> Avengers Masterworks Volume 3
 
 

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From the Mouths of the Marvels:

"Nothing is 100% certain in medicine, Cap...but judging by his present condition, I'm afraid he's destined to remain a ten-footer for as long as he lives!”

-- Dr. Carlson, page 3


The Swordsman sets Cap up for a bonk on the head.

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Avengers #29
June 1966 • 20 pages

Script: Stan Lee • Letters: Sam Rosen
Pencils: Don Heck • Inks: Frank Giacoia


Lineup: Captain America • Goliath • Hawkeye • Quicksilver • Scarlet Witch • The Wasp


Title: "This Power Unleashed!”

First Appearance: Hu Chen, Dr. Yen, Dr. Carlson

Guest Appearance: Dr. Carlson

Villain: Hu Chen, Dr. Yen, Black Widow, Power Man, Swordsman

Cameo: Dr. Yen

Gadgets & Technology: Thermo-Revolver Discs

Letters Page: Page OnePage Two

House Ad: Page One


Synopsis: The Avengers worry over the comatose body of Hank Pym, who is stuck at ten-feet tall. They bring in a doctor from Cap's days in the war who checks out Goliath's condition. Maj. Carlson states that due to the expected shocks to the system of constantly increasing and decreasing in size, Hank Pym must not try to attempt to normal size, or it could mean death. Later, when Goliath awakens, he flips out when he realizes he's stuck at being a ten-foot tall freak. Janet tries to talk to him and make him feel better, but he disappears from the Stark mansion. Captain America passes on the good news to Hawkeye- that his true love Natasha, the Black Widow, has entered the US. Hawkeye is overjoyed at the prospect he may be reunited with his love, but Cap delivers the warning that she might be brainwashed by her former Commie captors. As Hawkeye sets out to find Natasha, Cap asks the frantic Wasp to follow him and keep an eye on him, as much to help calm her down as anything.

Hawkeye figures that the best place to track Natasha down would be her former home, so he enters and begins calling her name. From the shadows, out comes the Black Widow, who says to Hawkeye "I have been waiting for you." Hawkeye melts in her presence, but senses that she seems remote, distant. Black Widow says there will time for love later, but for now, she invites him to join her with the Swordsman and Power Man- her other recruit- to fight the Avengers. The Swordsman laughs at Hawkeye, as he has finally realized the true identity of Hawkeye is his former protege, Clint Barton. Hawkeye refuses, realizing that Natasha has indeed been brainwashed. He fires his arrows at the Swordsman and Power Man, knowing that he is in sudden danger. But he is outmanned and outmatched, and the Swordsman knocks him out.

The Wasp has witnessed all this action, and begins to rush back to get the rest of the Avengers to save him, but on her way, she is attacked by a sparrow who tries to eat her! She evades the bird until she is able to come to rest on the branch of a tree, but when she turns back to normal size, the branch breaks and she falls, going unconscious as she hits the ground. The next phase of the Black Widow's plan is to send her two compatriots to attack Captain America at the mansion. They surprise him, but not enough to catch him totally unawares- he launches a swift counter-attack with his shield, but Power Man eventually grabs him in a bear hug and puts him down for the count. Imprisoned, he is able to communicate with his teammates through a secret radio wire in his glove, telling Wanda and Pietro to come save him.

Janet Van Dyne finally makes her way back to the Avengers HQ, but nobody is around. She sends an urgent message out to Hank, hoping he will hear and respond to her pleas for help. When Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch arrive at the Black Widow's compound, they are unfortunately taken hostage by Power Man and the Swordsman. The Black Widow's next command is to brainwash the collected Avengers and turn them against "the free world." Her minions question what she means by that phrase, but she demurs, telling them she'll explain later. But suddenly, Goliath bashes the solid oak door down, and in a frenzy starts beating his opponents to a pulp. The Black Widow stealthily moves to her electro-wave gun to help take him out, but the Wasp stings her. Janet turns into full size and pushes a button that releases her teammates from their cells. The combined forces of the Avengers are too much for Power Man and the Swordsman, with Goliath tossing Erik Josten's limp body into the Swordsman, knocking them down.

The Black Widow has snuck down a secret hallway and beckons her fellow villains to join her in escape. Hawkeye has them sized up with a blast arrow, but he cannot let it fly, for fears it will hurt the woman he loves. Instead of lashing out at him after the villains escape, Captain America says he understands how Hawkeye feels, making Clint Barton feel really bad about treating Cap the way he has over time.

As for Goliath, even with the battle won, he sulks away, moping that he is nothing more than a ten-foot freak of nature.

--synopsis by Gormuu

--panel images provided by Avengers Assemble


Issues Reprinted
Avengers #21-30

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.

 
AVG #21 AVG #22 AVG #23 AVG #24 AVG #25
AVG #26 AVG #27 AVG #28 AVG #29 AVG #30

 

All cover images are courtesy of the Silver Age Marvel Comics Cover Gallery.

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