Avengers vol. 3 #55Avengers vol. 3 #55
Title: “The Last Farewell”
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Patrick Zircher
Inker: Scott Koblish
Colors: Tom Smith
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Three weeks after the Avengers defeated Kang and the vigil in Washington D.C. continues unabated. Over 75,000 mourners are there to show their grief and express their thanks to the Avengers for freeing the world.
In New York City at Avengers mansion, Warbird steps forward to receive her judgment from her fellow Avengers. Yellowjacket, Wasp, Scarlet Witch, Iron Man, Silverclaw, and Captain America are standing in judgment. Cap makes sure to note that the court martial concerning the Master of the World was requested by Warbird herself. Cap says that they have heard private testimony from other Avengers, as was also requested by Warbird. Cap tells Warbird to take a seat and give her account of what happened. Warbird says that they had been sent to secure the Master’s base for use against Kang. She says that Master was going to wait until Europe and Asia were destroyed before he used it. Warbird says that they were unable to defeat him however and because it was urgent and war time she killed him. She says that she thought that it was the right thing to do at the time, but if she had managed to persuade him they might have been able to save Washington D.C. Warbird says that the accepts full responsibility and accepts whatever punishment they have decided. Cap thanks her and asks her to step outside.
Moments later, Captain America asks them if they are unanimous. Warbird re-enters the room and Captain America says that all of them find that the circumstances were extraordinary and unusual. Captain America says that the world was at war and the Avengers were conducting a duly-authorized military mission for the United States at any and all costs. He says that they find that Warbird was acting as a soldier and not just an Avenger. He says that they also find that the threat was crucial and that there was no alternative. Cap says that the Avengers’ interdiction against the use of lethal force was suspended. He says that the death of the Master, while regrettable, was justifiable and that no punishment is merited. Warbird asks what Cap said. Wasp says that they want Warbird to stop beating herself up and that she did the right thing. Iron Man congratulates Warbird and says that it took a lot of guts to demand a court martial. Warbird says, “But… Washington…” Iron Man says that Kang destroyed Washington and that it was his crime, not hers. He says that she helped them take the world back from him. Warbird starts to cry. She says that she thought that she would be kicked out again at the least, but that she had to face it. She says that she thinks that she has turned a corner and that she thinks she might have what it takes. Scarlet Witch hugs Warbird and says that there are a lot of people waiting to see her. Numbers of Avengers are all out in the waiting room. Wonder Man, Justice, Firebird, among others. She-Hulk is standing with Hercules. She-Hulk places her hand on Hercules chest as Herc says, “Aye, milady She-Hulk, I be fully recovered from the fields of France. Wouldst thou test me?” Justice tells Jack of Hearts that he will get used to being an Avenger. Jarvis asks Photon to tell the others something. Firebird asks Wasp if there has been any sign of Thor. Wasp says that not since Kang’s defeat. Iron Man and others watch the memorial service. Jarvis tells Iron Man that they have heard from Mister Freeman and that he will be there shortly. Iron Man asks to be informed when he arrives. Yellowjacket says that Iron Man is taking it pretty hard. Cap says that Iron Man and Duane hadn’t gotten along since the business with the Triunes came up.
Outside Peggy Chandler’s home in New Mexico, Peggy looks up and sees Triathlon/Hal/Chuck hovering above her. She says that she got his message, but that she didn’t dare believe it. They tell her that she can believe it. Triathlon says that he told her that he would return her missing husband. He says that he is sorry that it took so long, but that he has her husband and one more. He says that now if he can just do this right. Suddenly instead of the merged trio, Triathlon, Hal, and Chuck all appear individually. Chuck removes his mask and says that he hadn’t felt sunshine on his face since 1958. Peg runs to both of them. Chuck says that it has been a while, but that she is still the cutest chick in the southwest. Peg says that she can never stop thanking Triathlon. Chuck asks why he is back in his physical form the way he was back in ’58. Triathlon says that since his body was turned into energy all he did was use the last of the energy he absorbed to separate Hal and Chuck. Delroy says that Chuck has missed a lot of years, but that at least he has his family to help him start over. Hal says that he won’t ever be able to thank him enough either. Delroy says that he feels all the “cosmic juice” is gone and that the triple powers are back. Hal asks what Triathlon is going to do now. Delroy says that he isn’t sure. He says that the Triune Understanding is trying to reform. He says that they helped a lot of people, even if their leadership was corrupt. He says that he isn’t going back to them just yet though. He says that for now he is going back to New York to the Avengers so he can help rebuild the world.
Vision stands among the people as Victor Shade as they all watch the new UN building finishing construction. People seem to take it as a sign that the war is really over. Darby Shade comes up behind Victor Shade and calls out to him. She says that she hasn’t seen him since Chicago. He asks her what brings her to New York. Darby says that the UN building does. She says that she works for Impossible Engineering. She says that they have been volunteering to help the reconstruction go quicker. She says that Victor kind of disappeared on them. Vision lets his Victor Shade persona drop and says that he should explain. He says that Victor Shade was just a holographic exterior. He says that when they met that he was on a surveillance mission. Darby says that she thought it was something like that. Vision asks if she knew. Darby says that she didn’t at the time, but that Pete saw him flying away from the bar and that with the Avengers in the new right after she just put two and two together. Vision apologizes and says that he was trying to connect with humanity to see what it was like to actually be human. Darby says that he has nothing to apologize for and that he is a great guy to talk to or go to a baseball game. She gives him her card and says to call her again if he want to go for a drink or game. Vision thanks her and flies into the air.
Avengers are still watching the television coverage. Stingray says that he realizes that he hasn’t eaten since he got back from Canada. He asks Jarvis if he could go get a sandwich or something. Jarvis says that the kitchen is temporarily out of order. The doorbell rings and Jarvis goes to answer it.
Black Knight is still up in Canada. He tells Iron Man that when they failed to punch in the override code that the Master’s computers started a countdown and that they were barely able to evacuate before the whole thing came tumbling down including the weapon-walls around the cities. Iron Man asks if there is anything left, but Black Knight says that there is nothing they can make if it anyway. He says that there is just a hole and some weird organic dust. He says that there was so much they could have learned, but that it is all just gone now. Iron Man says that is just the way it goes. He says that Master is killed and his base is destroyed. He says that they defeated Kang, but that he fled off into any myriad of time streams that they can’t track him through. He says that they just get to deal with the repercussions. Jarvis tells Iron Man that Mr. Freeman has arrived and that he showed him to the office.
Iron Man greets Derek Freeman and says that he is sorry for his loss. Iron Man says that it is their loss too. Derek thanks him. They stare awkwardly at each other for a moment. Derek says that Duane loved working for them as their federal security liaison. He says that Duane was a big fan of the Avengers and the work they do. Derek says that Duane always collected the memorabilia and followed them the way others follow sports teams. Derek picks up a copy of Avengers #58 signed by Thor, Goliath, Captain America, T’Challa, and Wasp and says that he was never happier than when he was working for them. Iron Man says that was a nice change of pace and that they never had much luck with liaisons before. Iron Man stops. Derek asks what was wrong. Iron Man says that he wanted to meet with Derek and confesses to him that he and Duane had some trouble when he found out that Duane was a member of the Triune Understanding. He says that things weren’t easy between them. He says that they finally learned that it was only Jonathan Tremont that was corrupt, but by that time Washington and Duane were gone. He says that he has wanted to apologize to Duane but that he will never get the chance. Derek says that there is something that Iron Man should know. He says that Duane was trying to investigate how the Triunes knew various Avengers priority frequencies. He says that the notes where inconclusive, but that Duane thought that perhaps Jonathan Tremont was able to read people’s minds during the Mental Cleansing Rituals. Derek says that Duane thought that he might have been the leak, and that among his things they found Duane’s letter of resignation. Iron Man says that if that were the case that there would have been no need for Duane to resign. Derek says that Duane would have been happy to hear him say that and that he had a lot of respect for Iron Man. Iron Man starts to object, but Derek says that there is something else he should know. Derek said that Duane respected him for changing his mind about Triathlon when he realized that he was wrong about him. Derek said that Duane respected the fact that he had all that power, but still kept his brain in control. Derek says that he wouldn’t worry too much about not getting the chance to tell Duane. He said that Duane was the smartest one in the family and that he always knew the score. Derek says that Duane knew and thanks Iron Man for meeting with him. Derek leaves behind the issue of Avengers #58.
Downstairs the others ask Jarvis what they
are waiting for. Jarvis says hat it will only be a few minutes
longer. She-Hulk says him not to wait until they get angry and
says that he wouldn’t like them when they are angry. Off in
the corner, Firebird is telling Cap, Wasp, and Yellowjacket that
she thinks that she is the one that drove Thor away. She says
that Thor had been talking about leaving the team and distancing
himself from mortal affairs. She says that she was trying to
change his mind, but that she lost her temper and yelled at him.
She says that she tried to apologize, but that Thor wouldn’t
even speak to her. Jarvis announces that this is what they have
been waiting for. 
Suddenly the
room fills with light as Thor enters the room with a bunch of
Asgardians. The Asgardians are carrying an enormous roast pig on
their shoulders. Thor says that they are victorious over a
terrible enemy and that in Asgard they would celebrate for six
days with feasting and jousting. He says that might be a bit much
for them, but that he used Asgard’s imperial chefs to give
them a taste of what they really deserve. Thor tells them to go
to the table, but tells Jarvis that he assures him that the
kitchen will be clean before morning.
Soon, Thor says that he has some remarks to make. He says that lately he has been worried that as an immortal that the mortal friends that he was making would end too quickly and that the pain would be too great. He says that he was shown the error of his way by a wise young woman who was courageous enough to challenge his foolishness and open his eyes. Thor toasts Firebird for treating him as the fool he was. Thor says that now he knows that the bonds they know will be broken makes them all the more special because they will one day be gone. He says that they must celebrate them while they remain near. Thor tells them to take joy in their victory and to honor those that they have lost. As everyone raises their tankards, Wasp notices Iron Man walking away. She flies out and tells him to fess up. Iron Man says that just isn’t in the partying mood and that he has something that he wants to do. Wasp says that she thinks that she knows what he wants to do and that she will go with him. She says that she thinks that there is someone else who’d like to come. Iron Man, Captain America, and Wasp stand at the memorial. Iron Man says that Duane had no fear and that he even took on Thor when he had to. Wasp is surprised. Cap recalls that she wasn’t there and tells her about how Duane actually backed Thor up a step. Cap says that it was something for the books. Iron Man tells Duane goodbye and that he will be missed. On the memorial wall is the issue of Avengers #58 Derek left behind, but now it is signed by Thor, Goliath, Wasp, T’Challa, Captain America and Iron Man.
Avengers Files rating: 8 out of 10
A good wrap up issue for the Kang storyline. The bit with 3-D Man was pretty cool and the meeting between Iron Man and Duane’s brother was well done. Zircher did a pretty good job with the art. I love those scenes with all the Avengers in one room and I haven’t seen a real good one since Perez left the book.