Thor pulls the newly renamed Avengers Island into New York harbor, having received the city’s permission to permanently dock it there, and Michael O’Brien arrives, hired by Cap as the Avengers’ security chief. When a fl aming letter “A” appears above the city, the Avengers fly to Avengers Park, the source of the phenomenon, and find a battered Starfox carrying Firelord’s staff. Starfox tells the Avengers of Super-Nova, the “last” surviving Xandarian, whom he and Firelord encountered while pursuing Nebula. Super-Nova captured Firelord, and Starfox barely escaped to warn the Avengers of Super-Nova’s approach. After Thor transports Starfox to a doctor, the Avengers travel into space and locate Super-Nova’s spacecraft. The team boards the ship and is attacked by brain-like components of Xandar’s living computer. Though they emerge triumphant, Cap is displeased with their lack of teamwork and with Reed’s frequent assumptions of leadership. The team finds Firelord, whom Reed frees with a blast from Firelord’s own staff. The gigantic Super-Nova then arrives and demands the Avengers turn Nebula over. When they refuse, Super-Nova destroys the ship with an energy shockwave and continues on to Earth.
Though Garthan is described as the last surviving Xandarian, Firelord is also a survivor of that race. The computer organisms are referred to as “the brain leeches” on the cover, but not in the story. Steve Rogers regained his Captain America identity in Cap #350, ’89. Keith Kincaid becomes the Avengers’ staff physician as of Av Ann #18/2, ’89. Gilgamesh loses his helmet in battle with the organisms. Super-Nova’s real name is revealed in NW #40, ’93. Lettercol contains a LoC from future comics writer Scott Tipton.
