Avengers Collector's Edition #1
Vibrant Alchemy
The Avengers — Captain America, the Vision, Black Knight, Hercules, and Crystal — have been invited to Wakanda by their ally the Black Panther for a royal celebration. Accompanying them on this trip is Taylor Madison, Hercules’ girlfriend.[1]
Upon their arrival, the Black Knight is suspicious when they are greeted by soldiers who ask that the Avengers turn in their weapons. Crystal convinces him to comply since they have come to celebrate, not fight. Still, Dane decides to remain being to make sure their weapons are made secure. Captain America trusts the Knight’s instincts and warns the Vision to be on his guard for anything.
However, when they arrive at the royal palace they find T’Challa in the company of the evil alchemist known as Diablo. He has used his alchemical abilities to revive the Elements of Doom, which he has renamed the Masters of Alchemy.[2] Diablo explains that he and the Masters have come to Wakanda in order to create a sentient version of Vibranium.[3]
While the other Avengers are fighting for their lives, the Black Knight can’t shake that something fishy is going on. Knocking out the Wakandian soldiers watching his every move, Dane then races to the palace with his photonic sword and Captain America’s shield. Upon his arrival he is attacked by the Masters of Alchemy known as Cobalt and Neon. In the ensuing clash, the Black Knight manages to free the Vision, who was trapped in Cobalt. Defeating their foes, the synthezoid tells Dane that the other Avengers were taken by Diablo to the Vibranium mound.
There, Diablo has prepared a machine that will transform a human host into the living embodiment of Vibranium. He chooses Baru, the chieftain of the Wakanda’s Canaan region to be the host.[4] The Avengers break free and another fight with the Masters of Alchemy ensues. They are soon joined by the Black Knight and the Vision. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, they are unable to stop Diablo from placing Baru into the chamber and transforming him into a living being made entirely of Vibranium.
However, rather than being a sentient composition, the Vibranium retains Baru’s personality and he quickly turns on Diablo. Using Vibranium’s special properties, Baru is able to absorb the power that gives the Elements their sentience. With the Masters of Alchemy destroyed,[5] Baru decides to remain as he is and live in the jungle of Wakanda as an avenging spirit to those who need justice.[5] When Diablo tries to make his escape, he is easily knocked out by Taylor Madison, much to the delight of Hercules. With the battle now over, T’Challa welcomes the Avengers back to the palace so they can continue their celebration.
Recurring Characters
Avengers (Captain America, Vision Black Knight, Hercules, Crystal), Black Panther, Diablo, Masters of Alchemy (Carbon, Cobalt, Hydrogen, Neon, Phosphorus, Plutonium, Titanium, Vibranium), Taylor Madison
Continuity Notes
Hercules and Taylor have been dating on and off since they first met in Avengers #349. This was all part of a plot by Hera to break Hercules’ heart. It’ll later be revealed that Taylor was actually a mystical construct created by Zeus to catch Hera in the act. See Avengers #384.
A footnote here reminds readers that the Avengers previously fought the Elements of Doom back in Avengers #188.
Here, Vibranium is referred to as an element here. The Appendix states that it’s a metal and that the Official Handbooks note that it has been mistaken as an element in the past. They don’t say which handbook states this specifically and frankly, I’m not going to track it down myself. It’s probably buried somewhere in profile. That said, it is an alien metal. Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #14’s appendix states that Vibranium is an isotope, which is a grouping of elements so that’s probably incorrect as well. At any rate, Vibranium (like all metals) are composed of some kind of element(s), so turning someone into living Vibranium doesn’t seem too outlandish here.
Baru tells the Black Panther that his sacrifice will make amends for his past failures. He is referring to the time that Moses Magnum used Canaan as his staging ground in an attempt to capture Wakanda, see Deathlok (vol. 2) #23-25.
Although destroyed here, the Elements of Doom will be revived by their original creator in Thunderbolts #6-8.
Despite this claim, as of this writing, Baru/Vibranium has not been seen since.
Supplement Material
This story came with four trading cards featuring the Avengers, Black Panther & Vibranium, Diablo & the Masters of Alchemy, and Captain America & the Black Knight. It also included a fact sheet with entries on Thor, Wonder Man, Iron Man, the Vision, Hercules, the Black Panther, the Scarlet Witch, and the Wasp. These were all in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Avengers.
Is This Story Part of Continuity?
Avengers Collector’s Edition was a mail away comic that was produced for the company that makes Charleston Chew, Sugar Babies, and Sugar Daddy candies. You’d save a certain number of wrapers and mail it with shipping and handling and you got the comic mailed to your home.
Usually, stories of this type are not usually considered part of continuity because they are never really referenced anywhere else. However, Avengers, Captain America & Thor: Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe and Official Index to the Marvel Universe: Avengers both reference it when plotting out character continuities.
