Supervillains are just as likely to fight one another as they are superheroes. This is partly due to the inherently selfish and uncooperative nature of villains. However, there is also an element of practicality. After all, one can’t take over the world if some other supervillain beats you to it. This is why a new version of The Avengers‘ archenemies, the Masters of Evil, form to fight Doctor Doom. However, this team of villains develop a new attitude in their nefarious scheming.
Written by Jed MacKay, with art by Valerio Schiti, Avengers #25 opens on a supervillain conference. The Mad Thinker, a longtime enemy of the Fantastic Four, has observed Doctor Doom conquer the world by posing as a hero and unifier. Since Doom is performing acts that are, by most metrics, good, any who oppose him would be classified as evil. This leads him to suggest forming a new Masters of Evil, but leaning into that identity rather than working with the heroes toward a common good.
The main cover and first three pages of Avengers #25 may be viewed below.
The first incarnation of the Masters of Evil first appeared in 1964’s The Avengers #6. There have been several incarnations of the team since, with masterminds ranging from Baron Zemo to Doctor Octopus appropriating the name. The only common theme between every incarnation was a desire to destroy various superheroes in revenge for previous losses. Beyond that, the villains might seek to conquer the world, destroy it, or simply profit from an alliance.
It is notable that the Mad Thinker’s new Masters of Evil comes into being shortly after the formation of yet another Masters of Evil. This team, first seen in the closing pages of One World Under Doom #2, was willing to work alongside the Avengers in fighting Doctor Doom. This is a notable difference from the team led by the Mad Thinker, who thinks that only villains are capable of doing what is needed to free the world from Doctor Doom.
Avengers #25 arrives in comic shops everywhere on April 23, 2025.