Issue(s): Avengers #201
Cover Date: Nov 80
Title: "This evil undying"
Credits:
David Michelinie & Jim Shooter - Writer
George Perez - Penciler
Mike Esposito - Inker

Review/plot:
Like last issue, Michelinie is the writer but the issue is "based on a short story by Jim Shooter".

The Wasp comes crashing in through the Avengers' front window, having just escaped from last issue's robot attack. There's a funny bit where, due to her size, the Avengers don't know why their window was shattered.

Iron Man puts that together with the theft of adamantium ingredients and concludes that Ultron is back.

Last time he surfaced, Jocasta was able to track Ultron down, but it seems this time he's jamming her senses. The Avengers decide that since the Scarlet Witch's unpredictable hex power is the only thing that can defeat Ultron, they're going to set up watch in the Mansion and guard her. Hawkeye is upset that they don't just go after the robot. Meanwhile, Iron Man thinks he might have, under post-hypnotic suggestion, been the one who rebuilt Ultron. He leaves a message with Jarvis to give to the Avengers (preferably Thor, since Thor knows Iron Man's secret ID) in case he goes under Ultron's control again.

Then he does go under control, knocking out Jocasta and kidnapping the Scarlet Witch. He also reveals his ID to Ultron.

In the end Iron Man regains control and they defeat Ultron not with the Scarlet Witch's hexes, but by knocking him into a vat of molten adamantium, which hardens around him.

Michelinie's Avengers issues always have great character moments.

Combine that with some nice fights and art by George Perez, and you've got some really good stuff.

Quality Rating: B

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: This takes place soon after the Wasp was attacked in Avengers #201.

References:

• The Scarlet Witch last destroyed Ultron in Avengers #171.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

Was Jim Shooter's short story ever published anywhere?

Shooter's short story appeared in text form roundabout 1979. There were a series of Marvel text novels released from 1978 to 1980 (-ish), with volume 9 being an anthology of (I think) four stories including Shooter's Avengers tale, This Evil Undying. The Ultron plot in Avengers #201-2 follows the text fairly closely, if I remember correctly. Volume 10 of the novels was an Avengers tale by Michelinie, featuring the return of Kang.

I might have missed a scan but after seeing the Avengers 2 trailer I started re-reading not just Shooter Avengers but also any Ultron issue. I didn't track down his 60s issues but I could have sworn one of his 70s appearances featured Ultron having half his body be in a partial state of melt for most of the issue. I thought it was this one but maybe not.

David, not sure what you're thinking of. Ultron-6 in Avengers #66-67 had a machinery platform for the lower half of his body. Then there's Ultron's appearance in Marvel Two-In-One #92 which follows this story and has him controlling Jocasta while he's still under the adamantium slag. Neither really sound like what you're looking for, though.

I don't know then, maybe I was thinking of a different robot villain. I'll re-check AVengers 66 but I do clearly remember the platform body.

Reading this, with the new movie about to come about, it's a nice reminder that while Loki may have made the Avengers (in the comic and on film), Ultron has always been the premiere Avengers foe. It's a good choice for the film villain.

Just read this and part 1 (201) for the first time ever tonight- despite being an Avengers fan since 1981. Just never had these two issues in my collection for some reason.

What a fantastic Avengers/Ultron story. Glad I finally found it.