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''Siege'' is an
American comic book An American comic book is a thin periodical literature originating in the United States, commonly between 24 and 64 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publ ...
, published by
Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...
from January to May 2010. It deals with the climax of the " Dark Reign" storyline, which saw the character
Norman Osborn Norman Virgil Osborn is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, he first appeared in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #14 (July 1964) as the first and best-known incarnation of th ...
become the United States primary defense officer, leading H.A.M.M.E.R. as well as employing his own evil Avengers. The story depicts
Loki Loki is a Æsir, god in Norse mythology. He is the son of Fárbauti (a jötunn) and Laufey (mythology), Laufey (a goddess), and the brother of Helblindi and Býleistr. Loki is married to the goddess Sigyn and they have two sons, Narfi (son of Lo ...
manipulating Osborn into leading an all-out assault on Asgard, at the time located within a fictional United States.
Captain America Captain America is a superhero created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby who appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in '' Captain America Comics'' #1, published on December 20, 1940, by Timely C ...
and his own Avengers lead a rebellion against Osborn. The events in ''Siege'' led to Marvel Comics introducing the subsequent storyline " Heroic Age".


Publication history

The "Siege" storyline consists of a four-issue mini-series and a number of related tie-in books, including one-shots, miniseries, and existing
ongoing series In comics, an ongoing series is a series that runs indefinitely. This is in contrast to limited series (a series intended to end after a certain number of issues thus limited), a one shot (a comic book which is not a part of an ongoing series), ...
. Marvel announced in early 2010 that the company's "Siege" storyline would be followed by the " Heroic Age" storyline. This was first hinted at in the story by
Athena Athena or Athene, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek religion, ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft who was later syncretism, syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena was regarde ...
to
Amadeus Cho Amadeus Cho is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by American writer Greg Pak and Canadian artist Takeshi Miyazawa, the character first appeared in '' Amazing Fantasy'' vol. 2 #15 (January 2005). C ...
.


Publication aftermath

The end of the story was described as what would be the start of a new "''Heroic Age''" in the Marvel Universe. The final tie-in issues of the four Avengers titles, ''Mighty Avengers'' #36, ''New Avengers'' #64, ''Dark Avengers'' #16 and ''Avengers: The Initiative'' #35 were the last ones of those series, along with a ''New Avengers: Finale'' one-shot, with illustrations by Bryan Hitch. In June 2010 Marvel published ''Avengers Prime: Siege Aftermath''. This five-part series focused on
Thor Thor (from ) is a prominent list of thunder gods, god in Germanic paganism. In Norse mythology, he is a hammer-wielding æsir, god associated with lightning, thunder, storms, sacred trees and groves in Germanic paganism and mythology, sacred g ...
,
Iron Man Iron Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Co-created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, the character first appearan ...
, and
Captain America Captain America is a superhero created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby who appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in '' Captain America Comics'' #1, published on December 20, 1940, by Timely C ...
and bridged the gap between "Siege" and "Heroic Age". Though not badged as an aftermath series, a limited series starting in May 2010 examined the fall of
Norman Osborn Norman Virgil Osborn is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, he first appeared in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #14 (July 1964) as the first and best-known incarnation of th ...
and effects upon his son Harry Osborn. The series was titled ''Amazing Spider-Man Presents: American Son''.


Plot

The storyline opens with
Norman Osborn Norman Virgil Osborn is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, he first appeared in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #14 (July 1964) as the first and best-known incarnation of th ...
calling a meeting of the
super-villain A supervillain, supervillainess or supercriminal is a major antagonist and variant of the villainous stock character who possesses superpowers. The character type is sometimes found in comic books and is often the primary adversary of a superh ...
Cabal A cabal is a group of people who are united in some close design, usually to promote their private views or interests in an ideology, a state (polity), state, or another community, often by Wiktionary:intrigue, intrigue and usually without the kn ...
, consisting of Doctor Doom, the Hood, Taskmaster, and
Loki Loki is a Æsir, god in Norse mythology. He is the son of Fárbauti (a jötunn) and Laufey (mythology), Laufey (a goddess), and the brother of Helblindi and Býleistr. Loki is married to the goddess Sigyn and they have two sons, Narfi (son of Lo ...
, to discuss Asgard (the home of the Norse gods), which is now hovering above Broxton, Oklahoma, and the last holdout in Osborn's consolidation of power. A rift develops between Doom and Osborn, creating mayhem that appears to break up the group. Later, under his pretense of respectability, Osborn attempts in vain to secure permission from the
President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal government of t ...
to invade Asgard, claiming it poses a national security threat. On Loki's advice, Osborn manipulates
Volstagg Volstagg the Voluminous is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is a charter member of the Warriors Three, a trio of Asgard (comics), Asgardian adventurers and supporting cast of Thor (Marvel Comi ...
into battling the U-Foes, causing an explosion that kills everyone in the Soldier Field football stadium. This gives Osborn the justification to lay siege on Asgard with military troops as well as with the Dark Avengers — his team of supervillains posing as superheroes and with loyalists planted amid the various 50-State Initiative teams of heroes. Osborn's aide-de-camp, Victoria Hand, suggests unsuccessfully that Osborn seek therapy for his instability. Shortly thereafter, the President realizes that Osborn is unstable and orders Hand to produce him. In the meantime, in order to better control the highly powerful but psychologically fragile superhero the Sentry, who has allowed himself to be under Osborn's care, Osborn has Bullseye kill Sentry's wife, Lindy Reynolds. He then claims that she committed suicide. Concurrently, Loki prepares Asgard for invasion through selective assassination and by neutralizing
Heimdall In Norse mythology, Heimdall (from Old Norse Heimdallr; modern Icelandic language, Icelandic Heimdallur) is a Æsir, god. He is the son of Odin and nine mothers. Heimdall keeps watch for invaders and the onset of Ragnarök from his dwelling Himi ...
, the city's guardian. The siege begins with Sentry attacking Asgard, followed by a massive aerial assault led by Osborn in his
Iron Patriot Icarus Icarus (Joshua "Jay" Guthrie) is a mutant superhero. He was a member of the student body at the Xavier Institute and a member of the New Mutants training squad. Jay was the son of Thomas and Lucinda Guthrie. Thomas dies early in Jay's lif ...
armor.
Thor Thor (from ) is a prominent list of thunder gods, god in Germanic paganism. In Norse mythology, he is a hammer-wielding æsir, god associated with lightning, thunder, storms, sacred trees and groves in Germanic paganism and mythology, sacred g ...
, who has been banished from Asgard for some time, is stunned and falls in battle. With the attack on Asgard instantly becoming a major news story, Steve Rogers, the erstwhile Captain America, assembles a group of Avengers in
Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...
,
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
, to battle the Dark Avengers, help defend Asgard, and aid their comrade, Thor. At the same time, the Avengers resistance led by Tigra, Justice, and Gauntlet launch their own attack on Camp H.A.M.M.E.R., aimed at eliminating Osborn's Initiative. Osborn's people offer Todd Keller, a conservative
talk show A talk show is a television programming, radio programming or podcast genre structured around the act of spontaneous conversation.Bernard M. Timberg, Robert J. Erler'' (2010Television Talk: A History of the TV Talk Show', pp.3-4Erler, Robert (201 ...
host, exclusive official coverage of the siege, in order to mold public opinion. Meanwhile, longtime investigative journalist Ben Urich, editor of the New York City newspaper ''The Front Line'', heads to the Oklahoma battle site with cameraman Will Stern. Volstagg, whom they meet in a chance encounter along the way, accompanies them and gives the reporters his own perspective. As the battle in Asgard intensifies, the Olympian warrior
Ares Ares (; , ''Árēs'' ) is the List of Greek deities, Greek god of war god, war and courage. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. The Greeks were ambivalent towards him. He embodies the physical valor necessary for ...
, whom Osborn had deceptively recruited to his Dark Avengers, realizes the truth about Osborn and vows to kill him. Osborn has Sentry kill Ares instead. Osborn declares
martial law Martial law is the replacement of civilian government by military rule and the suspension of civilian legal processes for military powers. Martial law can continue for a specified amount of time, or indefinitely, and standard civil liberties ...
just as Rogers and a contingent of Avengers arrive. Volstagg, with the aid of a local sheriff who is suspicious of Osborn, speaks to the public from a webcam video. This leads to the beginning of public disenchantment with the increasingly volatile Osborn. The siege continues with the super-villain Scourge using the enchanted spear of Asgard's ruler,
Odin Odin (; from ) is a widely revered god in Norse mythology and Germanic paganism. Most surviving information on Odin comes from Norse mythology, but he figures prominently in the recorded history of Northern Europe. This includes the Roman Em ...
, to sever the left limbs of the superhero U.S. Agent. Night Thrasher, who had been compelled to make a Faustian bargain with Osborn, turns on him by battling the Hood.''Avengers: The Initiative'' #34 In Washington, the President orders the Secretary of State to dispatch military forces to Oklahoma to have Osborn and the Dark Avengers arrested for treason. At that moment in Asgard, Osborn is struck down by Captain America's shield,''Siege'' #3 yet manages to order Sentry to destroy the infrastructure of Asgard. Sentry, having survived a flurry of brutal blows from Thor, unscathed and on the verge of tearing Thor apart, transforms into the Void and leaves Thor. He then annihilates Asgard, bringing it crashing down to Earth. Rogers finds Osborn in the wreckage and places him under arrest. Before anyone can react further, Osborn's armor, now under the control of its creator Tony Stark, explodes off his body on live television, revealing his face painted in the image of the
Green Goblin The Green Goblin is the alias of several supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, the first and best-known incarnation of the Green Goblin is Norman Osborn, ...
. Osborn screams that the Avengers do not know what they have done, only for
Spider-Man Spider-Man is a superhero in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appearance, first appeared in the anthology comic book ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in ...
to knock him down. He tells them they are all dead as the Void is released. He is convinced that the Void is the Angel of Death. As the Void battles the Avengers, Loki repents and begs Odin to let him use the Norn Stones to give the heroes the strength to win the day. The Void, realizing that the heroes' enhanced power is being granted to them by Loki, kills him. Spurred on by Loki's sacrifice, Thor, and the others battle the Void to the point that it reverts to Sentry's human form. Sentry begs the heroes to kill him, and Thor regretfully complies, striking Sentry down with a lightning blast that leaves only a charred skeleton.''Siege'' #4 As Thor takes Sentry's body to the sun, the New Avengers round up the Dark Avengers (with the exception of
Daken Akihiro is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Akihiro was created by writer Daniel Way and artist Steve Dillon and first appeared in ''Wolverine: Origins'' #5 (August 2006). Akihiro is the Mutant ...
, who managed to escape unnoticed). Victoria Hand, the renegade members of the Initiative, the remaining members of the Cabal, and others are placed under arrest. Rogers gives his former partner, Bucky Barnes, his Captain America shield, passing him the mantle.''Dark Avengers'' #16 As the Avengers and their allies celebrate their victory at Stark Tower, the Superhuman Registration Act is abolished and Thor and his fellow Asgardian warriors offer an alliance with Earth, creating a portal to Asgard atop Stark Tower. The President asks Rogers to take over Osborn's position. A large group of heroes later attend Sentry's memorial service. Rogers says that he will continue the 50 State Initiative and reform the original Avengers group with Bucky (as Captain America), Stark, and Thor as its main members.''Avengers: The Initiative'' #35 He also assigns Victoria Hand to work with the New Avengers. U.S. Agent is made warden of the maximum security super-villain prison the
Raft A raft is any flat structure for support or transportation over water. It is usually of basic design, characterized by the absence of a hull. Rafts are usually kept afloat by using any combination of buoyant materials such as wood, sealed barre ...
.''Thunderbolts'' #143


''What If?''

The non-canon series "What If..." features an alternate universe version of the story, "What if Osborn won the Siege of Asgard", in issue #200.
Ares Ares (; , ''Árēs'' ) is the List of Greek deities, Greek god of war god, war and courage. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. The Greeks were ambivalent towards him. He embodies the physical valor necessary for ...
gives in to his intuition before the Siege of Asgard, attacking Osborn in his own office after realizing Osborn lied to him. Sentry murders Ares on the spot allowing him to rest up between battles and head into battle fully powered. In turn, this leads to him being able to kill Thor as well as Captain America. Most of the heroes present are subsequently slaughtered by the Dark Avengers. Doom devises a fresh plan of attack after teleporting Emma Frost and himself away from the conflict. Emma will scan the Dark Avengers as part of the new plan to learn the truth about Lindy's death. Bullseye is exposed, and Emma tells Sentry the whole story, with disastrous outcomes. Sentry's fragile psyche is shattered entirely, and he goes on a murderous rampage, killing both Frost and Bullseye, before transforming into a fully powered Void, who then kills Doom, Taskmaster, and the Hood. He then confronts Osborn and thanks him for releasing him, only to kill him too. With the Avengers, Dark Avengers, and the Gods all defeated, none is left to fight the Void and he consumes Earth before spreading out to the rest of the universe.


Reception

* The first issue received a rating of 5.9 out of 10 from Comic Book Roundup and a rating of 7.9 out of 10 from
IGN ''IGN'' is an American video gaming and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa district and is headed by its former e ...
. * The second issue received a 6.6 out of 10 from Comic Book Roundup and a rating of 7.4 out of 10 from IGN. * The third issue received a 7.5 rating out of 10 from Comic Book Roundup and a rating of 7.2 out of 10 from IGN. * The fourth issue received a 6.2 rating out of 10 from Comic Book Roundup and a rating of 6.9 out of 10 from IGN.


Collected editions

Comics in the storyline have been collected into individual trade paperback volumes: * ''Siege Prelude'' (collects ''Dark Avengers'' #1, ''Dark Reign: The Cabal'', ''Thor'' #600, ''Dark Reign: The List - Avengers'', ''New Avengers Annual'' #3, ''Dark Reign: The Goblin Legacy'', and ''
Marvel Spotlight ''Marvel Spotlight'' is a comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics as a try-out book. It stood out from Marvel's other try-out books in that most of the featured characters made their first appearance in the series. The series or ...
'' #30, 264 pages, Marvel Comics, softcover, January 2010, ) * ''Siege'' (148 pages, Panini, May 2010, ) * ''Siege'' (collects ''Siege'' #1-4, ''Siege: The Cabal'', and ''Siege Digital Prologue'', 144 pages, hardcover, August 2010, ) * ''Siege'' (collects ''Siege: The Cabal'', ''Siege'' #1-4, and ''Avengers: The Way Things are'', Marvel Comics, softcover, 2010, ) * ''Siege: X-Men - Dark Wolverine & New Mutants'' (collects ''Dark Wolverine'' #82-84, ''New Mutants'' #11, and ''Siege: Storming Asgard - Heroes & Villains'', 128 pages, Marvel Comics, premiere hardcover, August 2010, ) * ''Siege: Embedded'' (collects ''Siege: Embedded'' #1-4'', 112 pages, premiere hardcover, August 2010, ) * ''Siege: Battlefield'' (collects ''Siege: Spider-Man'', ''Siege: Young Avengers'', ''Siege: Loki'', ''Siege: Captain America'', and ''Siege: Secret Warriors'', 120 pages, premiere hardcover, August 2010, ) * ''Siege: New Avengers'' (collects ''New Avengers'' #61-64, ''New Avengers Annual'' #3, ''The List - New Avengers'', and ''New Avengers Finale'', 192 pages, premiere hardcover, September 2010, ) * ''Siege: Avengers - The Initiative'' (collects ''Avengers: The Initiative'' #31-35, 120 pages, Marvel Comics, premiere hardcover, September 2010, ) * ''Siege: Thunderbolts'' (collects ''Thunderbolts'' #138-143, 144 pages, premiere hardcover, September 2010, ) * ''Siege: Thor'' (collects ''Thor'' #607-610, "New Mutants" #11 and "Siege: Loki", 144 pages, September 2010, ) * ''Siege: Mighty Avengers'' (collects ''Mighty Avengers'' #32-36, 120 pages, premiere hardcover, October 2010, ) * ''Dark Avengers: Siege'' (collects ''Dark Avengers'' #13-16, and ''Dark Avengers Annual'', 144 pages, Marvel Comics, premiere hardcover, October 2010, )


References


External links


Read the SIEGE Digital Prologue for FREE!
Marvel.com, December 29, 2009 * * * {{Navboxes , title=Siege , list1= {{Brian Michael Bendis {{Marvel events {{Dark Avengers {{Mighty Avengers {{New Avengers {{Avengers publications {{Young Avengers {{Spider-Man publications {{Thunderbolts {{Goblin (Marvel Comics) 2009 comics debuts 2010 comics endings Comics by Brian Michael Bendis Fictional sieges Green Goblin Marvel Comics storylines Prejudice and discrimination in fiction Thor (Marvel Comics)