Appearing in "Prelude to Destruction"
Featured Characters:
- BNBC
- Trish Tilby
- Simon Westphal (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Professor X
Supporting Characters:
- Beast (Dr. Hank McCoy) (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Avengers (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Captain America (Steve Rogers) (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Quicksilver (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Genoshan Cabinet (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Joanna Cargill (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Sabra (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Jared Barthmounte (Genoshan Ministry of Public Health) (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Sharon Carter (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
Antagonists:
Magneto (Magnus) 
- Genoshan Magistrates (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
Other Characters:
- Humans/Mutates coalition (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Jenny Ransome (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Mutate 46 (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Red Cross (Mentioned)
- United Nations (Mentioned)
- Security Council (Mentioned)
Locations:
- Genosha (Main story and flashback)
- United Nations Headquarters (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- United States of America (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- New York (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- New York City (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters
- New York (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Israel (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Russia (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
Items:
- Magneto's Helmet
- Legacy Virus (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Captain America's Shield (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
- Captain America's Uniform (Appears on a computer screen, TV, or hologram only)
Synopsis for "Prelude to Destruction"
Trish Tilby reports for BNBC from Genosha as the people of Genosha gather in Magda Square to await an address by Magneto. She recounts the events of the Genoshan Civil War, the Legacy Virus and Magneto's rise to power after the detention of infected mutates. The report includes statements from several contributors: Genoshan health minister Jared Barthmounte originally reacting to the Legacy virus with apathy; Sharon Carter on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s choice not to involve themselves pre-emptively; Dr. Hank McCoy on the cure for the virus and its origin; Captain America, interviewed by Simon Westphal for BNBC, on the Avengers' choice not to become involved until necessary; Sabra from Tel Aviv stating her belief that Magneto should be killed; and Joanna Cargill at the UN, in her capacity as Genoshan ambassador to the US, instructing companies to surrender to Magneto's rule.
Professor Xavier is watching the broadcast as Trilby goes on to mention the discovery of Quicksilver aboard the Russian frigate Botski's Dream, after S.H.I.E.L.D. believed him to be a freedom fighter in Genosha, attempting to overcome his father. Trish then cuts to the Genoshan throne room for Magneto's address. He declares that to avoid repetitions of humanity's past crimes against those different from others, he must put humanity out of its misery. Trilby questions his logic in perpetrating these same crimes himself and says that this will be Magneto's last word before a rally the next day, for which sources claim he is securing a symbol around which his troops can rally. Professor Xavier's room is now in disarray, the television still switched on, as Trish signs off.
