Issue(s): Avengers #384
Cover Date: Mar 95
Title: "Dream Lover"
Credits:
Bob Harras & Terry Kavanagh - Writer
Mike Deodato Jr. - Penciler
Tom Palmer - Inker
Ralph Macchio - Editor

Review/plot:
Digital review warning.

Taylor Madison is a character that was introduced as a potential love interest for Hercules back in Avengers #349. In this issue, it's revealed that she was just a construct created by Zeus in order to draw out Hera. It's the sort of thing that a writer might do to get rid of a character that they didn't know what to do with, but Madison was actually introduced during Bob Harras' run, which i'm realizing has been going on for a loooong time.

Hera attacks...

...and the Avengers can't beat her.

But Zeus shows up and stops her.

Also, it seems like Hera was ratted out by Ares. So not sure what Madison's purpose was anyway.

But there it is.

Hercules says he doesn't care what Madison's origins are, but Zeus deconstructs her anyway. And after the inevitable outburst from Herc, Zeus gets mad and strips him of his mortality.

Which, i mean, Hera probably considers this a pretty good outcome.

Statement of Ownership Total Paid Circulation: Average of Past 12 months = 165,408. Single issue closest to filing date = 112,100.

Quality Rating: D

Historical Significance Rating: 2 - Hercules stripped of his immortality

Chronological Placement Considerations: In this issue, Black Widow gets a mysterious call which will turn out to be from Ivan Petrovitch. She says she'll meet him tomorrow. So next issue probably shouldn't take place too long after this.

References:

• Henry Pym has unsurprisingly not made any progress on the mysterious chronal chamber the Avengers found in their basement in Avengers #382.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A