Bendis and Deodato's "New Avengers" #23

Marvel has provided CBR News with an exclusive preview of "New Avengers" #23 by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Mike Deodato featuring the conclusion of the New Avengers' throwdown battle with Norman Osborne's new Dark Avengers. Deodato's unlettered preview pages showcase Mockingbird up against Osborne's new Dark Hawkeye as The Thing, Doctor Strange and Iron Fist battle AIM soldiers and Dark Wolverine.

Bendis teased Osborn's role in both "Avengers" and "New Avengers" into 2012, setting him up with a group of generals for his nefarious plans.

"Norman finds himself with an army larger than he ever imagined, but he's got a group of generals who are ready to stab him in the back," Bendis told CBR in 2011. "He can't do this without them, though. So the set up is very Shakespearean. Everyone has their own agenda, and everyone has got issues and back story that are very easy to tap into," Bendis explained. "What you're going to get -- and I'm really excited about this -- in the 'Avengers' book itself, we're going to be dealing with that aspect. HYDRA and the Hand and A.I.M. each coming at the Avengers, now teamed-up [under Osborn's leadership]. They each come with a pretty strong toy box of ways to deal with the Avengers. In 'New Avengers,' that same story is specifically oriented around Norman putting together his new team of Dark Avengers to punish the Avengers for what they've done to him. So 'New Avengers' is a revenge book and 'Avengers' is a political offensive. It's almost like a revolution book for Norman. These stories are going on at the same time and affecting each other."

Bendis and Deodato's "New Avengers" #21 recently received 4 stars from CBR Reviewer Chad Nevett, who called the issue "a good sign things will stay fresh with a high level of innovative thinking." Check out Deodato's preview pages below and stay tuned to CBR News for more "New Avengers" developments.

"New Avengers" #23 hits store March 28.