Avengers: Timeslide #1

Dec 19

Dec 19 Avengers: Timeslide #1

Timeslide

This story continues from Avengers #394 …

Avengers Mansion is under siege by Kang’s Anachronauts, led by his two sons Tobias and Malachi.[1] This attack happens as the Avengers are preparing to use a time portal in the basement to go back in time to recruit the younger version of Tony Stark from a time period where he hasn’t been tained by Kang.[2] As Thor, Giant-Man, the Wasp, Vision, Hercules, the Black Widow, and Force Works’ Century fight for their lives, things are looking grim. That is when Captain America arrives, much to everyone’s surprise as they all believed he was dead.[3] Needing to clear a path back to the mansion, Thor uses Mjolnir to summon a storm to sweep the Anachronauts away from the building.[4] Having to make their move fast, Crystal asks Jarvis if he is sure he wants to accompany the team into the past. The Avengers dutiful butler insists that he must come along as he would be the only one the young Tony Stark will know. Suddenly, the Avengers are visited by Yellowjacket, who makes a brief stop at this moment before going further back in time to the moment of her death.[5] As the Avengers race inside, Tobias pushes his way through Thor’s storm and easily bats the thunder god aside.

Down in the basement, Hercules enters in the key code to open the mystery door in the basement of the mansion with the information imparted to him by the adult version of Luna.[6] As the door is opening they are ambushed by Tobias. The resulting attack blows the door off its hinges and Captain America, the Black Widow, Vision, Jarvis, and Century are sucked into the time vortex on the other side. Before they are lost across time and space, Century orders them all to grab ahold of his axe, Parallax, as it will guide them to their destination. There is a blinding flash of light.[7]

Captain America, the Black Widow, and Jarvis materialize in the Stark mansion over a decade into the past, appearing right in front of that era’s Jarvis.[8] The younger Jarvis demands to know what the intruders are doing in his employer’s home, that’s when he notices his older self. When the two get too close, they both suffer painful headaches.[9] Captain America explains that they have come from the future on a very important mission but they don’t remember what that is until the younger Jarvis mentions the Stark family. This makes Cap remember that their mission has something to do with Tony Stark.

Across town, 19-year-old Tony Stark is out showing off his new car to his girlfriend Meredith McCall.[10] The two are young and in love and after stopping at a red light and making out for a bit, they speed off. As they do so, a young Peter Parker walks off the sidewalk to point out the sports car he read about in a magazine. His Uncle Ben and Aunt May pull Peter back onto the sidewalk and remind him to be more responsible, cautioning him that they won’t always be around to keep him safe.[11]

While inside the Baxter Building,[12] mailman Willie Lumpkin is surprised when Tobias materializes out of nowhere. When Tobias learns where he is, Willie doesn’t know who the Fantastic Four are, making him realize what era he’s in and what the Avengers are up to.[13]

While in Hell’s Kitchen, Matt Murdock is taking a shortcut through an alley when the Vision suddenly materializes in front of him. Something the blind youth can detect because his his enhanced senses. The android asks for help getting to Stark manor. Matt helps the mystery man up and introduces himself before asking who or what the Vision is.[14]

Back at the Stark estate, Howard and Maria Stark are waiting for their son Tony to return home. [15] They call Jarvis down and ask him to prepare Tony’s favorite meal. That’s when Tony calls them via the holographic communicator he built into Maria’s broach. Tony tells them to set an extra place at the table as he is bringing a guest over for them to meet. When Jarvis heads back into the kitchen he catches one of the maids about to go into the pantry to do inventory. Since that’s where the time travelers from the future were supposed to be hiding he sends her off on another task. Then, when he goes to check on the strangers he is shocked to discover that they are no longer there.

Meanwhile, Matt Murdock and the Vision are getting closer to Stark manor. By this time, Matt’s enhanced senses have detected that his companion isn’t human and doesn’t buy it when the Vision insists that he is a theater performer in costume.[16] That’s when they briefly bump into Susan Storm and Ben Grimm, who are running late for a top secret meeting with Reed Richards.[17]

At that same moment, the younger Jarvis finds his future self and his companions going through Tony Stark’s bedroom in the hopes that something there will make them remember why they traveled to the past. The young Jarvis wonders why he didn’t tell the Starks about these intruders because he has never lied to them before, his older self points out that it’s probably because be believes their story. Regardless, young Jarvis wants them out before Tony gets home from MIT. That’s when older Jarvis asks what the date is. When he is told it is March 15th, he realizes that today is the day that Maria Stark dies.[18] Suddenly, they hear a scream coming from downstairs. The come downstairs to find Tobias has murdered the maid and is interrogating Howard and Maria Stark to find out where their son is.

As Captain America and the Black Widow confront Tobias inside, Matt Murdock and the Vision are just arriving outside the main gates. That’s when explosions go off inside the house, prompting the Vision to swing into action. The explosions also panic drivers on the road causing a huge accident that strands Tony and Meredith a block away from his home. Becoming impatient, Tony ditches his car and runs to his house. As he goes past the gate, he is followed by Matt Murdock who tries to warn him that it is too dangerous inside. By the time he arrives, the Avengers have all been defeated by Tobias who takes Howard and Maria Stark hostage and flies away.

Tony Stark demands to know what’s going on and the Avengers — who now remember what their mission is — tell Tony why they have come back in time looking for him. As Tony tries to make sense of all of this, he gets very upset and demands to know why they have come back and upended his life like this. That’s when the older Jarvis explains that he had long since grown to view Tony as a son to him and he wanted to save him from his dark destiny. The younger Jarvis then admits that he also feels the same way, although he had always kept it to himself.

When it comes to figuring out where Tobias took his parents, Tony suddenly remembers that he can track his mother’s broach. Using his computer and a holographic map, Tony is able to pinpoint his parents location: Latveria. As the Avengers prepare to make the trip, Matt and Tony insist on coming along. Natasha tells Matt that it is too dangerous and assures him that his time to be a hero will come.[19] Tony, on the other hand, refuses to stay behind because it is his parents who are being held prisoner. Arriving in Latveria in a chartered plane, the Avengers and Tony (armed with an prototype repulsor gauntlet that he’ll perfect as Iron Man in the future) storm Castle Doom. Inside, Tobias is madly searching for a means of returning to his own time. While the Avengers wish to maintain the element of surprise, Tony refuses to do any such thing and attacks Tobias directly.

In the ensuing battle, Tobias blasts the side of a wall sending rubble falling down toward Howard and Maria Stark. Tony tries to race to their rescue but he too is at risk of being seriously hurt by the falling debris. Captain America leaps in, but only manages to pull Tony to safety. Digging his parents out of the rubble, Tony is devastated to see that his father is dead and his mother is dying. Maria Stark’s final words to her son is that he is a good boy. That’s when Tobias’ brother Malachi arrives having crossed over to this time period in Luna’s former time chair.[20] The twins then retreat back into the time stream, leaving the Avengers stranded in the past.

As they try to figure out how to get back home, Tony Stark agrees to join them and avenge the death of his parents. That’s when they are greeted by the owner of the castle, Doctor Doom, who offers his assistance to send the heroes back to the present day. That’s when the Avengers realize why Tobias came here to begin with, to gain access to Doctor Doom’s Time Platform.[21] They accept Doom’s help and he soon sends them back to where they came from. Seeing the people from the future reveals to Doom that tomorrow holds many wonders and vows that very soon they will all be his.[22]

… This story continues in Iron Man #325.

Recurring Characters

Avengers (Captain America, Thor, Giant-Man, Wasp, Quicksilver, Vision, Hercules, Black Widow, Crystal), Tony Stark, Century, Edwin Jarvis, “Tobias”, “Malachi”,

Continuity Notes

The Crossing appears to be plot by Kang the Conqueror and Mantis to take over the present day. In reality, this is all a grand manipulation created by Immortus (who is posing as Kang) as part of his lengthy scheme to alter the course of Avengers destiny. Tobias, Malachi, and the other Anachronauts are actually Space Phantoms in disguise playing roles to help sell the lie. See Avengers Forever #8.
In Iron Man #323 it was revealed that Iron Man has apparently been a sleeper agent for Kang since the early days of the Avengers. This is another hoax created by Immortus, who has been manipulating Tony’s mind and memories via a neural link that has been in place since Iron Man #278. See Avengers Forever #8, again. The narration here states that Stark has spilled blood. He has specifically killed Yellowjacket and Marilla in Avengers: The Crossing #1, critically wounded the Wasp in Avengers #393, and killed Amanda Chaney in Force Works #19.
Around the time of this story, Captain America was suffering from a degeneration of his Super Soldier Serum starting in Captain America #425. This deterioration left him completely incapacitated by issue #443. He was kindapped by the Red Skull shortly thereafter who restored Cap’s health with a blood transfusion as seen in Captain America #445-448.
Thor mentions that his powers are greatly diminished. This is the result of the WorldEngine forcing Asgard through a premature Ragnarok Cycle in Thor #491-494. This will remain the status quo until Avengers (vol. 2) #10.
We saw this scene from Rita’s perspective in Avengers: The Crossing #1, she was killed shortly there after in that same issue. Other than a brief resurrection in Chaos War: Dead Avengers #1-3, Chaos War: Aries #1, and Chaos War #5, she has remained among the deceased time of this writing in January, 2023.
This mysterious door was first discovered by the Black Widow in Avengers #385. Hercules was imparted secrets by the “adulty Luna” in Avengers: The Crossing #1. She was seemingly killed in Avengers #395. As revealed in Avengers Forever #8, she is yet another Space Phantom helping Immortus sell his lie.
Century is the only one who doesn’t end up in the past. He’ll turn up again in Iron Man #325.
Captain America states here that they went back 10 years into the past, this is not correct as per International Iron Man #7. See below for more details. Computation of all ages in these notes are based on my Pre-Modern Age timeline.
Most everyone in the past recognizes Captain America but find it hard to believe it is really him. This is because at this point in time, Captain America was still frozen in suspended animation since 1945 and presumed dead at this point. He won’t be thawed out until after the start of the Modern Age in Avengers #4.
As per Iron Man #28, Tony and Meredith briefly dated until their fathers found out. Business rivals the elder McCall and Anthony Stark forbade the youths from dating one another. Meredith was then sent overseas to attend private school. The events of this story appear to occur prior to this incident.
This is alluding something readers in the present day would already know: That, at least at the time of this publication, both Ben and May Parker were believed to be dead. The details:
- You should already know that Ben Parker was famously shot by a thief. His death being the driving motivation for Peter to use his powers as Spider-Man to fight crime in Amazing Fantasy #15. To date, Ben Parker is one of the few characters in the Marvel Universe that you can rely on always being dead.
- At the time this comic came out, May Parker had apparently died due to ill health in Amazing Spider-Man #400. However, this was an impostor hired by the Green Goblin to take the real May Parker’s place. Which will be revealed when Peter find his beloved Aunt alive and well in Spider-Man #97.
- Per Sensational Spider-Man (vol. 2) #33, Peter Parker is about 12 years old here. While Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #2 dictates that May Parker would be about 57 years old at the time of this story.
Also seen here is the Baxter Building, which will become the future headquarters of the Fantastic Four starting in Fantastic Four #3. This is being shown off because, at the time of this story, the Baxter Building had been destroyed for years after it was blown up in space in Fantastic Four #278. It was subsequently replaced with the Four Freedoms Plaza which completed construction in Fantastic Four #293. That building will later be destroyed in Thunderbolts #10 and replaced with a brand new Baxter Building in Fantastic Four (vol. 3) #39.
Willie Lumpkin will famously become the Fantastic Four’s mailman starting in Fantastic Four #11.
As seen in Daredevil #1, the accident that blinded Matt Murdock and enhanced his other senses happened when he was still a teenager. Doing the math, per Daredevil #168 and -1, Matt would be about 19 years old at the time of this story as he is roughly the same age as Tony Stark.
At the time of this story, Tony believes that Howard and Maria Stark are his biological parents. However, in Iron Man (vol. 5) #17 it is revealed that Tony was adopted. International Iron Man #5-7, his parents are revealed to be SHIELD Agents Amanda Armstrong and a man known only as Jude.
When Matt discovers that the Vision isn’t even human he says that he can’t wait to tell Stick. Stick was the man who trained Matt Murdock how to utilize his enhanced sense and how to fight per Daredevil #176.
Sue and Ben are likely off to an early meeting with Reed about the space mission that is destined to turn them into the Fantastic Four in Fantastic Four #1. Presumably, this is in the early stages as Reed won’t start constructing his space ship until for another two years per Fantastic Four #271. Based on Marvel Knight: 4 #1, Sue is about 18 years old at this time.
It doesn’t make sense that the present day Jarvis thinks this day is the day that Maria Stark had died. Per Iron Man #288, the Starks apparently died in a car crash about in Tony’s early 20s, per his chronology. See Errata below. Per S.H.I.E.L.D. #5, the Starks might have faked their deaths, however this has yet to be confirmed as of this writing.
This is obviously in reference to Matt later become Daredevil. Natasha is the one to tell him because in the future the pair will have a long standing relationship from Daredevil #81-124.
Malachi complains that time travel is difficult now that Luna is dead and Neut is missing. He is referring to the supposedly adult version of Luna who appeared to perish in Avengers #394. Neut is another one of “Kang’s” minions who also went MIA in that same issue. Neut will turn up alive again years later in Iron Man Special #1. Both of these characters are also Space Phantoms in disguise, per Avengers Forever #8.
The same Time Platform that Doom will use against the Fantastic Four in his first appearance in Fantastic Four #5.
With the premature death of Howard and Maria Stark, and Tony Stark being brought to the future, this has created a divergent reality separate from Earth-616. The past that the Avengers visits, per Marvel Legacy: The 1990s Handbook #1, is now part of Reality-96020.

Topical References

The present day is referred to as taking place in the 20th century in this story. This should be considered a topical reference due to the Sliding Timescale. It has pushed the Modern Age of the Marvel Universe forward in time enough that it does not begin until after the start of the 21st century.
When the Avengers are going through young Tony Stark’s bedroom we see a number of obsolete technologies on display: A CRT model television and computer monitor, a Sega Genesis gaming console, and a stereo with tape decks. Even though this part of the story takes place in the past, these should be considered topical references as the Pre-Modern Age is governed by the same Sliding Timescale rules as the Modern Age.
When Tony explains the technology used to track his mother and says it’s all really easy to follow, Murdock quips “Simple as Beowulf without the Cliff Notes.” Beowulf is an old English poem that dates back to 975 to 1025 AD. CliffsNotes were a brand of study guides on various subjects including literature, they began publication in 1958. Since Beowulf is classic literature its reference here would not be considered topical. However, the reference to CliffsNotes would be as this is a brand of literary guides. While they are still around, they are also not the go-to place for literary guides thanks to the Internet.

Errata

This story states that the Avengers had gone back in time 10 years into the past. Per the Sliding Timescale, that would place they went back to about a year prior to the start of the Modern Age. However, this doesn’t mesh with later stories that flesh out Tony Stark’s life before the start of the Modern Age. According to International Iron Man #7, Tony was born roughly 23 years prior to the start of the Modern Age. In Avengers: Timeslide #1, Tony is about 19 years old, putting this trip as happening 3 years prior to the start of the Modern Age and 13 years prior to the present day of this story. One could assume that Captain America misspoke when he says they went back in time 10 years.
In this story, the present day Jarvis believes that they have come back in time to the day that Maria Stark dies. This is flat out incorrect, per Iron Man #288, which states that both Starks died at the same time in a car accident. This is sloppy research on the part of the writer, but I’m not surprised considering this turd was written by Terry Kavanagh, who is one of the worst writers Marvel ever worked in my opinion. One could assume that since Jarvis’ mind was affected by traveling back in time and doesn’t remember things, then perhaps he has his dates mixed up as well.