Absolute Mastery

Kang the Conqueror has started his invasion of 21st century Earth. Deploying his soldiers in Europe, they are faced with UN forces as well as the Avengers Thor, Firebird, and She-Hulk as well as French superheroes Micromax and le Peregrine.

Meanwhile, half a world away, the Master of the World has erected massive defensive walls around every North American city, claiming to be the only one to defend the world from Kang. As the Avengers try to get readings from the structures, a probe sent by Kang appears over Washington, DC. The heroes are amazed when one of the wall’s cannons is able to punch through the probe’s forcefield. Believing that the Master’s technology might bring them victory, the heroes begin planning on how to seize control of the structures.

The challenge is locating the central hub of the Master’s maze of underground tunnels. However, an opportunity presents itself when the Master sends a number of his Plodex minions to capture various municipal politicians on the continent. It just so happens, reserve Avenger Stingray was meeting with officials in Boston when this was happening. Leaping into the tunnel after the Plodex, Stingray was able to swim after the alien monster in the hopes it will lead him back to the Master’s lair. Eventually, Stingray is led to the Artic Circle, prompting the Wasp to send a team of Avengers on a steal mission to infiltrate the Master’s base. She sends Yellowjacket, Quicksilver, and Silverclaw in a Quinjet which briefly stops in Boston to pick up Warbird as well. Meanwhile, Captain America has a team of Avengers consisting of the Scarlet Witch, Photon, and Jack of Hearts. They are preparing to strike at Kang directly via his Damocles base. To this end, Tony Stark has been working around the clock to prepare a space worthy craft.

In Texas, Triathlon and the Vision are on an information gathering mission at the headquarters of the Triune Understanding. Learning that the religious order has build a ship powered by the minds of its followers, they have come to make sure it doesn’t pose a risk to innocent people. With Vision posing as a potential convert, Triathlon takes him to meet Jonathan Tremont who warmly greets both men. Shortly after their arrival, one of Tremont’s followers approaches warning that their psi-sensitive members have sensed the arrival of the Triple Evil as it entered their solar system.

Meanwhile, Stingray arrives inside the Master’s lair where he discovers that the captured politicians have all been contained before their kidnapper. He explains that he has bypassed federal politicians to address them all directly, as this will ensure faster results. When asked who he is, the Master explains that he has ruled the world for centuries, all be it from a low profile. He explains how he was once a primitive man who lived during the last Ice Age. Coming upon an alien ship he was taken aboard where his body was dissected and examined by its machines. All that was left was his brain which was preserved. Over the centuries, his mind found a way to take over the ship and learn its vast stores of knowledge. Using its machines, he then reconstructed himself the perfect body. Virtually immortal, the Master now controls the ship through the control helmet he now wears on his head. He has been able to grow it outward into a series of tunnels which were then used to erect his barrier walls around their cities.

However, in order for him to properly rule, the Master wishes to de-populate the planet so that it can better sustain life. To that end, the Master will protect those cities that pledge loyalty to him. They will be safe from Kang’s invasion while the invader culls the necessary humans from the field of battle. With a toe-hold on a small portion of the planet, the Master can then work on forcing Kang off his world and claiming the entire planet for himself. This process will take thousands of years, but since he will live forever the Master can wait for as long as he wants. When his prisoners flat out refuse, the Master decides to use more drastic measures. He will send them all back outfitted with control discs that will force them to do his bidding and convince people to side with the Master so his plans come to fruition anyway.

While aboard the Damocles, the Scarlet Centurion watches footage of the battle on the planet’s surface. However he soon grows bored and turns all his viewers to Warbird, the female Avenger that has captured his attention since they first met.[1] When Kang comes in to see what his son is up to, he is bothered by the images of Warbird on the screen. Kang tells Marcus that no woman can match the sensations felt in battle crushing one’s enemies. He tells the young man to put all other thoughts aside until after they have won, as soon there will be nothing Marcus cannot have.

Meanwhile, Yellowjacket’s team arrives in the Arctic and discover an access shaft into the Master’s ship. However, once they are inside the Master informs them that he knows of their presence and unleashes his Plodex wolves on them. While the Avengers hold their own, Warbird orders everyone to split up and find the Master while she holds off the Plodex. From his monitor screens the Master commends Warbird for her strategy but it won’t stop them. The Master then detonates the entire tunnel in an effort to kill the Avengers before they reach his inner sanctum.

Back in Washington, Photon returns from a recon mission in space. After some effort she was able to absorb a portion of the force field that surrounds Damocles. With it, Tony Stark should be able to invent a weapon that can punch through it. That’s when a pre-recorded hologram of Kang appears before them. It informs them that he is aware that someone tried to scan his forcefield and once again warns against a direct attack — saying it will be met with grave repercussions. Regardless of this warning, Cap, the Scarlet Witch, Photon, and Jack of Hearts boards their ship and set their destination for Kang’s home base.

Recurring Characters

Avengers (Black Knight, Captain America, Firebird, Hercules, Iron Man, Jack of Hearts, Photon, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, Silverclaw, Stingray, Thor, Triathlon, Vision, Warbird, Wasp, Wonder Man, Yellowjacket), Kang, Scarlet Centurion, Master of the World, Jonathan Tremont, Micromax, le Peregrine, Wolverine, Hulk, Daredevil, Edwin Jarvis

Continuity Notes

1. Warbird and Marcus first met in Avengers (vol. 3) #41. He was smitten by her at first sight.

Topical References

• This story incorrectly refers to Tehek Lake as being in the North West Territories of Canada. However, it is geographically located in a region that has been referred to as Nunavut since April, 1999. I’m guessing the writer Kurt Busiek wasn’t using an up-to-date atlas when he wrote this one.