Marvel’s Avengers debuted surprising new costumes in the latest issue of the ongoing series. Inspired by the villainous Doctor Doom, the Avengers’ new costumes tease Marvel’s upcoming publishing initiative.

Avengers #19, released Oct. 23, saw Doctor Doom put the Avengers to the test as the team of heroes is forced to face their own dark pasts. Doom appears to the Avengers before taking them out to the Registan Desert in Afghanistan and prompting the team to “justify” themselves for their failures as heroes. The supervillain then proceeded to show each member of the Avengers what they would look like in his “unified” world, debuting the black and green costumes for Captain Marvel, Captain America, Iron Man, Vision, Scarlet Witch and Storm. “This is not what could be, this is what should have been,” Doom said, taunting the heroes. “This is what true ethics would demand of those with true power.”

Storm then interrupts Doom, saying that she has heard and seen enough. The group of heroes then confront Doom, explaining that while they were always there to save the world when needed, they didn’t want to take away the world’s “ability to save itself”. Before departing, Doom calls the Avengers cowards and hints that he will use his powers to master the world. Later, the Avengers reflect on what happened, with Vision giving a hint that further conflict with Doom appears to be inevitable. “He believes that he must do what we will not,” Vision says, “And he now has the power to see it through…”

Doctor Doom’s appearance in Avengers #19 shows how that powerful villain is willing to do whatever it takes to rule the world with his newfound powers. The character recently became the Sorcerer Supreme in Marvel’s Blood Hunt, and the publisher recently revealed that Doom will take over Marvel Comics in 2025. The “One World Under Doom” event will begin next year and is set to impact every title in Marvel’s publishing lineup. Marvel has compared “One World Under Doom” to 2008’s Dark Reign, saying it will signal a “status quo shift that will be felt throughout the entire Marvel Comics Universe”.

“One World Under Doom” will pick up six months after Doom’s rise to the role of Sorcerer Supreme, as he declares himself Emperor of the World and the ruler of a new “United Latveria”. Marvel has teased that some of their heroes will welcome Emperor Doom with open arms — meaning that the new green costumes teased in Avengers #19 may soon become a reality for some members of the Avengers. “One World Under Doom” will kick off with The Rise of Emperor Doom #1, on sale Feb. 12.

Avengers #19 is available to read now from Marvel Comics.

Source: Avengers #19