The new West Coast Avengers #1 explained - Everything you need to know about the new team, why there's an Ultron on the Avengers, and the classic Marvel villain behind it all

ComicsMarvel ComicsThe new West Coast Avengers #1 explained - Everything you need to know about the new team, why there’s an Ultron on the Avengers, and the classic Marvel villain behind it allWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. ComicsMarvel ComicsThe new West Coast Avengers #1 explained - Everything you need to know about the new team, why there’s an Ultron on the Avengers, and the classic Marvel villain behind it allWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Marvel Comics) So who is on the new West Coast Avengers? How did Ultron turn good? And who is the secret Avengers villain lurking behind it all? We’ll answer all these questions and more as we break down everything you need to know about the new West Coast Avengers #1. Needless to say, we’ll be getting into someserious spoilers from here on out. What’s the deal with Ultron? (Image credit: Marvel Comics) As most Avengers comic fans know, Ultron is the creation of Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man - an evil AI bent on destroying the Avengers and eventually all organic life on Earth. But there’s an Ultron unit on the new West Coast Avengers who has seemingly turned against his genocidal ways to become a hero, and we’re introduced to him right off the bat as West Coast Avengers #1 opens. The thing is, we don’t know how this happened just yet. All we really know from context clues in the issue is that whatever it took to get Tony Stark to give Ultron a chance on the Avengers, it was apparently quite controversial. And we can also say with some certainty that this is a totally different reformed Ultron from Mark Ultron, who debuted way back in Avengers Inc. Why is Tony Stark wearing his old armor? (Image credit: Marvel Comics) As seen in the recentlyrelaunched Iron Man #1, Justine Hammer, the new Iron Monger, used a magically enhanced computer virus to render all of Tony Stark’s highly advanced armors inert. In his own title, this has led to him building the so-called Improvised Iron Man armor which is much more low tech. But in West Coast Avengers, he’s got another solution - he’s returned to his classic Silver Centurion suit from the ’80s, which he wore for a while as part of the original West Coast Avengers. This suit has some advanced tech, but it’s still apparently old enough to have escaped Justine Hammer’s sabotage. Who’s on the team? (Image credit: Marvel Comics) Comic deals, prizes and latest news Get the best comic news, insights, opinions, analysis and more! There’s one more member who is likely unfamiliar to most readers - Blue Bolt. Blue Bolt is based on an old Marvel character from the ’40s. But in this case, he’s a new iteration of the character, a villain with electricity powers who is trying to reform as a hero with the West Coast Avengers. He’salso been described as “the biggest jerk in the Marvel Universe.” What’s going on with Firestar? (Image credit: Marvel Comics) The last member of the team who we already know will be joining up starting presumably in West Coast Avengers #2 is Angelica Jones, the mutant hero Firestar. She’s a former Avenger and member of the X-Men whose recent past has taken her to some dark places. When Tony catches up with her towards the end of West Coast Avengers #1, she’s drinking heavily to drown her sorrows, as she’s just getting through having to serve as a secret double agent for Orchis, leaving many of her fellow X-Men believing she was actually an anti-mutant traitor. Who is the secret villain? (Image credit: Marvel Comics) Naturally, there is a big name bad guy hiding behind the scenes in West Coast Avengers #1, and the villain’s introduction is both horrifying and worthy of an Avengers-level threat. We’ll go ahead and spill the beans - it’s Ultron. Ultron tops the list of thebest Avengers villainsof all time. 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Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”