Marvel 1975.07 - Avengers #137

Avengers # 137

Title: We do seek out new Avengers!

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: George Tuska

Avengers: Thor, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Yellowjacket, Wasp, Moondragon, Beast

Villain: The Stranger

Inactive Avengers: Vision, Scarlet Witch, Black Panther, Quicksilver, Captain America, Black Widow, Hercules

Regulars: Jarvis, Agatha Harkness

After interrupting my reviews of the Avengers to write about Doctor Strange, I'll pick up where I left off. The last issue I wrote about was Avengers #135, and the following issue was a DDD (Dreaded Deadline Doom) issue, so I'm continuing with Avengers #137.

It's one of the Avengers tropes that every few years there's an enrolment issue. This started in Avengers #16, and it's continued ever since. (Maybe one of my clever readers can name the other enrolment issues). The Avengers began as a unique team in Marvel. Other teams, like the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, had fixed membership of super-heroes who were (usually) only active with their teams. The Avengers (the comic book) was created as a team of heroes who had their own comics. They had double lives, fighting as individuals or as team members. It's the same sort of concept as DC's Justice League of America. In DC the concept worked easily, because nobody cared about continuity. In Marvel Stan Lee, who wrote all the super-hero comics in the early 1960's, had to carefully balance the stories. Obviously, this would have been impossible in the 1970's when different writers were writing different comics, but even for Stan it was a difficult task.

Avengers #16 was a tactical decision, from a writer's standpoint. Thor, Iron Man, Giant Man and the Wasp left the Avengers, to make it easier to write their own comics. Captain America remained in the group, even though he had an ongoing solo feature in Tales Of Suspense. Maybe it was Stan's sentimental attachment to Captain America that made him retain Captain America. The new Avengers were Hawkeye, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch, none of whom had solo comics. The Avengers was now an easier comic to write.

Now let's fast forward 10 years. The Avengers line-up in Avengers #135 was Thor, Iron Man, Vision, Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch. After months of appearing as a guest, Mantis was finally made a member of the Avengers in Giant-Size Avengers #4, but she immediately left after marrying a tree. Vision and Scarlet Witch also married, and they're now on a prolonged honeymoon. That only leaves Thor, Iron Man and Hawkeye, of whom the first two are merely (in their own words) part-time Avengers. Moondragon is offered membership, and she immediately accepts, on condition that they don't compare her with Mantis.

Thor and Iron Man contact former members who are still officially part of the team, but are now inactive, asking them if they want to return. Black Panther, Quicksilver, Captain America and Black Widow turn down the offer. Yellowjacket (the hero with many names) and the Wasp accept.

Hawkeye and Yellowjacket get into a stupid fight over their past with the Defenders. Hawkeye storms out to recruit the Black Knight who's currently in the 12th Century. That's a long way to go.

Black Panther's refusal is phrased in flowery terms. Has he been reading poetry all morning?

"The fine fool's gold of stark velvet morning seems to light the mottled tapestry of desire and disaster that comprises the legend of life for my people and myself in this hidden, half-slumbering nation-state we proudly proclaim Wakanda, but the amber eyes of reason widen as mauve shadows of regret creed across all the outside worldscape, and scream the bleeding need for Panther's presence at this time".

I'm thankful to Thor for translating that speech into English.

Quicksilver is less polite and less poetic.

"Are you mad, Thunder God?"

That's also a clear No. Or Nay.

The Avengers (minus Hawkeye) go to Yankee Stadium to interview applicants replying to the television appeal. Surprisingly, the Beast is the only person who applies. He's accepted on the basis of his former membership in the X-Men.

The television broadcast didn't just attract the attention of super-heroes. The Stranger attacks the assembled Avengers by tossing explosive mines at them. Only the Beast is agile enough to avoid them. The Wasp is badly injured by an explosion.

Here's a scene of the Vision and Scarlet Witch on holiday. Ugh! The Vision in swim trunks? That's one of the worst sights I've ever seen. I suppose I should be glad that he isn't naked.

Steve Englehart is one of my favourite writers, but my initial reaction was disappointment. I suppose I should judge the issue by what it is, an enrolment story. We can't expect much to happen. The attack by the Stranger is out of character for him, but I've already read the next issue, so I know the explanation.