Like a Death Ray in the Sky!

Egghead has activated an orbital satellite armed with a death-ray. To demonstrate his power to the world, he uses the weapon to wipe a small town off the map. Listening to Egghead’s ultimatum are Yellowjacket, the Wasp, the Black Panther, and the Vision. As they figure out what to do about this situation, the new Goliath returns with the Black Widow. They are all surprised to see that Hawkeye changed his look. Yellowjacket is impressed and gives Hawkeye his blessing since he can no longer use the growth formula and hopes the new Goliath won’t suffer the same ill effects as he had.[1]

That’s when Jarvis, the Avengers butler, arrives with a guest — a local crook named Barney Barton. Barton, who apparently has some kind of connection to Hawkeye’s past, has come to give them information about Egghead’s space station. Unsure if they can trust Barton, the group asks him to explain how he got his information. Barney tells them how Egghead approached his gang and offered them the opportunity to buy into his scheme. Barton refused the offer and Egghead unleashed an android against him and his men. Barney was the only survivor of this attack and decided to go to the Avengers for help in order to save his own hide. Finishing his story, Barney admits that he also wants the fame and recognition that will come from saving the world. This deeply upsets Goliath, but the Black Panther points out that they have look into this. The Avengers all agree and Goliath agrees to accompany them, leaving the Black Widow on Earth.

Launching into orbit, the Avengers are able to find the satellite thanks to the coordinates given to them with Barney Barton. Goliath warns Barney that he will pay if he leads them into a trap. However, Barton insists that is on the level, otherwise he wouldn’t have accompanied the Avengers on this mission. As they approach the station, the Vision uses his phasing powers to prep the airlock for their arrival. After they dock, the Avengers are attacked by a pair of Egghead’s robots. While the Avengers are busy with these foes, Egghead decides to use puppets of the group created for him by the Puppet Master to his benefit. Exposing the puppets to a stun ray causes the Avengers to suffer the effects.[2]

Unaffected by the stun ray, Barney Barton rushes into Egghead’s control room and attacks the stun ray causing it to explode. Although Egghead escapes, the Avengers are free. Goliath runs to Barney Barton’s side but Barton appears to have been mortally wounded. Calling him Clint, Barney asks Goliath that he did good. Goliath tells him that he was a hero and Barney dies happy. When the others ask Goliath why Barney called him Clint, he tells them that is his real name and that Barney was his brother.[3]

Recurring Characters

Avengers (Yellowjacket, Wasp, Goliath, Black Panther, Vision), Black Widow, Egghead, Puppet Master, Mad Thinker, Barney Barton, Edwin Jarvis

Continuity Notes

1. As explained last issue, Hank Pym’s growth formula was having a negative impact on his health, forcing him to retire as Goliath.

2. For more on Egghead’s partnership with the Puppet Master and Mad Thinker see last issue as well as Sub-Mariner #14 and Captain Marvel #14.

3. Barney doesn’t actually die here. His body was later recovered by Egghead who discovered faint lifesigns and placed Barney in a restoration chamber where he was forgotten about for years. He will return in Hawkeye: Blindspot #1-4. It’s also revealed in Hawkeye (vol. 3) #5 that Barney was actually an undercover FBI agent.

Topical References

• Dated references: Mao Tse Tung.