This Evil Undying

The Avengers are on alert when something comes crashing through their living room window. Scanning the shattered glass, Iron Man discovers that the cause was the Wasp, who returns to her normal human size. As they patch up her cuts, she tells them about how she narrowly escaped a robot that broke into her husband’s lab and stole some chemicals. When Iron Man confirms that these were experimental resins, it confirms his suspicions that Ultron is back.[1] The Golden Avenger explains that the theft at the Wasp’s home and at Stark International was to obtain the chemicals needed to forge Adamantium and theorizes that Ultron is trying to build an army of indestructible robots. He then suggests they focus on protecting the Scarlet Witch, since it was her hex powers that helped defeat Ultron last time and the robot might seek to eliminate her.[2]

Unfortunately, something is jamming the scanners Jocasta, one of Ultron’s creations, from tracking him down like she did last time.[3] Since they have to wait for their foe to make the next move, the Avengers all go about their business. Once they are alone, Hawkeye apologizes for the Wasp for the harsh words he said earlier about her husband, Hank Pym, creating Ultron. Janet is quick to forgive him since she finds his big mouth attitude kind of cute. While in their private quarters, the Scarlet Witch seeks comfort from her husband, the Vision.

Later, Captain America’s training session is interrupted by both the Wasp and Hawkeye. Hawkeye is particularly upset because he just heard news that a British facility was just robbed by another one of Ultron’s robots and he wants to do something about it. Cap assures him that the important thing to do is continue guarding the Scarlet Witch. Since there is nothing else to do, the Wasp decides to head back to her home in New Jersey and start cleaning up the damage there.

Meanwhile, Iron Man is in his personal quarters dictating a message for Thor. Tony Stark is convinced that he’s been secretly helping Ultron through some kind of hypnotic suggestion and is leaving a record for the thunder god as Thor is the only one who knows that Tony Stark and Iron Man are the same person.[4] He warns Thor that he may turn on his teammates and if that happens he may have to be destroyed. Finishing his dictation, Iron Man then goes downstairs and hands a sealed envelope to Jarvis, telling the butler to get it to Thor if he starts acting out of the ordinary.

Soon after, Iron Man — now fully under Ultron’s control — tricks Jocasta to hook into a device that he claims will allow her to scan for Ultron again. This is all a ploy to incapacitate the robot. With Jocasta out of the way, Iron Man then goes up to the Vision and Scarlet Witch’s room. There he tricks the Vision into thinking there is an immediate threat outside. With the Vision gone, Iron Man knocks the Scarlet Witch out and takes her back to Ultron’s hideout out. As he leaves, Iron Man spies Jarvis has taken a nap and uses a laser to destroy his note. The robot has set up operations in an abandoned heavy metal factory where he attempting to create an army of robots out of Adamantium. Pleased with how Iron Man has followed his instructions to the letter, Ultron hopes to have all of mankind obey him, or die.

Back at Avengers Mansion, the rest of the team suddenly realize what’s going on. Hearing how Iron Man suddenly betrayed them. Luckily, Jarvis had enough forethought to photocopy the letter to Thor and summon the thunder god when he heard what happened. They quickly retrieve the device that Iron Man sealed in a vault and head for Ultron’s hideout.

Meanwhile, the evil robot is preparing to eliminate the Scarlet Witch when Iron Man finally breaks free from his conditioning. Ultron easily defeats the Avenger by draining his armor’s power. Luckily, the rest of the team arrives and attacks Ultron. In the ensuing battle, the killer robot is knocked into a vat of molten Adamantium by Hawkeye. As Ultron tries to free himself, the molten metal solidifies trapping Ultron and ending his threat.[5]

Recurring Characters

Avengers (Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Jocasta), Ultron, Edwin Jarvis

Continuity Notes

1. Mention is made how Ultron was created by Hank Pym, the Wasp’s husband. This was detailed in Avengers #54.

2. The Scarlet Witch’s hex power helped defeat Ultron in Avengers #171.

3. Jocasta was built by Ultron in Avengers #162.

4. Iron Man and Thor have known each other’s secrets since Avengers #113.

5. Ultron will get free again and appear again in Marvel Two-In-One #92-93.

Topical References

• When making a copy of Iron Man’s message to Thor, Jarvis states that he “Xeroxed” it. The Xerox Company was best known for its photocopying machines at the time this story was published. So much so “Xeroxing” became a proprietary eponym much in the same way people refer to tissue paper as Kleenex and adhesive bandages as Band-Aids. It’s reference here should be considered a topical reference because Xerox is a real world business.