Avengers West Coast Annual #4

Feb 8

Feb 8 Avengers West Coast Annual #4

Gather Now Ye 7 Brides

This story continues from Web of Spider-Man Annual #5….

The Deviant Priest, who has been trying to bring his master — the demon Set — to Earth summons the seven brides that he has collected for sacrifice. They include the X-Man Storm, the She-Hulk and the Scarlet Witch of the Avengers, Cloak’s partner Dagger, X-Factor’s Marvel Girl, the Atlantean warrior Andromeda, and the Invisible Woman of the Fantastic Four.[1] When Dagger trips, Ghaur discovers that she is blind.[2] When one of his Deviant minions points out why this matters, since their attempts to sacrifice the Atlanteans to Set has failed, the priest informs them that he has another back-up plan to bring their master to Earth.

Meanwhile, in California, the Human Torch is returning to Avengers Mansion at Hydrobase. Along the way he is once again trying to make sense of the world he has found himself in since he was revived.[3] Already gathered are the Vision, Thor, Captain America, Sersi, Wonder Man, the Wasp, Iron Man, the Beast, and Quasar. The Vision would like the team help him rescue his wie the Scarlet Witch, who was recently captured along with other female super-human. Wonder Man is annoyed by how emotionless the Vision is when talking about his wife, as Simon secretly loves the Scarlet Witch himself.[4] Since they are dealing with the Ghaur and the Deviants, Captain America asks Sersi to take point because her people — the Eternals — are age old enemies. The Torch then arrives and offers his own assistance, and Cap looks forward to working with his old wartime friend again after so many years.[5]

That’s when the Thing arrives and tells the Avengers that the Fantastic Four were similarly had the Invisible Woman kidnapped. He also reveals how the Atlanteans were supposed to be sacrificed to the elder god known as Set. Thor knows all about this monster and tells his comrades how he was banished from Earth and is responsible for the creation of the ancient Serpent People as well as the powerful Serpent Crown.[6]

Meanwhile, Ghaur has dispatched the brides of Set to gather artifacts that will help them bring Set to Earth. She-Hulk and Andromeda are sent to the Altar of Neptune’s Wrath, located off the coast of New England. There they find a chunk of Set’s lifeforce that was placed there by Neptune himself. When they try to remove the lifeforce they are attacked by a massive sea creature. While at the Museum of Cultural Antiquities in Chicago, Marvel Girl uses phony credentials to get access to the archives and recover the Lense of Power, an ancient Lemurian artifact. When the museum curator shows her the artifact the Invisible Woman knocks him out and uses her ability to become invisible herself to slip the lense past the security guards waiting outside.

By this time, the Avengers have responded to the distress call of a ship passing Neptune’s Altar. There, they find She-Hulk and Andromeda fighting for their lives. Iron Man and Wonder Man come out to lend a hand, but the creature is too powerful and when they try to help the two women, they attack them as well.[5] The Vision is able to make the creature retreat by becoming intangible and phasing into the monster’s body and solidifies causing it great pain. Although they manage to recover She-Hulk, Andromeda gets away with Set’s lifeforce and return it to Ghaur.

The Avengers try to get She-Hulk to snap out of Ghaur’s mind control, but unfortunately nothing works. Deciding to use this to their advantage, they let Jennifer go so she can lead them to Ghaur’s hideout.

At that moment, Ghaur is trying to get Dagger to focus her light powers so it can be used in conjunction with the lens. Unfortunately, being blind makes such delicate operation difficult. Ghaur is losing his temper when Marvel Girl and Invisible Woman return with the lense.

Moments later, Sersi transmutes her fellow Avengers so they can breath under water and force their way into Ghaur’s secret headquarters. Learning about the intruders, Ghaur sends Storm to deal with them while he has Dagger channel her power through the lens and into Set’s lifeforce. In the ensuing battle, the Beast ambushes a Deviant wearing iron gloves, as the gauntlets might be useful. When the Avengers confront Ghaur, Wonder Man shatters the lense. Becoming desperate, the priest has the Scarlet Witch use her hex powers on Set’s lifeforce. This causes the ball of energy to grow. The Beast tries to contain the magic with his iron gloves, but it proves too powerful. There is a sudden blinding flash that transports Set to Earth. As the massive six-headed serpent demon rises, Ghaur proclaims that the age of humanity has now come to an end.

… This story continues in Thor Annual #14.

Recurring Characters

Avengers West Coast (Iron Man, Wasp, Vision, Wonder Man, Human Torch), Avengers (Captain America, Thor, Quasar, Sersi), Beast, Thing, Ghaur, Set, Brides of Set (Andromeda, Dagger, Invisible Woman, Marvel Girl, Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, Storm),

Continuity Notes

A lot of exposition is done on the seven brides of Set. The details:
- Storm: It is stated here that she and the X-Men are believed to have been dead. The X-Men faked their deaths after stopping the Adversary in Uncanny X-Men #225-227 in order to operate more covertly. Ghaur learned that she was alive and captured her in Uncanny X-Men Annual #13.
- She-Hulk: Reference is made that she is the cousin to the Hulk, as revealed in Savage She-Hulk #1. She was captured when she and Spider-Man battled the Abomination in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #23.
- Dagger: She was captured when she, Cloak, and Spider-Man fought the Sons of the Serpent in Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #9.
- The Scarlet Witch: Is referred to as a mutant here, she is not, as explained in Uncanny Avengers (vol. 2) #4-5. It is stated here that she once wore the Serpent Crown, that was in Marvel Two-in-One #66. She was captured in Avengers Annual #18.
- Marvel Girl: Identified as a founding member of both the X-Men (X-Men #1) and X-Factor (X-Factor #1). She was captured in X-Factor Annual #3.
- Andromeda: Identified as the daughter of Attuma. This was revealed in Iron Man Annual #10. She was also captured in X-Factor Annual #3.
- Invisible Woman: She was captured when the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man prevented Attuma from invading New York in Web of Spider-Man Annual #4.
Dagger was struck blind during a battle with Mister Jip in Mutant Misadventures of Cloak and Dagger #1. Her vision will be restored in issue #13 of that series.
The android Human Torch was first active circa 1939 back in Marvel Comics #1. He was active until the 1950s when his powers burned out and he was deactivated. Revived in the present day by the Mad Thinker he was used to battle his successor, Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four Annual #4. Deactivated again, the Torch was buried in Sub-Mariner #14 until he was later revived in Avengers West Coast #50.
Wonder Man discovered he had feelings for Wanda back in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #44.
Cap and the Human Torch’s association dated back to 1941 when they fought together against the Sub-Mariner, as detailed in Marvels Project #5. Here, Cap mentions how they once thought that the Vision was built from the Torch’s remains. As revealed in Avengers Forever #8, after the Torch was defeated by the Fantastic Four, Immortus made a chronal duplicate of the android. One of these duplicates was used by Ultron to create the Vision, as seen in Avengers #134-135. At the time of this story, however, the Avengers have been tricked into thinking that the Vision’s true origins were false. This was part of a grand manipulation by Immortus. See West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #42-45.
Set’s origins were first told in Thor Annual #10. The Serpent Men have origins that date back to the Hyborean era as seen in Kull the Conqueror #2. The creation of the Serpent Crown was detailed in Marvel Team-Up Annual #5.
Tony Stark recounts here he has convinced people that there is someone new wearing his Iron Man armor. Recently, Tony discovered that his technology had been stolen and sold without his authorization. He went after everyone who was using his armor, making him an outlaw. Since the world at large didn’t know Stark and Iron Man were the same person, Tony faked his alter-ego’s death and then convinced everyone it was someone new in the armor. See Iron Man #225-232.

Topical References

The Human Torch states that he had been inactive for 40 years. However, this measurement of time should be considered topical. This is because, as the Sliding Timescale pushes the Modern Age forward in time, the number of years in that take place between the end of World War II and the start of the Modern Age grows longer with each passing year.

Rate the Hunks

A feature where the Wasp and the She-Hulk rank the male Avengers based on their attractiveness. If you give a shit about this sort of thing here are the rankings on a scale of one to ten between the Wasp/She-Hulk:

Thor: 10/10, Iron Man: 9/7, Captain America: 10/8, Quicksilver: 4/5, Hawkeye: 8/6, Hercules: 7/10, Black Panther: 9/8, Vision: 3/1, the Black Knight: 7/5, the Falcon: 7/5, Wonder Man: 8/7, Starfox: 8/6, the Sub-Mariner: 6/8, Doctor Druid: 1/1, Mister Fantastic: 9/4, Gilgamesh: 7/7, US Agent: 3/5, Quasar: 6/6, and they decline to comment on Janet’s ex-husband the Hank, and the deceased Swordsman.

Recurring Characters

Wasp, She-Hulk

Continuity Notes

There are a number of facts about each male Avenger that are dropped during Jen and Janet’s nattering. Let’s break it down:

Iron Man: While She-Hulk doesn’t know who is in the Iron Man armor is, Janet does. She learned that he was secretly Tony Stark in Avengers #224.
Quicksilver: They mention Pietro’s current problems. At the time of this story, he discovered that his wife was cheating on him in Vision and the Scarlet Witch (vol. 2) #10. He was also being driven mad by Maximus, as explained in X-Factor Annual #2.
Hawkeye: Mention is made how he “grew up” and became a capable leader of the West Coast Avengers. He was chosen by the Vision to head the group in Avengers #243. However, at the time of this story, he had just quit the group in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #45. She-Hulk mentions she didn’t get alone with Hawkeye at first, this was when she first joined the Avengers in Avengers #221.
Hercules: She-Hulk states here that she doesn’t believe he is dead. At the time of this story, Herc was hyper-evolved to battle the High Evolutionary and discorporated, as seen in Avengers Annual #17. He is not actually dead and will be restored to normal in Thor #406-408.
Vision: Mention is made to how he is married to the Scarlet Witch. The pair tied the knot in Giant-Size Avengers #4.
Black Knight: Janet mentions how Dane was into her for a bit. He briefly dated the Wasp starting in Avengers #271. However, she eventually found her was too much like her ex-husband Hank and let him down gently in Solo Avengers #12. She-Hulk mentions how Dane has recently adopted a medieval affectation. This began after he woke the ancient curse in his Ebony Blade circa Avengers #293. He stopped talking like a douche in Thor #396.
Wonder Man: It’s stated here that Simon Williams stopped wearing sunglasses all the time. The process that turned him into Wonder Man in Avengers #9 made it so his eyes glowed red. Even though he make his eyes look normal with some effort (as seen in Avengers #165, he didn’t do this on the reg and often wore sunglasses. He decided to stop wearing them all together in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #12.
Doctor Druid: Both Jen and Janet hope he ends up staying lost in time. This is in reference to Druid betraying the team to Nebula which ended with him getting lost in the Time Bubble. See Avengers #294-297. He will remain trapped there until Avengers Spotlight #37.
Mister Fantastic: Had a brief stint on the Avengers from Avengers #300 to Fantastic Four #326. She-Hulk mentions her own stint on the FF which ran from Fantastic Four #265 to Avengers #278.
US Agent: Is referred to as a Captain America rip-off. This is because, for a brief time, John Walker took over Steve Rogers’ costumed identity see Captain America #333-350.
Quasar: Is referred to as the newest Avenger here. He had just recently joined the team in Avengers #301-303.
Hank Pym: He is mentioned as being Janet’s ex-husband. The couple got married back in Avengers #60. They divorced after Hank struck her in issue #213.
Swordsman: Is referred to as the only member of the team (at this point) that died (and stayed dead). Swordsman sacrificed his life to save Mantis from Kang the Conqueror in Giant-Size Avengers #2.

Topical References

This story name drops a number of celebrities as a point of comparison. Since everyone named was in their prime when this story was written these should be considered topical references since many of them are old or dead now. Names dropped include: Tom Selleck, Sean Penn, Taurean Blacque (although he’s referenced by his character on the TV show Hill Street Blues rather than by name), Marlon Brando, Rob Camilletti (who is also not mentioned by name here, but he was dating Cher at the time of this story when he was still in his early 20s and she was about twice his age)
The Wasp also makes a joke about Quasar being a product sold by Motorola, an electronics company. This should be considered topical since Motorola is a real world company that went defunct in 2011.

The Last Good Soldier

On a solo mission for the Avengers West Coast, US Agent is air dropped over an island in the middle of the pacific. Lost in random thought, the Agent goes through the motion of parachuting to the ground below. He has to act quickly when his target shoots holes through his chute. Luckily, the Agent’s indestructible shield is able to take the brunt of the fall.

Searching through the dense jungle he eventually finds his target, one of the High Evolutionary’s heavily armored storm troopers.[1] As evades his enemy’s high tech weapons, he incapacitates his armor forcing its pilot to bail out before it explodes. Subduing his prisoner, US Agent heads to the beach where Hank Pym is waiting for him in an Avengers Quinjet. As they leave, Hank likens the High Evolutionary’s soldier to that of Japanese soldiers out in the field who weren’t aware that World War II was over.

Recurring Characters

US Agent, Hank Pym

Continuity Notes

This guy is a hold over from the Evolutionary War event which took place in X-Factor Annual #3, Punisher Annual #1, Silver Surfer Annual #1, New Mutants Annual #4, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #22, Fantastic Four Annual #21, Uncanny X-Men Annual #12, Web of Spider-Man Annual #4, West Coast Avengers Annual #3, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #8, and Avengers Annual #17.

Topical References

Both US Agent and Hank Pym are reminding of an old episode of Gilligan’s Island. This wouldn’t be considered a topical reference as they are referring to it as an old TV show.

So What Are You Going to Do After You Conquer the World?

In Baja, New Mexico, a group of Atlantean Warriors have lost their way after a failed invasion of the Panama Canal and are now desperately looking for a supply of water.[1] They are spotted by Firebird, who happens to be flying by. She goes down to see what’s going on. The water breathers are mortified by the fact that they are being confronted by a fire-based surface dweller, but they are willing to put up a fight.

However, Firebird doesn’t just command fire and flame. She easily deflects their blaster shots and explains that that she can control the thermic reactions and demonstrates this power by melting their weapons and causing the water in their helmets to boil.[2] She then suggests that rather than having an unnecessary battle. The Atlanteans agree and she helps them get back to their ship and make repairs so they can get back out to sea.

As they depart, Bonita suggests they check out Tahiti, and for a moment the Atlanteans consider attacking the island before deciding against it.

Recurring Characters

Firebird

Continuity Notes

This failed attack happened in Iron Man Annual #10.
Firebird states here that she recently learned the truth about her powers and the full scope of her capabilities. As explained in West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #4, Bonita got her powers from a flaming meteor. At first, she thought that this was some kind of divine intervention. However, she just recently learned that her powers were due to the improper disposal of toxic chemicals by an alien race. See Avengers Spotlight #23.

Crisis Management

This story continues from Web of Spider-Man Annual #5….

The Watcher his oral history of Set and the Serpent Crown….

He recounts how, not that long ago, in the parallel Earth that is home to the Squadron Supreme, the sorceress named Arcana was visited by Gaea, the Earth goddess, to inform her that she will soon be freed by her allies Nighthawk and Power Princess.[1][2]

Arcana asks Gaea if the Serpent Crown is no longer a threat. Gaea informs her that it is no longer in the hands of the Serpent Cartel, explaining that it was stolen from them by the Avengers. Although the Squadron were enthralled by the Crown, both Nighthawk and Power Princess were able to resist.

At that moment, at the headquarters of the Serpent Cartel, thinks are melting down as Kyle Richmond — Nighthawk’s alter ego — watches on. Gregory Gideon is telling off the President to get the situation under control. While they are distracted Richmond’s “assistant” slips into a bathroom where she changes into the Power Princess and breaks Arcana out of her cell. When this sets off the alarm, Kyle sets off some stun gas, but Gideon escapes. Changing into Nighthawk, Kyle confronts Gregory in his office and takes him into custody.

Arcana then uses her magic to summon Professor Imam and the two combine their power to expel the last of the Serpent Crown’s influence on the Squadron Supreme. This is just as the Avengers’ Beast confronted the Squadron and told them to fess up to their crimes. Indeed, moments later a press conference is held where Hyperion where he explains everything. In the aftermath, Hyperion asks Nighthawk if he would be returning to their ranks. However, Kyle Richmond has come to realize that he can do more good in politics than he ever could as a costumed vigilante.

Hyperion finds this interesting because he and Power Princess were thinking how the Squadron Supreme could do much more good if they held more political power. This shocks Richmond, but Hyperion assures him that he wouldn’t do such a thing unless a much bigger national emergency were to rear its ugly head.

The Watcher ends his observation noting that such an emergency did arrive and that this was the beginning of a growing rift between Hyperion and Nighthawk. The Squadron would form a totalitarian regime and Nighthawk would ultimately sacrifice his own life to stop them, but says that this is a tale for another day.[3]

… This story continues in Thor Annual #14.

Recurring Characters

Squadron Supreme (Hyperion, Nighthawk, Power Princess, Whizzer, Doctor Spectrum, Arcanna, Amphibian, Blue Eagle), Gaea, Professor Imam, Beast, Philip Jones, Serpent Cartel (Gregory Gideon, “Nelson Rockafeller”, Justin Hammer, Cornelius Van Lundt), the Watcher

Continuity Notes

The Squadron’s Earth, per Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005 #1, is designated as Reality-712.
This story happens behind the scenes of the events of Avengers #141-144 and 147-149, where the Avengers clash with the Squadron Supreme over control of the Serpent Crown.
The Squadron’s Earth suffers just such a catastrophe in Defenders #112-115. This would be the catalyst for the Squad’s Utopia Program where they try to solve all the world’s problem. See Squadron Supreme #1-12.

Topical References

The President on the Squadron’s Earth is identified as Nelson Rockefeller. On our world, he unsuccessfully ran for President of the United States 1960, 1964, 1968, and 1976. Guy was a born loser I guess. Anyway, when the Squadron Supreme story was first written it was around the time Rockefeller lost his ‘76 Presidential bid and it presented a “What if?” scenario if he did get elected. His appearance here should be considered topical much in the same that other real world people (particularly past Presidents) are.