In Damage Control #1, a wide array of Marvel characters step up to the plate and do their part to help clean up the damages they cause regularly.

This article contains spoilers for Damage Control #1, on sale by Marvel Comics.

In 1988, Damage Control debuted in a five-page story titled “The Sales Pitch” from Marvel Age Annual #4 (by Chris Claremont, John Buscema, Klaus Janson, and Gregory Wright) before getting its own spotlight in the following year. It ran for three volumes of a four-issue limited series. The company focuses on handling damage to property from superheroes and villains through reconstruction, cleanup, and other important tasks. It has been around for a long time as part of the comic book universe, placing itself in conflicts such as Civil War in 2006 and World War Hulk in 2008. It also recently played an important role in the ongoing narrative of the MCU.

A new run of Damage Control (by Adam Goldberg, Hans Rodionoff, Jay Fosgitt, Will Robson, Ruth Redmond and VC’s Clayton Cowles) has made its debut alongside many characters fans will recognize. Characters such as Bart Rozum, Albert Cleary, and Anne-Marie Hoag also appear in this series to once again, bring a bit of humor to Marvel Comics. There are two stories within the first issue that not only reiterate what Damage Control does as a company, but it incorporates the characters into a mundane setting that makes for a good laugh. While characters like Spider-Man and Wolverine have made special appearances in the older comics, not many have made contributions to the company quite like they do in this new run.

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When a character named Gus starts his first day at Damage Control, he sees many familiar faces, like Nick Fury, as he walks through a metal detector. He’s asked to remove his eye patch, but he refuses. Damage Control shares ties with S.H.I.E.L.D. Bart, the head intern, equates Damage Control as an entry level job for the organization. S.H.I.E.L.D’s involvement actually runs deeper than that. After Tony Stark and Wilson Fisk sold their shares for personal reasons, the owner, Anne Marie Hoag convinced the organization to buy back the company. This allowed them to uncover Fisk’s shady plot to not only buy back the company, but profit off of the damage when the company was hired after the event arc, Acts of Vengeance.

After going through security, he is assigned to the mailroom. His first task is to deliver an ice cream cake to Albert Cleary, a returning character from the original series and the comptroller of Damage Control. When he arrives at the office floor, he notices a long line of cubicles that seem to stretch endlessly. An office worker informs him how this is accomplished. While he does not appear, the office space is a pocket dimension designed by Reed Richards that holds more than the building would have without the modifications. As Gus scrambles to find the office before the cake melts, he runs into various different offices. In the HR department, She-Hulk can be seen standing near a cubicle. Considering her background as a lawyer, it would be fitting for her to contribute her time to this department, helping others with any grievances or issues they may have within the company.

There's also a department called Information Technology where the X-Men member Forge can be seen conversing with another office employee. Forge's genius intellect and mutation allow him to be exceptional with technology. His input in tech would help the company become more efficient through the use of technology, either in the field or in the office. Perhaps his contributions could help improve human and mutant relations, as Krakoa is treading on thin ice after the revelation of their Resurrection Protocols.

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Speaking of the X-Men, two of them actively help Gus during his first day. To keep him on track delivering mail, Nightcrawler helps Gus teleport around the office in order to deliver the mail in a timely fashion. When Gus sends a memo to the shredder, Quicksilver helps Gus and Bart piece it back together and offers to deliver it to in order to avert the annihilation of the planet.

Jerry the Accountant, who happens to be a devil that keeps track of Mephisto’s deals, ironically, works in Accounting. Moon Knight is seen buying a coffee on his way to work and Ghost Rider gets stuck in an elevator with Gus. All of these mundane things allow for a chuckle here and there as readers continue the comic.

A second story titled "Zapped and the Mother of Dimension" plays out with cute illustrations of office life. It follows Bart and his mother at the Damage Control office. His mom popped in for an unexpected visit, and he’s showing her around. After finding the Reality Stone in the form of a necklace Bart’s mom puts it on and turns into a monster. She begins to wreck a part of the street, and even says, “Mom Smash!” Turns out, using Hulk’s catchphrase will cost Damage Control more money than the damage itself. Thanos senses the Reality Stone and makes his appearance. He goes toe to toe with Bart’s mom in her monster form, and loses. When his mom returns to normal, she scolds him as if he were her own child, and he gets a ticket of sorts for the damage. Bart's mother is also issued one of these.

RELATED: Hans Rodionoff Cleans Up the Marvel Universe With Damage Control

In addition, heroes need day jobs, too. While some make their income as scientists, lawyers, or taxi drivers, others may not have a job to pay their bills. Being a superhero seems fun and all, but the world doesn’t necessarily issue a pay stub for saving the world. However, it is humorous to see villains such as Thanos get their comeuppance with a citation and a bill to pay for damages.

It’s only fair that these heroes make some form of contribution to the company, as many of them are responsible for the damage in the first place. It doesn’t matter how big or small the contribution is, in fact many characters in the first issue appear to be doing mundane office things such as delivering mail or providing expert advice in their field of expertise. Any contribution a character can make would be sufficient to make up for the damage they cause while saving the world.

Megan has always been passionate about two things: Comic books and writing. Her favorite publishers include Marvel, DC, Image, and Boom! Studios. When she isn't writing for CBR, she likes to cosplay, drink excessive amounts of coffee, and spend time with her family.

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