New York City! As always, it is an honor to call you our home. Let it be heard from the streets of this city, to the streets of our allies all over the world... We are a planet of the free, a people of freedom...! And if you choose to stand in the way of that freedom, you will hear these words: AVENGERS ASSEMBLE! 
Appearing in "Zodiac, Part One"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Black Panther (T'Challa)
- New Avengers
- Secret Avengers
- United States Army
- General Whedon (First appearance)
- Numerous unnamed soldiers
- X-Men (Utopian Team)
- Nova (Sam Alexander)
Antagonists:
- Zodiac (First appearance)
- Cancer (John King) (First appearance as Cancer) (Joins)
- Aries (First appearance) (Joins)
- Taurus (First appearance) (Joins)
- Gemini (First appearance) (Joins)
- Leo (First appearance) (Joins)
- Virgo (First appearance) (Joins)
- Libra (First appearance) (Joins)
- Scorpio (First appearance) (Joins)
- Sagittarius (First appearance) (Joins)
- Capricorn (First appearance) (Joins)
- Aquarius (First appearance) (Joins)
- Pisces (First appearance) (Joins)
- Phoenix Force (Appears on screen)
Locations:
Items:
- Captain America's Shield
- Mjolnir
- Black Widow's Gauntlets
- Hawkeye's Bow & Trick Arrows
- Bleeding Edge Armor
- Cyclops' Visor
- A mysterious object
Synopsis for "Zodiac, Part One"
In an unknown location, someone nicknamed Cancer is explaining to a group of people his plans, about to become their. He says that the only way they could achieve their goals is working together, as the new Zodiac.
The scene moves to New York City, where the Avengers inaugurates the new Stark Tower and the New Yorkers are overjoyed.
Now to the desert of Nevada, where the Hulk is sitting in peace when a military convoy is abruptly attacked by an unknown enemy. Hulk arrives to the scene and fights the Zodiac member Aquarius, who can turn himself in water. During the battle, Aquarius' costume is damaged but he returns to his aquatic form just in time to prevent being crushed by Hulk. After producing a small whirlpool, Aquarius disappears. Hulk finds one fragment of Aquarius' suit and when he's attacked by the Army, he leaves the scene. General Whedon looks to the damaged tank, where a mysterious object, which was being escorted, is damaged. He says "We should call the Avengers".
In Latveria, Hawkeye and Black Widow are about to ambush a cabin, taking down the guards. After taking a look to what's inside, Widow announces to her communicator: "Avengers Assemble". A similar object to the one which was destroyed in the dessert is carried to a truck by thugs, Widow and Hawkeye knocks them out and runs away in the truck. Taurus, from Zodiac starts to chase them. Thor and Iron Man arrives just in time to stop Taurus from reaching Widow. Surprisingly, his enemy defeats both Iron Man and Thor easily, shouting "You do not steal from the Zodiac!".
Solicit Synopsis
• The Avengers Versus The *Brand-New* Zodiac!
• One Of The Greatest Avengers Villains Of All Time Gets Reinvented For The
Modern Age Just In Time For The Blockbuster Movie Event Of The Summer!
• A Perfect Jumping-On Point Featuring The Cast Of The Summer Blockbuster
Trivia
- This issue credits Bryan Hitch with the creation of Hawkeye's new costume.
- "General Whedon" is a reference to the Marvel's The Avengers director and comic writer Joss Whedon.
