====== New Avengers (A.I.M.) ======
===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary =====
  *   **Core Identity: **The New Avengers, operating under the corporate banner of Avengers Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.), was a proactive, globally-focused superhero team founded and funded by the mutant hero Roberto da Costa (Sunspot) after he audaciously purchased and reformed the notorious super-terrorist organization Advanced Idea Mechanics.**
  *   **Key Takeaways:**
  *  **Role in the Universe:** This iteration of the [[new_avengers|New Avengers]] represented a paradigm shift, transforming a long-standing villainous entity into a force for global rescue, scientific advancement, and superhuman intervention. Operating from the sovereign A.I.M. Island, they functioned as an independent, technologically superior alternative to government-sanctioned teams like [[shield|S.H.I.E.L.D.]] and the mainline [[avengers|Avengers]].
  *  **Primary Impact:** The team's existence fundamentally challenged the superhero status quo, proving that even the most corrupt institutions could be redeemed and repurposed for good. Their primary conflict with The Maker ([[reed_richards_earth_1610|Maker]]) and his organization W.H.I.S.P.E.R. positioned them on the front lines against threats emerging from the rebuilt multiverse following the events of //[[secret_wars_2015|Secret Wars]]//. Their journey culminated in a forced rebranding into the [[usavengers|U.S.Avengers]] to gain legitimacy with the American government.
  *  **Key Incarnations:** This team is **exclusive to the Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe)** and has no direct counterpart in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the MCU, A.I.M. was a private think tank led by Aldrich Killian focused on the Extremis virus, while the Avengers were a S.H.I.E.L.D.-assembled, government-endorsed team; the two entities were diametrically opposed, with no narrative precedent for a merger or acquisition.
===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution =====
==== Publication History and Creation ====
The concept of a heroic A.I.M. led by a member of the Avengers was seeded by writer Jonathan Hickman during his epic run on //Avengers// and //New Avengers//. The groundwork was laid in the "Time Runs Out" storyline, an eight-month time skip leading into the 2015 //Secret Wars// event. During this period, it was revealed that Roberto da Costa had used his immense wealth and strategic acumen to infiltrate and ultimately purchase Advanced Idea Mechanics.
The team officially debuted as the central focus of the //New Avengers// Vol. 4 series, part of the "All-New, All-Different Marvel" publishing initiative that followed //Secret Wars//. The creative team responsible for fleshing out this bold new direction was writer Al Ewing and artist Gerardo Sandoval. Their first full appearance as a functioning team was in //New Avengers// Vol. 4 #1, which was released in October 2015. Ewing's run was acclaimed for its high-concept sci-fi ideas, witty character interactions, and its exploration of themes like redemption, identity, and the moral complexities of wielding immense power. The series ran for 18 issues before being relaunched as //U.S.Avengers//, a direct continuation of the team's story and roster under the same creative team.
==== In-Universe Origin Story ====
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
The genesis of Avengers Idea Mechanics lies in the final, desperate days before the collapse of the multiverse. During the "Time Runs Out" storyline, the Illuminati and Captain America's Avengers were locked in a devastating cold war, both attempting to solve the problem of universal Incursions. Seeing the established hero factions fractured and failing, Roberto da Costa, a.k.a. [[sunspot|Sunspot]], decided a more radical approach was necessary.
Leveraging his nearly limitless fortune as the head of da Costa International, Sunspot, along with his best friend Samuel Guthrie ([[cannonball|Cannonball]]), initiated a complex hostile takeover of Advanced Idea Mechanics. At the time, A.I.M. was fragmented after its Supreme Leader, Andrew Forson, was deposed. Sunspot's plan was multi-faceted:
  * **Acquisition:** He bought out numerous shell corporations and subsidiary branches of A.I.M., effectively purchasing a controlling interest in the entire organization.
  * **Infiltration:** He dispatched other heroes, including [[pod|Pod]] and [[smasher_izzy_kane|Smasher]], to infiltrate various A.I.M. splinters, gathering intelligence and weakening them from within.
  * **Decapitation Strike:** He personally led a strike team to confront the A.I.M. Scientist Supreme. By outmaneuvering and defeating the remaining leadership, he consolidated his control over the organization's vast resources, personnel, and advanced technology.
With the multiverse collapsing, Sunspot revealed his new, repurposed A.I.M. to his Avengers colleagues. He used A.I.M.'s scientific prowess to build a fleet of ships, including a "life raft" designed to survive the final Incursion. While this ultimate plan failed, the infrastructure he had built survived the universal rebirth orchestrated by [[reed_richards|Reed Richards]].
In the new reality, Sunspot officially rebranded the organization as **Avengers Idea Mechanics**. He established their base of operations on A.I.M. Island in the Caribbean, a sovereign nation. His stated goal was to use A.I.M.'s genius-level scientists (the iconic "beekeepers") and cutting-edge technology to solve the world's problems and proactively counter futuristic threats. He assembled a new team of Avengers to lead this initiative, composed of heroes he trusted and individuals who, like A.I.M. itself, were seeking a new purpose. This team, operating with diplomatic immunity and technology far beyond that of most governments, became the **New Avengers**.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
The concept of the New Avengers being a reformed A.I.M. **does not exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe**. The two organizations are presented with entirely separate and antagonistic origins.
**Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.)** in the MCU was introduced in //Iron Man 3// (2013). It was not a sprawling terrorist organization with legions of "beekeepers," but a private American brain trust and think tank founded and run by the brilliant but megalomaniacal scientist Aldrich Killian. Killian, spurned by [[tony_stark|Tony Stark]] years earlier, developed the Extremis virus, a volatile form of genetic manipulation. His A.I.M. was a corporation that used terrorism as a marketing tool, creating the "Mandarin" persona to cover up the explosive side effects of its unstable technology. A.I.M.'s goals were purely capitalistic and vengeful, culminating in a plan to assassinate the U.S. President and seize control of America's War on Terror. The organization was dismantled following Killian's defeat at the hands of Tony Stark and James Rhodes. There is no indication that it was ever rebuilt on a large scale.
The **New Avengers** in the MCU refers to the reformed roster of the Avengers established at the end of //Avengers: Age of Ultron// (2015). After several original members departed (Stark, Barton, Banner, Thor), Captain America ([[steve_rogers|Steve Rogers]]) and Black Widow ([[natasha_romanoff|Natasha Romanoff]]) began training a new lineup at the upstate New Avengers Facility. This team included Wanda Maximoff, Vision, Sam Wilson (Falcon), and James Rhodes (War Machine). This version of the team was still state-sanctioned (prior to the Sokovia Accords) and was a direct evolution of the original team, focused on traditional superheroics.
The vast thematic and narrative differences make a 616-style merger impossible in the MCU. A.I.M. was a singular, villain-led corporation that was decisively neutralized, not a persistent ideological organization. The Avengers, meanwhile, have always been closely tied to, or in direct opposition to, governmental oversight, lacking the independent wealth and corporate structure that would allow for an acquisition of that scale.
===== Part 3: Mandate, Structure & Key Members =====
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Avengers Idea Mechanics was structured as a unique hybrid of a multinational corporation, a sovereign state, and a superhero team. Its mandate and operations were unlike any Avengers team before it.
==== Mandate and Philosophy ====
The core philosophy of A.I.M. under Sunspot's leadership was **proactive intervention**. Instead of waiting for threats to emerge, they used their vast intelligence network and technological superiority to identify and neutralize problems before they escalated. Their mission statement was to "Save the World. By any means necessary." This occasionally put them at odds with more reactive teams like the mainline Avengers or regulatory bodies like S.H.I.E.L.D. They focused on:
  * **Future Threats:** Tackling temporal paradoxes, extra-dimensional invasions, and bleeding-edge technological dangers.
  * **Global Rescue:** Deploying their resources for large-scale disaster relief and humanitarian aid.
  * **Scientific Advancement:** Using their collective genius to solve problems like disease and energy crises, believing that science was the ultimate superpower.
==== Structure and Resources ====
  * **Leadership:** Roberto da Costa served as the Supreme Leader of A.I.M. and the Field Leader of the New Avengers. He delegated operational command to other senior members like Songbird and Hawkeye.
  * **A.I.M. Island:** A sovereign island nation in the Caribbean Sea that served as their primary headquarters. It housed advanced laboratories, manufacturing facilities, defense systems, and living quarters for thousands of A.I.M. personnel and their families.
  * **Personnel:** The organization was composed of the New Avengers field team and the A.I.M. support staff. The latter group consisted of thousands of scientists, engineers, and technicians (the former "beekeepers"), who were now dedicated to heroic ends. A key subplot involved the team earning the trust and loyalty of these former villains.
  * **Technology:** A.I.M.'s technological base was one of its greatest assets. Key resources included:
    * **The Avenger Two:** A highly advanced Quinjet capable of underwater, atmospheric, and deep-space travel.
    * **The Island-Mover:** A massive propulsion system capable of physically relocating A.I.M. Island.
    * **Teleportation Network:** A global system of teleporters for rapid deployment.
    * **Advanced Bodysuits:** The iconic "beekeeper" suits were repurposed for research, rescue, and defense.
==== Key Roster and Members ====
The roster was a diverse mix of veteran heroes, young powerhouses, and reformed villains, each chosen by Sunspot for a specific skill set.
^ **New Avengers (A.I.M.) Roster** ^
^ **Character** ^ **Codename** ^ **Role & Key Contributions** ^
| Roberto da Costa | Sunspot | **Supreme Leader & Field Commander.** The team's visionary founder and primary financier. His powers of solar radiation absorption and projection were augmented by his brilliant strategic mind. |
| Clint Barton | Hawkeye | **Senior Field Agent.** Brought on for his veteran experience and tactical skills, though he often clashed with Sunspot's methods. He provided a moral compass, albeit a cynical one. |
| Melissa Gold | Songbird | **Deputy Leader & Infiltrator.** A reformed villain with deep experience in team dynamics from her time with the [[thunderbolts|Thunderbolts]]. Her solid-sound constructs were incredibly versatile. Secretly served as a S.H.I.E.L.D. mole initially. |
| Dr. Toni Ho | Iron Patriot | **Head of Engineering.** A brilliant engineer and daughter of Ho Yinsen (the man who helped Tony Stark build his first armor). She developed her own advanced Iron Patriot armor and managed A.I.M.'s technical divisions. |
| Aikku Jokinen | Pod (later Enigma) | **Heavy Support & Defense.** A Norwegian agent who was permanently bonded to a powerful, adaptable alien armor. Her suit provided immense firepower and protection for the team. |
| Billy Kaplan | Wiccan | **Chief Mystic.** A powerful reality-warping sorcerer, identified as the future Sorcerer Supreme. He was the team's primary defense against magical and extra-dimensional threats. |
| Teddy Altman | Hulkling | **Shapeshifter & Diplomat.** A Kree/Skrull hybrid and Billy's fiancé. His powers of shapeshifting and super-strength made him a formidable combatant, and his royal heritage was a key plot point. |
| Max Brashear | Power Man | **New Recruit.** A street-level hero with immense strength derived from "chi." He joined the team later in its run, bringing a grounded perspective. |
| Ava Ayala | White Tiger | **Stealth & Reconnaissance.** Wielder of the Jade Tiger Amulet, granting her superhuman physical abilities. She struggled with the violent influence of the Tiger God. |
| Grant Ward | | **S.H.I.E.L.D. Mole.** This Earth-616 version of the character was placed on the team by Maria Hill but was revealed to be a Hydra double agent. He was quickly neutralized. |
| Red Hulk (Robert Maverick) | | **Government Liaison (as U.S.Avengers).** A general who could transform into a Red Hulk for one hour per day. He became the team's leader after they rebranded as the U.S.Avengers. |
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
As this team configuration does not exist in the MCU, a direct comparison of its structure and mandate is not possible. However, we can analyze the separate structures of A.I.M. and the Avengers in that continuity to understand their incompatibility.
  *   **A.I.M. (MCU Structure):** A centralized, corporate hierarchy under a single CEO, Aldrich Killian. Its mandate was profit-driven, using unethical scientific experimentation (Extremis) and black-ops terrorism to eliminate business rivals and gain political power. Its resources were those of a well-funded but ultimately private corporation, lacking the sovereign status or vast army of its comic counterpart.
  *   **New Avengers (MCU Structure):** A small, elite superhero unit operating under the command of Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff. Their mandate was global security and disaster response, funded by Tony Stark and operating with implicit (later explicit and contested) government oversight. Their resources included the state-of-the-art New Avengers Facility, Quinjets, and Stark-tech equipment, but they lacked the massive scientific and manufacturing base of A.I.M. The team's ethos was fundamentally about responsibility and dealing with the consequences of their power, a stark contrast to Killian's reckless ambition.
===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network =====
==== Core Allies ====
  * **S.H.I.E.L.D. (under Maria Hill):** This was a deeply complicated and mistrustful alliance. While both organizations aimed to protect the world, S.H.I.E.L.D. viewed A.I.M. as a rogue state with WMD-level technology run by an unpredictable amateur. Director [[maria_hill|Maria Hill]] initially used coercive tactics, blackmailing Sunspot and placing a mole (Songbird) on the team. Over time, a grudging respect developed as the New Avengers proved their effectiveness, particularly during the //Standoff!// event, but the relationship remained tense and transactional.
  * **The Ultimates:** Led by Captain Marvel ([[carol_danvers|Carol Danvers]]), The Ultimates were another proactive super-team focused on cosmic-level threats. The two teams shared a similar philosophy of solving problems before they started. They collaborated on occasion, respecting each other's jurisdiction and capabilities, representing two sides of the same "All-New, All-Different" Marvel coin.
  * **Dum Dum Dugan:** The L.M.D. (Life-Model Decoy) of the classic S.H.I.E.L.D. agent became a key ally and head of A.I.M.'s security. His consciousness was integrated into A.I.M.'s systems, providing invaluable strategic and tactical support. He served as an "old soldier" mentor figure to the younger, more idealistic members.
==== Arch-Enemies ====
  * **The Maker (Reed Richards of Earth-1610):** The team's ultimate nemesis. The Maker, the twisted, villainous version of Reed Richards from the destroyed Ultimate Universe, survived //Secret Wars// and began building his own new world order. His organization, W.H.I.S.P.E.R. (World-wide Hueristic Experimental Scientific Progressive Radical Intelligence Network), was a dark mirror of Avengers Idea Mechanics. He sought to accelerate evolution and "improve" life through horrific experimentation. His conflict with the New Avengers was both ideological (his scientific fascism vs. their scientific heroism) and personal, as he targeted the team specifically to steal their resources and personnel.
  * **General Robert Maverick and the U.S. Government:** Before his eventual alliance with the team, General Maverick was their most persistent government antagonist. Representing the American military's deep distrust of a privately-owned superhero army operating from a sovereign nation, Maverick led multiple attempts to shut down, infiltrate, or destroy A.I.M. Island. This conflict forced Sunspot into a series of political and military escalations that culminated in the team's rebranding into the U.S.Avengers, a move made to appease the U.S. government and gain legitimacy on the world stage.
  * **The Knights of the Infinite:** A rogue sect of Skrull/Kree hybrids from the future who worshipped Hulkling as their prophesied king. While not strictly evil, their fanatical devotion and attempts to force Teddy to accept his destiny brought them into direct, violent conflict with the New Avengers, who were protecting their friend's right to choose his own life.
==== Affiliations ====
  * **The Avengers:** While operating under the "Avengers" name, A.I.M. was an entirely independent franchise. They were not subject to the authority of the mainline Avengers team led by Iron Man or Captain America. This independence was a source of both strength and friction. They were part of the broader "Avengers family" and would assist in world-ending crises, but Sunspot guarded his team's autonomy fiercely.
  * **X-Men:** As a mutant, Sunspot maintained ties to the X-Men community, though his focus had shifted entirely to his A.I.M. initiative. His background provided him with a unique perspective on being an outsider, which informed how he managed the eclectic and often misunderstood members of his team.
===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines =====
==== Avengers: Standoff! ====
The team's first major crossover test came during the //Avengers: Standoff!// event. The story revolved around Pleasant Hill, a seemingly idyllic town that was secretly a S.H.I.E.L.D. prison where supervillains were brainwashed into being model citizens using a sentient Cosmic Cube fragment named Kobik. When the villains' minds were restored, the prison erupted into chaos. The New Avengers were drawn into the conflict when Hawkeye and the S.H.I.E.L.D.-affiliated Avengers Unity Division attempted to extract Kobik. Sunspot, correctly deducing the massive ethical breach by S.H.I.E.L.D., deployed his team to intervene. This event was critical because it publicly pitted the New Avengers against S.H.I.E.L.D., establishing them as a genuine independent power that would hold even its "allies" accountable. It also led to Rick Jones, the Whisperer, seeking asylum with A.I.M., further straining their relationship with the U.S. government.
==== Civil War II ====
The ideological conflict of //Civil War II//, centered on the Inhuman Ulysses and his ability to predict the future, fractured the entire superhero community. The New Avengers were not immune. The team was divided over the ethics of "predictive justice." The conflict became intensely personal for them when Hawkeye was put on trial for killing the Hulk, based on one of Ulysses' visions. Sunspot and A.I.M. provided legal and technical support for Clint Barton, defending his actions while questioning the validity of the entire premise. This storyline also brought the subplot of Songbird's duplicity to a head. Her loyalty was tested, and she ultimately chose her new family in the New Avengers over her S.H.I.E.L.D. handlers, solidifying the team's internal bonds even as the world outside was falling apart.
==== The "U.S.Avengers" Transformation ====
This was the culminating storyline for the //New Avengers// series and the direct setup for its successor title, //U.S.Avengers//. Following constant pressure from General Maverick, the U.S. government, and a direct attack on their base by a "life-eater" weapon, Sunspot realized that his rogue nation status was untenable. In a brilliant act of political jujitsu, he negotiated a deal with the government. Avengers Idea Mechanics would be officially integrated as a branch of the American intelligence network, rebranding as **American Intelligence Mechanics**. The superhero team would be renamed the **U.S.Avengers**, a government-sanctioned team with a patriotic theme. This seemingly capitulatory move was a strategic masterstroke: it gave the team legal legitimacy and access to government resources while allowing Sunspot to continue his mission, now from //within// the system. The series ended with Sunspot faking his death and placing Red Hulk (General Maverick) in nominal command, while he continued to operate from the shadows.
===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions =====
As a relatively recent and specific team-up, the A.I.M.-backed New Avengers do not have direct variants in major alternate realities like Earth-1610 (Ultimate Universe) or Earth-295 (Age of Apocalypse). However, its legacy and concept can be seen in its successor and in the history of its members.
  *   **U.S.Avengers (Earth-616):** This is not a variant but a direct continuation and evolution of the New Avengers. The core roster (Sunspot, Cannonball, Toni Ho, Aikku Jokinen, Red Hulk) and mission remained largely the same, but they now operated with the official sanction of the United States government. The tone became slightly more bombastic and satirical, but it was the same story, characters, and creative team. This is the most significant "version" of the team.
  *   **Legacy of the "New Avengers" Name:** The name "New Avengers" has been used for several distinct teams in the Marvel Universe. The most famous was the original post-//Avengers Disassembled// team formed by Brian Michael Bendis, consisting of heroes like [[luke_cage|Luke Cage]], [[spider-man|Spider-Man]], and [[wolverine|Wolverine]] who operated as an unsanctioned, outlaw team. Sunspot's team adopted the name but had a completely different philosophy and operational structure, trading the street-level, anti-registration ethos of the original for a high-tech, proactive, and corporatized model of heroism.
  *   **Potential Future MCU Adaptations:** While a direct adaptation is unlikely, elements could be repurposed. A future MCU storyline could feature a wealthy benefactor (perhaps a reformed Justin Hammer or a new character) attempting to create a private, corporate-sponsored Avengers team as a rival to the government-led version. The theme of redeeming a "villainous" organization could also be applied to a different entity, such as a faction of the Ten Rings after the events of //Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings//.
===== See Also =====
  * [[roberto_da_costa]]
  * [[aim|Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.)]]
  * [[the_maker]]
  * [[usavengers]]
  * [[al_ewing]]
  * [[secret_wars_2015]]
===== Notes and Trivia =====
((The team's name, "Avengers Idea Mechanics," is a backronym, a term constructed to fit an existing acronym—in this case, A.I.M.))
((The series by Al Ewing is notable for its heavy use of data pages and organizational charts to flesh out the world of A.I.M., giving it a unique feel compared to other team books.))
((The character of Dr. Toni Ho was created for this series and is the daughter of Ho Yinsen, the man who was instrumental in Tony Stark's origin story in //Tales of Suspense// #39 and the first //Iron Man// film. This creates a powerful legacy connection to the Iron Man mythos.))
((The transformation of A.I.M. from a joke villain organization (often depicted as incompetent scientists in silly suits) into a legitimate threat under Jonathan Hickman and then a heroic force under Al Ewing is considered one of the most successful and creative institutional retcons in modern comics.))
((The team's conflict with the Maker directly follows his re-emergence after the //Secret Wars// (2015) event, making //New Avengers// one of the primary titles that explored the fallout of the multiverse's reconstruction.))
((Gerardo Sandoval's art style for the series was highly dynamic and stylized, reminiscent of 90s comic art, which gave the book a distinct, high-energy visual identity.))
((The inclusion of Wiccan and Hulkling on the roster allowed the series to continue exploring their relationship, which is one of the most prominent and celebrated LGBTQ+ relationships in Marvel Comics.))dokuwiki
====== New Avengers (A.I.M.) ======
===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary =====
  *   **Core Identity: **The New Avengers, operating under the corporate banner of Avengers Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.), was a proactive, globally-focused superhero team founded and funded by the mutant hero Roberto da Costa (Sunspot) after he audaciously purchased and reformed the notorious super-terrorist organization Advanced Idea Mechanics.**
  *   **Key Takeaways:**
  *  **Role in the Universe:** This iteration of the [[new_avengers|New Avengers]] represented a paradigm shift, transforming a long-standing villainous entity into a force for global rescue, scientific advancement, and superhuman intervention. Operating from the sovereign A.I.M. Island, they functioned as an independent, technologically superior alternative to government-sanctioned teams like [[shield|S.H.I.E.L.D.]] and the mainline [[avengers|Avengers]].
  *  **Primary Impact:** The team's existence fundamentally challenged the superhero status quo, proving that even the most corrupt institutions could be redeemed and repurposed for good. Their primary conflict with The Maker ([[reed_richards_earth_1610|Maker]]) and his organization W.H.I.S.P.E.R. positioned them on the front lines against threats emerging from the rebuilt multiverse following the events of //[[secret_wars_2015|Secret Wars]]//. Their journey culminated in a forced rebranding into the [[usavengers|U.S.Avengers]] to gain legitimacy with the American government.
  *  **Key Incarnations:** This team is **exclusive to the Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe)** and has no direct counterpart in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the MCU, A.I.M. was a private think tank led by Aldrich Killian focused on the Extremis virus, while the Avengers were a S.H.I.E.L.D.-assembled, government-endorsed team; the two entities were diametrically opposed, with no narrative precedent for a merger or acquisition.
===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution =====
==== Publication History and Creation ====
The concept of a heroic A.I.M. led by a member of the Avengers was seeded by writer Jonathan Hickman during his epic run on //Avengers// and //New Avengers//. The groundwork was laid in the "Time Runs Out" storyline, an eight-month time skip leading into the 2015 //Secret Wars// event. During this period, it was revealed that Roberto da Costa had used his immense wealth and strategic acumen to infiltrate and ultimately purchase Advanced Idea Mechanics.
The team officially debuted as the central focus of the //New Avengers// Vol. 4 series, part of the "All-New, All-Different Marvel" publishing initiative that followed //Secret Wars//. The creative team responsible for fleshing out this bold new direction was writer Al Ewing and artist Gerardo Sandoval. Their first full appearance as a functioning team was in //New Avengers// Vol. 4 #1, which was released in October 2015. Ewing's run was acclaimed for its high-concept sci-fi ideas, witty character interactions, and its exploration of themes like redemption, identity, and the moral complexities of wielding immense power. The series ran for 18 issues before being relaunched as //U.S.Avengers//, a direct continuation of the team's story and roster under the same creative team.
==== In-Universe Origin Story ====
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
The genesis of Avengers Idea Mechanics lies in the final, desperate days before the collapse of the multiverse. During the "Time Runs Out" storyline, the Illuminati and Captain America's Avengers were locked in a devastating cold war, both attempting to solve the problem of universal Incursions. Seeing the established hero factions fractured and failing, Roberto da Costa, a.k.a. [[sunspot|Sunspot]], decided a more radical approach was necessary.
Leveraging his nearly limitless fortune as the head of da Costa International, Sunspot, along with his best friend Samuel Guthrie ([[cannonball|Cannonball]]), initiated a complex hostile takeover of Advanced Idea Mechanics. At the time, A.I.M. was fragmented after its Supreme Leader, Andrew Forson, was deposed. Sunspot's plan was multi-faceted:
  * **Acquisition:** He bought out numerous shell corporations and subsidiary branches of A.I.M., effectively purchasing a controlling interest in the entire organization.
  * **Infiltration:** He dispatched other heroes, including [[pod|Pod]] and [[smasher_izzy_kane|Smasher]], to infiltrate various A.I.M. splinters, gathering intelligence and weakening them from within.
  * **Decapitation Strike:** He personally led a strike team to confront the A.I.M. Scientist Supreme. By outmaneuvering and defeating the remaining leadership, he consolidated his control over the organization's vast resources, personnel, and advanced technology.
With the multiverse collapsing, Sunspot revealed his new, repurposed A.I.M. to his Avengers colleagues. He used A.I.M.'s scientific prowess to build a fleet of ships, including a "life raft" designed to survive the final Incursion. While this ultimate plan failed, the infrastructure he had built survived the universal rebirth orchestrated by [[reed_richards|Reed Richards]].
In the new reality, Sunspot officially rebranded the organization as **Avengers Idea Mechanics**. He established their base of operations on A.I.M. Island in the Caribbean, a sovereign nation. His stated goal was to use A.I.M.'s genius-level scientists (the iconic "beekeepers") and cutting-edge technology to solve the world's problems and proactively counter futuristic threats. He assembled a new team of Avengers to lead this initiative, composed of heroes he trusted and individuals who, like A.I.M. itself, were seeking a new purpose. This team, operating with diplomatic immunity and technology far beyond that of most governments, became the **New Avengers**.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
The concept of the New Avengers being a reformed A.I.M. **does not exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe**. The two organizations are presented with entirely separate and antagonistic origins.
**Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.)** in the MCU was introduced in //Iron Man 3// (2013). It was not a sprawling terrorist organization with legions of "beekeepers," but a private American brain trust and think tank founded and run by the brilliant but megalomaniacal scientist Aldrich Killian. Killian, spurned by [[tony_stark|Tony Stark]] years earlier, developed the Extremis virus, a volatile form of genetic manipulation. His A.I.M. was a corporation that used terrorism as a marketing tool, creating the "Mandarin" persona to cover up the explosive side effects of its unstable technology. A.I.M.'s goals were purely capitalistic and vengeful, culminating in a plan to assassinate the U.S. President and seize control of America's War on Terror. The organization was dismantled following Killian's defeat at the hands of Tony Stark and James Rhodes. There is no indication that it was ever rebuilt on a large scale.
The **New Avengers** in the MCU refers to the reformed roster of the Avengers established at the end of //Avengers: Age of Ultron// (2015). After several original members departed (Stark, Barton, Banner, Thor), Captain America ([[steve_rogers|Steve Rogers]]) and Black Widow ([[natasha_romanoff|Natasha Romanoff]]) began training a new lineup at the upstate New Avengers Facility. This team included Wanda Maximoff, Vision, Sam Wilson (Falcon), and James Rhodes (War Machine). This version of the team was still state-sanctioned (prior to the Sokovia Accords) and was a direct evolution of the original team, focused on traditional superheroics.
The vast thematic and narrative differences make a 616-style merger impossible in the MCU. A.I.M. was a singular, villain-led corporation that was decisively neutralized, not a persistent ideological organization. The Avengers, meanwhile, have always been closely tied to, or in direct opposition to, governmental oversight, lacking the independent wealth and corporate structure that would allow for an acquisition of that scale.
===== Part 3: Mandate, Structure & Key Members =====
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Avengers Idea Mechanics was structured as a unique hybrid of a multinational corporation, a sovereign state, and a superhero team. Its mandate and operations were unlike any Avengers team before it.
==== Mandate and Philosophy ====
The core philosophy of A.I.M. under Sunspot's leadership was **proactive intervention**. Instead of waiting for threats to emerge, they used their vast intelligence network and technological superiority to identify and neutralize problems before they escalated. Their mission statement was to "Save the World. By any means necessary." This occasionally put them at odds with more reactive teams like the mainline Avengers or regulatory bodies like S.H.I.E.L.D. They focused on:
  * **Future Threats:** Tackling temporal paradoxes, extra-dimensional invasions, and bleeding-edge technological dangers.
  * **Global Rescue:** Deploying their resources for large-scale disaster relief and humanitarian aid.
  * **Scientific Advancement:** Using their collective genius to solve problems like disease and energy crises, believing that science was the ultimate superpower.
==== Structure and Resources ====
  * **Leadership:** Roberto da Costa served as the Supreme Leader of A.I.M. and the Field Leader of the New Avengers. He delegated operational command to other senior members like Songbird and Hawkeye.
  * **A.I.M. Island:** A sovereign island nation in the Caribbean Sea that served as their primary headquarters. It housed advanced laboratories, manufacturing facilities, defense systems, and living quarters for thousands of A.I.M. personnel and their families.
  * **Personnel:** The organization was composed of the New Avengers field team and the A.I.M. support staff. The latter group consisted of thousands of scientists, engineers, and technicians (the former "beekeepers"), who were now dedicated to heroic ends. A key subplot involved the team earning the trust and loyalty of these former villains.
  * **Technology:** A.I.M.'s technological base was one of its greatest assets. Key resources included:
    * **The Avenger Two:** A highly advanced Quinjet capable of underwater, atmospheric, and deep-space travel.
    * **The Island-Mover:** A massive propulsion system capable of physically relocating A.I.M. Island.
    * **Teleportation Network:** A global system of teleporters for rapid deployment.
    * **Advanced Bodysuits:** The iconic "beekeeper" suits were repurposed for research, rescue, and defense.
==== Key Roster and Members ====
The roster was a diverse mix of veteran heroes, young powerhouses, and reformed villains, each chosen by Sunspot for a specific skill set.
^ **New Avengers (A.I.M.) Roster** ^
^ **Character** ^ **Codename** ^ **Role & Key Contributions** ^
| Roberto da Costa | Sunspot | **Supreme Leader & Field Commander.** The team's visionary founder and primary financier. His powers of solar radiation absorption and projection were augmented by his brilliant strategic mind. |
| Clint Barton | Hawkeye | **Senior Field Agent.** Brought on for his veteran experience and tactical skills, though he often clashed with Sunspot's methods. He provided a moral compass, albeit a cynical one. |
| Melissa Gold | Songbird | **Deputy Leader & Infiltrator.** A reformed villain with deep experience in team dynamics from her time with the [[thunderbolts|Thunderbolts]]. Her solid-sound constructs were incredibly versatile. Secretly served as a S.H.I.E.L.D. mole initially. |
| Dr. Toni Ho | Iron Patriot | **Head of Engineering.** A brilliant engineer and daughter of Ho Yinsen (the man who helped Tony Stark build his first armor). She developed her own advanced Iron Patriot armor and managed A.I.M.'s technical divisions. |
| Aikku Jokinen | Pod (later Enigma) | **Heavy Support & Defense.** A Norwegian agent who was permanently bonded to a powerful, adaptable alien armor. Her suit provided immense firepower and protection for the team. |
| Billy Kaplan | Wiccan | **Chief Mystic.** A powerful reality-warping sorcerer, identified as the future Sorcerer Supreme. He was the team's primary defense against magical and extra-dimensional threats. |
| Teddy Altman | Hulkling | **Shapeshifter & Diplomat.** A Kree/Skrull hybrid and Billy's fiancé. His powers of shapeshifting and super-strength made him a formidable combatant, and his royal heritage was a key plot point. |
| Max Brashear | Power Man | **New Recruit.** A street-level hero with immense strength derived from "chi." He joined the team later in its run, bringing a grounded perspective. |
| Ava Ayala | White Tiger | **Stealth & Reconnaissance.** Wielder of the Jade Tiger Amulet, granting her superhuman physical abilities. She struggled with the violent influence of the Tiger God. |
| Grant Ward | | **S.H.I.E.L.D. Mole.** This Earth-616 version of the character was placed on the team by Maria Hill but was revealed to be a Hydra double agent. He was quickly neutralized. |
| Red Hulk (Robert Maverick) | | **Government Liaison (as U.S.Avengers).** A general who could transform into a Red Hulk for one hour per day. He became the team's leader after they rebranded as the U.S.Avengers. |
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
As this team configuration does not exist in the MCU, a direct comparison of its structure and mandate is not possible. However, we can analyze the separate structures of A.I.M. and the Avengers in that continuity to understand their incompatibility.
  *   **A.I.M. (MCU Structure):** A centralized, corporate hierarchy under a single CEO, Aldrich Killian. Its mandate was profit-driven, using unethical scientific experimentation (Extremis) and black-ops terrorism to eliminate business rivals and gain political power. Its resources were those of a well-funded but ultimately private corporation, lacking the sovereign status or vast army of its comic counterpart.
  *   **New Avengers (MCU Structure):** A small, elite superhero unit operating under the command of Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff. Their mandate was global security and disaster response, funded by Tony Stark and operating with implicit (later explicit and contested) government oversight. Their resources included the state-of-the-art New Avengers Facility, Quinjets, and Stark-tech equipment, but they lacked the massive scientific and manufacturing base of A.I.M. The team's ethos was fundamentally about responsibility and dealing with the consequences of their power, a stark contrast to Killian's reckless ambition.
===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network =====
==== Core Allies ====
  * **S.H.I.E.L.D. (under Maria Hill):** This was a deeply complicated and mistrustful alliance. While both organizations aimed to protect the world, S.H.I.E.L.D. viewed A.I.M. as a rogue state with WMD-level technology run by an unpredictable amateur. Director [[maria_hill|Maria Hill]] initially used coercive tactics, blackmailing Sunspot and placing a mole (Songbird) on the team. Over time, a grudging respect developed as the New Avengers proved their effectiveness, particularly during the //Standoff!// event, but the relationship remained tense and transactional.
  * **The Ultimates:** Led by Captain Marvel ([[carol_danvers|Carol Danvers]]), The Ultimates were another proactive super-team focused on cosmic-level threats. The two teams shared a similar philosophy of solving problems before they started. They collaborated on occasion, respecting each other's jurisdiction and capabilities, representing two sides of the same "All-New, All-Different" Marvel coin.
  * **Dum Dum Dugan:** The L.M.D. (Life-Model Decoy) of the classic S.H.I.E.L.D. agent became a key ally and head of A.I.M.'s security. His consciousness was integrated into A.I.M.'s systems, providing invaluable strategic and tactical support. He served as an "old soldier" mentor figure to the younger, more idealistic members.
==== Arch-Enemies ====
  * **The Maker (Reed Richards of Earth-1610):** The team's ultimate nemesis. The Maker, the twisted, villainous version of Reed Richards from the destroyed Ultimate Universe, survived //Secret Wars// and began building his own new world order. His organization, W.H.I.S.P.E.R. (World-wide Hueristic Experimental Scientific Progressive Radical Intelligence Network), was a dark mirror of Avengers Idea Mechanics. He sought to accelerate evolution and "improve" life through horrific experimentation. His conflict with the New Avengers was both ideological (his scientific fascism vs. their scientific heroism) and personal, as he targeted the team specifically to steal their resources and personnel.
  * **General Robert Maverick and the U.S. Government:** Before his eventual alliance with the team, General Maverick was their most persistent government antagonist. Representing the American military's deep distrust of a privately-owned superhero army operating from a sovereign nation, Maverick led multiple attempts to shut down, infiltrate, or destroy A.I.M. Island. This conflict forced Sunspot into a series of political and military escalations that culminated in the team's rebranding into the U.S.Avengers, a move made to appease the U.S. government and gain legitimacy on the world stage.
  * **The Knights of the Infinite:** A rogue sect of Skrull/Kree hybrids from the future who worshipped Hulkling as their prophesied king. While not strictly evil, their fanatical devotion and attempts to force Teddy to accept his destiny brought them into direct, violent conflict with the New Avengers, who were protecting their friend's right to choose his own life.
==== Affiliations ====
  * **The Avengers:** While operating under the "Avengers" name, A.I.M. was an entirely independent franchise. They were not subject to the authority of the mainline Avengers team led by Iron Man or Captain America. This independence was a source of both strength and friction. They were part of the broader "Avengers family" and would assist in world-ending crises, but Sunspot guarded his team's autonomy fiercely.
  * **X-Men:** As a mutant, Sunspot maintained ties to the X-Men community, though his focus had shifted entirely to his A.I.M. initiative. His background provided him with a unique perspective on being an outsider, which informed how he managed the eclectic and often misunderstood members of his team.
===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines =====
==== Avengers: Standoff! ====
The team's first major crossover test came during the //Avengers: Standoff!// event. The story revolved around Pleasant Hill, a seemingly idyllic town that was secretly a S.H.I.E.L.D. prison where supervillains were brainwashed into being model citizens using a sentient Cosmic Cube fragment named Kobik. When the villains' minds were restored, the prison erupted into chaos. The New Avengers were drawn into the conflict when Hawkeye and the S.H.I.E.L.D.-affiliated Avengers Unity Division attempted to extract Kobik. Sunspot, correctly deducing the massive ethical breach by S.H.I.E.L.D., deployed his team to intervene. This event was critical because it publicly pitted the New Avengers against S.H.I.E.L.D., establishing them as a genuine independent power that would hold even its "allies" accountable. It also led to Rick Jones, the Whisperer, seeking asylum with A.I.M., further straining their relationship with the U.S. government.
==== Civil War II ====
The ideological conflict of //Civil War II//, centered on the Inhuman Ulysses and his ability to predict the future, fractured the entire superhero community. The New Avengers were not immune. The team was divided over the ethics of "predictive justice." The conflict became intensely personal for them when Hawkeye was put on trial for killing the Hulk, based on one of Ulysses' visions. Sunspot and A.I.M. provided legal and technical support for Clint Barton, defending his actions while questioning the validity of the entire premise. This storyline also brought the subplot of Songbird's duplicity to a head. Her loyalty was tested, and she ultimately chose her new family in the New Avengers over her S.H.I.E.L.D. handlers, solidifying the team's internal bonds even as the world outside was falling apart.
==== The "U.S.Avengers" Transformation ====
This was the culminating storyline for the //New Avengers// series and the direct setup for its successor title, //U.S.Avengers//. Following constant pressure from General Maverick, the U.S. government, and a direct attack on their base by a "life-eater" weapon, Sunspot realized that his rogue nation status was untenable. In a brilliant act of political jujitsu, he negotiated a deal with the government. Avengers Idea Mechanics would be officially integrated as a branch of the American intelligence network, rebranding as **American Intelligence Mechanics**. The superhero team would be renamed the **U.S.Avengers**, a government-sanctioned team with a patriotic theme. This seemingly capitulatory move was a strategic masterstroke: it gave the team legal legitimacy and access to government resources while allowing Sunspot to continue his mission, now from //within// the system. The series ended with Sunspot faking his death and placing Red Hulk (General Maverick) in nominal command, while he continued to operate from the shadows.
===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions =====
As a relatively recent and specific team-up, the A.I.M.-backed New Avengers do not have direct variants in major alternate realities like Earth-1610 (Ultimate Universe) or Earth-295 (Age of Apocalypse). However, its legacy and concept can be seen in its successor and in the history of its members.
  *   **U.S.Avengers (Earth-616):** This is not a variant but a direct continuation and evolution of the New Avengers. The core roster (Sunspot, Cannonball, Toni Ho, Aikku Jokinen, Red Hulk) and mission remained largely the same, but they now operated with the official sanction of the United States government. The tone became slightly more bombastic and satirical, but it was the same story, characters, and creative team. This is the most significant "version" of the team.
  *   **Legacy of the "New Avengers" Name:** The name "New Avengers" has been used for several distinct teams in the Marvel Universe. The most famous was the original post-//Avengers Disassembled// team formed by Brian Michael Bendis, consisting of heroes like [[luke_cage|Luke Cage]], [[spider-man|Spider-Man]], and [[wolverine|Wolverine]] who operated as an unsanctioned, outlaw team. Sunspot's team adopted the name but had a completely different philosophy and operational structure, trading the street-level, anti-registration ethos of the original for a high-tech, proactive, and corporatized model of heroism.
  *   **Potential Future MCU Adaptations:** While a direct adaptation is unlikely, elements could be repurposed. A future MCU storyline could feature a wealthy benefactor (perhaps a reformed Justin Hammer or a new character) attempting to create a private, corporate-sponsored Avengers team as a rival to the government-led version. The theme of redeeming a "villainous" organization could also be applied to a different entity, such as a faction of the Ten Rings after the events of //Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings//.
===== See Also =====
  * [[roberto_da_costa]]
  * [[aim|Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.)]]
  * [[the_maker]]
  * [[usavengers]]
  * [[al_ewing]]
  * [[secret_wars_2015]]
===== Notes and Trivia =====
((The team's name, "Avengers Idea Mechanics," is a backronym, a term constructed to fit an existing acronym—in this case, A.I.M.))
((The series by Al Ewing is notable for its heavy use of data pages and organizational charts to flesh out the world of A.I.M., giving it a unique feel compared to other team books.))
((The character of Dr. Toni Ho was created for this series and is the daughter of Ho Yinsen, the man who was instrumental in Tony Stark's origin story in //Tales of Suspense// #39 and the first //Iron Man// film. This creates a powerful legacy connection to the Iron Man mythos.))
((The transformation of A.I.M. from a joke villain organization (often depicted as incompetent scientists in silly suits) into a legitimate threat under Jonathan Hickman and then a heroic force under Al Ewing is considered one of the most successful and creative institutional retcons in modern comics.))
((The team's conflict with the Maker directly follows his re-emergence after the //Secret Wars// (2015) event, making //New Avengers// one of the primary titles that explored the fallout of the multiverse's reconstruction.))
((Gerardo Sandoval's art style for the series was highly dynamic and stylized, reminiscent of 90s comic art, which gave the book a distinct, high-energy visual identity.))
((The inclusion of Wiccan and Hulkling on the roster allowed the series to continue exploring their relationship, which is one of the most prominent and celebrated LGBTQ+ relationships in Marvel Comics.))