Exiles: New World (Marvel NEW)/Issue 15

The fifteenth issue of the Marvel NEW ongoing series, Exiles: New World and the sixteenth overall installment of the comic. It succeeds Exiles: New World Issue 14 and is preceded by Exiles: New World Issue 16.

Synopsis
''The Exiles might have lost two godlike beings in their roster, but the power of an Infinity Stone now reinforces the team! With the next mission taking place in Castle's own world and the Vision's inclusion, what could possibly go wrong?''

Continuity
This issue is the start of the story arc, Reborn. It is set after the ending of Answers and The Hulk of Two Worlds story arc.

The Panopthicron
Continuing from last issue's ending, Castle's face expresses doubt as he receives a holographic folder Kang created. On the blue folder that's carefully-crafted to resemble a SHIELD File, the cover mentions Frank's reality's designation of Earth-200111. After he takes a brief look at it, Castle asks if she's serious about his homecoming. Kang states his tenure in the Exiles hasn't expired yet until his dead. In other words, going back to his world doesn't mean he's off the team.

Castle sighs in agreement, saying he's not even keen on going home. He guesses his world's problems include some more criminals from other universes craddling to his Earth. Kang corrects him and tells that there is just one extra-universal convict there but his appearance somehow invites more anomalies. He asks her what they are and Kang orders the vigilante to open the folder.

Inside the folder, numerous pictures of Frank's old and slain enemies are seen prowling through the streets of Manhattan. From the bastard Nicky Cavella and his two enduring bodyguards to his everlasting and most hated rival, Barracuda. Seeing the black man's picture, Frank recalls the night he's snugged out of time to join the team. That time, he was tortured by that f*cking sh*t-show until she and Alien-Child intervened.

Knowing this, Frank instantly realizes a thing and asks Kang if he's going to die the second he gets to his reality. She reveals that she did not pull him out right before his death. In fact, such torment didn't kill him anyway so he's still alive. In response, Frank says that with his absence in the streets of his world, there are even more criminals. The two stare at each other before Frank angrily cusses at her, asking if she knows how many innocents have died since that day.

She calmly answers by saying that every realities the Exiles were plucked off from have special compensations. If he recalls, Strange's absence as his world's Sorcerer Supreme is compensated by the summoning of another Sorcerer Supreme to defeat Shuma-Gorath's threat. He asks how can she hire a nutso and she responds by asking him if he's not a nutso himself.

Frank sees her point but can't believe if there's a punk-ass version of him running around and killing every bloody criminals in his world. Kang smiles at this and Punisher looks at her in disbelief. He asks her if he's right. Kang assures him his replacement is as willing as he is in killing criminals in cold blood, and he's as familiar as he is in identifying targets. Frank grunts in response and asks who the stowaway is, then.

Without showing the being's identity, Frank flips the next pages of the folder after Kang orders him to do so. He looks at the immigrant's picture and identity for a while before asking Kang if this isn't a freaking joke. With a smirk, she assures him that this man is no joke and he's the most wanted men in the Multiverse. He looks at her before deciding to exit his room to notify the team. Before he can enter, Kang adds one more thing to him. She tells him that for this mission, the Tallus will be his. Castle knows the meaning of this and although he's initially shocked, he calms himself and accepts the duty before going out.

-

In the new recruit's room, Vision is seen wandering around in his human form. He takes a look out the window that leads to the Desert Beyond Space and Time, reminiscing what happened previously. Afterwards, he also remembers his past on his universe, from Thor reviving him to life, defeating Ultron, took on Captain America and his rogue faction, his showdown with two of the Black Order, and finally his death at the hands of Thanos.

In these memories do Vision found himself missing for his love, Wanda "Scarlet Witch" Maximoff. The mere thought of Vision's mind suddenly pops out a picture of him and her near his television screen. He picks it up and monologues on how he loved her and regretted putting much burder upon her. Deciding to move along, Vision goes to turn on his television to see what this thing can show in a place outside space and time.

To his terror, the first thing he sees in that TV is all those who died in the wake of his death and Thanos' snap. Although he deeply resents their deaths, he knows he can't do anything now since he's back for a bigger cause. Nevertheless, Vision is grateful of the survival of some of the more prominent heroes who preceded him in the past.

In the next few seconds, Vision's room gets a guest in the form of Nova who knocked on his door. She awkwardly greets him and Vision asks of her intention. Nova says she's just there to greet him and admit her amazement of him. He is taken aback by this and asks if she wishes to talk about those things or just say it to him. Nova states she has more things to say and asks if she can enter. Vision allows and she sits down before informing him of things.

First, Nova welcomes Vision to the Exiles despite his rough awakening. She understands well of how he reacted after his death. Second, she assures him she'll have his back and if he needs anything just notify her. Vision quickly responds before she can move on to the third statement, asking why must she act like that. Besides, he believes that all they are in for is getting the job done despite teamwork being a crucial component.

Nova stammers a bit but knows he is right to a capacity. Afterwards she explains that in her world, Vision had become an operating system that ran an entire planet. He also saved one of the last original heroes of Earth during the Martian Invasion of the planet. Those are the reasons he's amazed of him. Vision nods in acceptance but asks if he's really that relevant to him on her home. Also, he doesn't know who he saved back then.

She defends her statement by saying that she didn't get to meet many original heroes before she's here, so it's an honor for her to see even an alternate version of a hero from the "Age of Heroes". He sees her reasoning and agrees, but also asks again if the others aren't an alternate version of a hero from such age. She says the closest equivalent to her native Vision (and Rojhaz's to an extent) is him while the others are huge deviations from those that she knew:


 * Rojhaz is a time-displaced Captain America that resembled her own but ever since he's in Earth-311 he became something more different.


 * Greenskyn is just, a magical Hulk who's a troll.


 * War Machine was actually a Thor.


 * Spider-Man still had the Enigma Force by him and that's just out of his game.


 * Ghost Rider, while similar, was a child and he could do things even her version couldn't.

Vision on the other hand, although having a Vibranium body and the Mind Stone, has the most amount of similarities to her Vision before becoming the Mainframe. Vision sees and asks her if she has anything else to say. She identifies the hero he saved as Wonder Man and tells Vision of one thing the Worldmind told her before she came here.
 * Doctor Strange is actually the most similar to her version, but how much younger he is compared to hers and the fact he's not the Ancient One sets them apart.

Apparently, the Worldmind states that Infinity Gems or Stones no matter their name or origins, can only be used in their home realities. That means Vision's Mind Gem really means nothing and all he has going for him is his Vibranium body. Despite this, Vision asks if her "Worldmind" is sure because he remembers well that he used it against them in this place beyond space and time.

Nova's eyes widen in realization and says it doesn't make sense. Vision admits that he knows nothing aside from its power, capability, and relationship to the other Infinity Stones but says he doesn't get where this is going. She decides to just leave it there before returning to her room, saying goodbye to Vision. After she left the room, Vision is left pondering if he'll be of use to this team.

-

In another perspective, Rojhaz is seen fighting against hordes of Hydra agents in a ruined city. Utilizing his newly-acquired shield, he practices it against duplicates of his past foes such as Madame Hydra, Baron von Strucker, Crossbones, the Serpent Society, and the Red Skull alongside other goons. While maneuvering through those villains and their henchmen, Rojhaz recounts of how long he hasn't used a shield.

After he destroyed some Hydra drones with a single throw of his weapon, Crossbones suddenly takes him by surprise by knocking him down with a gut-wrenching kick. Laying on the ground, he sees Crossbones with a pistol asking him to prepare to die. Before he can die, a giant debris suddenly flies at him, taking his head off as a result. Greenskyn apparently enters the battle and asks Rojhaz how does he know this place exists. Rojhaz reveals that this is the training room and basically every room exists in this place.

The two team-up side-by-side to finish the training and it ends with Rojhaz knocking out the Red Skull construct after he got smashed up into the air by his green friend. After the simulation ends, the room turns back to its original state that resembles those of the Danger Room. Uatu comes in the room and praises the two for such an astonishing performance. He asks Rojhaz if he's beginning to lose his cool and he answers that he's just getting one of those unfocused moments.

Greenskyn asks of how he can set the training room and Uatu points out to a console planted on the ground meters away. There, he can operate the machine to bring in LMD constructs made of hard-light in a specified setting throughout the Multiverse. The LMDs will be proportionately as strong as their original counterparts and the Exiles can set weaker enemies to be stronger than usual regardless of origin.

Rojhaz says this can be a good place to build teamwork but doubts the possibility of frequently using it since their missions should be more rapid in the future and they're just lucky they haven't got two realities in a row (discounting Earth-2081 and Earth-9200, that is). Uatu mentions that a mission has been assigned to them. In fact, they should be in the mission reality right now.

The Captain is surprised by this and rushes to notify his teammate. However, Uatu stops him with a laugh and reveals that he's joking. There is a mission but they have to wait for the leader to brief them. Greenskyn thinks that Rojhaz is the leader but Uatu says for this mission only, Rojhaz's status has been switched to Castle's. He is surprised yet amazed by this, asking if this is supposed to be an experiment or something.

Uatu recommends him to go to the monitor room but he assures him he can go one more round in the training room (or the Danger Room as he likes to call it). Rojhaz nods in understanding and asks Greenskyn if he wants to go another match. Before going to operate the console, Greenskyn asks more importantly if he's jealous of the switch. He's not jealous of Castle being the next leader and states if he and his next replacement died in a continuous mission, Castle can be a more effective and relatable leader.

The troll agrees and leaps to the console in order to find the biggest threat he can go at. Rojhaz advises him to not be overconfident and Greenskyn says he knows his limits. Immediately he sets the difficulty to the highest, set the battlefield in space, and finds the biggest bloke he can find. After doing so, he says Rojhaz will love this and he believes him.

The two then step in the arena once again and Uatu floats to the console to push the start button. When he sees Greenskyn's choice, his eyes widen and asks if he's sure about this. Greenskyn reasons that this is just a training and Uatu leaves him to his choice. After he presses it, the duo suddenly float and gets transported to an asteroid field. Rojhaz is terrified by Greenskyn's choice of challenge when the troll says this will be fun.

In an instance, the enemy that Greenskyn chose makes an appearance and puts a grimace on the other's face, revealing that Greenskyn has chosen Galactus as the challenge.

-

The sound of the duo screaming out in pain thanks to Galactus' energy beams echo throughout the Panopthicron. Kang and Punisher, who's walking to the monitor room, hear this. The former wonders what the hell did Greenskyn do and the latter states it's coming from the training room. She believes that Greenskyn has gone overconfident and picked a cosmic entity to train against. Castle chuckles and asks her if this criminal of their interest an equal to a cosmic entity.

Kang says it depends on how he sees it. Despite his mentioned records of beating several powerful beings, he was defeated rather handily by a group of weaker individuals. Castle responds by mocking the criminal, stating he's a toothless lion. She comments on such irony, saying this man is an immensely powerful superhuman. He ignores such status and believes he's just like any other scumbags he put down in his fresh years.

When Kang teleports to the monitor room, the Punisher goes to the remaining Exiles' rooms to notify them. In Strange's room, the titular Sorcerer Supreme is seen stretching his body to try and mend the wounds Vision gave him. In Bull's room, she's washing her hands before putting on bandages covered with brass knuckles beneath her gloves to compensate for her wrecked knuckles. In Nova's room, she's still seen admiring all about the Vision while the latter is re-watching the deaths of his fellow heroes in his room with concentration.

-

Minutes later, the heroes are seen gathered in the monitor room alongside Kang, Frank sitting down facing them. They are soon joined by a pissed off Rojhaz and a regretful Greenskyn who walk in the room and sit separately. Uatu teleports to the room, giggling. Kang asks his giggling's reason and Uatu advises her to see the training room's history. The team soon look into Rojhaz and Green's eyes, both of them having their own problems.

Vision asks what has befallen upon them and both heroes simultaneously tells him to not talk about it. Their reasons are soon revealed when Rojhaz disbelieves that Greenskyn has pitted them against Galactus. Nova laughs but stops when she notices none of her teammates are laughing. She asks them if any of them knows Galactus and to her surprise, only Rojhaz knows.

Still, she advises Greenskyn to at least notice who he's going up against and the troll defends his action. He says he doesn't know a man with a silly-looking hat can be a god. Nevertheless, Punisher goes on to brief his teammates after telling Green to save his strength for later. He starts off by dropping a bombshell on the team, telling them their next mission is going to take them to his home.

Hearing this, Vision asks if that means the Punisher is going to die. Castle says he also wondered about that but apparently Kang already clarified him about sh*t he don't even understand, Kang looks at Uatu and whispers of her attempt to make it simple. Anyways, Frank continues by advising them to just close in their hearts on Earth-200111 (he's just known his reality designation) and let everyone that dies die, and everyone that lives live.

He informs the team the world lacks any colorful superheroes whatnot and the only a few good men out there. Not just in his streets, but the world. He admits that he's not much of a good person, but then he's trying to make a better world. Nova is disturbed by this and says it could've gone better. Frank acknowledges but he continues anyways. He tells them of his deadly old enemies returning from the dead, and that alone is a solid reason why they should be there.

He begins identifying some of their key "hit-lists" which consisted of all the notorious criminals, corrupt cops, generals and all. However, the moment he mentions "Nick Fury" Rojhaz, Nova, and Vision object. Vision says although Fury is a secret agent at heart, he's somewhat responsible for the Avengers' formation in his world. Although Rojhaz and Nova's Furies are different, their statements are somewhere along Vision's.

Frank tells them to calm the f*ck down and says they simply have to watch out for him if they stumble upon him. And with all the company he got, they will meet him nevertheless. But indeed, aside from that Fury is a man of justice. Speaking of justice, he continues by telling them of his only fellow vigilante that he knows: Foolkiller. His face soon pops up on screen, picturing a black man in a simple undershirt utilizing a katana and handgun.

Nova comments that he's heard that name somewhere and asks the Worldmind to search for it. The Worldmind comes up with Greg Salinger, the Foolkiller. The Worldmind tells of him being a vigilante that uses a disintegration ray to annihilate those who lack poetry in their hearts. The Exiles look at Nova in horror and Castle breathes in relief, saying that at least this Foolkiller's called Mike Trace.

Anyways, Castle adds that with all those piece of f*cks he mentioned, they haven't even gotten to the real reason they're there. He reveals of the incursion of a villainous bastard from another universe who looks like a "real comic book boy-scout". He doesn't show the picture but describes him as the most wanted man in the Multiverse, just as Kang told him. Bull asks him if he can show them his appearance, so she may identify who he is and probably let the Captain Britain Corps detain him. To the new Kyln, preferably.

Kang steps in and suggests them to not know his identity because they will all basically disbelieve of what he is doing in this reality. After a little chatter among them, they comply to Kang and continues to hear the Punisher. He delivers a request to the team, asking them to not outright "assist" him if he stumbles upon some of his "old pals". Rojhaz reasons that he can't take on an entire army of his worst targets alone and Castle understands. Problem is, these guys are supposed to be dead and if they're dead, they have to be killed by him. Reason? "All that balance sh*t and some personal f*ckery".

Greenskyn compliments Frank for being a "real man" and suggests him to kill them with utmost efficiency. Vision looks at him and asks what "utmost efficiency" means. He says that means he doesn't really need to kill them as slow as he would in the past since Castle got lots of goons and gangbangers with personal grudges to start with once they arrive there. Castle grunts, reminding that those words came from a giant whose main hobby is killing people.

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