Avengers vol. 3 #61Avengers vol. 3 #61
Title: "The Powers That Be!”
Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Gary Frank
Inker: Jon Sibal
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Editor: Tom Brevoort
The President of the United States is on the phone with the Secretary of Defense. He says that their tether to the Avengers has been cut. He says that they are going to be reporting directly to the United Nations. The Secretary of Defense says that this is not a good day. A news reporter, outside what is now being called Avengers Embassy, says that the vote was unanimous to recognize the Avengers as a sovereign territory. The Avengers are now being acknowledged as a world power and given the same immunities other diplomats would. The crowd outside the mansion is cheering for the Avengers. Secretary of Defense Dell Rusk says that he disagrees with the President and says that he thinks that it is something to worry about. He says that he understands the President and that he won’t pursue the matter any further. Rusk hangs up the phone.
At Avengers Embassy, Jarvis tells the workers that he wants to see the assembly room finished by the end of the day. The workers say that it won’t be a problem and to give them another hour. Mr. Tomasi says that he can have dinner ready at seven. Jarvis tells Tomasi to make sure his kitchen is properly stocked. He says that Captain America likes Granny Smith apples and that Yellowjacket has a sweet tooth for caramel. He also says to make sure there is plenty of turkey legs in the refrigerator for Thor. Wasp flies by and asks how it is going. Gyrich and Cap walk into the room. Gyrich says that Cap should listen to him and limit the number of Avengers to seven. Cap says that how many and who they are will be decided by him and no one else. Cap admires the view from the assembly room. Gyrich suggests that he go over the security plans. Jarvis says that they are in good hands. Gyrich says that Jarvis is a butler and that this is more complicated than shining Cap’s boots. Jarvis says, “Mr. Gyrich, though your opinion means little to me, much like yourself… managing this house, making sure this team has what it requires, from the highest of technology to the cream in their coffee, is my responsibility. Gyrich says that there are lots of requirements and expectations from the U.N., and that they need him. Wasp says that she will leave it to Cap, but that she doesn’t like Gyrich. Gyrich admits that he has made mistakes, but that he doesn’t have a super soldier serum to help him be perfect. He asks Cap when the last time he made a mistake was. Cap thinks for a minute. Cap says that he will appoint Gyrich the U.N. liaison. He says that he is smart, has skills, and the background. He says that maybe he even has the integrity somewhere. Cap tells Gyrich that this is his second chance and not to screw it up. Namor slams down a giant table. He says that it is Atlantean marble fused with scarlet and black coral, and branded in Pacific Antarctic silver. He says that it was constructed by the best masons and artists in his kingdom. He says that it is a gift of gratitude. Cap says that he appreciates it and that he would like Namor to stay on and show the world the man he knows him to be. Namor looks at Cap and then busts out laughing. He says that what he likes about Cap is that he can make him laugh. Namor flies off. Wasp says that she guesses that means “no thanks”.
Vision is prodded to smile. He does so and a
flash goes off. A holographic image of Vision’s head is
being prepared for an embassy I.D. card She-Hulk says that they
are amazing. She says that you can contact any Avenger the world
over, gives you security clearance on the top level for over a
hundred countries, and gets you 10% off at Starbucks. 
She-Hulk looks
at her holographic image and notices that they cut off the top of
her head. Vision says that he doesn’t like the smile and
fixes the face to his regular face. Wanda enters the room and
says that she liked the smile. Warbird says that she looks great.
Wanda says that she feels wonderful. Wanda asks Vision how he is.
Vision says, “I am… adequate.” Wanda says that she
will see them later and walks out. Vision phases up through the
ceiling. She-Hulk says that it used to be hard to see them apart,
but that now it is hard to picture them together. She says that
she was weirded out when she first heard about it, but that
Hawkeye told her something. Warbird says, “Don’t try to
define love.’ Told me the same thing.”
Wanda is looking at a picture of Vision with
Cap and Hawkeye, when Vision phases out of the wall. Wanda is
startled and says that she forgot about his new appearance.
Vision says that it is an adverse side effect of his encounter
with the Gremlin. He says that his phasing abilities have a bug
in them. 
He says that he
came there to apologize and that when she asked him how he was
that he meant to say, “when you are feeling better… I
feel better.” Wanda smiles.
Falcon tells Cap that he is staying. Cap says that is good and that he needs another pair of eyes, He says that there is something specific that he needs him to watch. Wasp asks Thor if he has “time to fool around with us mere mortals”. Thor says, “No. I do not. There are more important things to attend to. He swings his hammer around and teleports away. Wasp says, “Well… that’s two kings down… one to go.”
Black Panther looks out over the Embassy’s roof. Iron Man is behind him and says that somehow Panther knew that this was going to happen. He says that they helped the world and were rewarded with more power and responsibility and top security clearances for every country belonging to the U.N. Iron Man says that is why Panther is still there and that he doesn’t care about the team. Panther tells Iron Man to think what he wants. Iron Man says that Panther doesn’t trust anyone. He says that he uses people like chess pieces. He says that Panther used him and that it almost killed him. Iron Man says that it won’t happen again. Panther says, “But you’re my knight, Stark.” Iron Man just looks at him and says, “So you are staying.” Panther asks if that is a problem. Stark says, “Not for me.” Panther turns but Iron Man is already gone.
Yellowjacket and Ant-Man are laughing. Yellowjacket winches in pain and tells Ant-Man to stop making him laugh. Wasp flies over and says that she thought that she heard them. Ant-Man says that he just came by to cheer up his predecessor before leaving. Wasp asks if he is sure that he wants to go. Ant-Man asks what the Avengers would do with “three jokers that can shrink?” Wasp says that it isn’t about powers, but about commitment. Ant-Man says that is why he is going and that his daughter comes first. He says that this last custody hearing is tomorrow. He says that maybe when Cassie turns eighteen. He thanks them for the kind words and says to say goodbye to “Jerk-of-Hearts”.
Jack sits in the Zero Room. He looks at the timer. He watches it click from eight hours, fourteen minutes, and forty-five seconds to eight hours, fourteen minutes, and forty-four seconds. Jack blasts the thing and destroys it.
Ant-Man flies away from the Embassy. He says that it would have been fun. The reporter outside says that the Avengers are coming out. Black Panther, Warbird, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Iron Man, Falcon, She-Hulk, Yellowjacket, Wasp, and Captain America wave to the people. Wasp says that she almost forgot. She flies over and raises the Avengers and American flag up the flagpole. Captain America smiles.
Gyrich gets out of his cab. He gives the driver ten dollars on a $9.80 fare. He smiles as he watches the reporter signing off. Gyrich’s doorman opens the door to his apartment building. He congratulates him on his new gig with the Avengers. He asks Gyrich if he knows Captain America. Gyrich crosses his fingers and says, “We’re like this.” Gyrich enters his apartment to find someone there. Secretary of Defense, Dell Rusk introduces himself. Gyrich says that he knows who he is and asks what he is doing there. Rusk says that the development with the Avengers is unsettling. He says that the President is upset especially. The U.S. liaison position has been terminated. He says that without someone appointed by them that they feel cut off and that they are a bit worried. Gyrich asks what Rusk wants. Rusk says that Gyrich will report directly to him. Gyrich declines. Rusk says that if he does this that he can pick any position in Washington… FBI, CIA, or even Congress. Gyrich says that he said no. Rusk grabs Gyrich by the throat and says that this is a direct order from the President. He says that Gyrich is going to tell him everything or he will get him kicked out of the Avengers so fast that it would make Quicksilver’s head spin. Rusk says that he knows people and can do that. He asks Gyrich if he understands. Gyrich rubs his throat and says that he understands. On Gyrich’s windowsill, Redwing watches it all.
Avengers Files rating: 9 out of 10
I really enjoyed the story. I feel like Geoff Johns really has a great feel for the characters and that his plot is moving along very well. I was never really crazy about Vision and Scarlet Witch being together, but for some reason he is making it work. I love the dynamic between Iron Man and Black Panther and my only real beef with that is that I don’t get how this really fits in with what is going on in Black Panther. Hopefully all will be explained in one of the titles sooner or later. Love Falcon being with Captain America again. Makes me really wish that Cap wasn’t a Marvel Knight title right now. Gyrich is a pathetic character that you love to hate. Frank does an outstanding job with the pencils and really brings them to life. My only problem with his pencils is that Wanda’s face looks a little haggard and doesn’t reflect her good looks.