Marvel 1976.09 - Avengers #151

Avengers #151

Title: At Last: The Decision

Writers: Gerry Conway, Jim Shooter. Steve Englehart

Artist: George Perez

Avengers: Captain America, Iron Man, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Yellowjacket, Wasp, Beast

Inactive Avengers: Thor, Moondragon, Hellcat, Quicksilver, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Hercules, Black Night, Black Panther, Mantis

Regulars: Jarvis

Guests: Ben Grimm, Two-Gun Kid, Iceman, Angel, Ghost Rider

Flashbacks: Doctor Doom, Swordsman, Spider-Man, Hulk, Sub-Mariner, Daredevil

This is the continuation of last month's enrolment story. I'm certain that it was partly changed from what Steve Englehart had originally written, but I can only make intelligent guesses as to what's his and what was written by Gerry Conway. A reporter called Sam Reuther is talking about the new Avengers line up on television. His role is badly written, so I doubt that his dialogue was written by Steve Englehart. He reports the decisions on television as they happen, which is infeasible, unless he had a hidden microphone in the Avengers Mansion. He also reports details about the Vision which I'm sure the Avengers would never have disclosed to the press.

It's always worth reading the small print. The text at the top of the splash page calls this issue "a misplaced Marvel masterpiece". This refers to the fact that the story should have been printed in the previous issue, but there must be a subtle joke intended. It's a joke I don't get.

Captain America answers the question asked by Iron Man last issue, before he was rudely interrupted by the 12-page reprint. He was asked if he wanted to stay in the Avengers, and his answer is Yes.

After a question by the Scarlet Witch, Thor confirms that Hawkeye is still a member, but he's currently inactive.

The Wasp is enthusiastic about joining the active Avengers roster again. Yellowjacket first says he prefers to be a scientist, not an Avenger, but then changes his mind.

Moondragon says she doesn't want to be an Avenger, but she's given the status of Avenger-on-call, similar to Hawkeye.

Beast and Hellcat accept membership of the Avengers, but Moondragon tells Hellcat to wait. She thinks that Hellcat needs time to train. Hellcat agrees, so she also becomes an Avenger-on-call.

Thor, Moondragon and Hellcat leave together. The Scarlet Witch wipes a tear from her eye. Iron Man thinks to himself that it's the end of an era. Why? Moondragon and Hellcat were only with the Avengers for a few months, and it's not the first time Thor has walked out. I also think it's the end of an era, for a completely different reason. I think it's the end of the Avengers era of greatness, the era led by Stan Lee (Avengers #1 to #34), Roy Thomas (Avengers #35 to #104) and Steve Englehart (Avengers #105 to #151). They were the best three writers that Marvel has ever had, and after they left, the Avengers never reached the same heights again. Some of the writers who followed them wrote good stories, but none of them lived up to these three.

For anyone who hasn't been paying attention, this is the new Avengers team.

In the final pages of the comic, Wonder Man arrives at the door of Avengers Mansion in a crate. He's been considered dead since Avengers #9.

I'll cease my reviews of the Avengers comics here. It's possible I'll return at a later date, but at the moment there are a large number of other comics that I give priority.