To Tame a Titan!

Hawkeye and Goliath are in a heated argument over their failed attempt to stop Magneto. Luckily, the fight is broken up by the Wasp before they can get to blows. Hawkeye blames himself as his temper has gotten the best of him again because Natasha left without telling him. They decide to put aside their differences and focus on figuring out what happened to Hercules who has been incommunicado for quite some time.[1] Thankfully, they have a tracking device on the aero-car that Hercules borrowed and they soon head out to find their teammate.

Meanwhile, Hercules has found himself banished to the Land of Shadows by Typhon, the place where all the gods of Olympus were banished when the villain snuffed out the Promethean Flame. There he is attacked by one of the dread Erinnyes. After slaying the best, Hercules then finds Zeus and the other gods. Hercules explains to his father that he came to free them and Zeus forgives his son for his past transgressions. Since Hercules is half-man half-god, Zeus is able to cast a spell that can return him to Olympus to defeat Typhon.

At that moment, Typhon has come down from Mount Olympus and spots an American battleship crossing the Mediterranean Sea. He begins attacking the ship by firing bolts of energy stolen from the Promethean Flame through his battle ax. That’s when the other Avengers arrive and begin attacking Typhon. Although their foe is must more powerful, Goliath and the others are able to distract him long enough for Hercules to return. With the Avengers on the sidelines, Hercules battles Typhon in hand-to-hand combat. Thanks to the training he got from Captain America, Hercules is able to overpower his foe. However, before he can slay Typhon, the Avengers stay his hand. Hercules then thanks them for their help and tells them that once he restores his fellow gods, he intends on staying in Olympus for a time. After the Avengers depart, Hercules drops Typhon’s ax into the the brazer to restore the Promethian Flame. This causes the gods to return to Olympus, and Zeus decides Typhon’s punishment is banishment to Hades. Typhon tries to plead for mercy but this falls on deaf ears and he is soon banished. Pleased with how his son saved them all, Zeus then welcomes Hercules back and the other gods throw a celebration in his honor. Although Hercules is glad that his exile is over, he will never forget the time he spent with the Avengers.

Meanwhile, the Avengers return home and try to come to terms with the fact that they are down to three members. Golaith is especially concerned because he can’t rely on his growing powers anymore and wants to devote his time to finding a cure. Hawkeye also says they need to do something about Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch siding with Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.[2] Still, despite these setbacks, Hawkeye is confident that they’ll always answer the call when someone shouts “Avengers Assemble!”

Recurring Characters

Avengers (Goliath, Wasp, Hawkeye, Hercules), Typhone, Alecto, Zeus, Apollo, Ares, Demeter, Kratos, Bia

Continuity Notes

1. Hercules went to Olympus in Avengers #47 to convince Zeus to lift the banishment he placed on Herc in issue #38.

2. Pietro and Wanda were manipulated into rejoining the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. See Avengers #47-49. Some facts about this situation:

   • Everyone believes that Pietro and Wanda are mutants. In reality, they were experimented upon as infants by the High Evolutionary. To cover up his work he made all future genetic tests have them register as mutants. See Uncanny Avengers (vol. 2) #4-5.

   • It is stated here that Wanda lost her powers after a bullet creased her forehead last issue. This is not really the case. It is later revealed in Avengers #185-187, that this was the work of the demon Chthon who is attempting to lure Wanda bake to Transia and Mount Wundagore so he can take over her body.

Topical References

• Hawkeye refers to himself as “Mister Prize Catch 1968.”