Avengers/Thunderbolts #1

Title: "One: The Cause of Justice”

Writers: Kurt Busiek & Fabian Nicieza

Penciller: Barry Kitson

Inker: Gary Erskine

Colors: Brian Reber

Editor: Tom Brevoort

Zeulniz, south of Leipzig, the holy Roman Empire, 1480, an entire band of slay-raiders approaches Harbin Zemo on a bridge toward his hamlet. They tell Zemo to step aside, but Harbin Zemo tells them that he thinks not. Harbin introduces himself and says that he is granary charge man and ministerialis of the town. He says that the people are under his protection. He says that they are not welcome there and charges into them. Zemo would go on to kill every single invader. He lay against the well injured. The people whisper that Zemo would be brought before the Emperor. They say that he might be elevated to nobility… maybe even a Baron. A little girl named Marta says to Harbin that he has been hurt. Harbin says that it is nothing and tells her to attend to the townsfolk that were hurt. Marta starts to thank Harbin, but Harbin says, “You need say nothing my friend. I pledge to you, that whenever good men and women like you are threatened… a Zemo shall stand ready to serve the cause of justice!”

Helmut Zemo thinks to himself about the countless times he was told the story of Harbin Zemo, how he became a legend, and the wellspring of their entire line. Helmet thinks how his father would tell him that Harbin was born to it… that it was in his blood, and no one had noticed. “But blood will out, he said, blood will tell”. Zemo sits before the Prime Minister of Carnelia. He tells him that it isn’t a difficult choice. He tells him to turn over all information on their fusion reactor, stop its development, and the Thunderbolts will spare the nation of Carnelia exposure, excessive damage, and unwanted embarrassment. The Prime Minister says, “This is… this is intolerable, Zemo!” Zemo says, “Please. Baron Zemo”. The Prime Minister says that they are a sovereign nation and asks how dare they insult and threaten them. He says that super humans are all the same and that his group is the worst of all. He lists their crimes of blackmail, thievery, and taking over the world. He asks how they are going to dictate to him what is right and moral. Zemo thinks to himself that Harbin would have told him that someone has to do it. The Prime Minister says that he rejects Zemo’s threat and makes one of his own. The men in the group all aim their guns at Zemo. He says that they will beg his forgiveness or die. Zemo says that this is not a negotiation. He has Moonstone phase the men’s guns away. He says to give the word to the others. The Prime Minister asks what he is going to do. Zemo says that he is going to give him what he asked for: exposure, unwanted embarrassment, and excessive damage.

On the news, the anchor discusses the security camera captured action of the Thunderbolts storming the “often-denied… fusion reactor facility”. She says that Zemo, Vantage, Songbird, and Blackheath easily kept the armed forces at bay while Atlas, Fixer, and Moonstone dismantled the fusion reactor which had been the focus of international dispute in the UN, and that it was accomplished without a single casualty. Evidence of Carnelia’s illegal activities was later turned over to Russian President Putin in Moscow. Putin thanked the Thunderbolts and invited them to a state dinner in their honor. Later in a press conference, Zemo says that they have made the world a safer place and asks those that criticize their actions if they are sleeping better at night. The anchor says that the Thunderbolts left quickly after that and that since they reappeared on the scene that the Thunderbolts have performed several similar strikes against countries that have violated international laws. She says that in doing so that the Thunderbolts have forged political alliances and gained a groundswell of support. She asks if these are the heroes for a new age.

The Avengers watch the news report and Hawkeye twirls and arrow and says to look at him beaming like a proud poppa. Captain America says that he doesn’t know about this. He says that he gave them the benefit of the doubt when Hawkeye was leading the team, but now… Hawkeye asks what about now. He asks what is different and that it looks to him like they are making the world a better place. He asks if that isn’t the job description. Wanda says that she and Clint wouldn’t be here if they didn’t get a similar chance, but that this seems different. Wasp says that they were the Masters of Evil. Vision phases through the wall and says that there is a situation that requires their attention. Vision changes the channel and shows the Cobalt Man attacking a research lab outside Topeka. Cap tells all the Avengers that they leave in three minutes. Hawkeye asks if the Cobalt Man isn’t dead. Wasp asks what his point is. Hawkeye tells Cap that their talk about the Thunderbolts isn’t over. Cap says that he is sure that it’s just begun.

In Aberdeen, Scotland, Erik Josten, Dallas, and Melissa are listening to the report of the Cobalt Man getting away from the Avengers. Erik says that he never thought he would see the day. He says, “…good food, good beer… and the Avengers screwing up, while we get good press!” Mel says that hell freezes over and Erik Josten gets cocky. Erik says that he wasn’t trying to be, but that it finally feels like they are on the right track. Dallas tells Erik not to be so quick to fall for Zemo’s company line. Mel asks Dallas if she still doesn’t trust Zemo. Dallas asks if Melissa does. She says that she stayed with the Thunderbolts to be with Erik and to keep and eye on Zemo. Mel says that she wouldn’t turn her back on him in a dark alley, but that even Dallas has to admit that he hasn’t screwed up yet. Dallas says, “yet”.

Zemo watches them and admits to himself that leadership as a symbol is more daunting than as a symbol of fear. He thinks to himself that Dallas, Erik, and Melissa are more independent than the old him would have preferred.

Blackheath is suddenly standing behind them. He says, “You anticipate betrayal. That would be expected of meat… by meat.” Erik freaks. Dallas says that they should stop talking about this while they are exposed. Erik says that it is okay. He says that no one is running and calling the cops. Suddenly Moonstone appears.

Zemo thinks to himself that Blackheath is still a mystery, and then thinks about the irony that the two that he can trust the most, Moonstone and Fixer, are the ones that have been the most duplicitous in nature. He says that if it weren’t for them that Project: Liberator would have no chance of succeeding. He says that they would never be able to save the world from its own destructive insanities. He thinks that he values their intelligence and skill and considers their unwavering support one of his greatest achievements.

Moonstone asks if they got the monofilaments that Norbert needs. Erik says that they were just about to and figured they would get something to eat since they don’t get out into civilization that often. Blackheath says that he obtained the ammonium nitrate. Erik asks where and Blackheath says that he ingested six pounds of fertilizer. Erik says that he is sorry he asked. Moonstone commends Blackheath. She tells the others that she sympathizes that they feel they have earned a break, but that they are on a schedule. She says that she has been covering for them, but that Zemo has been commenting on sloppiness and that he isn’t happy. Moonstone says that she will take Blackheath back now, and that she will come back for them. Melissa and Dallas are outraged, but Erik says that what they are doing is important and that they have been kicking back a lot. Dallas says that if it wasn’t for them that Zemo would be in jail, or on Counter Earth, or dead again. Moonstone watches them walking away talking and Erik says that they should just get the monofilaments and go home.

Stormfront-1, T-Bolts HQ, The North Sea, Fixer shouts that this is totally disgusting. He asks what this is. Blackheath says that it is the pure ammonia nitrate he requested… filtered and enhanced by his own internal biosystems. Fixer says that is fine, but that next time to puke it into a toilet or a wagon or something. Zemo watches them. He knows that for the Fixer the joy is in the doing and making it work. He thinks that Blackheath is helping because he believes it will “green the Earth”. Zemo sees the Blackheath says returned and asks where Karla is. Blackheath says that she said that manipulating his mass ‘left an aroma that required attending”. Fixer says, “Just say she’s taking a shower, you walking salad!” Blackheath says, “She’s taking a shower, you walking salad!” Fixer says that now the fichus has a sense of humor. Zemo asks Ebersol to please incorporate the ammonium nitrate into the venting baffles. He opens a voice link to Karla.

Karla is in the shower and asks Zemo what it is. Zemo tells her to bring her updated reports and that they might need to amend the schedule. Moonstone asks if she has time to condition and Zemo tells her to feel free. He thinks about how Karla has changed. He says that once she would have manipulated the others to ease her insecurities, but that now she is confident in what she does as well as why she does it. He decides to ignore the reason for the change and says that a Zemo would never be jealous. He says that instead he gives her the one thing that Hawkeye never can… respect. Karla gets out of the shower and puts a towel on. She picks up a small screen and watches Hawkeye going up against the Cobalt Man. Cobalt Man is telling the Avengers to just leave him alone and to let him do what he must. He says that he is no threat to anyone. Karla phases her costume over her body. She ends the video and calls up the statistics for Project: Liberator.

Moonstone phases into the room as Zemo and Fixer are working on the machine. Zemo says that conduits five and six overheated again. He tells Fixer that some answers would be welcome. Fixer says, “Don’t get your goose step out of synch. It is going to work.” Zemo asks when and Fixer says that it will be eventually. Zemo slams a wrench against the ground and says that it is unacceptable. He says that Moonstone calculates that they have extremely good will with the public right now, and that they are squandering an opportunity. Moonstone asks if they should impose their good will instead of earning it. Zemo says of course not. He says that there would be another way and that the Liberator isn’t a façade for some insidious plan. He says that she should know that since she conceived it. Fixer mumbles that fact alone should ring a few warning bells. Zemo says that the world needs protection, guidance, and an end to infighting. He says that the liberator is a chance to reimagine the world free of fear, free of dread. Fixer says that it won’t even play Tetris if they don’t fix the coolant system. Fixer says that he and Zemo have been working on it, but what they really need is a nuclear engineer. Moonstone says that she guesses that they have three weeks to capitalize on their popularity and that after that the people won’t buy into their plan. Fixer says that is psychobabble, but Karla says that what it is, is an inevitability. An alert goes off and Moonstone goes to see who it is. She phases out.

Moonstone sees what she assumes is what is left of the Carnelian Air Force, and that she told Zemo that ‘damage and embarrass’ would cost them. Zemo says that he would send Fixer to help her, but that there really isn’t any point. Moonstone creates a gravity shell around each aircraft and renders them immobile. Fixer records the coverage and sends it to CNN. Songbird flies over with Dallas and Erik on a sound platform. Dallas says, “Don’t tell me… ‘damage and embarrass’…?” Moonstone says that he is a work in progress. Dallas says that they all are.

Zemo tells Fixer to patch him through. Zemo tells the Prime Minister that his men and equipment are unharmed, but that his attack has failed. The Prime Minister says that he will go to the United Nations and raise support among the countries that they have humiliated. He says that they will be back with greater numbers. Zemo says that what he will do is accept the loss of the energy program that would have decimated his country and cease his tantrums. The Prime Minister asks, “Or what?” Zemo says that he should really stop asking that. Suddenly screens around the Prime Minister and his senior army officers are playing a scene from the Prime Minister bedding his officers’ wives. Zemo says good day. Vantage asks if that is how Zemo handles the situation. Zemo asks what the problem is. He says that he handled it with no, one can hope, loss of life.  He asks if that isn’t what heroes do.

At Parsons minimum security prison, Warbird asks Captain America to what they owe this honor. Wasp ahems and Warbird says that she didn’t see her there. Cap says that they need to talk to one of their prisoners and that it is an Avengers matter. Warbird asks if it warrants dragging out the Homeland Security Agency’s superhuman liaison. Cap says that he is an exceptional prisoner. Wasp says that Warbird looks good and that her new job suits her. Warbird says that it does, but says that Cap looks grimmer than usual. She asks if his indigestion starts with a letter ‘Z’. Cap asks how the prisoner is behaving. Warbird says that he should be a guard and not an inmate. Cap says that anyone that voluntarily returns to prison to complete a sentence that he was given a government pardon for is either crazy or the most honorable man he knows. Warbird asks Abner Jenkins which one he is. Abe says that he is still working that out. Cap asks Warbird if they can have a minute. Warbird leaves. Abe asks Cap if he still doesn’t trust them. Cap looks at Abe’s pictures of Songbird and asks if he should. Cap says that the info that Songbird has been piping to him forms a puzzle that they can’t figure out. Abe says that maybe it isn’t as heinous as Cap thinks. Cap says that Songbird is on the inside and that even she doesn’t trust Zemo. He says that if Abe helps them now that they can help Songbird later. He tells him not to let Zemo ruin everything that Songbird has accomplished. Abe asks if that is the man of honor that Cap wants him to be: betraying his friends and spitting on the good things that they have done because Cap thinks that they ‘might’ be up to something. Abe asks if they have a shred of evidence. Wasp says that they think that he does. She says that he knows Fixer and Zemo and can see five steps ahead of where they are now. Abe says that if he does that, that Zemo and Bert aren’t the ones they will have to worry about. Cap asks what that means. Abe tells them to give him one good reason for him to tell them what he knows. Cap says, “He’s a Zemo.” Abe’s face crumples. He says, “Project: Liberator, the Thunderbolts are going to use it to save the world. And the Avengers are going to have to stop them…”

Traitor’s rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review and pictures by the Leader

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