Avengers #9Avengers #9
Title: "The Coming of the… Wonder Man!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Don Heck
Inker: Dick Ayers
Captain America has snapped and hurls his shield at an imaginary Baron Zemo. Iron Man, Thor, and Giant-Man are all holding him back trying to make him come to his senses. Iron Man says that holding Cap is like trying to hold back a tornado. Iron Man finally makes Cap see that he is charging a blank wall. Cap stammers for a bit, but Thor tells Cap that he dwells upon this Zemo too much. Cap says that perhaps Thor is right, but that he just can’t forget him. Cap says that he will never be able to rest until Zemo is punished. Thor says that after he sent Zemo off in the space warp that he could be anywhere now. Thor says that a space warp could have taken him to another city or even another universe.
Baron Zemo, Executioner, and Enchantress are stuck hovering helplessly in Zemo’s ship between the sixth and seventh dimensions. Zemo says that they can’t stay there forever and that they have to find a way to return to their own dimension. Enchantress and Executioner sit in the same position. He yells at them to pay attention when he is talking. Executioner grabs Zemo by his shirt and asks if he dares address him in such a tone. Executioner asks if Zemo forgets that he is an immortal of Asgard. Enchantress tells Executioner not to hurt Zemo, as he will be helpful when they return to Earth. Enchantress says that they forget how impatient mortals are. Enchantress does a spell that will return them to where they came from. As the ship is returning, Enchantress says that they must not fight among each other, but that they should conserve their strength to battle against the Avengers. Zemo’s ship returns to his hidden spot in the amazon jungle. Zemo lands the ship. Inside his hideout, Zemo says that this is part of his jungle kingdom where he has hidden from Captain America all these years. Executioner says that Zemo need not fear anyone because they are now his allies. Executioner says that his power is second only to Thor’s. Enchantress says that what Executioner lacks in strength she makes up for in sorcery. Enchantress says that they are new to this world. Executioner says that is why they need Zemo to teach them the customs of this world. Zemo says that his worth is far greater than that. He says that he is a master scientist and a schemer second to none. Zemo says that he defeated Captain America once and that he will do it again. Zemo tells them to listen carefully as he tells them his plan.
Weeks later, a sleek advanced-designed jet cruises over the towers of New York. Zemo says that somewhere they will find what they need. Executioner spots the headline of the newspaper that reads, “INVENTOR ARRESTED FOR EMBEZZLEMENT- SIMON WILLIAMS ADMITS GUILT!” The newspaper says that Simon Williams blames Tony Stark for his downfall. Later in court, the Enchantress is dressed up in modern Earth clothes. She appears at Simon Williams’ trial. She says that she will pay Simon’s bail bond. Simon says that he doesn’t know her, but Enchantress says that he will. As they walk out of the courtroom, Executioner joins them. Enchantress says that they have read about his case and how Tony Stark’s latest inventions made his patents worthless. Executioner asks if Simon would like to get revenge. Simon asks why they care. Enchantress says that Tony Stark’s bodyguard Iron Man is an enemy of theirs. Enchantress says that Simon has no money, is accused of a crime, and has no place to turn. She says that if he does as they say that they can offer him wealth and power. Executioner says that first they have to take him to South America.
Elsewhere, after the Avengers’ meeting, the Avengers return to their normal lives. Iron Man feels Happy and Pepper watching him distrustfully. He says that they still suspect him of causing the disappearance of Tony Stark. He says if only he could tell them that he is Tony Stark. Thor stamps his hammer against the ground and reverts to Donald Blake. Blake says that he had better get to his office and that there may be patients waiting. Hank Pym tries to do his scientific work, but Jan starts whining that Hank doesn’t take her dancing. Hank asks why she didn’t team up with Fred Astaire. Captain America sits around remembering Bucky. He says that he has to avenge Bucky’s death.
Back in the Amazon jungle, Zemo tells
Enchantress and Executioner that the lab is ready. He tells them
to bring Simon Williams in, and that now they will witness the
genius of Zemo. 
Zemo tells Simon
to relax as he lies on the table. He says that soon he will be
Simon Williams no longer. Executioner tells Enchantress that if
Zemo can really do what he says that he is truly a worthy ally
for them. Enchantress wonders what humans might accomplish if
they had their power. She says that they are so puny and yet
accomplish so much. Zemo activates the ionic rays. Simon begins
to grow before their eyes. Enchantress says that you can almost
see his strength increasing. Simon asks what is happening to him.
Zemo tells him to be silent and not move. He says that they are
not finished yet. Zemo tells Simon that he is being bombarded by
the most potent, most powerful ionic rays ever assembled in one
concentrated area. Zemo says that his strength is being increased
almost beyond description. Enchantress tells Zemo not to forget
about his invincibility. Zemo says that he forgets nothing. He
says that this will be one of his greatest achievements. Zemo
finishes. He says that he has created a new breed of man… a
living engine of destruction. Executioner tells Simon to get up
so they can test him. Enchantress says that she knows that he
will pass any test. Zemo says that the Avengers are as good as
beaten. Executioner says that Simon is still only one man. He
asks how he will succeed where the three of them have failed.
Zemo says that it is because he has a plan, and that the Avengers
will actually help them. Enchantress says to get to the tests to
see if it is even worth the plan. Simon says to give him any test
they like and that he has never felt so alive and charged with
power. Executioner pulls out a gun and shoots Simon. The bullet
bounces right off him. Zemo says that bulletproof skin is just
one of his powers. He says that he will tell him about the
others. Simon asks if he can have some clothes first. Zemo says
that Simon will wear a costume, and that from now on he will be
known as Wonder Man. Simon asks why the costume and the corny
name. Zemo says that Wonder Man is going to join the Avengers and
defeat them from within. Enchantress says that Simon looks
handsome like an immortal of Asgard. Executioner thinks to
himself that Enchantress has never looked at him like that.
Minutes later after Zemo has described his
plan, Zemo is outside with Simon, Enchantress, and Executioner
explaining his powers. As Wonder Man uproots a large tree from
the ground, Zemo says that though he isn’t as large that he
can match the strength of Giant-Man. 
Wonder Man
shatters rocks with his bare fists. Zemo says that Wonder
Man’s bare fist is the equal of Thor’s uru hammer. Zemo
reminds them that he was one of Hitler’s top rocket experts
from World War II. He says that Wonder Man will fly by means of
miniature rockets attached to his belt. Executioner asks if
Wonder Man will be able to go toe to toe with Captain America in
fighting. Zemo tells Executioner to attack him when he lands.
Executioner attacks Wonder Man with a large rock. In seconds,
Wonder Man disarms Executioner and tosses him into the water.
Executioner says that Wonder Man is too strong and asks how they
can control him. Zemo says that he has an ace in the hole. He
says that the same ionic rays that gave him his power will also
kill him in a week. Wonder Man says. “What?” Zemo says
that he has an antidote however, and so as long as Wonder Man is
obedient to him that he will inject him with it once a week to
keep him alive. Wonder Man says that he has no choice but to be
loyal. Zemo asks if Executioner is satisfied. Executioner says
that he is for now. Zemo says to let the plan begin then.
Days later back in New York, Zemo, Enchantress, and Executioner attempt a payroll robbery. One of the men in the building says to push the hot-line alarm button to Avengers headquarters. Minutes later, the Avengers arrive. Captain America says, “It’s Zemo… at last!” Thor says that it seems odd, but that it almost seems like Zemo and the others were expecting them. The fighting goes back and forth until Wonder Man bursts onto the scene. Wonder Man tells Iron Man to leave the Executioner to him as he has a debt to pay him. Wonder Man punches out Executioner. Wonder Man then reaches out and grabs Zemo’s gun crushing it. He quickly turns his attention to Enchantress. He spins her around to prevent her from casting any spells. Zemo thinks to himself that Wonder Man played his part perfectly. Zemo throws down a fog bomb and he and the others escape. As they rocket away, they tell Zemo that it all worked exactly as he predicted. Zemo says that nothing can save the Avengers now.
After the smoke clears, Captain America tells Wonder Man that they appreciate his help, but asks who he is. Wonder Man introduces himself and says that he has been hoping to find and join them. He says that he is from South America. A man from the building says that their entire payroll was saved, and that he doesn’t know how to thank them. Thor says that it seems that they already have their thanks in the form of a new Avenger.
Across town, Zemo is gloating over his victory. He says that it is almost too easy. Executioner says that it will not be a victory until he defeats Thor with his own two hands. Zemo watches everything that is happening with Wonder Man through a telescreen hidden within the circuitry on Wonder Man’s costume.
Captain America asks Wonder Man what he was doing in South America. Wonder Man says that it is a long story, but Giant-Man says that they have the time. Wonder Man says that he was vacationing there when the sinister Baron Zemo captured him. He says that Zemo forced him to be the subject of some experiments, but that he finally escaped him. Cap says that this doesn’t ring true. He says that Zemo has the skills to alter a man’s strength, but that he is also smart enough to prevent him from escaping. Cap says that he thinks that this is a trap planned by Zemo himself.
Zemo shouts at the screen and says that Captain America is too suspicious and that this will ruin everything. Enchantress says that she can fix this. Enchantress creates a spell while chanting over and over, “He is dying… you must save him…”
Suddenly Cap says, “So that’s why you sought us! You’re dying from a rare disease… and you thought we might find a cure!” Wonder Man says, “Yes… sure! That’s right!” Cap says that after the way he helped them that they will be happy to help him. All the Avengers agree.
Later, Jan says that she knows better than to think that Hank will take him to dinner, but tells him to say goodbye at least. Hank says goodbye, but wonders if Wonder Man’s condition might be cure with biochemistry. Tony Stark is working on a transistor chest device and says that if it can help his heart that maybe it could aid Wonder Man as well. Donald Blake tells Jane Foster that Thor asked him to look at these x-rays. Blake says that he can see that some of the cells are already deteriorating. Jane asks if an operation wouldn’t help him. Blake says that it appears helpless. Even the Teen Brigade helps out by gathering medical books for the Avengers.
Iron Man tells Wonder Man that they are doing all they can, and that he just hopes that they can find a cure in time. Wonder Man thinks to himself that Iron Man is the one running out of time.
A few days later in South America, Wonder Man comes back to report to Zemo. He says that so far they don’t suspect anything. Wonder Man asks when Zemo is going to give him that antidote he promised. Zemo says that he will have it after the Avengers are destroyed. Zemo tells Wonder Man to contact the Avengers now and tell them what he is supposed to.
Iron Man gets Wonder Man’s message. Wonder Man tells them that both he and the Wasp have been captured by Zemo. He says that he managed to get to the radio and will send out the location. Iron Man says that Zemo has gone too far this time.
The next day, Iron Man leaps out of a jet towards the Amazon jungle. He thinks to himself that he couldn’t wait for the others, and that they will follow when they see his note.
Wonder Man says that he didn’t like bringing Wasp there and asks why the female must be held captive. Zemo says that he doesn’t care what Wonder Man wants. He says that she is bait to make sure that the others come.
In a nearby cell, Wasp is shackled. She says that she never suspected that Wonder Man was a spy. She thinks how they all trusted him and that he betrayed them. She says that she is helpless and that even her sting has been taken from her.
Thor flies toward South America. He says that Captain America and Giant-Man have already left by chartered plane, but that he can make better time if he flies there under his own power.
Iron Man is the first to arrive. Executioner says that he will attend to Iron Man with his bare hands. Zemo says that Executioner need not bother. Iron Man is pulled right out of the air and captured by a gigantic magnet. Zemo says that he knew that he would show up so he had the magnet brought there. Before they can go take advantage of Iron Man’s vulnerable state, Captain America’s shield go spinning over Zemo’s head. Cap leaps in and kicks Executioner in the face. Thor arrives and says that it is time for them to “dispose of these villains once and for all!” Thor sees Wonder Man and says that it is good to see that Wonder Man has freed himself. Suddenly Wonder Man punches Thor in the face. Thor is caught off guard. He drops his hammer and falls down a pit that was specially prepared for him. Wonder Man puts a giant rock over the top of the pit. Wonder Man says that now they know that he is their enemy. He says that he prefers it this way, and that trickery does not sit well with him. Giant-Man grabs Wonder Man’s arm and demands that the traitor tell him where Wasp is. With unbelievable speed, Wonder Man holds onto Giant-Man’s wrist and swings a kick up into Giant-Man’s stomach. Giant-Man gets up off the ground and throws a large boulder like a baseball. Wonder Man swats it out of the air and causes it to ricochet until it strikes Giant-Man in the head. Wonder Man says that Giant-Man’s powers are impressive, but that he was created to be their master. Giant-Man struggles and throws the boulder again. He hits the magnet and frees Iron man. Iron Man tells Giant-Man that he will try to make sure that he gets his money’s worth. Battling with Executioner, Captain America is stun gunned from behind. Iron Man tries to dive bomb Wonder Man, but he misses and lands right in front of Wonder Man. Iron Man says that Wonder Man won’t be causing any more trouble if he can help it. Wonder Man says that Iron Man can’t help it. Wonder Man grabs Iron Man’s feet and smashes him into a rocky wall. Iron Man uses his legs and flips Wonder Man over him. Iron Man says that he thinks that he can take Wonder Man, but he wonders what has happened to the others. He spots the boulder covering the pit and sees Thor’s hammer on the ground next to it. Iron Man says that Thor can lift that rock and free himself.
Wonder Man says that even his speed is no match for Iron Man’s boot jets. He wonders how anyone can beat the Avengers. He says that they never surrender and that the more they are battered the harder they fight. Wonder Man says that he has to fight on as well because only by defeating them can he get the serum he needs from Baron Zemo. Iron Man falls a little far back from Wonder Man’s punch. Iron Man figures that Thor would have freed himself by now if he could. He figures that he must be in trouble, but finds that he isn’t strong enough to move the boulder. Iron Man is about to use emergency intensity, but before he can make the adjustments Enchantress uses a spell to cause him to fall asleep. Executioner throws Iron Man on the ground and says that they won. Wonder Man tells Executioner not to gloat, and that they needed trickery and deceit to do it. Zemo says that they will not be victorious while the Avengers still live. He says to get them together so they can finish them off. Wonder Man asks why Zemo must kill them. He says to just keep them as his captives. Zemo says that no one questions him. Zemo says that unless he gives Wonder Man the serum that he will be dead in hours.
Wonder Man thinks to himself that he has no choice if he wants to live, but he thinks about how the Avengers tried to help him and treated him with respect like an equal. Wonder Man thinks that this is how he has repaid them. He wonders if life is so precious that he would pay such a price for it. Before Zemo can press the button on his ray machine, Wonder Man throws a giant rock through it breaking it. Zemo asks who dares. Wonder Man says that he dares, and that the Avengers will not die. Zemo says to get Wonder Man. Wonder Man is trying to free Thor. Executioner leaps into Wonder Man, but not before Wonder Man moves the rock. Donald Blake’s arm reaches out and grabs the hammer. Thor hurls his hammer by Executioner’s face.
Enchantress says that Thor is free, and that Giant-Man has woken up and untied the Wasp. Wonder Man is lost to them, and that Captain America is waking up. She says that they have to get out of there. Cap tells the Avengers to rush to his side and that they must not escape again. Enchantress creates an enchanted mist, but says that it will not last long. Zemo says that if it were not for Wonder Man that he would have destroyed them all. Enchantress asks where the Executioner is. Zemo says that he is using the secret passage. He tells Enchantress that he wants the Avengers to follow them because they can still defeat them. Zemo says that the ten-second switch will blow up the tunnel after them.
Captain America says that they can have the others, but that Zemo is his. Thor says that Cap has earned that right. They are about to enter the cave when Giant-Man pulls them back. The tunnel explodes. Iron Man asks how he knew. Giant-Man says that he had the Wasp fly in ahead and watch Zemo pull the lever. Cap says that Zemo escaped again. Iron Man says that they will get him and that it is only a matter of time. Iron Man lifts Wonder Man’s head. He says that Wonder Man sacrificed himself for them and asks why. Wonder Man says that every man dreams of doing one noble thing and that now he can die knowing that he didn’t live in vain. Iron Man asks, “Die?” but Wasp says that Wonder Man could only live with the antidote that Zemo was supposed to give him. Iron Man says that Wonder Man was a strange mixture of good and evil. He says that only if they had more time. Giant-Man asks if they can’t save him with all their power. Cap says that sometimes even power isn’t enough.
Avengers Files rating: 9 out of 10
Great story and excellent art in this issue. Baron Zemo really was an evil genius. He created a “new breed of man”. Wonder Man is a very interesting character. Like Iron Man said he was a strange mixture of good and evil. The animosity between Cap and Zemo is fairly intense. Zemo is really ready to kill Cap and the others, and Cap seems to be ready to do the same. It’s a little too intense as it causes Cap to start hallucinating. Don Heck does an excellent job with the pencilling in this issue. It tells a great story and has a good look.