This original art page from Ms. Marvel #37 (2009), Page 22 was penciled by Patrick Olliffe and inked by Serge Lapointe during Brian Reed’s acclaimed Dark Reign storyline, “The Death of Ms. Marvel.” The page captures one of the pivotal moments that reshapes Carol Danvers’ world while setting up the next phase of the series.
Set on a balcony overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the page follows Rick Mason (The Agent) immediately after assassinating Michael Rossi, Carol Danvers’ former Air Force mentor and one-time lover. Mason then receives a video call from Norman Osborn, Director of H.A.M.M.E.R., who informs him that his father, Phineas Mason, the Terrible Tinkerer, has been pardoned and released from prison in exchange for Rick’s services.
Rather than accepting another assignment, Mason refuses Osborn’s offer and destroys the laptop, ending their partnership and demonstrating that even one of Marvel’s most powerful figures cannot completely control him.
Highlights
- Set in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, providing a memorable international backdrop.
- Features Rick Mason (The Agent), son of Spider-Man villain The Terrible Tinkerer.
- Appearance by Norman Osborn during the height of Marvel’s Dark Reign.
- Concludes the Michael Rossi subplot, one of the major conspiracies surrounding Carol Danvers.
- Dramatic sequence where Mason rejects Osborn and destroys the laptop.
- Beautiful cinematic storytelling by Patrick Olliffe with polished finishes by Serge Lapointe.
Story Significance
This page represents the resolution of Rick Mason’s role in the conspiracy against Carol Danvers. After completing the mission that secured his father’s freedom, Mason refuses to remain another operative under Norman Osborn’s control, bringing his involvement in the plot to a close.
The issue also serves as a turning point for the series. In the pages that follow, the story transitions toward Karla Sofen (Moonstone) becoming the new Ms. Marvel as part of Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers initiative. As a result, this page stands at the crossroads between Carol Danvers’ fall during Dark Reign and the beginning of Karla Sofen’s controversial tenure as Ms. Marvel.
Why Collectors Should Buy It
This page offers much more than a traditional action sequence. It features a key appearance by Norman Osborn, an important scene with Rick Mason, references the Terrible Tinkerer, and resolves one of the central espionage storylines of Brian Reed’s run. It also immediately precedes one of the biggest status quo changes in the title, the introduction of Karla Sofen as the new Ms. Marvel.
Collectors of Carol Danvers, Dark Reign, Dark Avengers, Norman Osborn, or Marvel espionage stories will appreciate both the narrative importance and the strong visual storytelling. The Rio de Janeiro setting, combined with Olliffe’s clean layouts and Lapointe’s sharp inks, makes this an attractive and historically significant page from a pivotal era in Ms. Marvel’s history.
