Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciller: John Buscema
Inker: Tom Palmer
Letterer: Herb Cooper
Featured Issue: Avengers #83
Plot Summary
While in town to visit an ailing aunt, Janet Van Dyne, formerly known as the Avenger Wasp, decides to pay her old teammates a visit. Little does she know that there has been a change in management at Avengers Mansion. Upon entering the meeting room where the team would hold council, Wasp is greeted by several of her fellow female heroes. Black Widow and Scarlet Witch are old allies, while Madame Medusa is at least known to the Avenger. The groups leader however is new, and introduces herself as Valkyrie. When Wasp questions why they are in Avengers Mansion, Scarlet Witch informs her that the building is now under the control of the Liberators, a new, all female group. Black Widow then ask Wasp to join them for a moment and hear what they have to say.
With that Valkyrie begins to tell her story. Working in a lab for Dr. Erwin, Valkyrie found herself pushed aside and looked down upon by the men she worked with. Determined to prove that she was even better than they were, Valkyrie worked late into the night and fell asleep while still clutching a smoking test tube. When she awoke, she found that she had gained super human abilities. After that she vows to use her powers to in pursuit of female dominance and begins to call herself Valkyrie.
Although her story is compelling, the assembled women don’t immediately see how the Avengers and other male heroes are to blame for the slights they have suffered. Valkyrie then begins to make the case that in every instance the male heroes have taken the credit and glory for themselves while simultaneously belittling the contributions of the women. Valkyrie points to headlines that refer to “Quicksilver and sister” as well as the fact that Black Widow was repeatedly turned down for membership in the Avengers as evidence to support her argument. One after another, the heroes fall silent as they are unable to refute Valkyrie’s claims. With all of the other women on her side, Valkyrie and the heroes take to the skies in Valkyrie’s chariot in order to attend to their urgent business.
Meanwhile in Rutland, Vermont, the Avengers find themselves the guests of honor of Mr. Tom Fagan, local comics creator and co-founder of the town’s Halloween parade. Little do the Avengers realize that lurking nearby are the Masters of Evil, have recently escaped from prison. Having lead their escape, Klaw now takes control of the team and directs them to kidnap renowned mathematician and expert on parallel time, Dr. T.W. Erwin. As the Masters approach Dr Erwin, Vision notices that they may not be simple revelers in costume, but the real Masters of Evil. With this the Avengers spring into action. Soon the small town of Rutland is engulfed in a vicious life and death struggle between the Avengers and the Masters of Evil with the tide of battle swinging back and forth between the two teams.
It is only with the timely arrival of Valkyrie and her Liberators that victory lies firmly with the Avengers. Unfortunately their victory is short lived as the Liberators quickly turn on the Avengers and take Dr. Erwin into their custody.
Returning to Dr. Erwin’s lab, the Liberators behold the parallel time projector. Having what she truly desires, Valkyrie can no longer keep up her façade and reveals herself to be the mighty sorceress Enchantress. After having been banished along with Executioner, Enchantress is abandoned by her companion when he is seduced by Queen Casiolena. Seeking vengeance at having been spurned, Enchantress swears to take out her rage on all men, everywhere. To further this end Enchantress sought Dr. Erwin’s device in order to return her to Asgard and her full powers.
Just as she is attacked by Scarlet Witch, Enchantress disappears by a means obviously not of her own devising. With that, the device explodes, leaving a smoking crater in the lab. Although the immediate threat is over and the remaining Liberators have been freed from Enchantress’ spell, Scarlet Witch and Wasp still have some choice words for their male counterparts regarding their equal treatment.
Avengers
Black Panther
Black Widow
Goliath
Medusa
Quicksilver
Scarlet Witch
Vision
Wasp
Villains
Enchantress
Masters of Evil
Valkyrie
Some Assembly Required 