Avengers Annual #18
Avengers Assembled
Atlantis Attacks continues from Daredevil Annual #5…[1]
At the former island headquarters of Magneto, the Deviant priest Ghaur and Lemurian ruler Llyra look over the massive Serpent Crown their minions have created. They hope to use the power of this crown to increase Set’s power and allow their master to cross over to this dimension and conquer the Earth.
Ready for the next phase of their plan, Ghaur contacts Attuma, the ruler of Atlantis and tells him to mobilize his army. Attuma has gathered Tyrak, U-Man, Lord Arno, and Warlord Krang to be his generals and orders them to dispatch their armies to various targets on the surface world. Attuma’s forces attack NASA headquarters in Cape Canaveral, Fort Hamilton in New York, Langely-Eustius Air Force Base, and a Shoreham Energy Center.
These attacks have caught the attention of Captain America, Thor, Sersi, She-Hulk, Quasar, and the Human Torch at the Avengers headquarters on Hydrobase.[1] Seeing the scope of the attacks on American soil, Captain America decides that they need to call in everyone they can to handle this crisis.
Meanwhile, Ghaur and Llyra activate the giant Serpent Crown and its activation is sensed by many of those who have worn the original Serpent Crown in the past: the Viper, the Thing, the Scarlet Witch, and Quasar all feel its power and in the case of the heroes, they all begin feeling sick. Also affected, is a mysterious man in a suit of armor who has been observing Ghaur’s plans from afar, he is debating on stepping in before he too suddenly starts feeling ill.[2] Quasar starts feel better again as the Avengers summoned by Captain America arrive all at once. They include Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Thing, Captain Marvel, the Hulk, the Black Widow, Hawkeye, the Vision, the Black Panther, Wonder Man, the Scarlet Witch, and Iron Man.[3]
A meeting is quickly called and it is decided that everyone will be split up in teams to deal with each attack.[4] The Black Panther, Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic are sent to Shoreham; while the Human Torch, Wonder Man, Scarlet Witch, Hulk and Sersi go to Langely; Hank Pym, Tigra, the Wasp, Hawkeye, Thor, and the Black Widow head to Fort Hamilton;[5] Lastly, Captain America leaves with the Vision, Mockingbird, Captain Marvel, and Iron Man for Cape Canaveral.
When the black Panther’s team arrives at Shoreham, they are opposed by the forces of Lord Arno. With his men falling in battle, Arno summons his secret weapon, the massive Orka. However, the combined might of the Black Panther and She-Hulk are enough to topple Orka, prompting Arno and his men to flee. The team at Langely don’t fare as well against the massive Tyrak. In the middle of the battle, the Scarlet Witch begins to succumb to the Serpent Crown’s influence and is secretly carted away by Ghaur. When it looks like the Avengers are going to lose, Moondragon arrives with Rick Jones. She uses her mental power to unlock the Rick’s ability to mentally freeze whole armies.[6] Thor’s team does a lot better against U-Man and his army, thanks to the innovations of Hank Pym. Pym uses his Pym Particle gas to shrink down the army of Atlantean invaders, putting an end to their attack in short order. Captain America’s team also does well to repel the attackers at Cape Canaveral. Watching from his sub, Warlord Krang is furious that his men have fled and watches as they are pulled back into the sea by some kind of sea creature. That’s when Krang is ambushed by the mysterious man in armor, who beats him into submission.
Eventually, word about his minions failure reaches Attuma who is furious over these losses. He wonders what Ghaur and Llyra are really up to as their last orders did not make any sense to him and wonders if there is anything he can do to stop them/
Meanwhile, the Avengers return to Hydrobase. There, Wonder Man — unaware of Wanda’s encounter with Ghaur — notices the Scarlet Witch is acting strangely but doesn’t know why. Thor reports the away teams were successful in repelling the invaders. Although Captain America has no idea what they were all about he is satisfied with the Avengers victory for the time being.
… Atlantis Attacks continues in New Mutants Annual #5.
Recurring Characters
Avengers (Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Hulk, Human Torch, Invisible Woman, Iron Man, Mister Fantastic, Mockingbird, Henry Pym, Quasar, Scarlet Witch, Sersi, She-Hulk, Thing, Thor, Vision, Wasp, Wonder Man, Tigra), Rick Jones, Moondragon, Sub-Mariner (unidentified), Ghaur, Llyra, Attuma, Tyrak, U-Man, Lord Arno, Warlord Krang, Orka, Viper
Continuity Notes
When it was originally printed, Daredevil Annual #5 was incorrectly numbered as issue #4. This incorrect numbering has since been corrected in digital reprints and, as such, my index uses the corrected numbering
A footnote here tells readers that if they don’t recognize some of the Avengers to check out Avengers #309 and West Coast Avengers #50. The latter issue showed the Human Torch getting revived and joining the West Coast Avengers team. Sersi on the other hand joined the team following the events of Avengers #308-310 when they helped liberate the Eternals homeland of Olympia from the Negative Zone.
Those who have worn the Serpent Crown in the past that are depicted here include:
Viper: the former Madame Hydra briefly wore the Serpent Crown in Captain America #182.
The Thing & Scarlet Witch: Were both forced to wear the crown in Marvel Two-In-One #66.
Quasar: Also forced to wear the Serpent Crown in Marvel Team-Up Annual #5.
The mystery man is actually the Sub-Mariner who went into hiding after getting injured in Iron Man Annual #10. This will be revealed in Fantastic Four Annual #22. He wore the Serpent Crown in Sub-Mariner #9.
Oh boy, another overly long Avengers roll call footnote. This two page splash doesn’t include all of the Avengers due to the shitty artwork on display so I’m only covering the Avengers who appear in it and not the ones who are featured later in this issue.
Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman briefly joined the Avengers in Avengers #300. However, they didn’t feel they fit in and so they returned to their own team in Fantastic Four #326.
The Thing had a brief membership on the west coast team in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #10.
Captain Marvel: Joined the team in Avengers #227. She was a mainstay on the team until issue #294 due to losing much of her body mass battling Leviathan in issue #293. She will remain out of commission until this issue.
The Hulk was a founding member of the team, but quit in Avengers #2. He has returned sporadically for one-off missions in Avengers #100 and Annual #16.
The Black Widow: Has been associated with the Avengers since issue #30 but wasn’t granted official membership until issue #111. She briefly returned from Avengers #173-181. She won’t rejoin the team until Avengers #329.
Hawkeye: Another long running member with stints running from Avengers #16-109, Giant-Size Avengers #2 through Avengers #181, 198-204, 221-243. He founded the west coast team in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #1 At the time of this story he left the west coast Avengers to form the GLA in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #46.
Wonder Man: First joined the Avengers as a double agent in Avengers #9. After a brush with death he returned in issue #150 and remained with the group until he was bumped out in issue #181. He was brought back into the fold in issue #187 but left again by issue #211. He has been on the west coast team since its inception.
The Scarlet Witch: A long standing Avenger dating back to issue #16. Wanda would have length tenures on the team from issue #16-49, 75-211, 233-254. At the time of this story she has been a long standing member of the west coast team since West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #30 but wouldn’t officially join until issue #37 of that series.
The Vision: Like his wife, he too was a long standing member of the Avengers. Joining in issue #58 he would have long runs on the team from issue #58-211 and 233-254. Like Wanda, he joined the west coast team in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #37.
The Black Panther also had long running stints on the team from Avengers #51-181. He declined to rejoin in issue #211. He rejoins the team in issue #305.
Iron Man: Another founding Avenger. He has had stints on the team from issue #1-16, 66-88, 93-185, 190-228, and been on the west coast team since West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #1.
Mister Fantastic states that it is great to be working with She-Hulk again. She-Hulk was a member of the Fantastic Four from Fantastic Four #265 until Avengers #278. Reed notes that She-Hulk is distracted foreshadowing how she and a number of other female superheroes will be kidnapped and forced to become a bride of Set as seen in Avengers West Coast Annual #4.
Tigra’s inclusion in this story is an error. This was addressed by a one-page comic apology from John Byrne in Avengers West Coast #50. This is because Tigra had gone feral and was shrunk down in size in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #47. She would not be restored to normal until Avengers Spotlight #38. As she doesn’t really do much in this story, you can probably just ignore you saw her.
Rick last used the Destiny Force to put a stop on the Kree/Skrull War back in Avengers #97.
Topical References
Some of the targets attacked by Attuma’s forces should be considered topical. The airforce base is identified as Langely Air Force Base in this story. However, in 2010 it was merged with another base and renamed the Langely-Eustius Air Force Base.
In addition, the nuclear plant in this story is identified as the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant. This is topical as the plant was later decommissioned in 1989. It was later converted into a wind energy station in 2004.
The Initiation of Quasar
Following the defeat of Super-Nova, Captain America pulls Quasar aside to talk while the other Avengers celebrate their victory.[1] Impressed with how Quasar handled himself, Cap asks him if he would like to join the Avengers. Hawkeye overhears this and tries to convince the new recruit to join his team on the west coast. However, when Quasar explains that he lives in New York City, Hawkeye gives up and tells Cap that the rookie is all his.
Quasar is excited to be invited to join the Avengers and that evening he reports for duty at Hydrobase. There, Captain America is curious to know what happened to Quasar since he hasn’t seen him since they worked together to take down the Corporation.[2] Wendell explains that after that he went to work as the head of security for Project PEGASUS. However, after a bad experience involving the Serpent Crown he resigned from the post.[3] He then decided to explore outer space it was there he encountered the cosmic being called Eon who charged Quasar with the duty as protector of the universe.[4]
Captain America is impressed by all of this but is concerned that Quasar’s duties to Eon might make him too busy to be on the Avengers active roster. Still, Cap decides to give him a chance by putting him on a six month probation period as an Avenger-in-training. After filling out the necessary security forms and passing a physical, Quasar then meets with Cap again at Hydrobase to test the limits of his Quantum Bands.
When Quasar uses them to lift Hydrobase out of the water he is observed by Firelord who mistakes this for an attack. Quasar is able to hold his own against Firelord until Captain America breaks up the fight and clears up the misunderstanding. Impressed with how Wendell conducted himself, Cap then hands him his Avengers identification card.
Recurring Characters
Avengers (Captain America, Quasar, Thor. Gilgamesh), Avengers West Coast (Hawkeye, Tigra, Henry Pym, Wonder Man), Firelord, Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, Thing), (in flashback) Myron Wilburn, Eon
Continuity Notes
This story takes place after the Avengers battle with Super-Nova in Avengers #301-303.
Captain America and Quasar — then called Marvel Man — took down the Corporation in Captain America #228-230. Per the Sliding Timescale, that was roughly three years prior to this story.
Quasar was the head of Project PEGASUS from Marvel Two-In-One #53 until Marvel Team-Up Annual #5.
Quasar went walkabout in outer space and met Eon in Quasar #1-2.
Topical References
Quasar’s Avengers ID card is signed by George Bush who was President of the United States when this comic was first published. His signature should be considered topical as Bush was president from 1989 to 1993. He subsequently died in 2018.
Avengerability Analysis
Captain America is holding a video conference with Peggy Carter and Michael O’Brien, two members of the Avengers new support crew. They ask Captain America to finalize a report on the Avengers and their strengths and weaknesses. Steve admits that he has been putting it off because he doesn’t feel right critiquing his teammates in such a fashion but promises to get down to work.
Cap starts with Thor and briefly discusses his godly origins and how his centuries of warfare make him a tactical advantage to the team. When trying to think of a weakness, he admits that Thor has a problem mastering modern technology such as the Quinjets and his trouble keeping up with computer records.[1] He next discusses Iron Man whose armor and weapons systems have evolved greatly over the years. He states that Iron Man’s weakness that he is prone to being stubborn.[2]
Next he talks about Hank Pym, discussing his size-changing powers and his many identities. This has led to Hank experiencing a lot of insecurities over the years until Hank gave up on a costumed identity all together. Now focusing on shrinking and growing his scientific gadgets, Hank has become an become an effective offensive and defensive fighter.[3] He also talks about Janet Van Dyne, aka the Wasp, Hank’s ex-wife who he says joined up with the Avengers for the fun of it but grew into one of the most valued members of the team, even becoming chairwoman for the team for a time.[4]
Steve’s next subjects are the Scarlet Witch and her husband the Vision, two Avenges who were once villains who redeemed themselves. Wanda was originally a member of Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants but proved herself a hero over the years as an Avenger. She has since grown as a woman, getting married and having twin children. Cap notes, however, that she is not an effective hand-to-hand combatant as she tends to focus on her wildly unpredictable mutant hex powers.[5] The Vision on the other hand was created by Ultron to destroy the Avengers. This backfired and the android has become a devoted member of the team ever since. His ability to change his density makes him one of the more powerful Avengers, but his lack of emotion and overly analytical mind tend to be a hinderance in battle where a shred of emotion would be a benefit.[6]
Hawkeye, Captain America recollects, was an upstart when he first joined the team. He tried to prove that he could be a better leader when Cap was leading the team. However, over the years he became a formidable leader in his own right and a force to be reckoned with in the battlefield thanks to his archery skills and arsenal of gimmicked arrowheads.[7] He also speaks positively of the Black Panther, noting that the king of Wakanda has mastered many fighting styles and animal artistry. His scientific knowledge puts him on part with the likes of Hank Pym and Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four.[8] Moving on to She-Hulk, Cap notes that her barroom brawling style of fighting has made her a good match on the team and that her background as a lawyer is an asset to the team in legal matters.[9]
When talking about Wonder Man, Steve recounts how his strength and do-it-yourself style makes him an ideal combatant in the field. His role as an actor also brings the right sort of public relations image the team needs to maintain public support.[10] On the other hand, he admits that he finds it difficult to get a handle on Tigra. Still, her animal strength and agility makes her a sturdy member of the team.[11] He next speaks about the Black Knight with some regret. While the master swordsman has been an asset of the team he has recently been immobilized by a blood curse put on his Ebony Blade and Cap hopes that they can find a cure for him some day.[12]
He next moves on to the Falcon, who has been Cap’s crime fighting partner many times over the years. A reluctant Avenger, Sam Wilson finds himself more at home working as a social working helping inner city children than he does fighting crime.[13] Lastly, he speaks highly of the Avengers newest recruit, Quasar. With his powerful Quantum Bands and SHIELD training, he is a powerful new asset to the team.
By this point, Captain America is half way through his report and decides to take a brief break before moving forward. His next subject is Moondragon, whom he calls one of the most complex members of the team…[14]
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Peggy Carter, Michael O’Brien
Continuity Notes
Thor has been a founding member of the team, joining in Avengers #1. he has had various stints on the team from issue #1-16, 66-146, 159-182, 199-243, 276-297. He recently rejoined in issue #300.
Iron Man was another founding member. I go into his membership details above. On display are various models of Iron Man’s armor. There is his original armor which he wore from Tales of Suspense #39. The second suit pictured is his all gold, which is actually a new paint job on his original armor that he wore starting in Tales of Suspense #40. Beside that is his first suit of red and gold armor which he began wearing in Tales of Suspense #48. Front and center is the suit of armor that Iron Man was wearing at the time this story was published. This would be his 9th suit of armor which he wore from Iron Man #231. He will wear this almost consistently until his 12th model in Iron Man #290.
Hank Pym: Yet another founding Avenger as Ant-Man and had prolonged stints on the team from Avengers #1-16, 28-91, 137-182, 192-201, and 211-213. Although he retired from costumed heroics in issue #230, he has been a member of the western team since West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #1. On display are his various identities he has had over the years: Ant-Man (Tales to Astonish #35), Giant-Man (Tales of Suspense #49), Goliath (Avengers #28) and Yellowjacket (Avengers #59). He abandoned all his costumed identities in Avengers #230. He will remain out of costume we until Avengers #366 when he becomes Giant-Man again.
The Wasp: Another founding Avenger with a long history. She was on the team from Avengers #1-16, 28-75, 137-279. She has been on the west coast team since West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #32. She was Avengers chairwoman from Avengers #217-243 and 255-279. Also on display here are some of her many costumes. Janet loves costumes. Janet has literally thousands of different costumes. I’m not going into all of them. Some lunatic went into them in painstaking detail here.
The Scarlet Witch is a complicated mess of a character here and a lot of the facts about her here are no longer true so let’s break it down a bit:
She is depicted as a member of Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, which absolutely happened. She was a member from X-Men #4 through 11. She quit to join the Avengers in Avengers #16.
However, she’s not actually a mutant. It’s later revealed in Uncanny Avengers (vol. 2) #4 that she was experimented upon as a child by the High Evolutionary. In order to cover up his work he made it so future genetic testing had her register as a mutant.
Wanda is depicted as having two twin children here. At the time of this story, Wanda had just given birth in Vision and the Scarlet Witch (vol. 2) #12. It’s later revealed that these children were the product of magic using slivers of Mephisto’s soul and they would be re-absorbed into the lord of lies not long after this in Avengers West Coast #52. The children will be reincarnated and reappear in Young Avengers #1, as explained in Avengers: Children’s Crusade #6.
In the Vision’s bio there are images of Ultron and Wonder Man. The Vision’s mind is based on that of Simon Williams whose brain engrams were taken when everyone thought he was dying in Avengers #9. The Vision was created by Ultron to destroy the Avengers as seen in Avengers #57-58. the Vision is also depicted here in his original red and green and his then current all white form. The Vision’s appearance changed after the government sliced him up to find out how he ticked in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #42-45. He will remain like this until his mind is transferred into the body of an alternate reality counterpart in Avengers #363.
In Hawkeye’s profile we see the Swordsman, Trickshot, and Mockingbird. Both the Swordsman and Trickshot taught Hawkeye everything he knows about archery, for more on this see Avengers #19, 65, Solo Avengers #2, Hawkeye (vol. 3) #1-8, Hawkeye: Blindspot #1. Clint is depicted kissing Mockingbird to signify that the pair had recently gotten married in Hawkeye #1-4.
Depicted with the Black Panther are two of his recurring foes: Klaw (first seen Fantastic Four #53) and the Man-Ape (first seen Avengers #62).
The only thing about She-Hulk that I haven’t covered above is the fact that she is a lawyer. She has had this job since her first appearance in Savage She-Hulk #1.
Wonder Man’s profile we see him with Baron Zemo, which was from when he was first used to try and destroy the Avengers in issue #9. Also seen is the Grim Reaper, Simon’s brother Eric who first battled the Avengers in issue #52. Williams has longed to be an actor since Avengers #211 and finally broke into the industry as a stunt man starting in West Coast Avengers #1.
Greer Grants transformation from the crime fighter known as the Cat into Tigra is on display here. She operated as the Cat from The Cat #1-4 and was turned into Tigra in Giant-Size Creatures #1.
In Dane Whiteman’s profile we see Sir Percy of Scandia, the original Black Knight and Dane’s ancestor, he was first seen in Black Knight #1. We also see Dane fighting in the Crusades. This happened when his soul was sent back in time and possessed the body of another ancestor from Defenders #4 until Avengers #226. His body has been turning into a living sword since the activation of the blood curse placed on his Ebony Blade in Avengers #293. He will be cured eventually in the pages of Black Knight (vol. 2) #1-4. Originally stationed in the UK, Whitman was mostly a reserve member of the team. He had been affiliated with the grounp starting in Avengers #47 but wasn’t given membership until issue #71. Even then he was only involved in a handful of adventures in issues #84, and 100 before his soul was sent into the Crusades. After he returned to the present day he rejoined the team full time in Avengers #255 until the blood curse put him out of commission in issue #297.
The Falcon is depicted fighting the Red Skull alongside Captain America in a jungle. This scene is taken from his origins as they were depicted in Captain America #117-119.
Captain America states here that Moondragon is the team’s most complex members, which is a polite way of saying that she is a massive c-word. Her tenure on the team was from Avengers #137 through 151. She returned briefly from issue #172-177. She later tried to interfere with team membership in issue #211. She will retain reserve status on the team from here on out. She was the Avengers adversary for a hot minute when she tried to enslave the entire planet of Bi-Bani, as seen in Avengers #219-220. She has cooled down a bit since, but is still one frosty bitch.
Manifest Destiny
This story continues from Daredevil Annual #5….
The Watcher continues recounting the history of the Serpent Crown. This time he focuses on a man who would use the Crown to further his political ambitions, Paul Destine. Destine used fear and propaganda as his political platform by stoking American fears of communism.
Destine had humble beginnings. In the early 20th Century he was a carnival mentalist who could actually read minds. Wishing to expand his mental powers he began researching ancient civilizations to learn the secrets of telepathy. This led to Destine joining an Antarctic expedition that was led by Leonard McKenzie, who would later be the father to Namor the Sub-Mariner. Finding an ancient ice cave, Leonard and Paul ventured inside to investigate. There they found the long lost remnants of an ancient civilization known as the Ancients. Coming upon one of their long forgotten dynamos, Paul attempted to activate it in his quest for power. This led to a cave in that left Paul for dead. Leonard then left to continue his expedition.
Destine survived the cave in and soon discovered a headdress that he dubbed the Helmet of Power. Little did Destine know that this was actually the Serpent Crown, which was disguised in an outer casing. When Paul put on the crown he was connected to the demon Set, who began to influence Paul’s actions. Re-naming himself Destiny, Paul went into suspended animation for a few decades to increase his power. When he returned he attacked the used his power to create undersea earthquakes that threatened nearby Atlantis. Investigating the source was the Sub-Mariner, the son of Leonard McKenzie and prince to the Atlantean throne. He confronted Destiny who used his power to strike Namor with amnesia. The Sub-Mariner wandered off to New York City where he became a homeless derelict for many years, while Destiny returned to a state of suspended animation.
In modern times, Namor’s memory was restored and when investigating his past, encountered Destiny again. This time, the mentalist defeated Namor again. Hungry for power, Destine relocated to America where he used his power to gain political power and run for President. This was opposed by the Sub-Mariner and while fighting on a rooftop Paul defeated the Atlantean again. Believing himself to be unbeatable, Destiny decided he no longer needed the Helmet of Power and tossed it aside. Believing he could fly, Destiny then walked off the building and promptly fell to his death. As Namor reflected on how absolute power corrupts absolutely, Set watched over the scene. He didn’t see Destiny’s death as a failure, but merely a delay in his master plan and eagerly awaited for the next pawn to wear the Serpent Crown.[1][2]
… This story continues in New Mutants Annual #5.
Recurring Characters
The Watcher, Sub-Mariner, Leonard McKenzie, Thakorr, Fen, Destiny, Set
Continuity Notes
Namor’s past history with Destiny was originally chronicled in Tales to Astonish #101, Iron Man and Sub-Mariner #1, Sub-Mariner #1, 3 and 6-8. When Namor was stricken with amnesia, his memory was restored after a chance encounter with the Human Torch in Fantastic Four #4.
This story is intentionally vague about the timeline in this story. Paul’s past in the early 20th Century is not subject to the Sliding Timescale as he went into suspended animation for years to preserve his youth. Saga of the Sub-Mariner #6 states that Destiny’s attack on Atlantis happened in the late 1950s. The length of time that Namor spent with amnesia and Destiny’s second stint in suspended animation will grow longer as the Sliding Timescale pushes the Modern Age further away from the 20th Century.
Atlantis Attacks Reading Order
Silver Surfer Annual #2
Uncanny X-Men #13
Punisher Annual #2
Daredevil Annual #5
Avengers Annual #18 <— You Are Here
New Mutants Annual #5
X-Factor Annual #4
