The Old Order Changeth

The Avengers find themselves in a stand-off with the Masters of Evil. The two groups are evenly matched and if a battle happens in the middle of New York City, innocent people might get hurt. In order to end the battle quickly, Thor begins spinning his hammer fast enough to open a portal to another dimension. The Enchantress and the Executioner manage to avoid getting sucked into the vortex and decide to flee before the Avengers come back. In this other dimension, the Black Knight and the Melter try to attack the Avengers. However, the physical laws of this dimension are such that their weapons backfire on them, leading to their defeat.

Meanwhile, in South America, Captain America has finished burying his foe, Baron Zemo. Although he has avenged the death of his former partner, Bucky, Captain America doesn’t feel any elation over his victory.[1] Needing to get back to the United States, Captain America, and Rick Jones attempt to take one of Baron Zemo’s planes. Unfortunately, they are attacked by the remnants of Zemo’s army and the plane is destroyed in the ensuing battle.

Not long after this, the Avengers have a meeting minus Thor, who had to leave Earth for the Trial of the Gods.[2] The thunder god’s absence makes Iron Man, Giant-Man, and the Wasp all realize that they need a break from the Avengers. Deciding to take a leave of absence, the trio agrees to search for suitable replacements to fill their places on the team. That’s when the room begins filling with smoke. This is coming from an arrow stuck to the wall, tipping Iron Man off as to who is responsible. Sure enough, he finds his old foe Hawkeye has broken into the mansion. Hawkeye explains that he hasn’t come to fight, but to seek membership with the Avengers. He explains that while he has fought Iron Man in the past, he never wanted to be a villain and became Hawkeye originally to fight crime. He was sucked into a life of crime due to his love for the Black Widow, who convinced him to assist her in her attacks on Iron Man. Ultimately, their failures resulted in the Widow’s Russian handlers took her away.[3] When Hawkeye uses his bow and arrow to cut through the ropes he used to tie up Jarvis, the Avengers butler, Iron Man and the others are suitable impressed. They decide to take Hawkeye on and begin his orientation right away.

Later, Iron Man sends a remote sub out near Atlantis where it is met by the Sub-Mariner and an army of his loyal soldiers. Iron Man offers Namor membership in the Avengers. Although he is honored, he refuses to join the group while he still intends on conquering the surface world someday.

While at an isolated chalet in Switzerland, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch read about the Avengers recruiting new members. Seeking to redeem themselves after being forced to work for Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and battle the X-Men, the twins write a letter to the Avengers asking them to consider their request for membership.[4] By this time, Iron Man has organized a press conference to confirm that Hawkeye has been accepted into the Avengers and that they are seeking others as replacements. After the press conference is over, the three senior Avengers start going through mail which is full of letters from potential candidates.

Meanwhile, Captain America and Rick have been forced to traverse across the jungles of South America. When Cap saves the life of a plantation worker he gives the pair a ride into the nearest town so they can make arrangements to return to America. While back in the states, Tony Stark greets Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch then their ship arrives at shore. After briefly talking to the press, the pair are then taken back to Avengers Mansion to begin the application process. Not long after this, Captain America and Rick have returned and are surprised to see a massive crowd waiting outside the mansion. Getting inside, they are happily reunited with Iron Man and the others. Cap then learns that the founding members are all taking a leave of absence and Iron Man wants Captain America to lead the new recruits.

Soon, another press conference is called to announce the new line-up. Iron Man then leaves it up to Captain America. Before leaving, Iron Man asks the new team to continue looking for the Hulk, as his strength will be needed on this new team.[5] Cap then comes goes outside with Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch. After introducing the new team, Captain America shouts Avengers Assemble and the crowd begins to cheer.[6]

Recurring Characters

Avengers (Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Giant-Man, Wasp, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch), Rick Jones, Masters of Evil (Black Knight, Melter, Enchantress, Executioner), Edwin Jarvis, Happy Hogan, Black Widow (flashback), Sub-Mariner, Kang, Mole Man, Immortus

Continuity Notes

1. At the time of this story, per Avengers #4, everyone believes that Bucky died trying to disarm a bomb on a done plane in 1945. Cap will later learn, years later, that Bucky survived and was transformed into an assassin called the Winter Soldier. See Captain America (vol. 5) #14.

2. Odin decreed that Thor and Loki were to participate in this trial to settle their differences. See Journey into Mystery #116-117.

3. Hawkeye was sucked into a life of espionage by the Black Widow back in Tales of Suspense #57.

4. Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch were forced to join the Brotherhood in X-Men #4. They left Magneto’s brotherhood following the events of X-Men #11. Although they are referred to as mutants here, the twins are not actually mutants. As revealed in Uncanny Avengers (vol. 2) #4-5, they were experimented upon by the High Evolutionary. When he was finished he covered up his work by altering the twins so they would register as mutants if their genetics were ever examined.

5. It is mentioned how the Hulk was a founding member who quit. The Hulk joined in Avengers #1 and quit in the following issue. The Avengers briefly hunted him in issues #3 and Fantastic Four #26.

6. The selection of a new Avengers line-up is expanded upon in Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes #6-8 and Marvel: Heroes & Legends (vol. 2) #1.