Kang, the Conqueror!

This story is reprinted from Avengers #8

Love is a Battlefield!

Rick Jones has fallen for a girl named Irene, whom she went to high school with. After admiring her from afar while hanging out in the Flats (a regular hangout for the local teens), Rick decides to use the advice imparted to him by Captain America during their training to muster the courage to ask her out.[1][2]

Rick approaches Irene and asks her to go to the movies. When she learns that he means a date and not just a hang out she agrees.[3] As Rick goes out on his date that night, he remembers Cap’s teachings and applies it to his situation. As they watch the movie, Rick makes the bold move of putting his hand on hers.

After the movie, the couple try to figure out what to do next. That’s when one of Irene’s friends pulls up and says that there is a party going on at Jamie’s house while his parents are on vacation in Europe. Rick takes Irene there on his motorcycle and when they arrive they are greeted by Jamie. Jamie is a dumb jock who mocks Rick for his hobbies, prompting Rick to comment that Jamie reeks like cheap wine. Rick then slips inside as Jamie struggles for a retort.[4]

After socializing for a bit, Rick suggests that he and Irene go outside for some fresh air. It’s a chilly night so Rick gives her his jacket to keep warm. She remarks about how he was raised with good manners and apologizes when Rick says he is an orphan.[5] Rick then takes this opportunity to tell Irene that he really likes her and asks if they can kiss. She tells him they can, but before he can do so, Jamie comes outside. He then begins berating Rick for “forcing himself” on Irene on top of being uninvited to the party. Jones tries to diffuse the situation, but Jamie takes a swing at Rick.

That’s when his fight training with Captain America kicks in and Rick instinctively trounces Jamie. To his dismay, Irene is horrified by this and tells him to leave her alone. Rick leaves the party without saying a word. As he goes, the last bit of advice Cap gave him echos in his mind: No matter how skilled you are in battle, sooner or later, defeat comes to us all.

Recurring Characters

Rick Jones, (in flashback) Captain America

Continuity Notes

1. At the time of this story, Rick Jones had been attempting to become Captain America’s new sidekick since they met in Avengers #4. We first saw him training Rick how to fight in Tales of Suspense #62.

2. One of Rick’s friends scoffs at Rick treating his romantic situation like a battle, reminding him that he’s approaching a girl, not fighting Kang the Conqueror. At the time of this story, Rick had just helped the Avengers defeat Kang in Avengers #8.

3. Irene mentions Rick’s “crew”. She is likely referring to the Teen Brigade. Formed in Incredible Hulk #6, they originally helped the Hulk and later helped form the Avengers (Avengers #1) and provided the team with support on their early missions.

4. Here, Jamie mocks Rick for his “little radios”, this is a reference to the fact that original depictions of the Teen Brigade presented the group as Ham radio enthusiasts, which was popular in the early 60s when those stories were published. This has since been considered a topical reference and modern interpretations of these early stories depict Teen Brigade as a group of hackers, as seen in Avengers: The Origin #1-5.

5. The revelation that Rick was an orphan was first revealed in Incredible Hulk #268.

Topical References

• As I mentioned above, the Teen Brigade’s use of Ham Radios is now considered a topical reference. The reason why it is used here (even though this story was written and published in 2008) was likely to match the reprint of Avengers #8 that proceeded this story. That said, it should still be considered a topical reference.