Revenge of the Black Panther

Klaw’s sonic horn has been stolen by a street gang called the Thunderbolts. Joined by Captain America, the Black Panther has come to recover the device. However, one of the Thunderbolts has built a device to increase the power of the horn and is possessed by Klaw in the process. The two heroes now find themselves fighting one of Klaw’s sonic sound constructs, a massive flying element. Seeing the creature react to Captain America’s shield, T’Challa correctly deducdes that some property of the weapon counteracts Klaw’s power. Picking up the weapon, T’Challa flings it at the flying elephant hitting it so hard that blinks out of existsnce.[1]

While they have been busy, the Klaw possessed Jackie leads the Thunderbolts on a reign of terror through the city.

Meanwhile, the Vision and Beast have brought Klaw’s unconscious body to a freighter that will bring the villain back to Wakanda to face justice.[2] However, the captain of the ship isn’t willing to accept the passenger on the Avengers say-so and wants to wait until T’Challa arrives and confirms the legality of the transport. That’s when the Thunderbolts arrive and begin attacking the two Avengers with more animal-themed sound constructs. While the Beast and Vision fight for their life, Klaw goes to his body and erects a sound barrier to prevent the Avengers from interfering with his scheme. As the Black Panther and Captain America arrive on the scene, Klaw uses the device created by Jackie to bombard his body with more sound energy. This restores Klaw’s mind to his body and also revitalizes his waning powers, making him one of the most powerful beings alive.[3]

Now at his full power, Klaw battles the Avengers, who are no match for their enemy now that he is at his peak. Luckily, T’Challa had put in a call to one of his scientists who arrives on the scene with some specially made gloves that can counteract Klaw’s power. Using these gloves to rip through Klaw’s sonic barrier, the Black Panther is able to hold his own against Klaw. When one of Klaw’s sonic blasts punches a hole in the pier, both men fall into the water where their struggle continues. Luckily, T’Challa proves the victor when he forces Klaw to blast himself with his own sonic horn, knocking him out. This blows Klaw to smithereens, but the Panther is uncertain if this is the last they will ever hear from him.[4] The Black Panther is then raced back to the Wakandan Embassy before the press can arrive on the scene.

Meanwhile, Monica Lynne and Kevin Trublood have arrived at the Embassy looking for T’Challa. They are welcomed inside little knowing they have been followed by Wind Eagle who looks forward to fighting the Black Panther to the death.[5]

… This story is continued in Marvel Premiere #51.

Recurring Characters

Avengers (Black Panther, Captain America, Vision, Beast), Klaw, Thunderbolts (Herbie, Levon, Jackie), Wind Eagle, Monica Lynne, Kevin Trublood, Taku, Omoro

Continuity Notes

1. This is a clue to the fact that Captain America’s shield is partially made out of Vibranium itself. Captain America #303 reveals that the shield was constructed by fusing Vibranium with Adamantium.

2. Klaw murdered T’Challa’s father, T’Chaka, as detailed in Fantastic Four #53.

3. A footnote here states that Klaw’s powers had been slowly weakening since Mister Fantastic handed him his ass in Fantastic Four #56.

4. It’s not, Fall of the Hulks: Alpha #1 reveals that the Intelligencia built a device to restore Klaw, explaining how he will later appear no worse for wear in Marvel Two-In-One #57-58.

5. The Black Panther went AWOL on Monica and Kevin while he was trying to help them solve the murder of Monica’s sister Angela. It’s later revealed that he was brainwashed into forgetting about this mission by Dragon Circle, so he would no longer meddle in their plans. See Jungle Action (vol. 2) #19-24 and Marvel Premier #51-53.