Avengers Annual #8 (Marvel Comics)
Roger Slifer (w) George Perez (a)
Every summer along came the annual, an extra sized edition of the regular comic usually with an-all-new story by the time this one published. The original run of The Avengers when the continuity was easy to follow. These days I'm baffled frankly.
However I was a regular reader of the Avengers in the late seventies when this appeared. The team face a team of heroes modelled on Marvel's rivals the Justice League.., The Sinister Squadron. Not my favourite villains frankly but this story does make for entertaining reading and has guest stars galore to keep the fan boy happy.
Fr some reason Hank Pym now in Yellowjacket mode has decided to make a piece of jewelry out of Dr Spectrum's Gem (the " Green Lantern" of the SS). It's going to end well. Old Henry is not thinking as Jan looking for her present gets possessed. Oh I didn't see that coming.
And so the inevitable battle begins as Dr Spectrum goes on the rampage seeking out Thor for possession and wanting to get rid of Iron Man as only Stark knows his weakness. These villains don't think heroes might actually share intelligence, so you don't see whats coming next.
One by one the old Squadron members have their memories restored and there's punch ups galore as Hyperion (Superman) and The Whizzer (Flash) are confronted. Thundra also sticks her awe in without thinking. Sigh.
The is saved by a simple spell from Odin that always had a reason. Nuff said.
Great stuff, it's what comics were made for. A nice tight story with lots of different characters and little hints of the wider universe this all takes place in.
...old annuals are fab: having a self-contained story and always a good option when at a lost what to get.
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