was complete.

• Tony showed the Avengers the facilities in Avengers Tower and announced a party to celebrate their alliance.
• Jarvis decrypted an untraceable message warning Tony to watch out for Bruce Banner.
• Banner reflected on Natasha Romanoff's belief that Hulk could become a hero and belong with the Avengers.
• A mysterious woman appeared in Banner's mirror and taunted him, triggering his transformation despite his efforts to control himself.
• Tony and the others entered Banner's room and witnessed him become the Incredible Hulk.

Hulk rampaged through Avengers Tower, and Thor fought him in the street while the Avengers began evacuating civilians. Michael confronted the woman who had caused the chaos and identified her as Amora the Enchantress.

• Hulk attacked the Avengers, and Thor tackled him through the tower wall and fell with him into the street.
• Tony ordered an alert and prepared armor while Rogers sent Natasha, Clint, and Sam to evacuate civilians and asked Jarvis to summon Peter Parker.
• Hulk battered Thor through the street and a convenience store until Mjolnir flew into Thor's hand and he struck Hulk into an empty bus.
• Michael appeared behind the golden-haired woman watching the battle and asked why Amora the Enchantress had taken an interest in Earth's superheroes.

Thor, Iron Man, and War Machine struggled to contain Hulk, while Michael confronted Amora on a rooftop. Amora’s conjured monster failed to stop Michael, leaving her surprised by how difficult the battle would be.

• Thor regained Mjolnir and fought Hulk cautiously, but Hulk eventually seized him and hurled him into an office building.
• Iron Man attacked Hulk with a micro-missile, but Hulk caught it, then leaped at Tony and smashed him into the ground.
• War Machine arrived and fired a barrage at Hulk, drawing his attention and narrowly evading his counterattack.
• Amora conjured a magical monster to attack Michael on the rooftop.
• Michael destroyed the monster with a Pulse Cannon, and Amora realized the fight would be more troublesome than she expected.

Michael battled Amora in the sky, countering her spells and defeating a giant magical serpent before turning her ambush against her. As he prepared to finish the fight, Executioner appeared and attacked him from behind.

• Michael exchanged spells and Pulse Cannon fire with Amora during an aerial battle.
• Amora summoned a giant magical serpent, but Michael destroyed it with specially enchanted missiles.
• The serpent's defeat released a magical fog barrier, and Amora sent smaller snakes into Michael's armor.
• Michael used a phantom decoy to escape the trap and caught Amora by surprise, blasting her down to the ground.
• As Michael aimed his Pulse Cannon at Amora, Executioner struck him from behind with a battle axe.

Executioner and Amora worked together to attack Michael, whose skill and magic let him survive their coordinated assault. As Amora covered the battlefield in green mist, Michael prepared to counter the mage-and-warrior combination.

• Executioner launched a rapid series of axe strikes at Michael, who used a magical ring to redirect one blow and summoned a longsword to fight back.
• Michael avoided Executioner's strength and targeted his eyes, but Amora stopped the blade with magic and attacked while Executioner swept in with his axe.
• Michael blocked Executioner's strike and leaped away from Amora's spell, leaving Executioner unable to pursue.
• Amora spread dense green mist across the battlefield as Executioner watched Michael, who spun his sword and formed a plan.

Michael defeated Amora and Executioner’s assault, but both escaped in green mist. Meanwhile, Hulk regained his senses after battling the Avengers and leaped away, leaving Tony wondering where he had gone.

• Amora supported Executioner with a barrier and spells as they attacked Michael, but Michael deflected their assaults and redirected Amora’s magic into Executioner.
• Michael feinted at Executioner, then struck Amora with a magical sword aura, wounding her and provoking a blast of green magic.
• Michael rushed Amora and slashed her, but she dissolved into green mist and escaped; Executioner vanished in the same way.
• Hulk disabled Tony Stark’s and Colonel Rhodes’s armors and fought Thor, causing widespread destruction.
• Hulk regained his senses, surveyed the wreckage, and leaped away as Tony wondered where he was going.

Amora and Executioner returned from their failed fight with the Black Knight, and Baron Zemo confronted Amora over disrupting his plans. Zemo gathered his team of villains to reclaim Hydra’s leadership from the Black Knight, but said they still needed their strongest member.

• Amora healed the wound the Black Knight had inflicted and berated Executioner for failing to defeat him.
• Baron Zemo criticized Amora for acting without regard for his plans, and she admitted nothing after her defeat showed how dangerous the Black Knight was.
• Zemo revealed that he had prepared to deal with the Black Knight and warned that anyone who took what belonged to him would pay.
• Laser Man, Grim Reaper, Taskmaster, Amora, Executioner, and Zemo assembled as Zemo’s team to take back Hydra’s leadership from the Black Knight.
• Zemo said the team was nearly complete but still needed its strongest member.

After Hulk’s rampage sparked public and political backlash against the Avengers, Tony Stark faced mounting pressure as the president left Hulk’s capture to General Ross. Tony snapped at Steve Rogers, who left without retaliating, and Tony turned back to work on Project Veronica.

• Hulk’s fight with Thor and rampage through Manhattan triggered a week of public criticism and pressure on the Avengers.
• Edmund Carmen condemned the Avengers on television, while Tony struggled to deny that they were responsible for Hulk’s actions.
• The president told Tony that the Hulk situation had been handed to professionals, whom Tony believed meant General Ross.
• Tony rejected Steve Rogers’s suggestion to find Hulk and angrily told Steve to leave him alone.
• Steve left after offering to talk, and Tony ordered Jarvis to activate Project Veronica.

After Hulk’s rampage, Tony began designing the Anti-Hulk Armor and its support satellite, Veronica, while investigating an anonymous warning about Bruce Banner. Michael learned that the same warning had reached Tony and ordered Sherry to keep watching for similar messages.

• Tony designed the Anti-Hulk Armor, MK44, and Veronica as a satellite that could supply replacement components and power.
• Tony asked Jarvis about tracing the warning message, but Jarvis said its source could not be found.
• Michael discussed the Avengers’ troubles with Sherry and said Kree technology had inspired upgrades to his armor.
• Michael asked Sherry about finding Amora, then told her to contact Doctor Stephen Strange about a possible Asgardian Witch on Earth.
• Sherry told Michael that an encrypted message warning Tony to watch out for Bruce Banner had been sent ten minutes before Banner lost control, and Michael ordered her to log it and watch for similar messages.