Avengers #275Avengers #275
Title: “Even a God Can Die!”
Writer: Roger Stern
Breakdowns: John Buscema
Finished Art: Tom Palmer
Colors: Ferriter/Scheele
Editor: Mark Gruenwald
CBS News breaks in with an update. They inform the public that there is a ten block area of Manhattan under martial law as authorities are trying to deal with an emergency centered around Avengers mansion. They show a picture of the mansion and describe the black enclosure that is surrounding the mansion. They say that there are confirmed reports that a costumed man emerged from the back as the army rangers arrived. The man eluded the rangers and got away in a stolen cab. The anchorman is starting to go on when he receives an update. He says that moments ago the Wasp arrived at the Newhope Memorial Hospital with Hercules laid out on a stretcher. The anchorman notes that Hercules has survived attacks from the Hulk without suffering injuries. He speculates as to what could possibly render Hercules unconscious.
On the roof, Moonstone tells Blackout to keep generating the barrier and everything will be fine. She says that he can trust her and that she is his friend. Blackout says, “Yes… trust… you.”
Inside the Wrecking Crew and Goliath are looting through Tony Stark’s old workshop.
Baron Zemo and Mister Hyde are watching the news. The television says that the cab was found at the East River and that the thief is allegedly Tiger Shark. Hyde says that Zemo was right and that they couldn’t stop Tiger Shark. Zemo says that they had no further use for Tiger Shark, but that his departure heightens the fear and confusion. Yellowjacket is listening to them and thinks to herself that Hyde and Zemo are both sick. She says that they are actually getting pleasure from watching the city squirm. Zemo tells Yellowjacket to inform Fixer that he is ready to begin the final phase. Yellowjacket goes as she is told.
Zemo stands before the hostages. He tells Cap that they will have to be leaving them soon, but that it has been a pleasure to see him bound and helpless with the Black Knight and the butler. Cap says that it isn’t over yet. Zemo says that it soon will be and that the whole world will learn how the Masters of Evil defeated the “mighty Avengers!”
At the hospital, a nurse is ready with a shot of adrenalin. The doctor says that he hopes that it is a strong needle and that Hercules’ skin is like leather. One of the people in the room escorts Wasp out and says that there is nothing more that she can do for him.
Outside the emergency room, the nurse tells Wasp that her partner is in good hands. He says that he hates to bother her but he needs some information like the patient’s full name and next of kin. Wasp says that Hercules is the only name she ever knew him by and that his father’s name is Zeus. The aide asks if there is a number where Zeus can be reached. A voice says that he doubts that Zeus has a phone. They look around to see a tiny Ant-Man greeting them. Ant-Man grows up to full size. He says that he heard there was something crazy happening and he thought that he would come down and see if Wasp was okay. Wasp says that she will get by. She tells Scott that in that uniform he looks so much like Hank. Scott says that he is sorry to dig up old memories, but asks her to use Ant-Man and that he is trying to keep a secret identity. Wasp apologizes and says that she wasn’t thinking. Ant-Man asks how he can help. Wasp says that the Avengers might be beyond help. He asks what she is saying. Wasp says that Zemo and the Masters of Evil have the mansion, they’ve beaten Hercules to near death, there is no trace of Captain Marvel, and that Captain America, Black Knight, and Jarvis are all being held captive. She says that god only knows what is happening to them.
Fixer has a camera trained on Zemo. Zemo is standing in front of the captured Black Knight and Jarvis. He is leaning against Captain America’s shield. He says that for too long society has embraced the words and deeds of so-called super-heroes. He says that he is declaring that era to be over. He says that he and his allies, deemed evil, have brought the Avengers to their knees. Captain America says that is enough. He says that after the beating Black Knight and Jarvis received that they both need medical attention. He says that they both know that they are unimportant to him and that he is the one that Zemo wants. Zemo says that is correct, but that because his friends are important to him that he has no intention of letting them go. Zemo says that Cap will live to see them die. Zemo says, “None of you will leave here alive!” He strikes Jarvis across the face. Cap says that Zemo can’t defeat the Avengers this way. He says that Wasp is still alive and that even if she has to organize a new team of Avengers that she will come after them. Zemo tells Fixer to stop the tape and that they will edit Captain America’s outburst from the copy they send to the media. Cap says that they Zemo can play with images, but that he can’t change the truth. Cap says that he thought that Zemo was killed by the Red Skull’s daughter. Zemo says that obviously he wasn’t. Cap asks how he survived. Zemo says that Cap will never know. As Fixer and Zemo walk away Fixer asks Zemo how he did survive. Zemo tells Fixer to lower his voice. Zemo says that he survived because it was his destiny. He says that Skull’s daughter attacked him with her mental powers trying to induce a cerebral hemorrhage. He says that she might have succeeded if his headband hadn’t blunted the psychic attack. He says that in minutes he woke up and sneaked away from Skull-House. He says that he then came up with his idea to take his revenge on Captain America out on the Avengers. Absorbing Man and Titania report in. Creel tells Zemo about the trouble with Spider-Man and that they didn’t get to make contact with the new recruit. Creel asks Zemo if he wants them to join him at the mansion. Zemo says that he has another mission for them. Zemo thinks about Cap’s faith in Wasp and tells Creel and Titania to go to Newhope Memorial Hospital.
Captain Marvel flies through the darkforce dimension. She says that she has never experienced anything like this before. She wonders where she is exactly and thinks about how even though she is in pure energy form that she can still feel a chill. She wonders how long she can last there. Suddenly Marvel sees a light. She streaks towards the light at the speed of light, but the light disappears before she can get there. In frustration, Marvel lets off a giant blaze as bright as a star, but still the darkforce overwhelms her.
At the hospital, Wasp tells Ant-Man about the first time she came to this hospital. She says that it was after their first battle against Count Nefaria and that she almost didn’t make it. Wasp says that it was the closest she ever came to dying. She says that she was so scared that she even suggested that the Avengers disband. She says that it is funny that after all this time she finally caused the end of the Avengers. Ant-Man says that the Avengers can’t be over yet and that she isn’t responsible. Wasp yells at Ant-Man and tells him not to tell her that. She says that she is the chairwoman. She says that if Zemo can take over the mansion that it is because her security wasn’t good enough. She says that if Avengers get hurt because they won’t follow her orders that she is at fault. The doctor that was operating on Hercules comes out of the room. He says that he is sorry but that her friend just couldn’t make it. Wasp cries into Ant-Man’s arms. She asks Ant-Man if he believes that it is over now. Ant-Man says that she can’t give up. She says that she and Captain America tried to contact reserve Avengers, but that they couldn’t get even one to come. She says that she is the only one left and that he had better call the Fantastic Four. Ant-Man says that he will do it if that is what she wants.
Wasp goes in to see Hercules. One of the doctors asks if there is anything she can do for her. Wasp says that she would just like to be alone for a bit. She thinks that she knew Hercules resented taking orders, but that she never thought that it would lead to this. She thinks that if only Cap had been in command that maybe Herc would have listened to him. She says that maybe he would still be alive. Suddenly Hercules’ monitor registers a blip. Wasp shouts for a doctor and says that Hercules is still alive. Moments later, the doctor says that he has never seen anything like this and that Hercules has a heartbeat but that it only beats every ten minutes. Wasp asks if he can be revived. The doctor says that there is a chance. Wasp stands outside the room and says that she knows that there is more than a chance. Ant-Man comes back and says that he couldn’t raise the F.F. He says that their answering service is on. Wasp says that is okay and that there may be hope anyway. Suddenly the hospital starts shaking. Ant-Man says that this is New York’s first major earthquake or that something is happening close. Wasp says that it is coming from outside.
Outside,
Absorbing Man and Titania are throwing cars at police officers. A
doctor says that whoever they are that they are attacking the
hospital. Titania says that they don’t recognize them. Creel
tells Titania that she isn’t a household name yet and that
he has been out of circulation for a bit. She says to give them
something to remember them by. Absorbing Man and Titania advance
and the police open fire. Absorbing Man absorbs the bullet and
smashes his wrecking ball against the ground. The police are
thrown about. Creel smashes through the wall and says,
“Follow me, legs… we got a call to make!” He
shouts out that they are from the Masters of Evil and that anyone
that doesn’t want to get killed should stay out of their
way. He says that there are two Avengers there and that they are
there to make sure that both of them are dead.
Wasp and Ant-Man peer around a corner at them. Wasp identifies Titania and says that she is almost as strong as She-Hulk. Ant-Man says that Absorbing Man has bounced Thor around and that they have as much chance of beating them as Spielberg had of winning an Oscar. Wasp asks if they don’t do it who will.
Inside the mansion, Zemo sits with his
feet up on the table while Hyde stands behind him. The new report
says that Absorbing Man and Titania are at the very hospital that
Hercules was taken to. 
Zemo asks Cap if
he still thinks that the Wasp will stop them. Cap tells Zemo not
to count Wasp out yet. Zemo says that Cap is ever the optimist.
He says that he was that way even during the war when he fought
his father… him and his “insufferable sidekick,
Bucky!” Zemo is holding a picture of Cap and Bucky together.
Cap asks him what he is holding. Zemo says that the Wrecking Crew
found a picture of he and Bucky together. Zemo tears it in two.
Zemo “asks” Cap if Bucky wasn’t killed fighting
against his father. Cap calmly says, “Yes.” Zemo says
that they found all kinds of interesting things in his first
locker. Zemo holds up Cap’s original shield. Zemo says that
he wagers that the tooled steel shield isn’t as strong as
his more famous shield. Zemo asks Hyde if they should test it
out. Hyde takes the shield and crumples it up into a ball. Zemo
says that it wasn’t nearly as substantial. Cap says,
“I’ll remember this, Zemo.” Zemo wonders what it
takes to break Cap. As he walks out, Zemo tells Hyde to gag Cap
and to do what he wants with them. Zemo tells Hyde to start with
the butler. Hyde says that he has been waiting for this. Hyde
says that Cap has thwarted him twice before, but that he
won’t any longer. Hyde says that Zemo has the right idea and
that though he will kill him he is going to start with his
friends first. Hyde grabs Jarvis and removes his gag. Jarvis asks
what he is doing. Hyde says that he removed Jarvis’ gag
because he wants Captain America to hear his screams. Jarvis
shouts in pain as Hyde begins cracking him apart. 
Hyde yells at
Jarvis to scream louder and that he wants the Captain to hear his
pain. Black Knight finally wakes up. He thinks to himself that it
feels like someone hit him in the head with a sledgehammer. Black
Knight looks up after he hears the screaming and sees Hyde
torturing Jarvis. Dane tries to summon his sword, but for some
reason it isn’t coming.
Several chambers away, Fixer has immobilized Captain America’s shield and Black Knight’s sword while analyzing them. Zemo asks Fixer what he is doing. Fixer says that both weapons are considered to be indestructible. He thought he would analyze them. Zemo tells Fixer to examine them later as he has a more urgent task. Zemo is with Yellowjacket and he tells Fixer that she has been unable to circumvent the Avengers’ security codes. Zemo says that the data would be invaluable to them, but that they have little time left. Zemo says that it will take some effort to defeat the forces that surround the mansion and that he will allow them to gather additional troops. Zemo tells Fixer to assist Yellowjacket. Fixer says that he is happy to “help such a talented young lady.” Yellowjacket thinks to herself that she would rather dive into a pool of slugs, but that when Zemo gives an order she has no choice.
The people run as Creel and Titania are trashing the place. Wasp and Ant-Man are rushing towards them while inches tall. Ant-Man says that Creel is made of metal. Wasp says that he won’t be for long. Wasp flies up and zaps Creel right in the eyes. The shock causes Creel to lose concentration and his steel form. Ant-Man grows up into his full size and hits Absorbing Man as he comes up. Titania dives at Ant-Man, but Ant-Man shrinks back down and Titania hits her face into a wall. Creel says that they think they are so smart, but that he has been stomping smart guys all his life. Creel grabs a junction box and absorbs the electricity inside. Creel crackles with power as Wasp and Ant-Man run. Creel says that he has his own sting now.
Titania rips through the wall into the area where Hercules is lying. The doctor there tells her to get out and that the man is in serious condition. Titania says that he isn’t as serious as he is going to be. Ant-Man sics a bunch of ants on Titania. Titania tells Creel to help her and that the ants are driving her crazy. Creel says that he is there and to just let him touch some alcohol. Creel becomes alcohol and washes over Titania. He asks her if that is better. Wasp notices that Creel seems shaky in this state. Wasp and Ant-Man both sting Creel in his head. Ant-Man says that they must think alike and that though his helmet disruptor isn’t as strong as her sting that it ought to help knock out Creel. Wasp is starting to say she didn’t know he could do that until Titania snatches Wasp out of the air and says that she will kill Wasp for doing that to her man. Ant-Man throws a canister into Titania’s face and shrinks her down. Wasp stings Titania and sends her soaring through the wall. Ant-Man goes to check on her.
Creel is walking and says that he has to absorb some power. He sees Hercules lying there and says that if he can just touch him that he can absorb his strength. Wasp lifts Creel away from Hercules by wrapping her legs around Creel’s arms and flying him into the air. Wasp lets off two stings into Creel’s ears and he collapses onto the floor. Ant-Man walks in with an unconscious Titania over his shoulder. He says that he didn’t think that they had a chance and that Wasp is stronger than he thought. Wasp thanks him.
Soon, the doctor comes out and tells Wasp that Hercules’ vital signs are strengthening and that though he is still comatose that he will live. Ant-Man says that is great. Wasp agrees it is, but she says that now comes the hard part. Wasp says that the Masters of Evil have the mansion and hostages, but that she swears that they have won their last round.
Avengers Files rating: 9.5 out of 10
While still thoroughly enjoying this issue the suspension of disbelief is strained a little here. I understand that the good guys have to start winning at some point, but Wasp and Ant-Man taking out Absorbing Man and Titania? C’mon gimme a break. Creel losing his bullet form I can accept, but why would a woman that has skin tough enough to withstand immense heat and cold be bothered by a bunch of ants? So Creel really wouldn’t have lost his electric form- end of fight. Second, Titania grabs Wasp out of the air. The woman is as strong as the She-Hulk. Titania’s grip crushes Wasp like a wasp- end of fight. Ant-Man shrinks Titania, but I was always under the impression that one kept their strength at their normal level when in miniature form. So when Wasp stings Titania it should have the same effect that it usually would have… none. Lastly if Creel was weak and Wasp stopped him from absorbing Hercules why didn’t Creel just absorb the properties of his wrecking ball? Still a great story, but give me a break here. Buscema and Palmer still rule. 5 for 5 on art.