Contains possible spoilers for The Avengers (2023) #23!The Avengers relationship with Kang the Conqueror has been a strange one, especially lately, and Kang’s latest surprise return is only complicating things further. Teaming up with a classic Marvel anti-hero in Black Cat, Kang is acting very strangely, which calls into question exactly what he’s really up to and why he wanted the Avengers to know about it.

The preview for the Avengers #23 – written by Jed MacKay, with art by Farid Karami – explains the return of Kang the Conqueror, who’s back to steal something from the Grandmaster’s casino, with the help of guest star Black Cat.

The preview gives readers just a taste of Felicia Hardy’s narration, as she and Kang flee the titular team, with her explaining how Kang flattered her into accepting the job, even as she thinks about how odd the villain has been acting compared to his usual tricks.

Kang the Conqueror Returns To Marvel Comics Lore, But Something About Him Is Different This Time

Avengers #23 – Written By Jed MacKay; Art By Farid Karami; Color By Federico Blee; Lettering By VC's Corey Petit

The first ten issues of Jed MacKay's Avengers featured access to the ‘missing moment’, the one moment in the Marvel timeline that he can’t time travel to. However, thanks to a prophecy, Kang knows that only a group of heroes can access the moment, and he hoped that the Avengers would be that group.

In Avengers #10, Kang declared his alliance with the Avengers a failure, promising to return as a proper villain. His full reappearance in Avengers #23 is seemingly the fulfillment of that proclamation.

Kang isn’t the only one working towards the moment, however. The mysterious new villain Myrddin, another time traveler, is looking for the exact same thing, and working alongside the Grandmaster to reach. After being attacked by Myrddin in Avengers #10, Kang declared his alliance with the Avengers a failure, promising to return as a proper villain. His full reappearance in Avengers #23 is seemingly the fulfillment of that proclamation, as he has already directed the Avengers to the Grandmaster’s location with the promise of another Tribulation Event.

Kang Is Back As A Major "Avengers" Antagonist, But His True Motivations Remain Elusive

The "Missing Moment" Is The Missing Puzzle Piece

The big question is what Kang wants Felicia to help him steal. The missing moment is clearly his end goal, but that’s not something tangible, so maybe he’s out to get Myrddin. Or maybe Kang’s still playing the same game as before, trying to dancing to Kang the Conqueror's tune, but the bigger question is whether he, and Black Cat, can get away with playing their risky game.

The Avengers #23 is available now from Marvel Comics.