Avengers #21Avengers #21
Title: "The Bitter Taste of Defeat!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Don Heck
Inker: Wally Wood
Hawkeye changes a fuse and says that one little fuse goes out and “a zillion electronic gizmos go on the blink”. Captain America happens along and asks Hawkeye what he is doing. Hawkeye says that he is just fixing a fuse. Cap says that Hawkeye knows the rules. He says that this equipment is almost priceless, and that nobody but Tony Stark is supposed to touch it. Hawkeye tells him to knock it off and that anyone can replace a fuse. He asks if they are supposed to whistle for Stark every time something goes wrong. Cap says that is exactly what they are supposed to do. Cap says that this equipment is his, and that he just lends it to them the way he lends them his house. Cap says that if they didn’t have this house that Hawkeye would probably have to live in a tent. Hawkeye says that would suit him fine since there wouldn’t be room for Cap to be snooping around. Cap says that Hawkeye has been riding him ever since he joined and that he let it go because he just chalked it up to Hawkeye’s swelled head and big mouth, but now he is starting to bug him. Cap starts to warn Hawkeye, but Hawkeye cuts him off and pulls his bow and arrow on Captain America. He says that he has been itching for a chance to change the parting of Cap’s hair. Cap says that he guesses that it is time to teach Hawkeye that his “Junior Robin Hood kit” doesn’t give him the right to throw his weight around. Quicksilver grabs Hawkeye’s hand and tells him not to do it. He says that Captain America has humbled better men than Hawkeye. Hawkeye says that there aren’t any better than him. Quicksilver tells Steve Rogers to simmer down, and that as their leader that he is supposed to display more self-control than they do. Steve says that he guesses that Quicksilver is right. He says that there is nothing to be gained by fighting Hawkeye. Hawkeye says that the only thing he would gain is a fat lip. Scarlet Witch says that Hawkeye should be honest and admit that his attitude towards Captain America is because of sheer jealousy, and that he wishes he were the leader of the Avengers. Hawkeye says that is no secret. He says that he would do a better job than “Methuselah” with his eyes closed. Scarlet Witch says that if they ever do make a new leader that her vote would go to her brother. She says that his power is greater, and that he isn’t as hot-tempered as Hawkeye. Hawkeye says, “Well goody for him! What would he do without you to speak up for him… sit in the corner and cry?” Scarlet Witch says that he doesn’t have Captain America’s restraint and hits Hawkeye with a hex power. Hawkeye is knocked to the ground. Captain America puts his hand on Wanda’s shoulder and says that he told her to curb her hexes. He says that she might have hurt Hawkeye and that they need to be at full strength. Wanda looks at Cap’s hand and thinks to herself, “His touch! So strong… and yet, so gentle…” Quicksilver tells Rogers to watch how he talks to his sister. Wanda tells him not to concern himself. Cap says that they should all turn in. He says that these days of inaction have made them all edgy and tense. Hawkeye says that a guy Cap’s age needs all the sleep that he can get.
In a remote area of the Amazon jungle, one of Baron Zemo’s former guard walks towards Zemo’s old hideout. He is walking with a makeshift crutch. He says that ever since Zemo was killed he has remained here in the jungle not daring to leave as all the other soldiers of fortune have done. He wonders how much longer he can remain before his ammunition runs out and he is left helpless with an injured leg. He says that the only thing that can help him is buried beneath this rubble. He says that he has been digging for months and that he has finally gotten through to it. He unlatches the door and minutes later he is inside the laboratory where Zemo, Enchantress, and Executioner created the man called Wonder Man. He says that he still remembers how it happened as though it were yesterday. He says that it was like something out of a science fiction movie. He says that he was convinced that it wouldn’t work, but that he was wrong. He says that all the equipment that created that miracle is here, but that he is not a scientist. He wonders if he should dare trying to use the machine on himself.
In a far off land Enchantress has been watching the situation unfold. She says that this is the chance that she has been waiting for. As Enchantress travels there she says that of all those who fought the Avengers that Wonder Man came to closest to defeating them. She says that fate is offering her a second chance.
Enchantress appears before the soldier and
tells him to put down his “crude Earth weapon” because
it will not effect her. The soldier says that she just appeared
out of nowhere. She says that it just appears that way to one not
versed in the art of sorcery. Enchantress says that she is there
to offer him an opportunity. She says that she knows of the power
that he desires and that she has come to offer it to him. He asks
if she will work Zemo’s machine for him, and says that from
this day forward he believes in Santa Claus. And so once again
the experiment begins. Enchantress says that Wonder Man might
have destroyed the Avengers had he not betrayed them at the last
minute. She says that he will not betray them though because he
loves life too much to willingly give it up. Enchantress tells
him to rise because the process has been completed. He says that
he can feel the strength coursing through him, and that his leg
is healed. Enchantress says that he will find a suitable costume
next door. He asks why he needs a costume. She says that he has
become a living symbol of the Masters of Evil and so he must be
suitably garbed. He says that if she asks him this is real
cornball, but that he will put it on if it will make her happy. 
After he puts
the costume on, Enchantress says that now he needs a name. He
says that his name is Erik Josten. Enchantress says that Erik
Josten isn’t exactly a name that will strike terror in the
hearts of the Avengers. She says that he needs a name worthy of
his new power. Erik says that as long as it isn’t anything
as childish as ‘Wonder Man’. Enchantress says that he
will be known as Power Man. Erik says that it is “corny as
all get-out”, but that he doesn’t care because he has
nothing to fear now. Enchantress says that for months she has
allied herself with the Executioner, but that he was a fool. She
says that Power Man has wits as well as strength, and that they
will accomplish much together. Power Man says that she can say
that again. Enchantress asks him if he hates the Avengers as much
as she does. Power Man says that when she looks at him like that
that he would hate himself if she told him to. Enchantress tells
Power Man to listen to her plan.
The Avengers get a distress call from the Teen Brigade. They say that a monster is attacking Sutton Place. They figure that they must be putting them on, but Cap says that they can’t take the chance to ignore it. Minutes later, the Avengers do find a monster at Sutton Place. Captain America tells Hawkeye to slow down, and that they should try and figure out what the monster is before they attack it. Hawkeye says that Cap must be kidding and that the thing is charging right at them. Cap wonders why the police haven’t shown up yet. He says that there is something odd about this. Hawkeye says that there is a thirty-foot monster in the middle of the city, and that Cap thinks that there is something odd about it. Hawkeye says that Cap must have taken a double dose of his ‘square pills’ today. Hawkeye fires a blast arrow that passes right through the monster and destroys a car behind it. Hawkeye asks how that happened. Cap says, “Like I said, big mouth… it’s somewhat odd!” Scarlet Witch says that Hawkeye might have missed him, but that her hex won’t. Hawkeye says that he didn’t miss, but that it passed right through. Cap says that he wonders. Scarlet Witch’s hex hits a deserted tenement and causes tons of brick to fall over on the monster. She says that despite the fact that Cap is still glum that she thinks they made a good accounting of themselves. Cap says that if his suspicions are true that they haven’t stopped anything. Hawkeye says that cap just doesn’t like it when anyone else is the hero. Wanda says that may be, but that he is right. The monster emerges from the rubble. Cap tells them to stay back, and that he wants to prove something. Hawkeye says that they already know that he will do anything to hog the spotlight. Cap says that with a partner like Hawkeye that a guy doesn’t need any enemies. Cap throws his shield right through the monster. The police finally arrive on the scene. Wanda says that not only did Cap’s shield go through the monster, but that now the monster is gone. The police ask the Avengers if they are trying to wreck the city. Cap says that they were trying to stop the thirty-foot monster. He asks where they have been. The cop asks what thirty-foot monster Cap is talking about. He says that the only reason they came out was because of the complaints that they got that the Avengers were tearing the city apart. Cap says that he must be kidding, but the cop tells them to look at all the damage around them. Cap asks if any of those complaints mentioned why they were fighting. The cop says that the first mention he heard of a monster was from Cap. He asks why no one else saw it. Cap says that he intends to find out.
Watching from a window high above the scene is Power Man and the Enchantress. Power Man says that Enchantress is pretty clever, and that anyone would have thought that her spell was real. She says that is why she is the Enchantress. Power Man asks when he is going to get some action. He says that he is too powerful to just be a bystander. Enchantress says that his time will come, but that it is now time for her next enchantment.
The next day, Quicksilver intercepts a radio call that indicates that someone is tampering with the subway tracks, and that they are going to make it look like the Avengers were responsible. Captain America says that it is time for Quicksilver’s speed.
Quicksilver races along because Cap wanted him to check and make sure that the message wasn’t a hoax. Quicksilver wonders how it could be a hoax since it would take a magician to know when he would be picking up the radio receiver and what frequency he would be tuning into. Quicksilver spots the damaged track and wonders how it got so mangled. He says that there is no heavy equipment around, and that nothing short of a bulldozer could have bent the bars like that. Power Man is hiding in the shadows. He thinks to himself that the Enchantress’ spell could have bent up the tracks. Power Man leaps from the shadows and knocks Quicksilver unconscious with one hit. Power Man says that this is like using an elephant gun to swat a flea. Enchantress compliments Power Man and says that they have to go hide and wait for the other Avengers to show up. Power Man says that he still thinks that this is a waste of time and that he could beat them all hand to hand. Enchantress says that there will be plenty of time for that later, but that her way is much more subtle.
Seconds later, Captain America, Hawkeye, and Scarlet Witch arrive on the scene. Wanda asks how they got there so soon. Hawkeye says that one minute they were setting out to follow Quicksilver and the next minute they are there. He says that it is almost like someone cast a spell on them. Captain America spots Quicksilver laying unconscious on the tracks and see that a train is coming at him. Hawkeye says that he could stop the train with a blast arrow, but that it would hurt the innocent people on the train. Wanda tells Hawkeye to use his blast arrow. She says that she can see into the first car and that there is no one on it. She says that there isn’t even a motor man and that the train must be a runaway. Hawkeye fires his arrow and blasts the train off the tracks. Scarlet Witch says that Hawkeye saved her brother. Hawkeye says, “That was the idea, wasn’t it?”
Seconds later, Captain America is asking Quicksilver who knocked him out. Quicksilver says that he didn’t see because he was attacked from behind. Quicksilver starts to say that if Cap hadn’t gotten there when he did, but Hawkeye says that Cap was just polishing his shield while he stopped the train. A policeman says that no matter which one of them did it that they are all going to be held responsible. Hawkeye says that they saved a guy’s life. The police ask what Quicksilver was doing there in the first place. Wanda says that he was investigating a plot. The cop says that they are going to have to do better than that. Cap says that they can’t think that they destroyed the train just for kicks.
Off in the distance, Power Man says that it was quick thinking to make the train empty, and that they never would have wrecked the train if people were on it. Enchantress says that it is a simple matter to make a deserted train move when she wants it to. She says that she is savoring this victory. Power Man says that he is getting tired of waiting. She says that he will not have to wait much longer.
Later the Avengers are sitting around. Hawkeye says that someone is playing them for fools and says that he thought that Captain America had a hunch. Cap says that it is only a hunch and that he has no proof yet. Quicksilver says that it is lucky for them that Tony Stark paid for the train. Wanda says that this is terrible and that the press is calling them a menace and saying that they should be arrested. She says that the public is beginning to think of them as irresponsible troublemakers. Steve Rogers says that this is all part of a plan to discredit them. Hawkeye says that any six-year-old could have figured that out. Steve tells Hawkeye that he has had his fill of him. Hawkeye says that goes double for him, and that as a leader Cap is a joke. Cap says, “You arrogant, thick-headed arrow-slinger… if you weren’t a fellow Avenger, I’d mop up the place with you! Now get lost, before I make you eat those words!” Hawkeye says that he is going, but that it is only because he doesn’t want to hurt a guy that is twice his age. As Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Wanda walk out, Wanda says that Hawkeye is too cruel. She says that Captain America doesn’t deserve that kind of treatment from any of them. Hawkeye thinks to himself that Wanda is right, but that he isn’t going to admit it.
The next day, Power Man and Enchantress are
at a predetermined spot on the outskirts of Westchester.
Enchantress spots the car she planned for and tells Power Man to
stop it by any means possible. Power Man says that it is about
time he got to something with his strength. Power Man picks up a
boulder and throws it into the engine of the car. Before the
uniformed men in the car can make a move. Power Man punches one
of them. He says that their uniforms cannot fool him. Captain
America flies to the spot, but says that something is drawing him
there. Enchantress watches him coming and says that he has no
idea that it is her spell that draws him there. Cap looks down
and sees a costumed man that has knocked out two uniformed men
and is taking their papers. Cap quickly lands and runs at Power
Man. People start to come out to see what is happening. Cap grabs
Power Man from behind. Power Man flips Cap off of him with a
fraction of his strength. 
Cap throws his
shield at Power Man, but Enchantress’ spell is slowing
Cap’s reflexes down just enough to let Power Man duck. The
shield comes back to Cap, but because of the spell he misses
catching it. Cap says that it seems that his reflexes are off. He
reaches down for his shield, but Power Man punches him in the
face. Power Man is astounded by Cap’s physical shape and
punches him again but can’t keep him down. Cap tries to
swing back at Power Man, but Power Man dodges his punch. Power
Man says that he is stronger, heavier, and that everything is in
his favor. He asks why Cap doesn’t stay down. Power Man
nails Cap in the face again and finally knocks him out. Power Man
says that he can’t wait until Cap wakes up and learns that
he is the villain in this plot. The people that the thieves, who
were disguised as guards, robbed said that they would have gotten
away with all of their vital papers if it hadn’t been for
him. Another asks why Captain America was trying to stop him, and
wonders if it really is true that the Avengers have gone berserk.
The next morning, Hawkeye is reading the newspaper recounting Cap’s defeat as Power Man’s hands. Hawkeye asks if the bad guys are paying Cap to make them look bad. Cap says that it was set up to make it look like Power Man was robbing those men, and that he fell for it. Hawkeye asks how they ever won the war with Cap on their side. Cap tells Hawkeye to shut up and listen. He says that at least they know that it is Power Man that is trying to make them look bad. Hawkeye says that he thought that it was Snow White. Cap warns Hawkeye and tells him not to push him too far. Wanda calls Cap and says that the mayor wants some explanation for Cap’s actions yesterday.
That night, Enchantress and Power Man watch through the window of a rented mansion. They see Hawkeye coming up. Enchantress says that the others will be along later. Hawkeye thinks that this is where the papers said that Power Man was staying. Hawkeye says that no one beats up a fellow Avenger without answering to him… even if it was only Captain America. Hawkeye kicks the door in. Hawkeye walks in and says that he would like to know how Power Man beat Cap, and that even he wouldn’t fight Cap unless his insurance was paid up. Hawkeye says that it is pitch black in there. Power Man comes up behind Hawkeye and grabs the quill of arrows off his back. Hawkeye watches as Power Man crushes them all in his bare hands. Hawkeye reveals that he was still holding one of the arrows in his hands and aims at Power Man. Power Man says that he was hoping that he would try something like that, and that he didn’t want this to be too easy for him.
Wanda and Pietro are leaving a show of “Dolly”. Wanda asks Pietro is Carol Channing wasn’t fabulous. He says that she was great, but he is thinking that he can’t let Cap’s defeat go unavenged, and that he has to go visit Power Man. Pietro says that he has an errand to go run. Wanda tells him to go ahead, but thinks to herself that will give her a chance to investigate Power Man. Quicksilver rushes off. He thinks to himself that even though they are supposed to fight as a team that he has an urge to confront Power Man himself.
Hawkeye tells Power Man to start talking and asks how he knew that the uniformed men were really crooks unless he was in on it. Power Man says that is a very good question, but that Hawkeye will not be conscious for his answer because he is going to show him what he thinks of his puny bow and arrow. Power Man whips a table at Hawkeye, and then tackles him. Power Man grabs Hawkeye in a bearhug and says that with his power that this is like an adult fighting a kindergarten kid. He says that the “mighty Avengers” are a joke, and that when he finishes with them that they will be ashamed to show their faces in public. Power Man drops Hawkeye to the ground unconscious. Enchantress tells Power Man not to get too confident because if her spell had not slowed him down that he might have used his bow and arrow. She says that another is coming. Quicksilver sees Power Man’s shadow as he waits in ambush behind a tree. Power Man swings but Quicksilver dodges it. Enchantress says that a punch is only effective if it connects. Power Man says not to lecture him, and that with his power he can do anything, Power Man plunges his hand into the road. Quicksilver starts to wrap Power Man up with his nylon cord, but Power Man pulls out a water pipe and blows Quicksilver into the air on a blast of water. Quicksilver hits the ground with a thud. Power Man says that it is too bad that Enchantress didn’t have him when she fought the original Avengers. He says that things would have been a lot different. Enchantress tells him that they had Wonder Man who was every bit his equal and that they still triumphed. Power Man says that is just because Wonder Man double-crossed them. He says that he is sticking and that no one is going to beat them.
Minutes later, Scarlet Witch is sneaking around. She is stopped by the police. The police say that they were called by Power Man because of trespassers. He says that they have already arrested Hawkeye and Quicksilver. He says that even Avengers can’t invade private property. Enchantress watches the police drag the Avengers away. Enchantress says that they will all get out on bail, but that they will never live down the disgrace.
Hours later, the City Council unanimously agrees that the Avengers have to be taught that they can’t take the law into their own hands. They decide to announce the Avengers are a public menace and issue a court order forcing them to disband.
Quicksilver says that they have no choice but to disband. Hawkeye says that it didn’t take long for Cap to lead the Avengers to complete disaster. Wanda tells Hawkeye to stop it, and that this isn’t the time. Cap says that he deserves it. He says that when he took command of the Avengers they were at the height of their power, and now look what he has done. Hawkeye says, “Still tryin’ to hog all the credit, huh? Well, it won’t work! We’re all to blame! Maybe we just weren’t cut out to be… Avengers!”
Avengers Files rating: 8 out of 10
It’s a good story, and I’m a big fan of the old style of writing, but this one goes on even too long for me. I love the creation of Power Man. I love the recreation of an ionic being (though a little annoyed that Stan said that Hawkeye’s arrow was going to hurt Power Man) with no conscience. Though he really wasn’t created with it in mind, Power Man/Smuggler/Goliath/Atlas/Erik Josten is the perfect dark reflection of Wonder Man. Don Heck does a good job with the storytelling, but Power Man is right and that there should be more action in the book.