Issue(s): Avengers #51
Cover Date: Apr 68
Title: "In the clutches of... the Collector!"
Credits:
Roy Thomas - Writer
John Buscema - Penciler
George Tuska - Inker

Review/plot:
Henry Pym tries to restore his powers by zapping himself with a "vibrotron" harness. It goes haywire and the Wasp and Hawkeye have to break him out of it. Later, while relaxing by Janet's pool, all three are sucked into the Collector's spaceship. He has already subdued Thor.

The Collector fixes Goliath's powers since he doesn't want a flawed Avenger in his collection. He also sends Thor out to get Iron Man.

The Wasp, useful for a change, manages to escape from the Collector's prison by talking to one of the Collector's alien insects (in her early appearances, Janet can actually control wasps)...

...and she frees Pym and Hawkeye. They fight their way through some of the Collector's creatures...

...and in defeating the Collector, who escapes, free Thor from the Collector's control. After checking out Pym's powers, Iron Man leaves, and so does Thor.

Captain America calls the Avengers to apologize for his rude exit, and he suggests the Black Panther as a replacement.

Nice John Buscema art!

Quality Rating: C

Historical Significance Rating: 2

Chronological Placement Considerations: "The Mighty Thor had just regained his immortal invincible powers...." when the Collector picked him up, placing this sometime after the Thor #151-153 arc. Captain America is currently fighting alongside the Black Panther, placing this after Captain America #100. The Hulk was last seen entering Asgard, which we saw in Tales To Astonish #101 - Hulk #102.

Iron Man has just returned to the city from some perilous adventure (Footnote: You might call it that... if you've read the premiere ish of shellhead's own mag).

References:

• The Collector first appeared in the "collector's item" Avengers #28.
  
• Thor's powers were restored during Thor #151.
  
• Captain America Teamed-Up with the Black Panther in Tales Of Suspense #97-99.
  
• The Hulk entered Asgard in Tales To Astonish #101.
  
• Iron Man's perilous adventure concluded in Iron Man #1.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: Marvel Triple Action #43

Doug Moench has a letter here.

I have a soft spot for the Collector. Why? Because he's one of the few Silver Age villains who can justify having one of whatever he needs for a fight. He could pull out an eletric net, followed by robot tigers, followed by a shrink potion and so on.

I liked how Roy tied this story in to all the former members solo books. The Collector, in his original form, reminds me of William Hartnell, the first doctor.

@Bobby Sizemore: Hmmm, never noticed a resemblance to William Hartnell, but I guess there is something too that.

Of course nowadays the Collector looks an awful lot like Benicio del Toro :)

Lol

Fun issue. Always liked the Collector for some reason.