Tag: Masters of Evil

Come On In…The Revolution’s Fine

Avengers #83

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

Now, By My Hand, Shall Die a Villain

Avengers #15

Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Don Heck
Inker: Mikey Demeo (Mike Esposito)
Letterer: Art Simek
Layouts: Jack Kirby

Plot Summary

With the closing of yet another Avengers meeting, the heroes each go their separate ways. Giant Man takes the opportunity to escort the recently recovered Wasp out for the evening, while Captain America and Thor both quietly depart Avengers Mansion. Once his teammates have left, Iron Man quickly removes his suit, and as Tony Stark, settles in for a quiet evening.

While The Avengers may be taking some much needed time off, Baron Zemo of The Masters of Evil decides he has been resting on his laurels far too long and that the time is right to once again strike at his hated foes. Zemo rushes off to his airstrip, gives instructions to his waiting pilots and soon they are off, putting their master’s evil plan into motion.

Meanwhile in New York, Captain America is busy mailing a letter he wrote to his former comrade, Nick Fury, asking the Colonel for help in finding meaningful work in the modern world. Just as Cap is about to drop off his letter, he spots Enchantress and Executioner in the back of a car. Though Cap pursues the villains, Enchantress is able to prevent him from keeping up with the use of her magic. When they arrive at their apartment, the Asgardian pair receive a communication from Baron Zemo, who provides them with instructions for the part they will play in the mastermind’s latest scheme.

The Avengers however are no fools and they quickly assemble to discuss Captain America’s recent encounter with two of The Masters of Evil. Though the team expects that The Masters are up to something, everyone is surprised when Cap’s young companion, Rick Jones, is suddenly pulled uncontrollably up into the air. Those Avengers who are capable of flight immediately take off in an attempt to save the teen, only to be met with a concussion bomb which knock out Thor and Iron Man. Rick is pulled into the plane, which turns out to be the very same one that took off from Zemo’s South American fortress. Once he has regained his senses, Iron Man quickly summons a Stark Industries jet, so that The Avengers can give chase.

Elsewhere, Black Knight and Melter are sitting in prison, awaiting the arrival of some men from Washington D.C., who intend to investigate their villainous equipment. As Melter paces the cell, a magical portal suddenly opens. Seizing the opportunity presented, the pair rush through the portal and are met by Executioner and Enchantress, who is in possession of Black Knight’s lance and flying horse. Needing no further explanation, Black Knight immediately takes to the sky and attacks the jet carrying The Avengers. Although Thor quickly engages Black Knight, the plane is almost immediately attacked by Melter, who is hiding on a nearby roof. Iron Man decides that he will deal with this new threat. The remaining Avengers decide that Cap will continue on to South America when Giant Man and Wasp will join Iron Man and Thor in dealing with The Masters of Evil. Although The Masters of Evil put up a strong fight, they are quickly beaten back and encircled by The Avengers. The Masters attempt to dissuade The Avengers from continuing the fight by threatening to harm innocent bystanders, but The Avengers are not fooled, and a standoff ensues.

Eventually Captain America arrives in South America, only to be immediately fired upon by Zemo’s waiting henchmen. When Cap returns fire, Zemo springs his trap and catapults the captive Rick Jones right into Cap’s line of fire. Rick barely escapes with his life. After abandoning his damaged aircraft, Cap joins Rick, only to be set upon by Zemo and his legion of henchmen. Only quick thinking by Captain America prevents the duo from being overrun and they now face Zemo alone. In spite of the fact that Zemo has Cap in his sights, Cap is able to overcome Zemo by blinding him with sunlight reflected in Cap’s shield. Unable to see, Zemo fires his weapon wildly, causing an avalanche. When the dust settles, Zemo is dead, buried beneath the rocks. The issue closes as Cap takes a moment to reflect on Zemo’s death and he takes solace in that fact that Bucky’s death has been avenged.

Avengers

Ant-Man
Captain America
Iron Man
Thor
Wasp

Villains

Masters of Evil
Baron Zemo
Black Knight
Enchantress
Executioner
Melter