The Doomsday Connection!

Having learned that MODOK had survived their last encounter, Iron Man has begun searching for the rogue leader of Advance Idea Mechanics.[1] Locating one of MODOK’s hideout he fights through various robotic defenses before discovering that it has long since been deserted. What he does find is a massive cradle that powered some kind of nefarious weapon. Since he is near California, Iron Man decides to look up his old friends the Black Widow and Hercules, who are members of the west coast team known as the Champions.[2]

With no time to lose, Iron Man is forced to bust through security at the Champion’s headquarters. This leads to a brief clash with the Ghost Rider, who is on monitor duty.[3] He is soon joined by Hercules, the Angel, and Iceman. Luckily, the Black Widow orders everyone to stand down before the fight carries on any longer. Iron Man tells the group about the danger posed by MODOK. Giving the Champions a briefing on the ruthless cyborg,[4] they are joined by Darkstar.[5] This allows the group to split up into three groups to investigate AIM activity in three different parts of California.

The Angel, Black Widow, and Hercules, search Redwood National Forest in Northern California. There they are ambushed by a group of AIM operatives who are able to incapacitate both Angel and Hercules with high tech weapons, before swarming the Black Widow. In San Francisco Bay, a team consisting of Ghost Rider, Iceman, and Darkstar discover that AIM has an undersea fortress where they are mutating sea creatures into giant abominations. When it looks like they are about to lose this headquarters, the AIM operatives flood the room where the battle it taking place and unleash their genetically engineered horrors onto the three Champions.

Lastly, Iron Man at a monetary in the middle of the Mojave Desert. This turns out to be a front for AIM and the monk who greets him lures Iron Man into a trap. Calling himself Stryke, the phony monk tries to defeat Iron Man with his enhanced strength and ability to fire concussive blasts from his fingers. However, it is during this fight that Iron Man suddenly realizes something that he overlooked and this battle is a waste of time. The Avenger quickly flees the scene, leaving Stryke to believe he is more powerful than Iron Man himself. Word quickly goes out to the Champions who are told to meet up with Iron Man back at the AIM base he busted up in Nevada. The black Widow and the others fight off the various AIM threats and also make their retreat. Unfortunately, Darkstar is seriously injured in battle.

When they all arrive at the AIM base, they discover that MODOK had been hiding there the whole time. The cyborg has just put the finishing touches on his brand new weapon, the Doomsday Machine, a powerful addition to MODOK’s hover-chair that gives him a powerful arsenal as well as the ability to become intangible. In the opening salvo, MODOK manages to bury Iron Man and the Champion’s alive. Luckily, Iron Man is able to find a power source to super-charge his armor enough to blast them all to freedom. He then unleashes a powerful repuslor blast at MODOK’s Doomsday Machine, seemingly destroying MODOK in the process.[6] With the battle over, the heroes return to Los Angeles where Iron Man bids farewell to the Champions. Tony Stark looks forward to getting down to his Stark International facility on the west coast so he can rest, relax, and check on operations.

Recurring Characters

Iron Man, Champions (Black Widow, Hercules, Angel, Iceman, Ghost Rider, Darkstar), AIM (MODOK)

Continuity Notes

1. Iron Man was led to believe that MODOK had died in Iron Man #75 during a battle with Yellow Claw. He appeared a flashback in Avengers (vol. 3) #17, Gambit: From the Marvel Vault #1, and Ms. Marvel #5 since then.

2. Iron Man refers to the Black Widow and Hercules as former Avengers. The Black Widow was an associate of the Avengers dating back to Avengers #32 and wasn’t given official membership until issue #111, although she quit in the following issue. Hercules also started off as an associate to the team in Avengers #38. He was given official membership in issue #45, but left the team in issue #53 although he briefly rejoined the team from issue #98-100. Both the Widow and Hercules are founding members of the Champions, joining the group in the 1st issue of their own series.

3. Ghost Rider mentions issues the team has been having with their security system. The Champions have been dealing with defective equipment and headquarters since Champions #11.

4. Iron Man mentions how MODOK was created by AIM but eventually seized control of the organization. This was detailed in Tales of Suspense #94. However, it should be clear here that at the time of this story AIM has divided into two factions. This story features a splinter group loyal to MODOK, hence why they are wearing blue “bee-keeper” outfits instead of the traditional yellow ones. The AIM schism starts here and lasts until Incredible Hulk #289.

5. Darkstar defected from Russia and has been an ally of the Champions since issue #11, however the team disbands in issue #17 before she can become an official member.

6. MODOK survives this attack and will reappear again in Ms. Marvel #7.

Death Lair!

In the city of Singapore, the martial artist known as Midnight has caught a group of men trying to attack a building that he is interested in. M’Nai easily defeats the men and learns they too were trying to break in and steal some of the high tech equipment contained inside. Midnight seeks it out as well, but is aware that his mission is fraught with danger.

Sneaking inside, Midnight is able to fend off the automated defenses until they are shut off by their creator, the scientist known as Half-Face. Half-Face demands to know what Midnight wants and is told how his scientific skills are sought after by M’Nai’s master, the terrorist known as Fu Manchu. However, Half-Face’s previous involvement in the atrocity of war in his homeland of Vietnam has forever changed him and he no longer wishes to be involved in any kind of conflict.[1] This comes as a shock to Midnight, who agrees to leave but warns Half-Face that to deny Fu Manchu will make them enemies.

However, as Midnight leaves, his encounter with the repentant scientist has given him a lot to think about.

Recurring Characters

Midnight, Half-Face

Continuity Notes

1. Half-Face’s tragic story was detailed in Tales of Suspense #92-94.

Topical References

• The narration of this story states that it takes place in 1971. This date should be considered a topical reference. Per the Sliding Timescale, this story takes place during “year three” of the Modern Age, making it take place about a year prior to the main story in this issue.

• It is implied here that Half-Face was involved in the Vietnam War. All references to the Vietnam War in the present tense or having taken place in the immediate past of the Modern Age are now topical. Per History of the Marvel Universe #2, these references should be replaced with the Sin-Cong Conflict.