Tag: Sam Grainger

And We Battle For The Earth

Avengers #68

Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciller: Sal Buscema
Inker: Sam Grainger
Letterer: Sam Rosen

Featured Issue: Avengers #68

Plot Summary

With the fate of New York hanging in the balance, there is nothing the Avengers can do to stop Ultron. Pulling the lever, Ultron seals the fate of the city…until nothing happens. As Ultron attempts to determine the cause of this malfunction, the Avengers break into the control room to confront the android. Using his ionic force ability, Ultron flees the scene and the Avengers are left to confront their wayward teammate, Vision. Just before collapsing, Vision tells the Avengers that he is responsible for the failure of Ultron’s scheme.

The Avengers rush their former teammate back to the mansion in hopes of saving his life. As they treat his wounds, the Avengers also use a mind probe in order to determine how Vision was able to manipulate the adamantium in order to create Ultron’s new body. The feat was accomplished using a molecular re-arranger, which S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists confirmed was stolen at the same time as the adamantium. Based on this new information, Yellowjacket develops a new plan and contacts Black Panther in order to acquire a sizeable quantity of vibranium which he happily provides.

Elsewhere, Ultron is contemplating his next move. Deciding that if he had more adamantium he could build an entire army of indestructible robots, Ultron intends to capture Dr. MacClain, the creator of the alloy. Fortunate for Ultron, the doctor is about to speak at the U.N., in the company of the Avengers. In the middle of Dr. MacClain’s speech, the he is interrupted by Ultron smashing his way through the floor below the podium. Introducing himself as Ultimate Ultron and wielding new skeletal legs, Ultron quickly puts down the guards that attempt to rescue the doctor. The Avengers also intervene in order to save MacClain, but in spite of an early leg up, they are unable to stop the rampaging android.

Once he has laid claim to Dr. MacClain, Ultron reveals a mind draining device from his chest and begins to strip the adamantium information out of the doctor’s head. Unfortunately for Ultron, something goes horrible wrong and he begins to writhe in agony. Unable to continue, Ultron vows to take New York with him as he begins a self-destruct. The Avengers jump into action and using the vibranium provided by Black Panther, they trap Ultron behind an impenetrable shield, containing the blast and saving the city. In the end, Dr. MacClain reveals that he is actually Hank Pym in disguise, having been hypnotized by Wasp to have a single thought in his mind, “Thou shalt not kill”. Ultron was unable to process this concept and decided that his destruction was the only answer.

Avengers

Black Panther
Goliath
Iron Man
Thor
Vision
Wasp
Yellowjacket

Villains

Ultron

Mightier Than The Sword?

Avengers #65Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Sam Grainger
Letterer: Sam Rosen

Featured Issue: Avengers #65

Plot Summary

The villainous Swordsman slashes his way through a rooftop billboard and makes his way to a warehouse, where he answers a summons from an unknown client. Upon his arrival, Swordsman finds Egghead is behind the offer, and Egghead attempts ingratiate himself with the swashbuckler by informing him of the identity of the Avenger known as Hawkeye. Much as Swordsman suspected, the heroic archer is none other than his former apprentice, Clint Barton. Having filled in the details of their past relationship, Egghead hires Swordsman to kidnap his longtime foe, Goliath. At Avengers Mansion, a black mood has settled over the Avengers. After the fateful conclusion of the events on the space station, the heroes discovered that their deceased informant, Barney Barton was the older brother of their friend and teammate, Goliath. When pressed, Goliath fills in the Avengers about the last time he and his brother parted ways. In spite of the words of his compatriots Goliath’s mood cannot be lifted and he is wholly bent on avenging his fallen brother. Unfortunately, their grief is interrupted by the arrival of Swordsman, who manages to gain access to the mansion using his old access codes. Given his mental state and the connections between his past and Swordsman, Goliath refuses to allow his fellow Avengers to help him take on Swordsman, going so far as to attack his fellow Avengers to prevent them from interfering. All this serves to do is allow Swordsman to defeat Goliath and abduct the oversized hero.

Rather regrettably, Egghead failed to be more specific when giving orders to Swordsman. As such, Swordsman kidnapped the wrong Avenger, not knowing that Hawkeye was Goliath and Goliath now Yellowjacket. When Egghead discovers Swordsman’s mistake the two villains throw themselves at one another in rage. During the scuffle Goliath awakens, just as Egghead uses a stun weapon to force Swordsman out a window. Quickly disabling Egghead, Goliath assembles a makeshift bow and rescues Swordsman, moments before he would have perished against the pavement below. Thinking back on his actions, Goliath decides that his actions are in atonement for giving up on his ne’er-do-well brother. Had he done differently, Barney might still be alive.

Avengers

Black Panther
Goliath
Vision
Wasp
Yellowjacket

Villains

Egghead
Swordsman