In the three days since last issue, the Brethren have invaded Earth and attacked several population centers, mass panic ensuing and every nation’s military on highest alert while the Avengers have been granted emergency powers to head where they are needed around the world….
In Paris, France, Thane Ector, accompanied by Sybyl Dorn and the Fool, gloats over his victories while deploying his troops throughout the world. Lady Sybyl points out that they may have lost their edge while imprisoned as these raiding parties are not conquest. Fool has to calm down the angry Ector but this only angers Sybyl who abuses the Fool. And then a red, white, and blue shield swoops by and the baddies discover the Avengers (Captain America, Vision, Black Widow, Hercules, Sersi, Rage) have arrived. Battle is joined, Thane Ector is smitten with Sersi’s beauty, Vision comes to her aid and is defeated by Ector, turning Vision’s body density attacks back on him. Ector picks up an ordinary soldier; Ector points out how he tried to protect his country and failed and so Ector disintegrates him as punishment. Sersi objects, Cap attacks Ector and holds his own, coming back every time he is knocked down. But finally, Cap goes down and Ector claims Sersi as his booty; Sybyl reminds him that the Brethren take no prisoners. Citing the need to learn about this new world they are in, Ector vanishes with her and the Brethren follow, dissolving into the ground. And Rage is upset by what they did to Cap….
Give that special marvelite a timely gift
Story #2Collect and Proceed
Writer:
Bob Harras.Penciler:
Steve Epting. Inker:
Tom Palmer. Colorist:
Christie Scheele. Letterer:
John Costanza.
Synopsis
Black Panther, Quasar, Beast, Hank Pym are aboard the ruins of the Collector’s ship, searching for a means of reviving that unconscious Elder to see what they can learn about the Brethren, who are at that minute conquering Earth. A search of the computer tells Beast that Collector once wore the Soul Gem, imbuing him with a vitality shield, which he has since lost. He calls up a schematic of the Soul Gem’s energy pattern which Quasar would be able to duplicate. Quasar does his thing and the energy in the room grows intense, stunning Quasar but reviving the Collector. But he is out of his mind and begins fighting them; Beast suddenly vanishes and the Collector passes out. Beast reappears, explaining that Hank Pym miniaturized him and Beast pressed on the Collector’s carotid artery to subdue him….
When he recovers, the Collector tries to recall the data on the Brethren but he is a bit scatterbrained and the Brethren were the first people to escape his museum. Then he remembers so Hank Pym is able to shrink Collector, Black Panther, Quasar, and Beast to enter the miniaturized eco-system recently inhabited by the Brethren. It’s only when they have reached their destination that the Collector realizes he has made a mistake: this isn’t the Brethren’s eco-cell but the one for Bruruthianparamecium rex, a tentacled amoeba-like creature that attacks their ship….