Avengers #139
Prescription: Violence!
After defeating the Toad, Yellowjacket has brought him back to the hospital where his wife, the Wasp, is clinging to life after his attack. Unfortunately, the Toad has no way of curing her and so Pym angrily tosses the mutant away. As the police take the Toad away, Janet’s doctor begins to regret allowing the Avengers into her hospital room. This makes Yellowjacket even more furious than before. That’s when his enemy, Whirlwind, comes spinning into the room o try and finish Janet off. He is able to fend off most of the Avengers but is forced to retreat when subjected to Moondragon’s mental blasts.
Yellowjacket can hardly believe that their enemies are targeting the Wasp in the hospital. As his rage continues to grow, he suddenly screams in pain. When Thor asks what’s wrong, Hank tells him that it was something he ate and storms off. In reality, it is the microbes in his body that are affecting his size-changing abilities.[1] The other Avengers decide to focus on their next problem, the fact that Hawkeye has not returned from his trip through time to try and re-recruit the Black Knight onto the Avengers.[2] This time, Iron Man insists on going with Moondragon to Doctor Doom’s abandoned castle to look for him.
While outside, Yellowjacket is approached by Charles, Janet’s former chauffeur. He offers his services to help the Wasp, but Yellowjacket isn’t interested since they fired him for embezzling her money.[3] After Yellowjacket leaves, “Charles” goes into the hospital anyway, amused about how he continues to fool the Pyms who are still unaware that he is Whirlwind.[4] Unfortunately, the other Avengers are still in Janet’s room, foiling any attempt to kill her.
Meanwhile, Iron Man and Moondragon head to Doctor Doom’s castle. Along the way, Iron Man tries to charm the mentalist. However, this doesn’t work and she rebuffs his advances, annoyed that everyone she has met — from Daredevil to Captain Marvel — has tried to seduce her. While elsewhere, a woman reads about the Beast’s recent appearance with the Avengers. Having finally tracked the mutant down, this woman intends to finally confront him.[5]
By this time, Yellowjacket has returned home, but can’t keep Janet’s condition out of his mind. He is ambushed in his home by Yellowjacket. Although he has the element of surprise, Whirlwind flees before Hank can use his cellular disrupter against him. He wonders how his foe could know about the weapon but suddenly puts two-and-two together. He confirms his suspicions by calling the Beast at the hospital and have him confirm something for him. By this time, Iron Man and Moondragon have arrived at Doctor Doom’s castle and discover the time machine is missing.[6] While in French Polynesia, the Vision and the Scarlet Witch have decided to end their honeymoon early.
Back in New York, Yellowjacket confronts Charles, revealing that he knows that he is actually Whirlwind. Realizing the jig is up, Whirlwind quickly changes into his costume and tries to escape. However, Yellowjacket follows after him, first at giant size. He then shrinks down to ant size and slips under Whirlwind’s costume and begins blasting him with his wasp’s sting. This disorients Whirlwind long enough for Beast to arrive and land the knock-out punch. As it turned out, the Beast — concerned for his new teammate — followed after him to lend a hand. As they carry Whirlwind off to the authorities, the Beast noticed that Yellowjacket fell out of his foe’s costume and asks why. Hiding the fact that the microbes in his body is experiencing extreme pain whenever he uses his size-changing powers.
Recurring Characters
Avengers (Iron Man, Thor, Yellowjacket, Wasp, Scarlet Witch, the Vision, Moondragon, Beast), Whirlwind, Toad, Patsy Walker (unidentified)
Continuity Notes
Yellowjacket was exposed to these microbes. See Marvel Feature #4-10.
Hawkeye has been missing since Avengers #137.
Charles was fired in Marvel Feature #9.
Whirlwind recalls his early days as the Human Top and his first battle against the Pym’s when Hank was Giant-Man. He first fought them in Tales to Astonish #50.
This woman is Patsy Walker, whom Hank met back in Amazing Adventures (vol. 2) #13. It is later revealed in Avengers #141 that Patsy had blackmailed the Beast into making her into a superhero, threatening to reveal his true identity if he didn’t follow through.
This story incorrectly states that Iron Man and Moondragon went to Latveria. Official Index to the Marvel Universe: Marvel Team-Up #2 confirms that this is actually Doom’s castle in the Adirondack Mountains. The time machine in question is the same one that the Avengers used in Avengers #56 and Avengers Annual #2.
