Issue(s): Marvel Two-In-One annual #4
Cover Date: 1979
Title: "A mission of gravity! / Black hole... Black heart... Black holocaust!"
Credits:
Allyn Brodsky - Plot
David Michelinie - Script
Jim Craig - Penciler
Bob Budiansky & Bruce D. Patterson - Inker

Review/plot:
I like Graviton. Despite being a more recent creation, he has the (excuse the pun) gravitas of a Silver Age high villain, with simple but devastating powers that make him a worthy Avengers foe. This, his second appearance, is not one of his better ones, however (and he doesn't even list it on his resume when he fights the West Coast Avengers a few years later).

The issue was plotted by Allyn Brodsky, who hasn't done much for Marvel, but it was scripted by David Michelinie, who is generally a good writer. And it has its cute moments.

The Inhumans arrive at the Baxter Building, looking for help with "air quakes" that are battering their homeworld.

This is part of a plot, further developed in Fantastic Four #207, that won't get resolved until Fantastic Four #240. The Fantastic Four aren't home, so Black Bolt heads over to Alicia Master's apartment, and she leads Black Bolt to the DMV where the Thing is renewing his driver's license. At the same time, the Avengers' butler Jarvis is out for a stroll with Judith Parks, the girl that Graviton is in love with. Confusion ensues when Graviton also shows up.

Graviton is having memory problems.

Then he turns into a giant plaid fire demon.

And here's where everything that Graviton ever does, every crime he ever commits, from this point on, becomes Black Bolt's fault. Graviton says:

I... I feel angry. But my mind is clear! Clearer than it's been in months! I can see that this is all my doing - the price I must pay for my greed. You! Black Bolt! Leader of the Inhumans! I offer apology, and ask for -- sactuary! Since I, myself, am no longer human, there is no place for me in this world. But perhaps, with forgiveness -- there can be a place for me in yours!

Black Bolt's response?

(That's a "no" in Inhumanese sign-language, by the way.)

After a big fight...

...during which Black Bolt stops a solar flare from striking the earth...

...Graviton is defeated with the help of an assistant professor of physics with an awesome mustache...

...who suggests that they send Graviton back to the dimension where he's drawing all his power. Graviton leaves repentant still, saying:

Thus I came to this place that symbolizes brotherhood, to issue a warning -- let all those who would control the destiny of others beware! Lest you lose the most valuable prize of all. Your own... immortal... soul!

Poor guy. I don't know why Black Bolt wouldn't help him.

We do learn why no one ever thinks to give Black Bolt a pen and paper so that he can communicate better when Medusa's not around.

And that's the end of the issue. There's no follow-up on the air quakes that brought the Inhumans here in the first place. A note on the lettercol assures us it'll all be taken care of in time, but that's not really true.

As for this issue, it has its moments, and Craig's artwork is enjoyable, but i really don't like the "monster" design for Graviton, nor the fact that he's basically ready to surrender but Black Bolt won't take yes for an answer.

Quality Rating: C

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: The MCP places this before FF #204. Definitely takes place before Medusa is captured in FF #207.

References:

• Graviton was last seen in Avengers #159.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

This was first announced as two issues of the regular title.

I prefer this story about the super-criminal leader Graviton
then he is a bad villain with no reflection unlike many villains as Count Nefaria but he would really to threaten the world, killing who opposed to him, is sometimes an abuser about Karla for exemple, ( so what Frank Hall Graviton's true name hasn't he the right to get a woman ? )
In this scene, Graviton is more sinister he explains he loses his power of gravity, destruction is badly organized where he would get money, earth, supramcy and power, he traps Avengers and manipulates a scientist like a true villain but after Graviton launched a comet fire by levitating it he is defearted by Iron Man who stopped the criminal and his henchme,n

Besides being initially part of the main book, it was first announced in early 1978.

I bet the airquakes were caused by Maelstrom's henchman Helio. Wonder if that was ever confirmed...

Yeah, it was, in Marvel Two-In-One 71-72, which fnord linked to.