The events of Avengers/Defenders: Tarot #1 by Alan Davis and Paul Renaud introduced a decades-spanning mystery involving both the Avengers and the Defenders, one that included a Hulked-out Captain America as well as Namor inexplicably taking on the characteristics of Doctor Strange. The second issue features just as many twists and turns, including a Hulked-out Ant-Man this time around!

The previous issue ended with the Defenders finding the Avengers locked in a battle with the Vision. After subduing the Vision, the two teams look for answers, only for the Defenders to discover too late that the Avengers are under the control of Diablo. The B-List supervillain is using ichor, a mysterious substance Captain America and Namor encountered in World War II. Diablo traces ichor over tarot card images of the superheroes to gain control of them (hence the title), and after a momentary struggle, assumes full control over both teams, save the immune Vision. What diabolical schemes does Diablo hatch with Earth Mightiest Heroes at his beck and call? Well, first off he has the Silver Surfer bring him coffee - Caffe Macchiato to be precise.

Diablo’s pettiness does come at a price - as Spider-Man, Daredevil and Susan Storm notice the Surfer’s strange behavior as he flies through the city at super-sonic speeds. Beyond that, while Diablo controls the Hulk, he doesn’t control Bruce Banner, who frees the Vision. Meanwhile, Diablo is attacked by a very run-down Kang the Conquerer, who declares Diablo must die. The entranced heroes fight him off, only for the Watcher to appear observing the proceedings.

Before Diablo can process these ominous tidings, he’s attacked by Vision and Bruce Banner, wearing the Yellowjacket and Ant-Man costumes, respectively. Diablo tries to force the Hulk out of Banner, resulting in… the Hulked-out Ant-Man.

The plan backfires as the enraged Hulk turns on Diablo, leading the other heroes to break free. In the aftermath, Scarlet Witch speaks of the creation of the Ichor by the elder gods… but has no idea how she knows this information. The heroes also find the Avengers Mansion in pristine condition despite the battle that just took place, along with restored files on their first encounter with the ichor in World War II, despite Captain America not remembering before. The two teams vow to investigate, while Doctor Strange hovers in between dimensions with Silver Surfer’s boards.

Between time travel and elder gods, there’s quite a lot going on in Tarot #2. However, the book also balances the tone of old-school comic book fun with the ominous cosmic tidings of both Kang the Conquerer and the Watcher.  Using the 80’s incarnations of both teams only adds to the sense of nostalgia. Where the story will go from here is anyone’s guess. Diablo still has the tarot cards, allowing him to control the heroes whenever he pleases. Still, opening up a rift to the Beyond creates a whole new host of possibilities, with the elder gods themselves looking like a cross between the stylings of Steve Ditko and H.P. Lovecraft. What strange new happenings await the Avengers and the Defenders is a mystery, but if the first two issues are any indication, Tarot is a mystery worth unraveling.

Avengers/Defenders: Tarot #2 hits stores on January 29th, 2020.

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