This one often flies under the radar, but it absolutely deserves its flowers.
The New Avengers #11 (2005) marks the first appearance of Ronin, the identity later revealed to be Maya Lopez—a character who would go on to become far more important to Marvel continuity than many initially realized.
Why This Book Matters
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First appearance of Ronin – A mantle that would later be worn by multiple characters, but it starts here.
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Maya Lopez’s evolution – From Echo to Ronin, this issue is a pivotal step in her arc.
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Street-level Marvel storytelling – This era of New Avengers leaned hard into grounded, gritty narratives post–Avengers Disassembled.
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David Finch cover – Peak 2000s Finch: moody, aggressive, and instantly recognizable.
This is a minor key by market standards, but a major character beat in hindsight—especially given Maya’s later prominence across comics and screen adaptations.
The Ronin Identity
Ronin wasn’t just a costume change—it represented:
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A rejection of the system
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A move into moral gray areas
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A symbol of fractured heroism in Marvel’s post-9/11 era
That thematic weight is why this book still resonates.
Collector Take
This isn’t a hype book.
It’s a character-first key, and those are the ones that age best.
If you collect with an eye for:
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Long-term relevance
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Character-driven significance
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Underappreciated modern keys
This one belongs in the box.
Sometimes the minor keys tell the better story. 🥷📚
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