Marvel’s most meticulously tactical minds, armed with the Multiverse’s greatest weapons, and unshackled by the concept of time. Yet, even Kang needs a trustworthy partner, especially when facing the Avengers. As the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes close in to Kang’s nefarious plot, the Multiversal conqueror has come to rely on one surprising Spider-Man villain turned anti-hero as his new closest ally.

Avengers #23– written by Jed MacKay, with art by Farid Karami – continues the Avengers’ plot to break into the Grandmaster’s intergalactic casino. Previously, Scarlet Witch had been tipped off that the gambler’s paradise housed a data chip containing Kang’s information on the Missing Moment. However, when the Avengers arrived, they learned an even better thief had beaten them to the punch.

Now, Kang the Conqueror has teamed up with the Multiverse’s greatest thief, the Black Cat, to steal back his own data. Completely out of her element, Felicia Hardy has found herself in a plot greater than anything she’s faced.

Black Cat And Kang the Conquerer Are Marvel's Most Unexpected Team Up, As They Face Off Against The Avengers

Avengers #23 – Written By Jed MacKay; Art By Farid Karami; Color By Federico Blee; Lettering By VC’s Cory Petit; Cover Art By Valerio Schiti & Alex Sinclair

For the first time since Avengers #10, the Avengers once again face their current greatest enemy: Kang. When the Avengers last saw Kang, the heroes had been caught in an unsuspecting battle against the “heroic” forces of Myrddin the crono-wizard. In order to reach the mythic Missing Moment, both Kang and Myrddin require heroes to unlock the proverbial door. However, the Avengers failed to stop Myrddin then, leaving Kang spiteful towards his chosen heroes, promising he would be their enemy the next time they met. Now, Kang has returned with Felicia Hardy by his side.

While Black Cat is guided by some wavering morals and often does as she pleases, Felicia Hardy is no villain. Decades alongside Spider-Man and the heroes of New York City have softened her criminal edge. More often than not, Black Cat comes through as a hero when the situation requires it. With her at Kang’s side, either Black Cat has flipped teams, or she and Kang are working toward a bigger goal. The Avengers are still completely out of their league and Kang needs a teammate he can rely on to defeat Myrddin and reach the Missing Moment first.

Kang & Black Cat Are Toying With The Avengers, But Why Felicia Has ed The Conquerer Remains TBD

Speculating About The Long Con At Play In Avengers #23

Despite Black Cat’s potentially obvious villainous turn, she and Kang look to be playing with the Avengers intentionally. As Kang and Black Cat flee from the Avengers in Avengers #23, Felicia and Kang bear bright smiles on their faces, like they know they’re playing with the heroes’ emotions. Even Black Cat suggests that she and her time-traveling partner change into something more villainous to spur the Avengers on. If there is anything Felicia Hardy can do better than steal, it's manipulate. As Kang and Myrddin have both affirmed, heroes are needed to access the Missing Moment.

Whatever Kang the Conqueror has planned for “his” Avengers, he’ll need Black Cat’s skills and beguiling charm to pull off the Multiverse’s greatest heist.

Kang still needs his Avengers to win the game. While the heroes may be limited by linear time, Kang, and now Black Cat, are untethered to such archaic concepts. Kang is a villain who remains lifetimes ahead of lesser foes. Even if one Kang fails, another will take his place. The Conqueror needed Black Cat more than any other thief in space and time; to him, this mission and the Missing Moment are priceless. Whatever Kang the Conqueror has planned for “his” Avengers, he’ll need Black Cat’s skills and beguiling charm to pull off the Multiverse’s greatest heist.

Avengers #23 will be available on February 5, 2025 from Marvel Comics