Issue(s): Marvel Team-Up #125
Cover Date: Jan 83
Title: "Yesterday and today! / Cross fire"
Credits:
J.M. DeMatteis / Mary Jo Duffy - Writer
Kerry Gammill - Penciler
Mike Esposito / Dan Green - Inker
Linda Grant - Assistant Editor
Tom DeFalco - Editor

Review/plot:
Tigra...

...runs into Zabo, the super-strong henchmen who worked for the mad scientist, Donalbain, that Tigra fought in her very first appearance.

As Darci notes in the Comments, Zabo reveals that he was Donalbain's brother.

It turns out that Zabo is really just confused and misunderstood.

Not a particularly compelling story. Spider-Man's involvement is peripheral. There's a jokey bit about both he and Tigra getting endorsement deals for Kwikkee Burger...

...but that ends when the restaurant they fight Zabo at turns out to be a Kwikkee Burger and it gets smashed up.

In the back-up story, the Scarlet Witch encounters a mystical monster on a rampage in New York City. She attacks it but to little avail. Luckily the fight takes place right in front of Dr. Strange's house so he shows up to help. And it turns out that the monster is just confused and wants to go home. Kind of a parallel with the first story, i guess.

The Scarlet Witch/Dr. Strange story has a scene that i find hilarious. Wanda is out shopping when she first encounters the monster, but when Dr. Strange shows up, he immediately casts a spell to put her in her costume. I guess he likes the tights and boots.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: There's no real context for any of the characters. Scarlet Witch is shopping for a present for the Vision for their anniversary (she's buying one of those Hawaiian shirts he likes).

Dr. Strange just has to be between solo missions and Defenders missions.

References:

• While going on a date with a cop, Tigra remembers back to her husband, who was also a policeman and who died in Cat #1. That was also Zabo's only other appearance.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

I think the most significant thing about Zabo's story is that he claims she killed his brother. Nowhere else, to my knowledge, is there any familial relationship between Donalbain and Zabo. I wonder if it's more a "band of brothers" type reference?
Thanks!

Seriously, when I saw "Zabo" I thought somehow you were talking about Mr. Hyde. As great as a Cat/Tigra fight against Mr. Hyde would be, it probably would sadly lead to easy victory for a guy who started off fighting Thor. (could be a fun strength vs. agility fight regardless)

I don't know, Darci. I just read this story again and it really does hinge on the revelation that Zabo was really Donalbain's brother. I added the relevant scan. I mean, it would be easy enough to retcon it to mean it the way you suggest, considering how minor a character Zabo is, but i think DeMatteis intended them to be literal brothers.

Spider-man might have the distinction of being the only man ever turned down by Tigra.