The Torment… And the Triumph!

The top story in the news is how the Black Widow has suddenly betrayed the United States by stealing the plans for a new atomic submarine. This news hits Hawkeye pretty hard as he cannot believe that his beloved Natasha could turn traitor. The other Avengers are sympathetic toward the archer and although Goliath was the Widow’s harshest critic he hopes that her alleged treason has happened for a reason. Little do they know that the Black Widow has become a double-agent for SHIELD. In fact, her betrayal was all staged by Nick Fury and his allies to convince Natasha’s former handlers that she is still loyal to them. The plans she stole were actually obsolete, but they hope it is enough to fool her former masters.[1]

Meanwhile, the Avengers are playing guest to Hercules, after he was exiled on Earth by his father, Zeus.[2] Spending some time lifting weights in the training room to pass the time, Hercules finds this nothing compared to some of his legendary feats, such as the time he battled the mares of Diomedes. He ends his exercise when he hears the doorbell ring. It is a delivery of clothing ordered for him by the Wasp so he can better blend in with modern-day society.

Elsewhere in the city, Hawkeye has decided to get into contact with some of the shady characters he used to associate with when he was a villain to see if they have any information on the Black Widow.[3] He is unaware that he has become a target of the Mad Thinker, who has decided to target and destroy the Avengers as a precursor to his next battle with the Fantastic Four. With Captain America away, the Thinker plans on stealing all of the equipment built for the Avengers by Tony Stark and add it to his arsenal.[4] Has Hawkeye passes an abandoned warehouse on the Lower East Side, he hears someone call for help and rushes to their aid. This turns out to be a trap and his is ambushed by the Mad Thinker’s operative called Hammerhead. Hammerhead has a highly durable helmet fashioned after the weapon of which he is named. Hawkeye is able to hold his own against Hammerhead until he is distracted by a holographic projection of the Mad Thinker, allowing his opponent to knock him out.[5]

Meanwhile, Hercules has tried on one of his new suits and has gone down to Happy Island, a new night-club in mid-town Manhattan. The servers are all taken away by how handsome he looks and he quickly makes himself at home.

While back at Avengers Manson, the rest of the Avengers receive a condition blue distress call from Hawkeye’s communicator. Goliath and the Wasp respond to the call, leaving Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch on monitor duty. They soon arrive at the construction site of the new Mammoth Motor’s building where they are attacked by another one of the Mad Thinker’s operatives, a man calling himself Piledriver. Having the element of surprise, Piledriver knocks out both Goliath and the Wasp with his strength-enhancing gauntlets he is wearing. The Mad Thinker is pleased that everything is going according to plans and like clockwork and begins the next phase of his plan.

Back at Happy Island, Hercules is entertaining the servers by singing them a song. While at Avengers Mansion, the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are ambushed when the Mad Thinker and his third operative — Thunderfoot — teleport into their headquarters. Quicksilver is the first to fall, followed by the Scarlet Witch when Thunderfoot is able to use his boots to redirect one of her hex bolts back at her. With the battle over, both Hammerhead and Piledriver teleport in with the other Avengers as their prisoners. However, before the Mad Thinker can start looting the mansion, Hercules returns after his evening out. The Thinker did not anticipate the arrival of Hercules and while his Triumverate of Terror are busy fighting him, he retreats. The trio are no match for Hercules who easily trounces them and frees his newfound allies. Although he is congratulated for this victory, Hercules is still sullen over his exile on Earth.

Recurring Characters

Avengers (Goliath, Wasp, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch), Hercules, Mad Thinker, SHIELD (Nick Fury, Black Widow, Dum Dum Dugan, Jasper Sitwell)

Continuity Notes

1. It is mentioned here that Nick Fury should be confined to quarters. Fury was punished in Strange Tales #155 when the SHIELD helicarrier almost crashed while under his command.

2. Hercules was exiled on Earth last issue. He will remain banished from Olympus until Avengers #50.

3. When Hawkeye first started his costumed career, he got roped into being a criminal by the Black Widow in Tales of Suspense #57. He later reformed and joined the Avengers in Avengers #16.

4. The Mad Thinker has decided the time is right to attack the Avengers as Captain America is not present. At the time of this story, he is away fighting the Red Skull. See Tales of Suspense #88-91.

5. The real names of the members of the Triumvirate of Terror are not revealed in this story. Hammerhead, Piledriver, and Thunderboot are identified as Louis Browning, Jerome Whale, and Moses Lewton respectively in the Triumvirate of Terror entry in Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #12.

Topical References

• Dated pop-culture references: The Huntley-Brinkley Report

• Hercules’ new clothes are delivered by a delivery guy who is also hoping for a tip. This story was written in an era where a clothing company would deliver goods directly to your home and it was customary for you to tip the delivery boy. However, this should be considered topical, particularly in a post-Amazon world where people are paid slave wages to deliver packages.