James Hodgkins

<p>Collects Avengers (1998-2004 3rd Series) #24-56, #1 and ANNUAL 2000-2001, Thunderbolts (1997-2012 Marvel) #42-44, Maximum Security: Dangerous Planet (2000), Maximum Security (2000) #1-3, and Avengers: The Ultron Imperative (2001). Fan-favorite creators Kurt Busiek and George P&eacute;rez craft a new era for Earth's Mightiest Heroes! The Avengers forge an uneasy alliance with the Thunderbolts to face Count Nefaria - but the true threat comes from the stars as Earth is declared a cosmic maximum-security prison for alien criminals! To save their planet, and contend with hordes of rampaging Hulks and the spawn of Ultron, the Avengers must rebuild their operation bigger and better than ever. But none of it will do any good when the time-spanning Kang the Conqueror wages war on the present day...and wins! Now, Captain America and a small band of rebels may be the world's only hope for freedom!</p>

"The Ultron Imperative" Plot continues from Avengers (3rd series) #22. During the Ultron Unlimited saga, Ultron had a plan to create robot offspring based upon the brain patterns of his favorite avengers. But thankfully, Earth's Mightiest Heroes stopped him in time. However unbeknownst to the triumphant heroes, someone else picked up Ultron's research: Alkhema! In this special one-shot issue, the assembled avengers encounter themselves in robot form! And after surviving the skirmish, they follow Alkhema's trail all the way to Egypt -- for the ultimate battle against artificial intelligence! Appearances by Jarvis, Antigone, Quicksilver, Ultron, and the Grim Reaper. Second feature: One-page pin-up of the Avengers by Don Heck and Jerry Ordway. Third feature: An alternate unused cover to Avengers (1st series) #66 by Barry Windsor-Smith. Fourth feature: One-page pin-up of the Avengers by Jim Cheung and Cam Smith. Fifth feature: Two-page preview illustration by Kieron Dwyer and Rick Remender. Sixth feature: One-page cover illustration by Paul Smith. Avengers Lineup: Captain America, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Vision, Wonder Man, Wasp, and Yellowjacket. (Notes: This story takes place between Avengers (3rd series) #45 and #46. Kang predicted the events of this one-shot in Avengers #42. Alkhema returns in the Avengers Solo (2011) limited series. This issue was reprinted in 2005 in the trade paperback: Avengers Above and Beyond.)