Avengers #222Avengers #222
Title: “A Gathering of Evil!”
Plotter: Jim Shooter
Scripter: Steven Grant
Penciller: Greg LaRocque
Inker: Brett Breeding
Colors: Christie Scheele
Editor: Mark Gruenwald
Outisde Avengers Mansion, She-Hulk is trying
to repair the damage done to her electrical system caused by
Hawkeye’s arrow. She wonders why they make electrical
systems so complicated. She-Hulk gets shocked from the wires she
is holding and loses her temper. She slams down into the hood and
then starts folding the car up. She says that she isn’t
going to be made a fool of by anything. After crushing the car up
into a cube she hoists the car over her shoulder and smashes it
into a small cyllindical trash can on the street. 
She-Hulk says
that her only regret is that Hawkeye isn’t here so she could
do the same to him. Wasp gets out of her car and tells She-Hulk
that sort of public display is bad for their image. Jan thanks
her driver Carrothers for opening the door and says that she is
glad She-Hulk got rid of that car because it clashed with
She-Hulk’s skin. She-Hulk asks who made Jan an expert. Jan
says that she is a fashion designer by profession, and that when
She-Hulk is done out there that she should come in and try on the
new wardrobe that she designed for her. Wasp says that she wants
to show She-Hulk off to the boys when they arrive. As Wasp walks
inside She-Hulk says that she hates to admit it, but that it
might be fun.
At Stark International on Long Island, Tony Stark is meeting with Brenners. Brenners says that when he called the main office that he didn’t expect that they would send the big boss over. Stark says that when his employees are having trouble that he wants to hear about it. He asks what the problem is. Brenners says that his son has become ill at school and his wife asked him to go get him, but that he is in the middle of putting a complicated program into the computer. Stark says that his son is more important than a computer program. He tells Brenner to take the rest of the day off with pay. Stark says that he will get Scott Lang to finish his work for him. Stark calls Scott Lang over. Scott asks Stark if Iron Man has told Stark anything about what is happening with Henry Pym. Stark says that nothing has happened since he went to jail. Stark asks Lang if he knows him. Lang says that they met once, but thinks to himself that it was when Pym gave him the costume that enables him to become Ant-Man. Lang asks why the Avengers don’t help him. Stark says that there isn’t a lot they can do until he comes to trial. Stark says that Pym is tough and that he will manage. As Lang leaves he thinks to himself that he was a convict once himself and that it is no picnic. Stark thinks to himself that he isn’t worried about Hank as much as he is about Jan. He says that Jan has always leaned on Hank and that she has been through so much since they separated. Stark gets into his armor and says that she seems adjusted for now but wonders what lies ahead. He flies off and says that maybe this week’s meeting will give him a chance to find out.
At his Brooklyn Heights apartment, Steve Rogers is asleep on his drawing board. His alarm goes off to get ready for the meeting and says that it seems like he just got to sleep. He says that these overnight commercial art jobs will be the death of him. He says that after dealing with ad executives and art editors that it is a real relief to become Captain America for a while, and that a good workout in the Avengers gymnasium will get the knots out of his shoulder. After getting dressed he gets on his motorcycle and takes off. He says that he just hopes that they don’t waste too much time trying to stop She-Hulk and Hawkeye from tearing each other apart.
In Chicago, Illinois, Donald Blake is looking out his window. He says that the Midwest is nice, but wonders if he made the right choice moving there. He wonders if he hasn’t made a life for Don Blake apart from Thor’s yet why he thinks that he can do it in Chicago. He says that seeing his friends in the Avengers only make him realize how much he misses them, but that he shouldn’t miss a weekly meeting. He says that Don Blake can’t cross 1000 miles in fifteen minutes, but that it is a simple task for Thor. He bangs his cane and transforms.
At Cross Technology Enterprises, one of the workers asks how Hawkeye rates this way. He says that the board of directors never let anyone else set his own workshift. Hawkeye says that he has proven his worth as security chief. He says goodbye. A train ride later, Hawkeye is at his plush Central Park west apartment. Hawkeye looks around and sees that there is no food in his house. He wonders where the 1200 dollars a week goes. Hawkeye thinks that maybe he can scarf a meal at the Avengers mansion. He says that he had better get a move on. Hawkeye shoots an arrow at his favorite flagpole and slides down the rope attached to the end of the arrow. Hawkeye lands in front of a cab. The cabbie asks if he is some kind of nut, but Hawkeye just asks if he wants a star to ride in his cab or not.
At Avengers mansion, She-Hulk says that she
feels funny about this. Wasp tells her not to and that the outfit
is “her”. Wasp says that she calls the outfit the
Arabian Night. She says that it is a combination of strength and
sensitivity to highlight She-Hulk’s true nature. She-Hulk
asks if Wasp doesn’t think that it is a little unusual. Wasp
says that She-Hulk is an unusual woman and that her clothes
should say that. Wasp says that this is a complete image of her
that will drive men wild. She-Hulk asks if Wasp has anything that
will drive that “jerk Hawkeye one way to oblivion”.
Wasp says that Hawkeye is okay, but she says that she bets that
if she tries being nice to him that he wouldn’t know how to
react. She-Hulk says that she doesn’t know. Iron Man walks
in. He sees She-Hulk and says that she looks gorgeous. She-Hulk
says thanks. He says that he sees Wasp’s hand in this. Wasp
tells Iron Man to keep the flattery coming. She says to wait and
see the “fighting togs” she designed for her. Cap and
Thor enter and both are impressed with She-Hulk’s new
outfit. Hawkeye walks in and apologizes for being late. He says
that it was so nice out that he thought he would walk through the
park. He thinks to himself that the “lousy cabbie”
wouldn’t give him a free ride. Hawkeye starts laughing when
he sees She-Hulk. He says that is trying to make a silk purse
from a sow’s ear. 
Iron Man tells
them to knock it off, but She-Hulk says that he has been riding
her since they met. She lifts him into the air and Hawkeye asks
if she is going to beat him up. He says that he has faced worse
than her. She-Hulk asks him when was the last time he faced this.
She kisses him and then drops him on the floor. Everyone starts
walking away laughing, but Hawkeye says that was no fair and that
he wants a rematch. Iron Man says that Hawkeye sure is a ladies
man.
In a secret laboratory in Manhattan, Egghead says that all he ever wanted to do was to rule the world. He asks if that is too much to ask. He says that he is 52 years old and that he doesn’t have many years left. Egghead says that Pym may have blown his last chance. Egghead says that if only he could get some hands on some adamantium that he could build some robots to help him take over. Egghead says that he wishes that he had a plan, but he thought that last one was going to work. Egghead’s maid Anna asks him why he doesn’t just buy the world. She says that he could make a lot of money and buy the world. Egghead says that work is disgusting. Anna says that he could invent something that everyone wants like the cure for baldness or eternal youth. Anna sits on Egghead’s lap. Egghead starts to say that is silly, but he suddenly gets an idea. Egghead stands up and drops Anna to the ground. He says that he could use cell rejuvenation to make eternal youth. He says that people would give him anything. Egghead says that he will need lackeys to get things for him. Anna asks if it couldn’t wait until morning, but Egghead just tells her to get out because he is busy. Egghead says that he knows just where to get lackeys.
Moments later a signal goes out from Egghead’s lab to a robot spy capsule in the ocean above the undersea city of Atlantis. The signal is then relayed to an unwilling denizen of Atlantis. Seconds later, a guided missile is fired. The missile swerves and destroys the prison of Tiger Shark. Everyone but Tiger Shark is knocked unconscious.
At Ryker’s Island, Pym is thinking to himself that he shouldn’t be there. He says that Egghead committed the crime that he is accused of and that he made sure that he couldn’t prove it. He wonders why no one believes him. Pym says that it all went wrong with Jan, and that if he could win her back that he knows everything would work out. A guard tells Pym that it is “chow time”. He tells Pym that his son used to idolize him, but that he should look at himself now. In line for food, Hank wonders how many people he let down. Sitting at his table a voice tells him to snap out of it. Pym recognizes Dave Cannon, or as he is also known Whirlwind. Whirlwind says that Pym has really come down in the world. He says that he read that he and his dear wife split up. Whirlwind says that he guesses that he’ll finally get his chance with her. He says that he just got word that he is getting out of there today, and that the first thing he is going to do is go look Jan up. Hank yells at him to shut up. Whirlwind says that Pym sure is touchy. He says that with Pym locked up for ten or twenty years that Jan is going to need some tender loving care. He says that when Hank gets out that maybe they will hire him to be their chauffeur just like he used to be. Hank jumps the table and smashes Whirlwind in the face with his tray. Pym starts punching Cannon. Cannon says that Pym is a big hero hitting a guy that can’t fight back. The guards start dragging Pym away. They tell him that they warned him about giving them trouble and that maybe a month in solitary will wipe the mean streak out of him. Pym shouts that he needs to talk to his wife. Whirlwind thinks to himself that Pym is farther gone than he thought. He says that he probably won’t even know what hit him when they lock him up for good. Moments after Pym is dragged away the wall is smashed apart. Tiger Shark stands among the wreckage of the wall and says that he has some packages to collect and asks if anyone wants to argue about it. The guard says that the wall was supposed to be impregnable. He tells “special weapons” to fire on the double. Tiger Shark picks up a table and blocks all the shot the guards take. He says that he is a busy man and doesn’t have time to argue with them. Tiger Shark throws the table at the guards. The guards are all knocked out. Tiger Shark says that he wants Whirlwind and Scorpion and that he doesn’t care what the rest of them do. Whirlwind says that he doesn’t know why “Sharky” is doing them any favors, but he’ll do anything to get out of the joint. Tiger Shark says to let those fools run interference with the guards for them. Scorpion asks “Sharky” who it is that is breaking them out of prison and why. Tiger Shark says that Scorpion’s guess is as good as his, but that if he calls him Sharky one more time that he will tear his lungs out. Whirlwind says that they are going in the wrong way to get out. Tiger Shark says that his orders were to free someone from the “dame’s ward”. Tiger Shark asks one woman if she is Karla Sofen. The woman says that she is called Moonstone now. She says that before she goes with them that she wants to know what their boss is paying. Tiger Shark rips the bars out of the wall. He says that if she wants to live that she will come and that negotiations are over.
Outside the prison they get into a remote control boat that takes them away. The boat drops them off at a house in Long Island Sound. After waiting for a while Tiger Shark asks if this is a joke. He says that he hates suburbia, and that he is sick of waiting and wants some action. Whirlwind says, “Aw, put a sock in it, fishbait!” Tiger Shark swats Whirlwind across his helmet and tells him to watch his mouth. Egghead enters the room and tells them to stop their petty squabbling. He says that fighting among themselves will not further his plans. Moonstone recognizes Egghead, but Tiger Shark asks what an “Egghead” is. Egghead says that he is perhaps the world’s greatest genius. Egghead says that he may be able to cure Tiger Shark’s “repugnant amphibious condition”, and that if they follow him without question that they will share in his forthcoming power and wealth. He says that in addition to serving as his bodyguards that they will perform tasks for them. He says their first task will be tonight when they loot a Manhattan research center for files and supplies. He says that if they cross him that they will never be heard from again. He makes Moonstone his deputy leader. Moonstone asks why her. Egghead says that it is because she is “such a well-trained follower”. Whirlwind thinks to himself that since the job isn’t until tonight that he has some unfinished business to take care of.
At Avengers mansion, the meeting has just wrapped up. Outside Carruthers waits outside singing to himself. Whirlwind waits in the bushes. Inside, She-Hulk and Jan are sitting having tea. She asks the boys if they are going to stick around. Iron Man says that he has a job to get back to. Hawkeye says that he has to get home, and that he will see them all at the next meeting. She-Hulk says that she hasn’t had a place to call home since she left Los Angles. Wasp says that an apartment will open for She-Hulk soon. She says that Tony Stark doesn’t charge for rooming in the mansion and that she should take advantage of it. Wasp says that she will drop by in a couple of days and take her apartment hunting. Wasp says that She-Hulk is going to love Sak’s Fifth Avenue. She-Hulk thanks Wasp and says that she will see her then.
Jan gets into the car and says that she has
decided to stay in Manhattan tonight and that Carruthers should
head to the apartment. Whirlwind takes off the chauffeur hat and
asks Wasp if he should take her to her place or his. Jan asks
where Carruthers is. Whirlwind says that he is sleeping it off in
the bushes and grabs Jan’s wrist. Jan shrinks down to wasp
size and blasts Whirlwind in the face. Hawkeye is heading back to
the mansion when he sees a struggle in Wasp’s car. Hawkeye
comes running up to the car, but he is blasted to the ground by
Moonstone. Moonstone asks Whirlwind how dare he attack the
Avengers without her permission. Whirlwind says that he
doesn’t answer to her. 
Moonstone says
that he does since he joined the new Masters of Evil. Tiger Shark
says that they should have left Whirlwind to get creamed and that
they don’t need him. Tiger Shark swats Wasp to the ground.
Hawkeye knows that they are overpowered and shoots a flare arrow
into the air to signal the others. Moonstone blasts Hawkeye in
the back after he sends up the signal. Moonstone asks why
“you blunderers didn’t stop him”. Tiger Shark says
that he didn’t see her doing anything. Whirlwind says to
finish Hawkeye off so they can go because being here makes him
nervous. Scorpion tells Whirlwind to shut up because it is his
fault that they are there. Suddenly Scorpion is hit by
Thor’s hammer. Wasp wakes up off the ground and says that
she always thought Thor looked good, but that he looks better
than ever now. Thor says that Wasp is safe in his hands. Wasp
thinks to herself that she wishes.
Inside the mansion, She-Hulk is woken from a nap. She looks out the window and sees the fight happening.
Moonstone thinks to herself that this is
pointless and that they have to end this quick and get out of
there. Moonstone has Scorpion take on Thor. Scorpion swats Thor
with his tail. She-Hulk dives through the window. She is about to
tear off her new clothes when Wasp says that outfit is an
original. She says that if She-Hulk tears it that she will never
speak to her again. She-Hulk says that she can’t be serious,
but when she realizes that Wasp is serious she sits on the ground
and starts taking her clothes off. Moonstone says that she thinks
the green woman chickened out and that they have them on the run.
Moonstone is blasting at Thor, and while Thor is busy deflecting
Moonstone’s blasts, Tiger Shark picks up a car and smashes
it into Thor. Wasp blasts Scorpion in the head and asks Thor if
he is okay. Thor says that he is ready to end this battle. Tiger
Shark says that he is only one guy, and that together they can
turn him into hamburger. Tiger Shark is hit in the back by
She-Hulk. She asks who said that he would get the chance.
Scorpion sees She-Hulk and says, “Who in…? Some chick
in Frederick’s of Hollywood?” She-Hulk says that she
doesn’t even want to hear that Scorpion doesn’t know
who she is. Hawkeye wakes up and shoots an electrical arrow at
Whirlwind. Moonstone tries to tell Scorpion to take evasive
action, but Wasp stings her in the stomach. Moonstone falls right
towards She-Hulk. 
She-Hulk
punches Moonstone right into Scorpion.
From his hidden laboratory, Egghead watches his new Masters of Evil defeated. Egghead says that they would have destroyed the Avengers eventually and that there was no need to upset his timetable. Egghead says that it is a minor set back, and that maybe now they will be able to appreciate his wisdom and way of things more.
Hawkeye says that he hates to admit it but tells She-Hulk that she did pretty good for a beginner. Wasp laments her destroyed limo, but says that she was ready to trade it in for a DeLorean anyway. She-Hulk says that they should go car shopping.
Avengers Files rating: 8 out of 10
Entertaining story and good art in this issue. The story is great. You can tell that this is a comic from a while ago. Not only is there updates on the individual Avengers, but the villain gets an idea, breaks his accomplices out of jail, forms a new villain group, and the villain group is defeated… all in one issue! I like this formation of the Masters of Evil though and I sorta wish they had stuck around a little longer. Egghead reforms later, but without some of the same characters. Steven Grant does a good job with the art in the issue, but I’ll tell you Brett Breeding has a very heavy hand in the stylization as the inking causes the style to appear quite similar to the art of last issue.