Avengers #270Avengers #270
Title: “Wild in the Streets!”
Writer: Roger Stern
Breakdowns: John Buscema
Finished Art: Tom Palmer
Colors: Christie Scheele
Editor: Mark Gruenwald
The police ride through the street on their horses as the legions of people stand about protesting or supporting Namor as a member of the Avengers. A reporter stands in the street in front of the camera informing everyone that the Sub-Mariner has been inducted into the world-renowned group. She turns to one of the men supporting Namor. The elderly man says that he is with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and that many of them owe their lives to Namor. He says that Namor was one of their greatest allies in World War II. Someone from the protesting side of the street shouts that the Russians were their allies back then too, but that they don’t trust them now. He reminds everyone that Namor declared war on the whole human race before. He says that Namor marched his troops through the city and asks if they are just supposed to forget that. He asks why Namor isn’t under arrest. The reporter says that the state department repeated the blanket amnesty for all criminal activity granted Namor as part of the Atlantean admission into the United Nations. She says that this stands despite the sudden lack of diplomatic contacts from Atlantis.
Six men in business suits watch the report. One man says that he isn’t sure about this and that support for Namor seems to be divided. Farrington says to forget public opinion. He says that they finally have a chance to get Namor and that they have to take it. The other five men either enthusiastically or reservedly give Farrington their support. Farrington says that unanimity insures their success. He says that Namor doesn’t stand a chance.
Jarvis scans the channels. All of them seem to be reporting on the Namor/Avengers situation. Finally one channel is covering something else. The anchorman says that the FBI is saying that Dr. Karla Sofen, also known as Moonstone, has escaped from a federal penitentiary. He then throws it back to outside the Avengers mansion. The reporter says that the thing she has heard the most complaints about, from both supporters and protesters, is why there has been no official statement from the Avengers. Jarvis thinks to himself that they would have had their statement 24 hours ago if the Avengers hadn’t been spirited away and that now others are vanishing to who knows where.
A few rooms away, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Hercules, Namor, Black Knight, and Wasp reappear in Avengers mansion. Hercules says that he wished to be out of Limbo, but that it wasn’t like this. Cap says that he understands and that he would have liked some proof that they had seen the last of Kang. He says that Immortus’ assurances weren’t enough for him. Namor says that he agrees and asks how Immortus dares to dismiss them with a wave of his hand. Cap says that their isn’t much Immortus doesn’t dare. Hercules says that he understands why Thor said dealing with Immortus to be a trial. He says that Immortus treats men and gods alike as pawns. Cap says that he doesn’t like it either as they walk out. Captain Marvel asks Black Knight if she could talk with him a moment. She says that she needs his scientific expertise. She says that when they were fighting Kang that he stopped her cold with “his darkforce gizmo”. She says that wasn’t the first time that sort of thing has happened to her. She says that Black Knight helped Wasp get better control of her powers and asks if he can help her too. Dane says that he can run some tests and asks when a good time would be. She says that the sooner the better. She says that she doesn’t want to get stuck like that again.
The Avengers walk together into the room where Jarvis is. Jarvis says to thank heaven that they are back and that there has been such a sharp public response to the Sub-Mariner’s membership. Wasp says that this is all her fault. She says that she should have put out a statement earlier. Cap says that it wouldn’t have stopped the protests. Hercules shakes his fist at the television and calls the protestors “ungrateful wretches”. He says that he will thrash them all soundly for trying to tell them who they can make an Avenger. Wasp yells at Herc. Cap tells Herc that the people out there are within their rights even if they don’t agree with them. Herc concedes but says that they would do well to respect Namor’s valor. He thinks to himself that even if Wasp is the leader that she would do well not to talk to him in that tone of voice. Black Knight smirks amused by how Herc spends all his time arguing with Namor, but that he is still ready to go to bat for his character. Namor remains calm and stands staring at the television. He watches the footage of him leading his troops through the streets. He says that it was only a matter of time before his past was brought up regarding deeds for a throne that he no longer possesses. HE wonders how he can defend such behavior and that it is no wonder so many people hate him.
Outside among the protestors, a woman dressed in black with a veil says that her husband was killed while working on a wharf that the Sub-Mariner destroyed. She asks if that murderer is an Avenger now.
Up in the sky a helicopter carrying Agent Freeman is flying over lower Manhattan. Bureau Central radios Freeman that they think that they just spotted their quarry right in front of Avengers mansion. Freeman says that she would have to be crazy to go there. Freeman is told to look for himself as they provide a shot of the widow among the protestors. Freeman looks at the pictures of Karla he has and realizes that she really is right there. Freeman tells the pilot to get to Avengers mansion and then tells Bureau Central to get a special containment van over there on the double. He says that they should radio the Avengers as well and let them know what is happening.
The protestors start turning violent because of Karla’s instigation. They start throwing things at the police guarding the barricades. One cop says that he knew they should have worn riot gear and asks where the “mighty Avengers” are when you need them. A bolt of lightning fills the air. Suddenly the light takes the form of Captain Marvel. She tells everyone to get behind the barricades and that she doesn’t want to hurt anyone. Karla says that she would have to show up and that she had better slip away. One of the people asks Captain Marvel if Namor is really an Avenger. She says that he is and that Captain America proposed Namor’s induction. Cap shows up and says that is right. The man says that Namor is a murderer though. Cap says that Namor has made a lot of mistakes, but that he is not a murderer. Another protestor brings up what the widow said. Captain Marvel asks what widow they are talking about. Wasp flies in and says that they just got word from the FBI and that Moonstone is in the area.
Half a block away, Moonstone looks back and says that she doesn’t know what is happening, but that it is getting too quiet back there for her tastes. She uses a blast to shatter the top of a fire hydrant. The water starts to shoots all over the place. Captain America says that they have to do something. Marvel tells him to leave it to her. She becomes energy and melts the fire hydrant closed. She thinks to herself that this has Moonstone written all over it. She wonders where she is.
Moonstone says that was close and that she might have been spotted if the crowd hadn’t moved towards her to avoid getting wet. She says that she needs a major diversion to get away. Moonstone spots the approaching helicopter and lets off a blast destroying the back rotor. The helicopter starts spiraling out of control.
Namor flies forth from the mansion. He says that he knows he was told to stay out of sight, but that he can’t just let innocents die. Namor flies up and grabs the back of the helicopter. He tries to keep the ship up, but at the awkward positioning the ship keeps going down. Captain Marvel flies off to help. Seconds later there is an explosion.
Karla smirks and thinks to herself that there are two less Avengers in her hair. She says that with Captain Marvel out of the way that it will be easy to slip away. Wasp lets off a blast at Karla’s feet. She tells her to freeze. Karla phases through the sidewalk. Wasp uses her blast to create a hole in the pavement. She shrinks down small enough to fly through the hole. Wasp doesn’t see Moonstone and radios to Black Knight.
Karla hides as
the Wasp goes flying by her. Karla notes that Wasp has grown more
comfortable with her powers since the last time they met. She
says that it won’t help her. Karla lets off a flash of light
that blinds Wasp. Moonstone tries to blast Wasp, but Wasp keeps
flying around sporadically.
The other Avengers come out of the mansion. Dane says that they have new orders from Wasp. Hercules thinks bitter thoughts to himself. Black Knight tells Herc to go check on Namor and that the rest of them have to go below to search for Moonstone. Cap asks what he means by that when the street suddenly starts breaking into pieces. A man and a truck are about to fall into a hole when Herc runs over. He lifts the man in one hand and the truck in the other.
Black Knight starts calling out to Wasp when he comes face to face with Moonstone coughing. He asks her what she has done with Wasp. Moonstone says that it is another one and yells at Dane to get away. She lets off a blast. Dane tries to deflect the blast, but instead his sword absorbs the energy. Moonstone says that a trick sword won’t save him and that she will get him just like she got the Wasp. Black Knight instinctively swings his sword and the energy absorbed is released onto Moonstone. Dane starts yelling at Moonstone to tell him where Wasp is when Wasp flies by his head. Dane says Moonstone said that she got her. Wasp says that it was just wishful thinking. She says that Moonstone blew a gas main and that she was just riding out the shockwave. She says that she would have been back sooner, but she was shutting off the gas valve.
Hercules says that the street is secure and that they can’t waste anymore time there. Cap tells him to go help Namor. Namor says that he doesn’t need help, but that there are two men in need of medical attention. Namor is carrying the helicopter’s pilot and Captain Marvel is carrying Agent Freeman. Namor lays the pilot on a stretcher and says that the man has no broken bones, but that he did sustain a concussion. The supporters try to say that they told the others so, but the doubters suggest that it was all just a stunt. Freeman wonders how anyone could believe that they would deliberately crash a helicopter. Marvel says that people believe what they want to believe.
Wasp and Black Knight emerge from the hole. Wasp asks for a hand and Herc takes Moonstone from Dane. Dane says that she shouldn’t be anymore trouble, but that you can’t be too careful. Herc doubts there could be trouble from “this slip of a girl?” Dane points out that the street wasn’t destroyed by gophers. Cap unmasks Moonstone and reveals that she is the one that claimed Namor killed her husband. He introduces her as Moonstone and tells them that she is a felon, fugitive, and a liar. Even the protestors are forced to admit this.
Two helmeted police officers, one male and one female, escort a power harnessed Moonstone into their van. Cap tells them to watch her and that she is a slippery one. The male officer says, “Don’t worry, Captain… she won’t get away from us!” As the van drives away, Marvel compliments Dane. Dane thanks her, but wonders how he did it and how his sword did that. Namor is tapped on the shoulder and is asked if he is Namor. Namor asks who else he would be. The man says that he knows it is stupid, but that it is part of his job. He gives Namor a piece of paper. He says that he hates to do it after seeing him save the copter, but that as it is part of his job he must inform Namor that he is being sued.
In the van, the large male cop says that for
an educated woman Moonstone should have known better than to take
on the Avengers by herself. Moonstone says that nobody asked him.
The large red-head woman says, “Ohhh! A tough one!” The
man says that tough doesn’t impress him and that she had
better wise up if they are going to get along. 
As the man
takes off his helmet, Karla realizes that he isn’t a cop.
Creel says that maybe she is smarter than he thought. Crusher
introduces himself as the Absorbing Man. He says that he takes on
Thor. He introduces Titania. Titania says that she once beat
She-Hulk to within an inch of her life. She tells Karla that they
have a proposition for her. She says that if she is smart that
she will take it, and that if she doesn’t that they will
have to do to her what they did to the cops they replaced.
Moonstone asks what they did to them. Creel says, “You
don’t want to know!”
The Avengers are gathered around Mr. Costello. He tells them that Namor is being sued by a Mr. Farrington for two billion dollars for destruction of property. He says that the amnesty lets him off the hook criminally, but that he can still be sued in civil court. Costello says that they should be able to win in court, but suggests an out of court settlement. Namor slams his fist against the table and says that he wants to face his accusers in a court of law. He wants his judgment on public record and asks when it can be arranged. Costello says that he can push for an early trial if he wants, but that this isn’t going to be easy.
The next morning there are no protestors, but several levels below three Avengers find an unwelcome Byrrah. Namor grabs Byrrah and asks what scheme brings him here. Byrrah says that he wrongs him and that he is there to warn him. Byrrah tells him of Attuma’s ruling Atlantis and of Attuma setting a trap for Namor with Marrina as bait. Namor says that he would have made Marrina his bride had she not vanished. Hercules says that they can rescue his love. Namor says that Attuma set the trap for him and that he will rescue Marrina alone. Black Knight tries to interject, but Namor says that this is a personal matter. Hercules says that he understands Namor’s honor demands he deal with it alone and wishes Namor well. Dane realizes that without Herc’s support he can never talk Namor out of going alone. He tells Namor to remember that he has teammates that will help if needed as he walks away with Byrrah. Herc tells Dane not to worry and that he will finish Attuma fast. Dane says that he hopes so because with the lawsuit pending it could blow up in their faces.
Avengers Files rating: 9 out of 10
Here’s where it begins. As a villain lover this story arc represents my favorite in all of comicdom. The story does drag a little in this issue and it really doesn’t make any sense for Moonstone to have been outside Avengers mansion when she was wanted, so the rating is only a four. Buscema and Palmer together also represent maybe my favorite art team of all time. The fluid storytelling and the presentation and style are all fantastic. Art gets a 5 for 5.