With a trip down memory lane to the days of Grant Morrison's "New X-Men," and more specifically the "Imperial" arc, Jonathan Hickman lays the ground for the origin and premise of new Avenger recruit, Smasher. Hickman does more than anchor the character's roots to that storyline; he grabs the Superguardian concept and turns it into an entire system that perfectly suits the idea behind the always cool Shi'ar Impregial Guard.

The issue is filled with exciting moments, such as Smasher's first contact with the empire, her brave charge against the enemy along with her new teammates, and the most amazing rapport-building exchange with The Hulk; that one is an instant classic. Adam Kubert's pencils flourish in this chapter, and Frank Martin's colors bring the art much closer to that of Jerome Opeña in the first three issues. The large scope of of the overarching plot is once again enforced by the time the story concludes.