Thunderbolts #3

Title: “Too Many Masters”

Writer: Kurt Busiek

Penciller: Mark Bagely

Inker: Vince Russell

Colors: Joe Rosas

Editor: Tom Brevoort

Without knowing where she is, how long she has been held, or really how she got away Hallie Takahama has escaped from the terrible things that followed the orders of an unseen master who treated her like a lab rat. She hides from the creatures as they search for her and makes her way south hoping to find help.

In Manhattan, MACH-1 calls out to some police and asks if they have a spare cell. He flies down with a criminal in his hands. MACH-1 tells them that he just caught this guy after he burglarized a place on Park Avenue. MACH-1 says that his stuff is still all over the rooftop if they want to gather some evidence against him. MACH-1 says that the guy must have had a partner who got away with all the goods. The guy starts saying that he always works alone. He says that superhero just stole his loot. The officers laugh it off and wish MACH-1 a good night. MACH-1 flies away.

The renovations to Four Freedoms Plaza are nearly complete. The giant “4” on the outside has been replaced with the Thunderbolts’ lightning bolt. Inside MACH-1 asks Citizen V what the big deal is. He explains that the guy had seven grand in cash on him and asks if he was supposed to give it to the cops. Citizen V says that he should have and reminds him that he is not an independent anymore. He says that MACH-1 is part of the greatest con in history. He tells Abe to look around at the building and all the equipment that they just handed over to them and asks if he would risk all that stuff for seven thousand dollars. Abe says that he guesses that he screwed up. Citizen V continues yelling at MAH-1, but Moonstone breaks in and says that MACH-1 realizes his error now and that he won’t do it again.

Elsewhere in the building, Techno has just hooked up the communication gear and Atlas uses it for the first time to call Dallas Riordan. Atlas tells Dallas that since she is their liaison officer that she might like to stop by and check out their set up. Dallas says that she would like to and asks if their alert scanner is on. Techno is in the process of switching it on as she asks, and immediately upon being turned on the scanner sounds an alert. Atlas and Techno watch on their screen and Dallas watches from her’s as they all see video footage from a traffic camera. On screen the Black Widow is seen fighting Klaw, Tiger Shark, Flying Tiger, and Man-Killer. Dallas says that their reports indicate the villains are known as the Masters of Evil. Atlas says goodbye to Dallas and shuts off the comm-gear. Techno says that they are the Masters of Evil and says that they just can’t take their name. Atlas agrees and tells Techno that they better go tell Citizen V.

As they head towards the fight Citizen V tells Meteorite and Songbird to stay wide, and to be ready for anything. Citizen V asks Atlas if anyone mentioned to ask who was leading the Masters of Evil. Atlas says that they forgot to ask, but says that they are going to “stick it to em”. Citizen V agrees that they will find out who is leading these imposters and make them realize their error.

Black Widow stings Man-Killer in the face, but Klaw is creating a sound monster behind her. Klaw says that she can’t hope to beat them all, but he is suddenly blasted from the air. Black Widow tries to tell whoever is helping her that she doesn’t need their help, but Citizen V forges onward. He identifies Klaw, Man-Killer, Tiger Shark, Flying Tiger, and a new Cyclone. Citizen V asks who is leading this group. A red cloaked figure appears. Citizen V asks who she is and by what right does she claim to lead the Masters of Evil. Crimson Cowl introduces herself and says that she does not explain herself. She also adds that she doesn’t remain around when her objective is no longer possible. Cowl opens her cloak, and with a flash of light the Masters of Evil disappear.

Citizen V asks the Black Widow if she is all right. Black Widow yells at them that she didn’t need their help, and that all they accomplished was letting them escape. Citizen V says that he didn’t realize that she was purposely fighting them all alone. Black Widow says that she is tracking down all the former foes of the Avengers and bringing them all in whatever it takes. Black Widow says that the Masters will be back, and that they are trying to take over the city’s underworld. They were attempting to get the contents of the warehouse that belongs to one of the bosses that refuses to submit to their leadership. Black Widow tells them all to stay out of her way and swings away. Atlas says that they are included in the former foes of the Avengers. Citizen V tells Techno to confirm that the warehouse contains underworld goods, and when it does he orders them all to destroy it. Zemo smiles under his Citizen V mask that he thwarted his pretenders’ goals. They head home.

Days later Citizen V summons Techno. He says that he has been making inquiries as Baron Zemo concerning the new Masters of Evil and says that he thinks he might know when and where to find them again. He says that before they confront them again he would like Techno to prepare something.

MACH-1 finally catches up with Songbird. He says that he wants to talk to her, and that she has been shutting him out since that kiss freaked her out. Melissa says that she doesn’t mean to be rude, but that she always loses everyone she ever cares about. Abe explains that when he started being the Beetle he did it to gain respect. He says that recently he has been wondering if there aren’t more important things and that she is the reason he has been thinking that. Abe holds Melissa’s face in his hand and they kiss. Suddenly the alarm goes off.

Citizen V informs the team as they fly towards the meeting place that the Masters are providing security as their bosses meet to buy a large shipment of high tech weapons. Citizen V and the Thunderbolts charge into the deal. Citizen V says that perhaps this time the “Masters” won’t turn tail and run like scared rabbits. Crimson Cowl says that he can count on that. She says that their interference once, but that it won’t be tolerated again. Meteorite hits Tiger Shark hard. Klaw has a sound panther smash through Songbird’s sound shield. He says that he doesn’t know who she is, but he recognizes the technology as his own. Klaw says that she should know that he doesn’t share. Man-Killer charges Techno, but Techno side steps and trips her off the top of the castle they were standing on. He asks her if she isn’t supposed to be dead. MACH-1 squares off against Flying Tiger and Cyclone spends his time spinning circles around Atlas. Tiger Shark charges at Moonstone and says that he is going to crack her shell and eat her soft underbelly like he would a lobster. Crimson Cowl squares off against Citizen V. V remarks that at least Crimson Cowl has a prehensile cape to fight with where the old Crimson Cowl was just a façade. The arms merchants make a run for it. Klaw grabs Songbird and starts to drain the sonic energy out of her. Flying Tiger knocks MACH-1 out of the sky. Moonstone says that she isn’t going to be the third Thunderbolt to go down, but she is then squashed when Atlas falls onto her. Atlas gets up, but Tiger Shark leaps at him. Techno erects a shield as Man-Killer punches him. Techno flies into the crates of high tech weapons. Techno uses his tech pac and incorporates the weapons into one giant controlled weapon. He yells for the Masters to freeze. Citizen V mocks Crimson Cowl, but she says that he should have a care. Citizen V says that these Masters are a joke and that the real Masters of Evil would never be anyone’s hirelings. Crimson Cowl flashes again and teleports away.

Citizen V asks where the arms merchants got to. Suddenly Black Widow throws the tied up merchants to the ground in front of the Thunderbolts. Black Widow glares at them and then swings away.

The Thunderbolts return to their headquarters to discover that the automatic defenses have captured a teenage girl. Hallie asks that they let her down. Citizen V does so, but asks her why she is there. Hallie drops to the ground with her eyes glowing. She demands to know where the Fantastic Four are and that she needs their help.