Source: marvel.com

2. Alienation

Writers: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Artist: Sean Chen

This book keeps getting better and better.

Abnett and Lanning's work here is even better than it was in Annihilation, and Sean Chen's art is fantastic. Really classic superhero action.

Honestly, this whole issue is basically a cathartic eye-roll at Civil War, which everyone needed at the time. The scene in which Richard basically yells at Tony Stark about how the Civil War was petty on a grand scale was the best scene involving Tony Stark that year.

What happened to [Annihilus]?

I pulled him inside out and saved the universe. What have you done lately, Tony?

The rest of the issue involves Richard’s return to earth and his discovery that people (including his father) kinda hate superheroes now. Oh, and all of his friends in the New Warriors have died.

Between verbal reamings, Tony offers Nova a slot in the 50-state Initiative program, which he decides to consider. But after he arrests his old foe, the memorably phallic Diamondhead, he steps outside to face off with"¦The Thunderbolts! Who at that time included Penance! Who used to be Speedball! Who used to be in the New Warriors with No…Look, at the time, this was a crazy moment.