Kang War II

Kang the Conquer has taken over the fortress of Immortus in Limbo. With both Immortus and Rama-Tut as his prisoners, Kang has used the machines to form his Legion of the Unliving — previously deceased super-beings from across history to destroy the Avengers and bring him Mantis, who is destined to become the Celestial Madonna. As Kang leads the charge, the Frankenstein’s Monster gets distracted because Kang’s mind control device does not fully affect the undead monster and it wanders away.

In the tunnels below the castle, the Avengers have been separated and have no idea of the danger coming their way. Thor tries to smash through the walls only to discover that Mjolnir can’t even crack the surface. The thunder god decides to switch back to his mortal form of Donald Blake to look around. However, this decision proves to be a mistake when he is suddenly attacked by the Frankenstein’s Monster. Unable to believe who is attacking him, Blake manages to tap his walking stick on the ground to change back into Thor and fight off the monster. When the patch-work creature realizes that he is up against someone more powerful than he, the monster stops fighting and wanders off.

Back on Earth, in the city of Saigon, a strange hooded man searches the scene where the Avengers suddenly disappeared. He is confronted by the authorities who think he has something to do with their disappearance. However, the man easily fights them off with his martial arts skills and flees down an alleyway. There he is confronted by the strange glowing spectre of the Swordsman. This entity assures the hooded man that Mantis, the Celestial Madonna, will be back soon enough, as it has been previously ordained.[1]

While in Limbo, the Avengers continue to search for each other in the maze and endless tunnels beneath the castle of Immortus. The Vision is the first to run into Kang and his Legion of the Unliving. He orders Wonder Man and the android Human Torch to attack the Vision first.[2] The Vision is able to fend off their attacks with his ability to change his density. In response, Kang sends Baron Zemo and the Flying Dutchman after him. Outnumbered, the Vision phases through a nearby wall in order to get away, unaware that the Flying Dutchman — a wraith himself — can follow after him. Satisfied that the Ghost will succeed where the others failed, Kang leads his minions onward. Elsewhere in the labyrinthine, Mantis is found by the martial artist known as Midnight. Although she can match his fighting skill she decides to flee instead of fighting him.

While back in the control room, Rama-Tut scolds Immortus for foolishly letting his guard down around Kang, leaving them both prisoners. Elsewhere in the tunnels, Iron Man and Hawkeye find each other. Moments later, they are attacked by the Legion of the Unliving. Iron Man tells Hawkeye to make a run for it. The archer reluctantly complies, leaving Iron Man alone against Kang and his cohorts. Under orders from his master, the Human Torch grabs Iron Man and uses his flame to burn the Golden Avenger alive. In yet another part of the tunnels, the Flying Dutchman finds Mantis but since he has orders not to harm her leaves to continue his hunt for the Vision. When he finds the android, the pair pit their phasing powers against one another. While the Vision cannot harm the Ghost of the Flying Dutchman, the Ghost can harm him and causes severe damage to his internal components. After the Dutchman has fled, Mantis comes upon the Vision’s body and fears that he has been slain.

Recurring Characters

Avengers (Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, the Vision, Mantis), Kang, Immortus, Rama-Tut, Legion of the Unliving (Baron Zemo, Wonder Man, Human Torch, Midnight, Frankenstein’s Monster, Flying Dutchman), (unidentified) Libra and the Cotati Swordsman

Continuity Notes

1. This mystery man is revealed to be Libra in Giant-Size Avengers #3, while the glowing entity is not the true Swordsman, who was murdered in Giant-Size Avengers #2. It is revealed to be a projection created by an member of the Cotati in Giant-Size Avengers #4, it is destined to be the Celestial Madonna’s mate.

2. This pair were chosen by Kang because of their connection to the Vision who was created out of the Human Torch’s body and Wonder Man’s brain patterns. See Avengers #57-58, 134-135.

Topical References

• Any reference to the Modern Age taking place in the 20th Century should be considered topical per the Sliding Timescale.