War of Kings / Awesome

Issue #2

Crystal getting her hands dirty to aid Kree that had been injured by the Shi'ar's attack on Hala.
The Inhumans' retaliation against the Shi'ar is one giant moment of awesome itself.
- Maximus designs the Chorus Sentries, Humongous Mecha that can channel Black Bolt's destructive scream. They come in very handy when taking out the Shi'ar's second battlegroup.
- At the same time the above is happening, the Starjammers attack the Shi'ar Ionclad Domination. The commander makes the mistake of thinking they are going to teleport into the ship. Instead, the Starjammers fly under it and Havok takes out the gravity generators. This then allows the Inhumans, who have been practicing zero-gravity combat, to enter the Ionclad, wipe out the crew and get the location of Lilandra off their computers.

Ka'ardum succeeding in convincing Vulcan to spare Lilandra by pointing out that killing her would only make her a martyr.
The ambush on the Shi'ar warbird which has the Starjammers bringing in the Guardians of the Galaxy:
- Rocket Raccoon claims that his weapon, a Xarthian Quantum Cannon, is specifically designed to bring down Gladiator. Gladiator thinks he's bluffing and Rocket supposedly proves him wrong. Well, not really but points for trying.
Rocket: Never doubt a raccoon.
- Groot smashing Electron against a wall with an exclamation of "I am Groot".
- Drax vs Smasher. It's not so much a fight as it is Drax utterly demolishing Smasher.
Smasher: Accessing hyper-strength uploads from my Exospecs.
Drax: Accessing fist.
- Gladiator realizes that Rocket really was bluffing since Xarth has no tradition of making quantum weapons and that he is being placed in a telepathic illusion by Rachel. He then blasts his way past every single opponent to get to Lilandra whom he then declares his loyalty to by killing Smasher.

Lilandra coming to Chandilar and announcing her bid to retake the thrown from Vulcan to the support and cheers of the Shi'ar council. Gladiator says that for all his powers, he is always impressed by Lilandra's ability to gather people to her side.
As heartbreaking as it is, Darkhawk actually succeeds in killing Lilandra.

Talon telling Vulcan in no uncertain terms that he will only have his support so long as he proves to be a Majestor worth supporting. The Fraternity of Raptors might be on the wrong side but even they know that a leader must serve his people not the other way around. Both the captain and Ka'ardum are shocked and impressed by how brazenly Talon speaks to Vulcan.
Rachel killing Blackcloak in retribution for murdering her family years prior.
Araki's unmistakable, absolute fear as Gladiator kills him as revenge for killing Lilandra.
The issue ends with Vulcan smashing his way past Black Bolt's new sentries - which it should be remembered where mostly responsible for wiping out an entire Shi'ar battlegroup - and then confronting Black Bolt himself to issue a challenge.
Vulcan: You. Let's go.

The battle between Gabriel and Black Bolt is a Crowning Moment of Awesome for both characters:
- Black Bolt shows Vulcan that talking is not a free action by socking him in the face while the Shi'ar Majestor is monologuing.
- Vulcan shows that being The Caligula doesn't make him a total idiot and deduces that Black Bolt intends to set off a T-bomb on the Shi'ar which is why he isn't using his destructive voice.
- Black Bolt finally uses his voice and the resulting attack melts Vulcan's flesh off. It still doesn't put the crazed bastard down. Say whatever you like about Vulcan, but there is no denying he is one seriously tough guy to stop.
- Black Bolt detonating the T-bomb. Not only does it tear open a hole in time and space but it also devastates the Shi'ar forces who immediately surrender.