Avengers (vol. 3) #38
Above and Beyond
The villain known as Diablo has appeared over the town of Kalkhimithia, Greece.[1] Hovering over the town he breaks open a vial containing a glowing green fluid, causing it to turn into a gas that spreads out across the village. Smiling at his handiwork, the master alchemist departs.
Meanwhile, deep in the Florida Everglades, a team of Avengers consisting of Quicksilver, the Scarlet Witch, Wonder Man, Warbird, and Triathlon attack one of the Taskmaster’s training camps. Seeing that his latest crop of students are failures, the Taskmaster decides to cut his losses as this is the fourth school the Avengers have shut down. Deciding to scout for new locations, the Taskmaster uses an escape hatch to get away, leaving his students to their fate.[2] In the aftermath of the battle, the Scarlet Witch tells her brother that she is pleased he is back working with the Avengers. While Quicksilver still has business to conclude in Genosha, he is happy to be fighting alongside the Avengers once more.[3] When Warbird reports this back to the Vision, he is pleased to know that they’ll have time to finally go out on their date when Carol gets back from Florida.[4]
This mission was successful in part due to the fact that the Avengers have started to become a proactive force in stopping threats. In this regard, they have expanded their rosters. Goliath has also constructed an holographic projection of the Earth that pinpoints that last known location of their many foes so they can better visualize their upcoming missions.[5] This has allowed the team to make more coordinated attacks on foes such as the Taskmaster, making sure that they have the right Avengers on the field to deal with a specific threat.
Captain America, the Wasp, and Goliath use this new system to check in on the Black Knight and Firebird. The pair are in what remains of the nation of Slorenia where the Knight hopes to find a way to reclaim the Ebony Blade from Bloodwraith who remains trapped behind the country’s borders.[6] Cap and the others thank them for the update and offer to send additional Avengers should they need extra assistance. The next check on Jack of Hearts, who is searching the Savage Land for the High Evolutionary.[7] So far Jack’s search has yielded nothing, but he thanks the Avengers for taking him on since he has returned to Earth.[8] With these reports out of the way, Cap and the Wasp go upstairs to see how the repairs to the mansion are coming along.[9] While down in the basement, Iron Man is working on an early warning system that will alert the Avengers about any incursions from other dimensions. He is interrupted by Jarvis, the Avengers butler, who has brought him a snack. He then gets a call from Janet who asks if Hank has joined him yet, and wonders what could be keeping him.
Little does anyone know that Hank Pym has been split into two distinct beings. One using his Goliath identity who is purely analytical, and another based on his Yellowjacket persona, which is brash and emotional.[10] Little do they know that Yellowjacket has taken Goliath’s place. However, this version of Hank cannot bring himself to kill his duplicate. Instead, he has set up his secret miniaturized base in one of the trees on Avengers property. Inside, he is keeping his double in stasis, but has to return periodically to make sure he has enough food to be kept alive. Once inside, the imprisoned version of Hank Pym wonders why he is being kept alive, and the other Hank mutters to himself that it’s because he’s an Avenger, and Avengers don’t kill.
Meanwhile, Thor has returned to the mansion at Captain America’s behest. Cap is glad that he is back and even though he left the group in anger, Steve explains that they need the thunder god’s power more than ever.[11] Thor agrees to rejoin the team, but insists that he will not be nice to reporters. They are joined by the Wasp, who announces that communications with their new space monitoring station is online. They check in with Quasar, Living Lightning, and Photon, who will man this station located within the asteroid belt between Earth and Mars.[12] That’s when the team from Florida returns home. Captain America commends them for a job well done and welcomes them back. With more Taskmaster operations to shut down, Wonder Man and Triathlon — who have been working as infiltrators — head downstairs to practice their acting. Little do the Avengers known that they are being observed one of their old foes and his son. This enemy promises his son that son the time will come for them to strike, but warns that the Avengers were already a force to be reckoned with and they should not take them lightly.[13]
Elsewhere, the Vision and Warbird have finally gone on their long anticipated date. After jet skiing on the Hudson, the pair stop at a hotdog vender for something to eat. This leads to a conversation about why the Vision has decided to start dating. While he and the Scarlet Witch had been in a marriage for years, the relationship was based on the Vision’s focus on trying to find personal happiness in others. He realized that he could not fulfil himself in that fashion and while he will always have feelings for Wanda, he decided that it was time to move on.[14] Before he can explain himself further, the android receives a call summoning them both back to Avengers Mansion.
Also answering the call are Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver. The team are then connected with their government liaison, Duane Freeman, from his office in Washington. He tells the Avengers that they have been asked to investigate the situation in Kalkhimithia, Greece. Over the past few hours, the town has seen a dramatic increase in violence among the population drawing the attention of a SHIELD spy satellite. Duane then shows them why: Images taken of the region show that the entire population have somehow been transformed into Hulks and they are brawling with one another. When Duane turns back to the camera he is surprised to see the meeting room empty. Jarvis tells him that’s because the Avengers are already on their way to Greece.
Recurring Characters
Avengers (Black Knight, Captain America, Firebird, Goliath, Iron Man, Living Lightning, Photon, Quasar, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Triathlon, Vision, Warbird, Wasp, Wonder Man, Yellowjacket), Taskmaster, Diablo, Kang (unidentified), Scarlet Centurion (unidentified), Duane Freeman, Jack of Hearts, Edwin Jarvis
Continuity Notes
As revealed in Avengers (vol. 3) #40, this isn’t the real Diablo, but a simulacrum created via alchemy to free the genuine article. At the time of this story, the real Diablo had been banished to another dimension in Fantastic Four (vol. 3) #35-36.
The narrative of this story refers to both Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch as mutants. However, it is later revealed that this is not the case. Per Uncanny Avengers (vol. 2) #4-5, it was revealed that the two were experimented upon by the High Evolutionary while they were still infants. In order to cover his tracks, the Evolutionary made it so future genetic tests done on the twins would have them register as mutants.
At the time of this story, Quicksilver was worked as part of Genosha’s new mutant governing council. See Magneto Rex #1-3. However, at this point, Quicksilver had been betrayed by Magneto who was later defeated by the X-Men. See Magneto: Dark Seduction #1-4 and X-Men (vol. 2) #111.
The Vision asked Warbird out on a date back in Avengers (vol. 3) #32. However, their plans have been sidelined due to the Avengers constantly being busy.
The status of many of these villains are reflective of the status quo at the time this story was originally published. Lets talk about that in some greater detail:
Supreme Intelligence: Is stated as being active and its last known location being Hala, the Kree home world. This would be following the Avengers last encounter with him in Maximum Security #1-3 and Avengers (vol. 3) #36. His location is confirmed when we see him next in Defenders (vol. 2) #8.
Thanos: Is presumed deceased at the time of this story. This is following the events of Thor (vol. 2) #22-25 when he was seemingly consumed by hellfire. However, this was later revealed to be one of the Thanosi, clones of the real Thanos who operated as his proxies for a time, as explained in Infinity Abyss #1. The real Thanos will turn up next in Captain Marvel (vol. 4) #17-19.
Galactus: Is stated as being deceased here. Prior to this story, Galactus’ hunger became so rampant that the heroes of Earth were forced to transform him into a star, as seen in Galactus the Devourer #1-6. He will be restored again in Fantastic Four (vol. 3) #49 by Franklin and Valeria Richards to stop Abraxas.
The Mandarin: Is also listed as being deceased. He seemingly perished in Iron Man (vol. 3) #9-10, but will turn up alive again in the GLX-Mas Special #1.
Doctor Doom is said to be located on “Planet Doom”, this is an alternate name given to Counter-Earth, the world created by Franklin Richards following the events of Onslaught: Marvel Universe #1. Doom returned here in Heroes Reborn: Doomsday #1, and conquered it in Heroes Reborn: Doom #1. Doom will ultimately abandon this world in Doom #1-3.
Wizard was last seen trying to get revenge against Deadpool in Deadpool (vol. 3) #45. He’ll pop up next in Avengers (vol. 3) #43.
Mole Man: Last seen in Wolverine (vol. 2) #156-157, next seen in Alpha Flight (vol. 3) #4.
Dormammu: Last seen in Magik #1-4, next appearing in Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #57-58.
Red Skull: States that his last known activity was in San Diego. This is in reference to when he attacked the San Diego Comiccon in Fantastic Four (vol. 3) #23. However he was also seen again in issue #27 of that series. He’ll turn up again in Captain America (vol. 3) #41.
Arkon: Last seen in Avengers (vol. 3) #17-18, won’t be seen again until Amazing Spider-Man #658
Hydra: Last seen in Captain America Annual 2000/Captain America (vol. 3) #37-38, next appearing in US Agent (vol. 2) #1.
Warlord Kro: Last seen in Black Panther (vol. 3) #27, next appearing in Avengers (vol. 3) #45.
Baron Zemo: Is listed here as deceased. Zemo was decapitated Scourge in Thunderbolts #39. His mind actually gets transferred into the body of John Watkins III in Thunderbolts #45, as revealed in Citizen V & the V-Battalion #3.
Alkhema: Last seen in Avengers (vol. 3) #19-22, next seen in Avengers: The Ultron Imperative #1.
The Hulk: Is stated as being last seen in Virginia here. However, he was actually last seen in Chicago, as seen in Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #22-23. He’ll appear again next issue.
Exemplars: Are listed as being at large and last seen in New York. This is in reference to Avengers (vol. 3) #24-25. They won’t be seen again until Black Knight (vol. 3) #2.
High Evolutionary: Was recently duped by Mister Sinister into shutting down all mutant powers, as seen in Uncanny X-Men #379-380 and X-Men (vol. 2) #99. He won’t be seen again until X-Men (vol. 2) #200.
Crimson Cowl: Last seen in Thunderbolts #42, appearing next in issue #46 of that series.
Attuma: Last seen in Citizen V and the V-Battalion #2, appearing next in Avengers (vol. 3) #42.
Triune Understanding: We saw then last issue and we’ll see them again in Avengers Annual 2001.
Taskmaster: Taskmaster’s next chronological appearance is a flashback from Deadpool (vol. 3) #68.
Loki: Is listed as being incarcerated in New York. This has been the case since he was trapped in the body of Jake Olsen as seen in Thor Annual 2000. He’ll be freed by Karnilla in Thor (vol. 2) #36.
Apocalypse: Is listed as being deceased here. At the time of this story, Apocalypse was merged with Cyclops in X-Men (vol. 2) #97 and seemingly destroyed when the two were separated in X-Men: The Search for Cyclops #1-4. However, Apocalypse manages to cheat death, turning up again in Cable & Deadpool #26-27.
Maelstrom: Is listed as deceased, this following his being defeated in Quasar #21-25. However, he’ll return in Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #11-12.
Kang: Was last seen in Excalibur (vol. 2) #4. He’ll be back again in Avengers (vol. 3) #45-54.
Magneto: Magneto had just recently been taken out of circulation after being crippled by Wolverine in X-Men (vol. 2) #111. Magneto will be confined to a wheelchair until he is seemingly killed in New X-Men #115. He’ll be back alive and well in Excalibur (vol. 3) #1 with no concrete explanation. House of M #7 suggests that this was the result of the Scarlet Witch’s powers.
Klaw: Is listed as deceased here as well. Klaw was seemingly destroyed in Captain America (vol. 3) #21-22, but he’ll turn up alive again in Black Panther (vol. 3) #26-29.
MODOK: Was last seen in X-51 #11-12, he’ll appear again in Citizen V and the V-Battalion #1-2.
Slorenia was previously decimated by Ultron as seen in Avengers (vol. 3) #19-22. Later, the unresting spirits of the country were absorbed into the Ebony Blade, transforming Sean Dolan back into Bloodwraith and growing him to giant size. He was trapped in Slorenia’s borders thanks to a spell cast by the Scarlet Witch, see Avengers (vol. 3) #36-37.
The High Evolutionary has operated out of the Savage Land in the past. He was first recorded visiting the region in Uncanny X-Men Annual #12. The base of operations that Jack finds here is likely the one last seen in Captain America #415-417.
Jack of Hearts has spent the last number of years living in space following the events of Jack of Hearts #1-4. Other than a brief visit between Quasar #19-29, he has remained among the stars until he finally returned home following Maximum Security #1-3 and Avengers (vol. 3) #35.
Avengers Mansion’s upper levels were damaged during an attack on it by Pagan and Lord Templar in Avengers (vol. 3) #36-37.
Hank was split in two by a magic spell in Avengers (vol. 3) #28. Yellowjacket took Goliath’s place last issue. He will remain in this state until their failing health forces the two Hanks to merge together once more, as seen in Avengers Annual 2001. Yellowjacket’s hideout is the same one he used when he kidnapped the Wasp in Avengers #59.
Thor rage quit the Avengers as he was insulted by their then-current public relations slump. See Avengers (vol. 3) #27.
Some facts about the Avengers who are stationed out on the space station:
Quasar states that he cannot set foot on Earth because he has been infected with Ego spores. Part of the Maximum Security plot was to use spores from Ego the Living Planet to transform Earth into an extension of himself. In order to save the planet, Quasar absorbed these spores into his body. He will remain in this statue until Avengers #501. How he purged the spores out of his system is unexplained as of this writing in January, 2023.
Living Lightning states that he is studying for his college courses. Miguel left the Avengers to pursue a further education and has been on reserve status since Avengers West Coast #92.
Photon states that she can commute to and from the station and that she will remain living in New Orleans. She makes a point of saying that this arrangement will keep her mother happy. When the Avengers attempted to re-recruit her onto the team in Avengers (vol. 3) #27, her mother pleaded with them not to ask Monica to return to full time status as she wanted Monica to spend more time with her father whose health is in decline.
These mystery villains are revealed to be Kang and his son, the Scarlet Centurion, in Avengers (vol. 3) #40. The attack on Earth will be chronicled in issues #41-54 and Annual 2001.
The Vision and the Scarlet Witch fell in love and got married in Giant-Size Avengers #4. They were married for year until the Vision was disassembled by the government. When he was put back together, he was stripped of all his emotions and became estranged from his wife. See West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #42-45 and Avengers . Over time the Vision regained the capacity for emotion (See Avengers Spotlight #40, Vision #1-4, and Avengers Annual 2001). However, he has considered his marriage to Wanda over as of Avengers (vol. 3) #4.
