After three years, a trio of solo films, and a seemingly endless parade of trailers, Marvel’s Avengers sequel finally arrives in theaters next week. Well, unless you live in Europe, Australia, much of Asia, South America and parts of Africa and the Middle East, in which case you get to see it this week. If you ever wanted a reminder of how unimportant American audiences are to blockbuster profits, remind yourself that this film opens in the Ukraine and Kazakhstan before its home country. Regardless of when it arrives at a theater near you, the Joss Whedon directed sequel will pit the Avengers against one of their most resilient foes: Ultron.

Ultron’s first appearance was in Avengers #54 (1968) by Roy Thomas and John Buscema. Ultron’s debut, though, is one of the most underwhelming for a high-caliber villain. The issue finds the Avengers tormented by a new rooster of Masters of Evil, who are taking orders from a mysterious Crimson Cowl. The Masters of Evil, working on intel sold to them by the Avengers butler Edwin Jarvis, invade Avengers Mansion. (It also seems that Whirlwind’s secret identity is The Wasp’s chauffer. Apparently, Hank Pym wasn’t big on background checks).
Continue reading Ages of Ultron, The Beginning →