Marvel Comics’ Nitro is back in the spotlight, and this time he has his sights set on another Captain Marvel.
As the titular hero of Captain Marvel: Dark Tempest #1 by writer Ann Nocenti, artist Paolo Villanelli, and colorist Java Tartaglia is busy readjusting to life after a grueling series of battles both at home and among the stars, one of the world’s most infamous villains is preparing to embark upon his own return to form. Unfortunately for Carol Danvers, the villain known as Nitro is now working with a mysterious new figure who has set him on a collision course with the current Captain Marvel, and they are both hoping it will be as lethal of an encounter as his run in with the original.
In his first appearance in the pages of 1974’s Captain Marvel #34 by creators Jim Starlin and Steve Englehart, Nitro proved to be a powerful threat even to the series’ titular cosmic hero. Formerly an eccentric if not capable retired engineer known simply as Robert Hunter, the man who would be Nitro’s target soon enough led him into the arms of a band of rogue Kree scientists who brought him to their Lunatic Legion. As an agent of these villainous Kree on Earth, Robert put his newfound powers to use carrying out various crimes before ultimately being let loose upon Mar-Vell, then known as Captain Marvel. In fact, it was Nitro’s efforts to steal the top-secret chemical weapon Compound 13 which led to Mar-Vell’s exposure to the substance and, tragically, his death from the cancer that it caused.
Nitro’s Lethal History in Marvel Comics
In the time since Mar-Vell’s death, Nitro has gone on to be at the center of other infamous chapters in Marvel history, most notably the original Civil War. It was in 2006’s Civil War #1 (by Mark Millar and Steve Mcniven) that Nitro unleashed the full fury of his explosive powers during a battle against the New Warriors in Stamford, Connecticut. The ensuing blast caused the deaths of hundreds, including a group of young school children not far from the fight. In turn, the Superhuman Registration Act went from being a sticking point between various heroes to something worth going to war with one another over, leading to one of the most iconic storylines of its era.
Captain Marvel: Dark Tempest #1 is written by Ann Nocenti with art by Paolo Villanelli, colors by Java Tartaglia, and letters by VC’s Ariana Maher. Main cover art is by Mike McKone and Jesus Aburtov, with variant cover arts courtesy of Jen Bartel, Rose Besch, Derrick Chew, George Pérez & Edgar Delgado, R1co, and C.F. Villa & Federico Blee. Captain Marvel: Dark Tempest #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Source: Marvel Comics
