In this review of New Avengers #9, the Killuminati live up to their name as the truth behind the tragedy in Osaka is revealed, and Black Widow comes clean about her dark side. Also, Carnage is getting murder hungry, (that can’t be good).
NEW AVENGERS #9
Writer: SAM HUMPHRIES
Artist: TON LIMA
Main Cover: STEPHEN SEGOVIA
VARIANT COVER: CHRIS CAMPANA
PAGE COUNT: 32 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 18, 2026
This review contains spoilers
New Avengers #9 begins with the Killuminati briefed by their mysterious leader via hologram as the plot against Osaka, Japan moves forward. Afterwards Iron Apex (evil Tony Stark clone) asks the Jackal clone (Miles Warren) for help with his facial scarring, but when Apex doesn’t like Warren’s response he disintegrates the Jackal without a thought.
Later at Stark headquarters in Osaka, Iron Apex impersonates Tony Stark, surprising the staff with an impromptu appearance and to distract them while Mister Ouroboros (evil Reed Richards clone) sets up their doomsday weapon. Guru Strange breaches the Stark vault with help from a mind-controlled employee as Luke Charles (evil T’Challa) mixes it up with some armored guards. The Killuminati vanish through a portal, leaving the city to suffer devastating effects from their attack.
Cut to New Avengers temporary HQ where Natasha attempts to come clean about her “other self” that took control, and helped create the Killuminati, but she is interrupted by Tony Stark’s message to travel to Osaka on a vital mission. The New Avengers arrive in Osaka to help with rescue efforts while Carnage continues trying to get Eddie Brock to kill.
The team chases down what appears to be a deliberate trail left by the Killuminati. Nat finally comes clean about her other self, but her teammates aren’t pleased by this news, (Bucky already hashed out everything out with Nat last issue, while Eddie Brock is too distracted from Carnage getting hangry for superhero murder to pay attention). The team comes to blows and Natasha breaks down, pleading with her teammates for their help.
New Avengers #9 ends at the new Killuminati base as Iron Apex, Luke Charles and Mister Ouroboros chuckle while watching the New Avengers come apart over Nat’s reveal. The final piece is in place as the trail will lead the New Avengers to the Killuminati base (and possibly their doom).
Analysis
New Avengers #9 takes a different approach this issue, exploring the Osaka attack from the point of view of the Killuminati. Even they don’t know who their mysterious hologram leader really is, but they’re willing to kill a lot of innocent people for the promise of freedom after mission accomplished (not likely). Iron Apex dials up his recklessness during his conversation with the Jackal clone, although his attempt to impersonate Tony Stark is visually humorous.
It will be interesting to see how that final reveal of the severed hand with the Hydra ring play out next issue.
Sam Humphries dials up the horror with the Killuminati’s destruction (unraveling?) of the city. The dialogue is snappy, and distinct for each character. The infighting between team members feels organic as most of these characters are violent, potentially volatile and not big on teamwork. The Killuminati are shocking in the lack of empathy that is embodied by the heroes they were cloned from. Guru Strange is particularly a mix of chill vibe, wanton murder and mind control.
Eddie Brock and Carnage hate each other, so the bonding is painful for both, and Carnage’s incessant badgering to get Eddie to kill almost happens, but it seems like Eddie figured out how to cage Carnage, for now at least. With next issue the likely finale, their future has yet to be determined.
This New Avengers lineup works because they don’t always function as a team and the variety of familiar characters who have only now become Avengers reduces the sometimes repetitive feels of the core Avengers title. Granted it reflects the recent MCU surprise name change, but Humphries created something special here, along with the Killuminati as both teams might feel outclassed seeing reflections of the classic Avengers team.
Artist Ton Lima provides more impressive artwork to New Avengers #9, between the wild action sequences, the devastation of Osaka, the quieter conversation scenes and a bit of humor, from Iron Apex’s half bandaged face, to Guru Strange’s wild expressions to the shot of Carnage’s face created by its tendrils on the side of a collapsing building).
Nat’s breakdown and shattering admission of vulnerability followed by the looks on the faces of every New Avenger speaks volumes about how out of control she feels her life has become (and she was a symbiote host). Rain Beredo’s stunningly vivid color palette enhances Lima’s artwork, especially the bright red Carnage symbiote scenes.
Final Thoughts
New Avengers #9 continues the build up to a wild finale with another enjoyable outing that revels in the flaws of both the heroes and villains of the story. The writing, art and color are impressive.
