X-Men vs. the Avengers #2
Uneasy Allies
When the remains of Asteroid M came falling to Earth, Magneto has left the X-Men to investigate the wreckage and make sure none of his old weapons remain. This is during a time when he is wanted by the governments of the world. In Cambodia, Magneto is confronted by both the Avengers and the Soviet Super-Soldiers who want to bring him to justice. Coming to his defense are his teammates in the X-Men.[1] With nobody willing to stand down, a three way battle quickly erupts.
The X-Men are fighting to keep their fellow mutant free, while the Avengers want to haul Magneto back to the World Court, and the Soviet Super-Soldiers want to bring him to Russia to execute him for his crimes against the mother land. The Soviet’s fare the worst in the battle since they are fighting against two teams at once. The Crimson Dynamo’s armor is heavily damaged by Captains America and Marvel, while Ursa Major falls prey to Doctor Druid’s illusory powers. While they are distracted, the X-Men decide to get Magneto as far away as possible. Rogue grabs Magnus and flies away, but Captain Marvel is more than able to keep up with her due to her ability to fly at the speed of light in her energy form.
Back at the scene of the battle, Thor takes down Titanium Man, while She-Hulk deals with Vanguard.[2] Ultimately, Doctor Druid uses his mind control powers on Darkstar and forces her to use her dark matter abilities to restrain her comrades, putting an end to the battle.
Meanwhile, the X-Men have retreated back to the Blackbird. Magneto explains that he needs to find the remains of his former asteroid headquarters to make sure that any weapons he stored there are neutralized before they fall into the wrong hands. He assures his teammates that his old ways are behind him but insists on going on this mission alone.[3] Storm decides to let him go, telling the other X-Men that Magneto has made his decision and is now beyond their ability to protect him.
At that same moment, the Avengers have fully restrained the Soviet Super-Soldiers. With Druid’s spell only lasting another hour, the Avengers continue their search for Magneto while they still have the lead. As Magneto finally locates the chunk of asteroid that went town in Cambodia and raises ot from the Tonlé Sap river, the X-Men head for home. As they discuss plans to deal with Magneto if he goes bad again, they are unaware that they are being spied upon by Captain Marvel, who has flown into their ship in an energy form invisible to the naked eye. She reports back to the Avengers who have the Black Knight build a device that can track Magneto based on his unique energy signature.
By this time, Magneto has found what he has come looking for, a set of unique circuits for a powerful device. While looking for it, Magneto comes across his old costume and although he wants to put his past behind him, he takes his old helmet with him. When he emerges from the wreckage he is ambushed by the Avengers. Luckily, the X-Men have had a change of heart and come back for him. In the ensuing battle between the two groups, they become aware of the fact that Magneto had set the section of his asteroid to self-destruct and nobody is able to disarm them in time. That’s when Magneto uses his power to erect a force-field around the two warring teams, saving everyone’s lives.
While the Avengers are disorientated, the X-Men make a hasty departure in the Blackbird. Magneto thanks the X-Men for coming to his rescue but Wolverine thinks there is something Magneto isn’t telling them about this whole ordeal. Little do they know that Doctor Druid has stowed aboard their ship and is listening in on their conversation. It will only be a matter of time before they see through his illusion, but Druid hopes that he’ll learn Magneto’s secret before it’s too late.
Recurring Characters
X-Men (Storm, Wolverine, Magneto, Rogue, Dazzler, Havok), Avengers (Captain America, Thor, Black Knight, Captain Marvel, She-Hulk, Doctor Druid), Soviet Super-Soldiers (Crimson Dynamo, Titanium Man, Darkstar, Vanguard, Ursa Major)
Continuity Notes
Magneto was brought before the world court for his terrorist activities in Uncanny X-Men #200. However, he abandoned his trail to join the X-Men on behalf of Professor X who was leaving for space to be cured of life threatening injuries. Prior to this, Magneto sunk a Russian submarine and raised a volcano in the middle of the city of Varykino in issue #150 of that series. Magneto’s reformation will remain the status quo until he reverts back to form in Uncanny X-Men #253. Asteroid M was wrecked when Warlock first came to Earth in New Mutants #21, its remains started falling to Earth last issue.
The Titanium Man is able to injure Thor’s wrist. This is because at the time of this story, the thunder god has been cursed by Hela to have brittle bones that will not heal. This was put on him in Thor #373 and will remain in play until he is cured in issue #382 of that series. Here, Titanium Man mentions the time Thor fought his predecessor, that was in Avengers #130.
Here, Wolverine recounts one of the many, many, times Magneto tried to kill the X-Men. The specific example he cites was from X-Men #112-113.
Topical References
In this story the country of Cambodia is referred to as Kampuchea. This isn’t necessarily a topical reference as that is the name in which the country is referred to in eastern societies. Cambodia is the commonly used name in the west.
Russia is referred to the Soviet Union and their intelligence service the KGB among other Cold War era anachronisms. These should all be considered topical references as the USSR dissolved in 1991.
The X-Men’s jet is identified as a SR-71 Blackbird. This should be considered topical as the SR-71 was retired from use in 1998.
