Avengers vol. 3 #52Avengers vol. 3 #52
Title: “Counter Attack”
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Ivan Reis
Inker: Randy Emberlin
Colors: Tom Smith
Editor: Tom Brevoort
In Northern Montana, near the former Canadian border, before Kang conquered both America and Canada and made them part of his Grand Imperium, survivors from a rebel camp that was routed by Kang’s men are on the run. Kang’s men are closing in on them from aircraft above. Kang’s men are locking in on the rebels when something bursts out of the ground. It is the Master’s technology and Kang’s men and ships are blown out of the sky. The rebels stand amazed that they were not just wiped out. From the Master’s base a voice says, “It worked good. All right, folks… let’s move on to the next stage…”
In Central Siberia, north of Yakutsk, Kang and the Scarlet Centurion watch as Kang’s men are cleaning up after their victory. Kang says that their defenses have been shattered and their lines have been broken. He says that all that is left for them is to run. Kang says that this is epic poetry. Kang says that the true thrill is not only crushing your foes, but meeting them head to head and besting them through strategy on the battlefield. Kang notes the irony of Russia formerly considering itself protected by its vast size, but that against him that it has cost them. A robot interrupts Kang and says that it has dire news. Kang says that it had better be for it to distract he and his son. The robot says that it is a code three alert and that there is grave trouble at the Imperial Prison.
At the Imperial Prison, Quicksilver, Warbird, Wonder Man, Thor, and Yellowjacket are breaking in. They knock out all of the guards and Wonder Man and Warbird break through the wall. They find the Wasp, who is being restrained in a yoke like a beast of burden. Wasp says that Kang likes to have extra security when he isn’t in the area. Yellowjacket tells Wasp that right now other squads are freeing the captive heroes and that no one is going to remain Kang’s prisoners. Wasp says that they can’t do this. She says that she surrendered on behalf of the Avengers and that Kang only keeps the kid gloves on as long as the game is being played by his rules. She says that if they break the surrender that Kang will retaliate by destroying another city the way he did to Washington DC. Yellowjacket says that it is okay. Thor says that Yellowjacket is right and that they are prepared to fight back against Kang. Thor is spinning his hammer and creates a portal. Thor says that when she steps through that she will see.
In northern Canada, in the Master’s base, Yellowjacket shows Jan that the Master’s base is shielded from Kang’s sensors. He says that they have finally cracked the Master’s technology and that they can use it to cut through Kang’s defenses. Wasp says that this all seems like a miracle. Hank says, “The control technology could only be understood by a genius, a top brain, a paragon of scientific achievement… which means of course , that it was mostly Tony Stark’s doing.” Tony tells Jan not to be fooled and that it took a team effort of he, Hank, Stingray, and the Black Knight. Stark shows her the Master’s quasi-organic technology and how it has grown under the Earth. He shows her the network of it already beneath all of North America. Wasp asks how they can be so sure and that Kang did break through the Washington ringwall. Stark says that was because the ringwall was operating on automatic and that the Master wasn’t there to compensate for Kang’s attacks. Wasp asks what happens if they make the wrong move and that so many will suffer. A voice comes from behind Wasp and says, “We have to risk it, Ms. Van Dyne. We have to pay any price, if the prize is freedom.” Wasp turns to see George W Bush standing behind her. He says that her surrender before was a noble thing because it saved lives and because there was no other option. He says that now they have to try as there is even the faintest hope. Wasp says that Mr. President is right, and that they will strike back, but that they won’t be doing it alone. Wasp says that they will strike at the earliest, but that it will have to be tomorrow. Wasp says that she has to call in a few favors. Wasp says goodbye to the president and goes about her business. She says that they are right and that this is their best chance, but that she would feel more comfortable if Captain America were there.
On the dark side of the moon, inside the Triple Evil’s pyramid, Captain America asks Triathlon if he can do it. Captain America says that it was urgent before and now that they have been within the pyramid for a few weeks and with what the Vision has learned about the Earth. Triathlon says that he understands and that they are trying. Cap says to keep at it. Quasar says that he, Photon, Firestar, and Living Lightning are some experienced energy wielders if they need their help. Triathlon thanks Quasar but says that won’t be necessary. He says that they have been reaching out and that they have tapped into the mass of stolen energies the Triple-Evil used to power the pyramid. He restores the shields that prevented detection and begins to move the pyramid.
Yellowjacket watches Wasp talking to the Supreme Military Commander of Russia. He thinks how all of them have changed since they first founded the team, but that Wasp has changed the most and all for the better. He thinks about how much he loves her as Wasp doesn’t give an inch to the Russian military commander.
Tony Stark gets
into his Iron Man armor. He says that he is finally back in
action and that he is both anxious and terrified. He says that he
has been on the sidelines doing scientific work, but now he is
suiting up again. He says that he is ready, but if they fail then
they fail.
Stingray and Silverclaw are talking. Stingray says that he hasn’t been much of an active hero and that he just kind of stumbled into it. Silverclaw says that she knows what he means and that this is all so new to her. She says that she feels like she belongs in college instead of doing this, but that they didn’t really get to choose when they were ready.
Black Knight spots Warbird looking out the window seeming adrift. He asks her what is on her mind. She says that she killed the Master. She says that she thought that it was the right and only thing to do at the time, but that if she hadn’t done it that he would have been able to run all of his equipment and that everyone that died in Washington might have lived if it wasn’t for her. Black Knight says that she can’t think like that. He reminds her that Master’s plan was to allow much more destruction. He says that she did what she felt she had to. He says that now is not the time to look backward, but to move forward. Warbird says, “Sure. Forward. But forward to what?”
Thor stands on
a mountain top looking out on the night sky. Firebird flies up to
Thor and says that she saw that he was gone. She asks him if he
came out there to get some fresh air or if he is trying to get
some distance from his “mortal concerns”. Thor turns
his attention to Firebird. Firebird says that a lot of people are
going to die tomorrow. She says that they will “be fighting
for what they hold most dear… freedom, their families, their
lives. But it doesn’t matter to you, does it? They’re
just mortal, after all.” Thor says, “Woman!”
Firebird rambles on that they are just eye blinks to Thor. She
says that might make intellectual sense to Thor. She says that
maybe he should flee to Asgard when this is over to avoid forming
ties with mortals. She says that maybe she is immortal too and
that she will watch all of her loved ones die as well, but that
she hopes that she will always care. She says that she has tried
and tried to get through to him, but that he is a god and claims
to be different. She says that her god notices even the fall of a
sparrow and that she will follow her god, but that she will never
emulate him. Firebird flies off in a huff. Thor stands and
reflects.
In Kang’s Citadel on the eastern seaboard, Kang addresses the people of North America. He says that their heroes have betrayed them. He says that the Avengers have broken their surrender and that they will be executed, but that two America cities will be destroyed first as retribution for their treachery. Kang tells Denver and Atlanta to make their peace with their gods and that their heroes have brought this upon them.
As Kang speaks, however, the Master’s technology sprouts up from the ground. Kang’s men spot the walls around the Citadel and begin to fight to protect the Citadel.
As Kang’s stronghold comes under attack they rise up all around the world as a result of the Wasp’s negotiations. In Japan, the Deviants rise up. In France, led by Namorita, the Atlanteans attack. She says that they followed the usurper Attuma, but now they have to win back their honor by fighting for the freedom of the surfaceman. In Russia, Starlight and the Presence rise up and attack Kang’s forces. The authorities didn’t really want to free them even for the purpose of saving the world. Each of Kang’s men that they touch become slaves in their service.
On the Eastern Seaboard, Scarlet Centurion says that they are striking everywhere. He says that in addition to the weapon walls that the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and Alpha Flight are attacking. Kang says that he will have a full report soon enough, but that he needs to prepare the shuttle. He says that they will “withdraw to Damocles Base and make our pleasure known from there!” As they fly toward Damocles Base, Kang says that the one thing that he doesn’t understand. He says that his studies indicated that the Master would never ally himself to the Avengers and that he could easily repel them. Kang says that the Master shouldn’t have been a factor until much later. Kang wonders how the Avengers gained advantage over Master. Centurion stammers out, “I… I am not in a position to guess, of course. You have often praised them as resourceful, however, perhaps… it is as simple as that?” Kang is silent for the rest of the flight back to Damocles Base.
At the Master’s base, Wasp says that they have a chance even if it is a slim chance. She says that Kang’s armies are in turmoil and fighting on many fronts. She says that they have to take out Damocles Base and that only the Master’s technology has any hope of doing that. She says that Yellowjacket, Black Knight, and Stingray will stay behind and run the bombardment configurations that they think will work best. She says that Thor, Iron Man, Wonder Man, and Firebird will get into position for an assault when the force field is gone. She is about to say that Silverclaw and Quicksilver will reinforce Hercules and She-Hulk, but suddenly the Master’s base begins to shake. Yellowjacket says that the scanners say that the sensor shields are still working, but that they are under attack from space. A giant holographic Kang head appears in the sky. He tells the Avengers that they are fools to think that he wouldn’t be prepared for this. He says that the base may be invisible to him, but that he can track the signals they are sending to the weapon walls to triangulate their location. He says that he knew that he would have to fight the Master sooner or later and that they just made it sooner. Wasp says that Kang is firing blind and that they still have a chance. He tells Iron Man and Hank that there is no need to be coy. Energy flows towards the guns that have been trained on Damocles Base, but before they can be fired Kang’s weapons destroy them. Wasp is stunned, but then orders everyone to just go and so whatever they can. Black Knight says that they can grow another set if there is enough time. Wasp says, “…Yes. Dane. Of course. Do what you can.” Wasp watches the screen and knows that was their chance and that it just passed them by. Thor, Wonder Man, Warbird, Iron Man, and Firebird fly towards Damocles Base to confront Kang. Yellowjacket, Stingray, and Black Knight start a growth matrix. Kang laughs and says that is why they are his greatest enemies. He says that they fight to the end just as he would. He says that there defenses are broken and that they are no longer invisible to him.
Kang orders the main batteries to forward all power to the co-ordinates on the screen. He orders a “city-killer salvo”. Suddenly Damocles Base begins to shake. Kang turns to see that he has been struck by the Triple-Evil’s pyramid.
Triathlon says that the shields held, but that they rattled them good. He is readying for another blast. Cap tells him to let Kang know that they are there.
Kang storms to the holo-projection chamber. He asks if there is no end to the interruptions. He says that he will have to deal with this personally. He tells Marcus to have the simulacrum prepped for full weapons power. Kang dons the armor.
Captain America says that he thinks he knows what is coming next and tells Triathlon to let him know if the pyramid can do something.
Kang’s
projection keeps getting larger and larger until the pyramid is
something that he can grab at with his hand. He says that even
his admiration has its limits. Kang asks if they think that the
pyramid is their salvation. Kang reminds them that he is the one
that told them about it. He says that he can counter all of their
new toy’s capabilities. A hand taps Kang on the shoulder and
a voice says, “Even this?” Kang turns to see a Captain
America as large as him. Cap says, “Now, you miserable,
jacked-up little tin-Hitler… let’s end this.”
Avengers Files rating: 8.5 out of 10
Finally the story is moving forward with some real action. All the cards are on the table and the fighting begins. Bush has perhaps become the most pictured president in the history of comic books since World War II. Ivan Reis does a magnificent job with this issue. He is a breath of fresh, clean air after the scratching of Keiron Dwyer. He does so many good drawings that I really wanted to put a few more on the page.