WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Avengers #45, by Jason Aaron, Luca Maresca, David Curiel and VC's Cory Petit, on sale now.
Between the Phoenix Force coming to Earth in search of a new host and Knull leading an invasion of the Marvel Universe during the crossover event King in Black, the Avengers haven't had much time lately to enjoy any downtime. And with the dark god of symbiotes defeated and a host finally determined to wield the cosmic powers of the Phoenix Force, Earth's Mightiest Heroes make the most of the brief lull back at their headquarters at Avengers Mountain.
While the heroes train and celebrate in their own in Avengers #45, respective ways, Black Panther reveals he has a familiar face to whom he turns to for advice and as a formidable sparring partner: His late father and the preceding Black Panther T'Chaka.
Sitting alone in the command room of Avengers Mountain, with the facility constructed inside the body of a deceased Celestial in the frigid expanse of the Arctic Circle, T'Challa summons a hard-light hologram capable of helping him refine his combat skills and dole out physical contact in an impromptu friendly fight. Initially attacking Black Panther with unrelenting fury, the recreation of T'Chaka reminds his son that he needs to lead with both his heart and his head before dissipating back into the digital ether after sharing one last Wakandan salute. As T'Challa returns back to the matters at hand, it is revealed he completed his regular combat training exercise three minutes earlier than usual suggesting that this has been something of a regular event for the Wakandan King.
Black Panther's use of downtime commiserating with a holographic projection of his father in Avengers Mountain comes at a sharp contrast to Iron Man's own paternal motivations while ostensibly relaxing back at headquarters. As ever, Tony Stark is tinkering away on his Iron Man armor, having discovered new ways to improve upon his previous designs after his recent experiences in the field. While his own onboard program congratulates him on improving the performance of his repulsors significantly. Never content with his accomplishments, Tony changes the program's vocabulary and has it play the disappointed sigh of his estranged father Howard on loop to further motivate him.
The other Avengers are more predictable in their usual, stay-at-home antics: Both Captain America and Captain Marvel work out, Ghost Rider tends to his demonic Hellcharger, She-Hulk takes advantage of Avengers Mountain's vast library while Thor returns to the base visibly inebriated from his Asgardian victory celebrations over King in Black's triumphant conclusion. What stands most intriguing is how differently Black Panther and Iron Man, both the two smartest of the current Avengers lineup, continue to motivate themselves and how they each address the continued grief of having lost both of their respective fathers as they tacitly carry on their legacies through their superhero careers.
Taking the time and energy to further hone their skills and stay sharp, even after enduring such cataclysmic threats, the Avengers continue to prove why they deserve the title of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. And just as Superman looks to advice from a holographic projection of his father Jor-El, Black Panther similarly has programmed a recreation of his father T'Chaka, albeit in a decidedly more hands-on role. With with "World War She-Hulk" looming in the future, the Avengers should hope their skills are ready for the gamma-radiated storm coming their way.
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