Avengers #154Issue(s): Avengers #154 Review/plot: The Vision throws the Serpent Crown into the ocean, which is a dumb idea. The Avengers made a similar mistake with the Cosmic Cube a while back. Only the lack of curiosity in Attuma's soldiers prevent an immediate catastrophe. However, the Atlantean barbarians are able to capture the Vision, using sonic waves that affect him even when he is phased, and using hi-tech handcuffs to keep him bound. Meanwhile, the still-injured Scarlet Witch is at the Avengers Mansion when a strange ship arrives. This scene with Jarvis is amusing. The visitor seems to be the Inhuman Triton, but it's really a henchman of Attuma named Tyrak (Tyrak blows his cover by inquiring after Quicksilver, who Triton should know is currently with the Inhumans). It is said that the Scarlet Witch is at only half-power because one of her arms is injured, but what i'm really seeing here is a reversal of the strength of the Scarlet Witch that Steve Englehart had built up. The other Avengers show up as the Scarlet Witch is defeated, and Iron Man takes a shot at Tyrak with his "solar powered armor". It's sad how high expectations were for solar power back in the late 70s. The solar power i'm familiar with can barely power a calculator, let alone be an energy source that would strike fear into the hearts of my enemies. Granted it's a graphing calculator. Tyrak has an interesting response to Iron Man's assault. He reaches out with one hand and crushes his power pack. Pretty bad-ass. The fight continues... ... but Tyrak easily defeats the Avengers, and the Beast flees while the others are captured. George Perez's artwork is enthusiastic and helps propel the story, but i'm detecting a lot of anti-women Conway-isms in his treatment of the Scarlet Witch and the Wasp, and dialogue in general is pretty corny. Definitely a step backwards from Englehart, in a number of respects. Quality Rating: C Chronological Placement Considerations: This issue takes place more or less concurrently with Super-Villain Team-Up #8. It continues directly into Super-Villain Team-Up #9. The Vision's appearance takes place directly after he took the Serpent Crown from the Living Laser during Avengers annual #6. Likewise, the Avengers have to take an injured Whizzer to the hospital due to the events of that issue. References:
Crossover: N/A Continuity Insert? N My Reprint: N/A Inbound References (3): showCharacters Appearing: Attuma, Beast, Captain America, Henry Pym, Iron Man, Jarvis, Lord Arno, Scarlet Witch, Tyrak, Vision, Wasp, Whizzer, Wonder Man 1976 / Box 11 / EiC Upheaval CommentsTyrak appears to be wearing a Batman necklace. Posted by: Mark Drummond | August 21, 2011 11:36 PM FOOM#17 stated that a "final resolution" to the Serpent Crown would be seen in the proposed "Destiny's Angels" book by Len Wein(guess what TV show the book was probably named after). Posted by: Mark Drummond | April 7, 2013 9:11 PM "Shove it up your Sargasso!" What an example of couching dialogue, ha! Posted by: William Quinter | September 18, 2013 9:23 PM I distinctly remember around this time on TV the censors finally allowed somebody to say "stick it where the sun don't shine," and suddenly everyone on TV and in comics were sticking this and shoving that. Everyone had a different version of it. It was a strange time. Posted by: Andrew | January 7, 2015 7:16 PM Fnord, you placed Captain Marvel #50-53 between this and the Annual, but the Vision should be flying straight here after the Annual and Scarlet Witch is still injured. I know there were a lot of Chronological Placement Considerations with the CM issue, but perhaps it needs to be moved to account for this issue? Posted by: Erik Beck | March 20, 2015 7:19 AM Thanks for the catch, Erik. I've pushed Captain Marvel #50-53 forward a bit to accommodate. Posted by: fnord12 | March 20, 2015 9:15 AM There Is NO Doubt TYRAK should be fronting a Speed Metal Band! Seeing vision immobolized by cosmic Oven Mitts is a highlight! Posted by: Rocknrollguitarplayer | April 5, 2016 12:41 AM I never can forget this Avengers issue as it was my very first when I started collecting the Avengers comics #154. The confusing part was the crossover into Super-Villain team-up #9. But having Iron Man, Captain America and Thor in one mag was a triple treat. Posted by: Comicology | March 17, 2017 5:20 PM Comments are now closed. |
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