Siege (comics)

Siege is an American comic book, published by Marvel Comics from January to May 2010. It deals with the climax of the "Dark Reign" storyline, which saw the character Norman Osborn become the United States primary defense officer, leading H.A.M.M.E.R. as well as employing his own evil Avengers. The story depicts Loki manipulating Osborn into leading an all-out assault on Asgard, at the time located within a fictional United States. Captain America and his own Avengers lead a rebellion against Osborn. The events in Siege led to Marvel Comics introducing the subsequent storyline "Heroic Age".

The "Siege" storyline consists of a four-issue mini-series and a number of related tie-in books, including one-shots, miniseries, and existing ongoing series.

Marvel announced in early 2010 that the company's "Siege" storyline would be followed by the "Heroic Age" storyline. This was first hinted at in the story by Athena to Amadeus Cho.

The end of the story was described as what would be the start of a new "Heroic Age" in the Marvel Universe.

The final tie-in issues of the four Avengers titles, Mighty Avengers #36, New Avengers #64, Dark Avengers #16 and Avengers: The Initiative #35 were the last ones of those series, along with a New Avengers: Finale one-shot, with illustrations by Bryan Hitch.

In June 2010 Marvel published Avengers Prime: Siege Aftermath. This five-part series focused on Thor, Iron Man, and Captain America and bridged the gap between "Siege" and "Heroic Age".

Though not badged as an aftermath series, a limited series starting in May 2010 examined the fall of Norman Osborn and effects upon his son Harry Osborn. The series was titled Amazing Spider-Man Presents: American Son.

The storyline opens with Norman Osborn calling a meeting of the super-villain Cabal, consisting of Doctor Doom, the Hood, Taskmaster, and Loki, to discuss Asgard (the home of the Norse gods), which is now hovering above Broxton, Oklahoma, and the last holdout in Osborn's consolidation of power.