COMICS-Tales of the Bargain Bin: Avengers #97 (March 1972)
"Godhood's End" (*no actual title inside the book, however)
Writer: Roy Thomas
Pencils: John Buscema
Inks: Tom Palmer
As I've been filling in my Avengers run over the years, for some reason this book has proved tough to acquire. Finally picked it up on eBay for about 8 bucks last month. Finally got around to READING it this past weekend. Since it's been so elusive, I thought there might be a chance that it's Something Special.
This issue is the final part of the Kree-Skrull war. This particular story arc is often cited by Avenger fans as "classic"... but while reading it recently, the story didn't excite me and felt forced. Like trying to get off to pictures of Pam Anderson. Just cuz' someone else likes it, doesn't mean it'll do anything for me.
The biggest obstacle for me was how the Avengers were suddenly drawn to the Kree conflict-- it's more of a Captain Marvel story than an Avengers story. The Skrulls were longtime Fantastic Four punching bags and they also feel forced in. As the story progressed, there was also a sojourn to the Inhumans' Great Refuge along with Hawkeye's feelings of insecurity. Actually, he's NOT Hawekeye...he's still Goliath at this point.. but he's sworn off the size-chaging gimmick and is just some guy in a half-shirt and suspenders. Ick.
Anyways, we get to issue #97 and the whole thing centers on all-around Marvel sidekick/suporting character Rick Jones. The Kree's Supreme Intelligence (who kinda'
looks like Jabba's head, or a lump of cabbage suspended in a giant TV set) has unleashed the "evolutionary potential" of Jones. The Supreme TV Screen was being held captive by Ronan the Accuser while the war was being fought. At the Supreme Intelligence's urging, Rick uses his "new" mental powers to create the old Golden Age Marvel (or "Timely") heroes to fight Ronan and his buddies. Rick thinks back to an old comic book he saw at an orphanage. Captain America, Sub-Mariner and the android Human Torch head the crop, which also includes the Angel, the Vision, the Fin and the Blazing Skull. Since this was the first time most Marvel readers had seen the characters, each one makes sure to include his name in his dialogue. "Men call me the Vision", etc. My favorite's the Fin... he's an aquatic based guy with a big brown FIN on his head. Or maybe he's green. I'm color blind after all.
The old heroes qwickly disappear after thumping Ronan's gang. Since this was the tail-end of the 60's, all of the Kree wore matching yellow scuba diving suits! The other Avengers and Captain Marvel were busy fighting various Skrulls on the way to Earth. The Supreme Intelligence summons all Avengers to Rick's side, while the Skrull invasion fleet is called off. The Avengers are then zapped back to Earth. Rick is dazed and loses his "evolutionary potential", while the Supreme Intelligence hints at further plans.
A subplot of the war was H. Warren Craddock-- a politician who had sowed anti-alien
sentiments among the United States. When the Supreme Intelligence stopped the war, Craddock was revealed to be a Skrull. Not just any Skrull, though. Nick Fury appears and announces that "Craddock" was actually the missing FOURTH Skrull from wayyyy back in Fantastic Four #2 (well, Nick didn't cite the issue number...but you get my drift).
The other loose thread was the disappearance of Goliath. When the Avengers were transported to Earth, Goliath wasn't there. The thought is that Goliath/Hawkeye must be dead! Now there's an original plot! I think it was revealed in the next issue that the Supreme Intelligence simply overlooked Goliath since he had lost his powers, and considered him worthless. Goliath returned (as Hawkeye) in issue 99, I believe. In his short-lived leisure suit costume, even.
Rather anti-climactic finish to the whole story, since alot of the actual "war"
took place off-panel. The art is steady, with the always reliable John Buscema
handling the visuals. Buscema's work is probably the highlight of this issue.
The "Timely" heroes were mostly a curiousity, but they led to Marvel's "Invaders" series in the mid 70's. The whole Kree issue was skipped aside and rarely mentioned in an Avengers story until 1992's "Opreation:GalacticStorm". Although I seem to remember a decent Skrull-Avengers story in an Annual, around 1985 or so.
Summary: A quick tie-up for the Kree-Skrull war and even quicker cameos from forgotten "Timely" characters.
Coer Price: .20
Rating: 1.25
Comment about this article. Hit the Message Board, or
Contact Me!
