Warning: SPOILERS For West Coast Avengers #10.
A powerful new superhero has been born in Marvel’s West Coast Avengers, and she just might be the strongest Avenger yet. Ramone Watts, now known as ‘Alloy,’ has bonded with a vibranium ring which she can now control–just like Venom controlling his alien symbiote.
When her brother Johnny Watts (a.k.a. Fuse) and her girlfriend America Chavez are captured and put in danger, Ramone has no choice but to give in to her seemingly genetic, mutant powers. Her mother, a former member of Black Panther’s Dora Milaje guard left the siblings some vibranium jewelry when she passed away. Johnny discovered his mutant ability to fuse his body into any material he touches years ago. Ramone has only now discovered her own… and it may be one of the best power sets in Marvel’s universe.
To clarify, Johnny’s power allows him to mimic, or alter his body to the composition of anything he touches–one of the major reasons he wears his mother’s vibranium earrings (you never know when being made of the strongest metal on Earth might be necessary). But when Ramone first touched her mother’s vibranium ring, it bonded with her in a way that was far less gentle. As she explains to Gwenpool, “There was real power coursing through me, but it was excruciating and I wasn’t in control.” But the time has come for her to wear the ring once again.
As she puts it on this time, she is more powerful, more experienced, and more in control. Ramone risks everything in order to save her lover and her brother… and will never be the same after doing so. The vibranium–the Wakandan metal that, when reverse-engineered, produces the adamantium that coats Wolverine’s indestructible bones and claws–encases Ramone’s entire body. The metal effectively IS her new superhero costume. But if fans think an impenetrable suit of vibranium is all Alloy has going for her… think again.
The West Coast Avengers are in a bad situation, being attacked by a horde of vampires who believe America Chavez is their ‘chosen one.’ Ramone arrives ready to fight, with a brand new (and very permanent) bodysuit made of vibranium, she helps them take on the hoard. In the heat of battle Ramone learns that she can control this suit almost as if it were a Venom-like alien symbiote, and even forms a blade to take down one of the undead. When things aren’t looking good for the rest of the West Coast Avengers, she unleashes her full power in a moment that would make Venom and Carnage proud.
Growing giant vibranium spikes out of her body to take down the rest of the hoard, Ramone answers the question of who is actually cooler: Venom or Wolverine? The answer is a hero with both of their strongest abilities, rolled into one. After saving the team, her brother tasks her with choosing a hero name, and she goes with Alloy.
This new Avenger is easily one of the most powerful we have ever seen. Just imagine if Wolverine could use his metal like a symobiote? But with West Coast Avengers ending, this might be the last we see of Alloy. That would certainly feel like a missed opportunity for Marvel though, wouldn’t it? So keep an eye out on future comics to see where these Avengers pop up, and we just might get another glimpse of Alloy - or better yet, a full series featuring her.
West Coast Avengers #10 is on sale now from Marvel online, and at your local comic shop.
