WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Avengers #30 by Jason Aaron, Ed McGuinness, Francesco Manna, Mark Morales, Jason Keith and VC's Cory Petit, on sale now.
Avengers has thrown Earth's Mightiest Heroes into one of their most important battles of the modern era recently as they fought to save the new Starbrand, a baby girl born in the confines of space. However, it wasn't easy as they faced near-insurmountable odds with Silver Surfer, Terrax and Firelord (all ex-Heralds of Galactus) and Gladiator, the Shi'ar's main weapon, all trying to kill the child.
This drew the ire of Black Widow as she felt they were being toxic males, not allowing the mom any choice in the matter. Eventually, the heroes saved the girl but as they discussed the future plans for the child, Black Panther got in a major dig at Superman.
The mom, Suzanne Selby, left Earth for greener pastures as a refugee to work with the Shi'ar as a space farmer, only to run into immigration issues and end up in the space prison known as the Ravenstarr. She was actually from Kansas and after losing her boyfriend, the pregnant lady became so scared in jail that when the Starbrand possessed her and manifested, she destroyed the facility.
It's why the ex-Heralds and Gladiator have come for her head, as they don't want someone unchecked and rampaging about the cosmic realm like the Phoenix again. Luckily, the Avengers rescue her with Captain America and She-Hulk helping to deliver the child. Suzanne dies in childbirth, however, and while Gladiator and the Heralds depart after her death, they caution The Avengers against caring for the baby as they know she could end up being a weapon of mass destruction. The team finds themselves at odds over where best to raise the child, because they know she might have a next of kin back home. However, T'Challa is none too keen on sending the child back to Kansas should they find living kin.
He insists the child cannot grow up in Kansas, which may be poking fun at the DC Icon, who lived on the Kent farm before moving to Metropolis as the Man of Steel. We all know of his many adventures from the Smallville series and so many other books, and also from various cartoons and movies it's no secret life wasn't easy hiding out among mere mortals. Black Panther doesn't want her going through the same motions as she could injure people there, with the team even wondering what happens when Baby Starbrand cries.
Of course, his perspective might be a bit condescending as Kansas isn't as technologically advanced as say, Wakanda, or the heroes' Celestial base. And clearly, Panther isn't a fan of her having to hide out and lie with people who might not appreciate her and want to turn her in -- fears the Kents had themselves. The Avengers' head thinks she's beyond the small town, although you have to admit Superman turned out pretty well, with solid morals and values.
That said, it's all playful banter because Steve and Co. are ready to embrace the challenge ahead. This child will play a key role in the future and while Kansas worked out for Superman, the Avengers want a more hands-on approach so they can be safer rather than sorry as babysitters in a facility equipped to hold her. Accidents happen and let's be real, Starbrand would probably take Kansas off the map much quicker than Superman ever could if he went haywire as a kid.