Issue(s): Avengers #178
Cover Date: Dec 78
Title: "The martyr perplex!"
Credits:
Steve Gerber - Writer
Carmine Infantino - Penciler
Rudy D. Nebres - Inker

Review/plot:
The Beast is... er, manipulated into breaking into someone's home. It's all part of a plot by the CIA ("the company") to test a new mind control technique using a super-powered character. The villain of this story is one of several minor characters in the Marvel Universe to be called the Manipulator. The MCP designates him as "Manipulator II", and so shall we.

The Manipulator initially seems to be working for the mob.

But later he turns them over to the "organization" guys.

This story is pure Steve Gerber, and there's some problems with it but overall it's a good story and a nice change of pace. To my knowledge Gerber was gone at this point, but maybe this was an inventory story? At any rate, nice to have one last story from Gerber.

This is the first time the Beast has appeared in the Avengers after the apparent death of the X-Men in Uncanny X-Men #113-114. It clearly wasn't written as such, but it works as an issue where Beast is still dealing with the death of his friend Scott and the other X-Men (that he didn't know as well). He's mopey and irritable throughout the issue...

...although he's also shown out partying at the beginning of the issue.

During the party, a jerk picks a fight with him.

And then he's visited by a strange prophet on the way home.

The Avengers aren't sure what to make of the Beast's tale.

At the end of the story, the CIA agents that were testing their device on the Beast are visited by the same prophet. Not sure if the prophet is related to the Manipulator.

Quality Rating: B-

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

It's nice that Beast got an issue to shine but I think it's a little too strange and quirky for me.

I too wish Beast could be a little more than comic relief, though his sense of humor is a breathe of fresh air among really serious guys like Cap and Thor.

I'd say this is an obvious reference to the real-world MK-Ultra and related mind-control projects by the CIA.

Sadly, it is not so obvious to me. I think the most I know of those is from what I've heard of "The Men who Stare at Goats." I may love old comic books but there is plenty before my age.