Avengers #274

Title: “Divided… We Fall!”

Writer: Roger Stern

Breakdowns: John Buscema

Finished Art: Tom Palmer

Colors: Christie Scheele

Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Fixer and Baron Zemo are monitoring as Black Knight starts to walk up the path to the mansion. Fixer says that Black Knight didn’t even look twice at the new gates they installed. Zemo says that in his current state that he is too preoccupied to notice much of anything. Zemo calls out an alert that the first Avenger is about to enter their trap. He tells them to prepare to attack.

Outside, Black Knight enters his security card. He says that was some “gala evening”. He says that once Paladin showed up that Wasp barely noticed he was there. He says that he must have been an idiot to think that the Wasp would be interested in him. Suddenly Dane notices that the lights are off in the foyer and that they are never left off. Dane draws his sword just in time to block a zap from Yellowjacket. Black Knight starts to chase Yellowjacket and says that she made a big mistake. Yellowjacket says that the only one making a mistake is him. Suddenly Mister Hyde’s fist comes hurtling through the wall into Black Knight’s face. Hyde asks if he thought that Yellowjacket was alone. Dane is stunned on the ground and Hyde says that he has no idea of the power he faces. Black Knight mutters, “Wh… Who..?” Hyde hits Black Knight in the chest and shouts, “I am Hyde, Avenger… Mister Hyde! And I shall be your death!” Hyde hits Black Knight again, but Yellowjacket jumps in. She reminds Hyde that they are supposed to take him alive. Hyde says that it is a mistake to let enemies live. Yellowjacket tells him that they can’t use him against the others if he is dead. Hyde says that he does have a use alive. Hyde ties Black Knight up with his own cape. He says that he can always kill one as weak as him later. Yellowjacket says to just be sure that he ties him good and tight. As they walk along, Yellowjacket says that Hyde could become a problem. She thinks that Zemo has held the group together so far, but wonders what happens when someone like Hyde decides that he doesn’t feel live following orders.

Zemo tells Hyde to dump Black Knight next to the butler. Goliath says, “Nice job, little guy!” Hyde tells Goliath to watch it and that he won’t be made fun of by friend or foe. Piledriver whispers to Thunderball that he would like to see Goliath take Hyde down, but Thunderball just tells him to give it a rest. Yellowjacket hands Zemo Black Knight’s sword and helmet. Wrecker recalls that the sword is supposed to be indestructible. Zemo says that there is even a rumor of enchantment. Piledriver says that it is too bad Black Knight didn’t have a magic head to go with his magic sword. Tiger Shark says that maybe he does, and Bulldozer finishes the joke and says that his face is turning into a giant bruise. Moonstone says that it is a little early to be celebrating. Zemo says that Moonstone is right and that they have yet to deal with the most dangerous Avengers. He says that it has taken many weeks of surveillance to figure out how best to exploit their weaknesses. He says that when they are all eliminated then they can claim total victory.

Monica Rambeau, Captain Marvel, is having breakfast in her New Orleans apartment. She is reading the paper and thinking about her small business loan when her Avengers alert goes off. She signals in and the alert says, “Wasp calling… something’s come up. I don’t have time to explain… just get to the main assembly as fast as you can! Wasp out!” Monica grabs her Captain Marvel suit and wonders what it could be about. She says that maybe Namor has returned.

Captain Marvel appears in a flash inside the Assembly Hall. She sees Jarvis bound and gagged and Black Knight tied and unconscious. Blackout lurks in the back and thinks that she has come just as Baron said she would. Captain Marvel realizes that this is a trap, but as she turns to energy form she is blasted with Blackout’s darkforce. He says, “I… remember you… yes! You tried to stop me before… wanted me locked away, like all the rest! Now you’ll pay, yes!” Marvel realizes that she heard Blackout’s voice and that she is trapped in the darkforce. She goes to shift into her neutrino form, but the darkforce is still stick to her. It closes in and folds in on itself and then disappears taking Captain Marvel with it. Blackout asks if he did a good job and Zemo says that Blackout did a very good job. Zemo thinks about the fact that the power to tap into another dimension resides in such a addled mind. He says that as long as he controls Blackout he will retain leadership. Zemo checks on Black Knight and sees that he is still unconscious. Zemo says that he wanted to thank him for helping get rid of his teammate. Jarvis mumbles something from under his gag. Zemo says that he didn’t forget about him and that he was also useful in distracting Captain Marvel. He says that Jarvis must be wondering how they called her into their trap. Zemo says that they attached a voice simulator onto the mansion’s radio transmitter and broadcasted orders in the Wasp’s voice. Zemo says that with Namor gone that they only have three more Avengers to eliminate and that once Hercules has been terminated that it will be no problem handling Captain America and Wasp. Zemo laughs as Jarvis looks on panicked.

At the mansion’s main computer terminal, Fixer asks Yellowjacket if she is having trouble. She says that she is trying to break into the Avengers data files, but that she can’t get past the safeguards. Fixer says that isn’t surprising. Fixer says that Tony Stark designed the gear in the mansion and that the only engineer better than Stark is him. Yellowjacket says that Tony Stark designed the Iron Man armor and that Iron Man kicked Fixer’s butt. Fixer says that it was pure luck. He takes his hand and brushes Yellowjacket’s cheek with it. He says that she should let him give her a hand. Yellowjacket pushes Fixer’s thumb backwards and almost breaks it. She tells him to keep his hands to himself. While Fixer is holding his thumb, Zemo enters and asks what their situation is. Fixer says that the Fantastic Four are still out of the country, and that he used a voice simulator to send the West Coast Avengers on a wild goose chase to Indonesia. He says that it will be hours before they suspect anything. Zemo says, “Perfect! One by one, the Avengers will face defeat… alone and unaided! Then, when we have had our revenge upon these heroes, the world will hear of our triumph… and all will fear the Masters of Evil!”

At Janet van Dyne’s New Jersey estate, Jan is laying out in the sun. She is thinking about how she wished paladin hadn’t gone off to Rio. She thinks about offering him Avengers membership, but decides that it would be wrong to abuse her position. Suddenly she sees a helicopter above. Captain America leaps out and bounces from Wasp’s diving board to the pool side where she sits. Cap apologizes for intruding, but he says that he thinks that they have a problem. He says that he just had a run in with Trapster and Whirlwind in the Carolinas. He says that they are in jail now, but he thought that she would be interested. Wasp says that she is especially concerned when it involves Whirlwind. She says that he has been a thorn in her side for too long. She says that he has some sort of sick infatuation for her. She says that she is a little surprised that Cap flew all the way out there just to tell her though. She asks why he didn’t just call Avengers mansion. Cap says that he did, but that the Avenger he reached didn’t seem interested. Wasp starts to say that if it was Hercules she was going to do something, but Cap interrupts her and tells her that she is the Avenger that he contacted. Jan says that is impossible since she hasn’t been to the mansion in days. Cap says that whoever it was sounded exactly like her and that since he couldn’t believe that she wouldn’t care about Whirlwind’s activities he decided to contact her personally. Wasp says that someone must have tapped into their communications channel or taken over the mansion.

Inside the mansion, the Wrecking Crew is demolishing the living quarters of the Avengers. Wrecker tells them to take anything valuable and trash everything else. Bulldozer asks Wrecker if he has seen something. He says that they have the Porcupine’s armor on display like a trophy. Bulldozer smashes the case open. Thunderball smashes through the wall to find Moonstone going through a drawer. Moonstone says that she can’t complain that she didn’t hear him knock. Thunderball says that he thought she was supposed to watching her zombie. Moonstone says that he can get along without her for a few minutes and that she is just entitled to loot as they are. She says that her eye might catch something that the men would miss. Wasp is hiding behind some books. She says that this is worse than she thought and that a bunch of the Avengers’ enemies have joined together. Wasp flies into the ducts. She says that she doesn’t know how they got in, but that they are wrecking the mansion. She says that she has seen half a dozen super-villains, but that she hasn’t seen any Avengers yet. She says that she has to find them before they can take them on.

Finally, Wasp finds Jarvis and Black Knight tied up. Black Knight is still unconscious. Wasp ungags Jarvis. He says that Baron Zemo’s forces caught him by surprise and overran the mansion. Wasp says that Baron Zemo is dead. Jarvis says that this is Baron Zemo’s son and that he has assembled a Masters of Evil that is larger and stronger than any in the past. Wasp says that she will untie him. Jarvis says that there isn’t time and that Hercules will be returning soon and that she has to stop him from walking into Zemo’s trap.

Outside the mansion, a very intoxicated Hercules is thanking Tanya for a very enjoyable cruise. As Tanya Sealy drives away she calls Baron Zemo and tells him that Hercules has drank so much alcohol that she is surprised he can still walk. Zemo tells her that he has already deposited her fee in her Swiss account. As Herc stammers towards the door, Wasp flies past Herc’s face and tells him not to go in. Captain America, dressed in civilian guise with sunglasses and a hat, puts his arm around Herc’s shoulder. He says that Herc remembers his old buddy Steve. Herc starts to ask why he is dressed that way when Cap tells him not to ask, but to just come with him. ‘Steve’ says that he wants to show Herc his new van. Herc agrees but says that he doesn’t see why he can’t go in. Cap tells him to be quiet and that he will explain in the van.

Inside the van, Wasp grows to regular size. Hercules asks what the meaning of this is. Wasp apologizes but says that they had to get him away from the mansion without attracting attention. Herc asks what is wrong with the mansion. As Cap starts getting into his uniform he tells Herc that the Masters of Evil are inside just waiting for him to come through the door. As Wasp fill Hercules in, Cap sends out an emergency signal to all active and reserve Avengers. After Wasp tells Herc all that has happened Herc is furious. He says that he will avenge Captain Marvel’s death and restore their honor. Wasp says that they don’t know that Marvel is dead, and that they can’t just storm through the door. She says that they need a plan of attack and reinforcements. Herc says that he has humored her commands in the past, but that he will no longer. Herc says that he needs no reinforcements and that nothing shall stop his wrath. Herc punches a hole through the van and stammers toward the mansion. Herc thinks to himself that when this is over he will demand new leadership.

Herc reasons that if an ambush waits at the door that he will find another entrance. Herc punches a hole through the wall and finds Tiger Shark. Herc says that Tiger Shark will be the first to fall to him. Tiger Shark tells him to guess again. He says that he joined up to get at Namor., but that since he is no longer with them that Hercules is his new whipping boy. Tiger Shark hits Hercules so hard that the two of them plow through twenty feet of compacted concrete.

Seconds later, Zemo and Fixer are alerted as to Hercules’ presence. Zemo asks how Hercules got that far in. Fixer says that there is more to worry about as Captain America and Wasp are storming the mansion. Zemo tells Fixer to calm down. He tells him to send the strongest aid to help Tiger Shark and to contact Moonstone to prep Blackout. He says to prepare to seal off the mansion at his command. Zemo reminds Fixer that he does have the means to deal with Captain America and Wasp. Fixer composes himself and activates the automated systems. Fixer thinks about how Captain America ruined his plan to loot Northwind Observatory and that this is his chance to pay him back.

Outside, Wasp says that they are committed to going in now and to just back up Hercules the best that they can. She says that she will release the hostages. Suddenly, two claws that were adapted from the mansion detention coils reach out and grab Captain America and Wasp. Cap immediately recognizes it as the Fixer’s work. Wasp uses a sting to blast her claw apart, but before Wasp can help Cap a machine emerges and starts emitting high decibel sonics. Cap grabs his ears and Wasp is forced to fly away. Wasp collapses on the sidewalk outside the mansion. Fixer’s claw brings an unconscious Captain America into the mansion.

The police rush up to Wasp as she stands up at her full size. Wasp asks where Captain America is. One officer asks if Cap was with her. Wasp says that he fell just a few feet from her. The other cop asks if she is okay. Suddenly they all stop astounded. They all stare disbelieving as the mansion has been encased in a giant black rectangle. Wasp says that Jarvis told her that Blackout was with the new Masters of Evil, but that she never dreamed that he was capable of anything like this.

On the mansion roof, Moonstone commends Blackout and tells him that nothing gets in or out unless they let it. Moonstone thinks to herself that before she started with Blackout that he could barely cover a small car. She says that if Zemo hadn’t found a way to override her control that she would be in charge. She thinks to herself that maybe she still will be.

Inside, Hercules smashes Tiger Shark into a machine finishing him. Herc mocks Tiger Shark for thinking that he could be Namor’s equal and that he isn’t fit to bathe Namor’s feet. Mister Hyde says that if Hercules is looking for a more worthy opponent to turn and face him. Hyde grabs a hunk of machinery and smacks Hercules with it. Hyde says that he heard that Hercules brags about being more powerful than Thor. Hyde says that he doubts that. Piledriver and Hyde crush the metal around Hercules. Piledriver says that there is no way that Thor would have leaned into that sucker punch. Wrecker tells Thunderball to help them out. Thunderball uses his wrecking ball to crush the metal around Hercules even more. Bulldozer says that he wasn’t so tough. Hyde says that he could have handled him by himself. Thunderball says that there is no sense taking chances. Suddenly, the metal explodes and the Masters fins themselves looking at a furious Hercules. Herc asks if they think they could defeat him through shear numbers. He says that he has braved the hordes of the Netherworlds and that he will make them curse the days they were born. A voice from behind says that Hercules will have to go though him first. Herc turns to see who is challenging him. Goliath grabs Herc’s foot and says that he has had lots of names, but that they call him Goliath now. Goliath says that he can get real big and that the bigger he gets the stronger he becomes. Goliath swings Hercules around and smashes him into some machinery. He swings Herc the other way and smashes him into some more machinery and then does it again. Goliath says that with as drunk as Hercules is though that he doubts he will even have to grow to half of his top size to handle him. Goliath smashes Hercules’ face into the ground. Hercules lies not moving on the floor. Goliath says, “He’s all yours, gents!” The Wrecking Crew and Mister Hyde begin pummeling Hercules.

Outside, Wasp is trying to sting the darkforce, but the zaps have no affect. One of the officers says that there are some bazookas on the way, but Wasp says that she doesn’t think that they will be enough. The other cop asks what they are supposed to do. Wasp thinks that is a good question and wonders what happened to Captain America.

Inside, Tiger Shark throws a bound Captain America at Zemo’s feet. Zemo says that he has been looking forward to greeting him. Zemo kicks Cap in the face and says that vengeance will be his. He says that Captain America is responsible for his father’s death and for his family being torn asunder. He says that in return that his little team has been destroyed. Goliath, Hyde, and the Wrecking Crew all laugh at Cap. Hyde says that he wants his own turn with him. Cap is bleeding from his nose and mouth. He says that it doesn’t matter what they do to him and that as long as one Avenger lives that the Avengers aren’t beaten. Zemo says, “Really, Captain? The Wasp is the only member of your team left free, and she is no threat to us. Indeed, she was unwittingly a great help! The Black Knight’s infatuation with the Wasp made him a confused and easy target. And Hercules disrespect for her increased his natural recklessness. By the way, one of your teammates just expired… he won’t be the last!”

Outside, the black shape starts to form a bubble and Hercules comes shooting out. Wasp rushes to Herc while one of the police calls for a paramedic team. Wasp tells them to hurry and that she can’t find a pulse.

Avengers Files rating: 10 out of 10

Holy $#!% this is one messed up story! The villains are at their prime and just as Zemo said the Avengers were at their worst. The Wasp is the only free active Avenger and Hercules is quite possibly dead. Excitement and action at its highest level. Buscema and Palmer continue to astound me. I only wish that the coloring methods were done a little better. Perhaps I should go buy this storyline in its trade paperback form and see if it is any better there. Woo-boy stay tuned for more mayhem.

READ AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #283 TO CHECK OUT ABSORBING MAN AND TITANIA’S MASTERS OF EVIL ACTIVITY

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