Synopsis
Avengers, The (1963 series) #343 synopsis by
T Vernon
Rating:
Late one evening atop Avengers Mansion, new team member Thor (Eric Masterson) is with Vision and Jarvis to welcome a new arrival. And then she appears, Crystal of the Inhumans with baby Luna, teleported in by Lockjaw. The two new members are introduced though Crystal is skeptical about this replacement God of Thunder. Jarvis admires the baby, noting it has been a long time since there were children at the Mansion. He then apologizes to Vision for bringing up the sad story of his and Wanda’s boys. But Vision tells him not to worry as in his new version he no longer has those emotions—yet for a second, he sees his twin boys in Crystal’s arms instead of Luna. Also arriving is the child’s nanny Marilla, an ill-tempered ogre of a woman who has been nanny to the royal family of the Inhumans for generations. Jarvis assures her that their accommodations are suitable for royalty; Marilla makes a snide comment about Thor who is not happy….
Then an alarm sounds, summoning the Avengers to a defense breach on the fourth floor. They discover Hercules and Black Knight fighting a horde of silver robots, Herc with his supreme strength, Dane with a new laser sword. Crystal and Thor join in, she with seismic waves and a windstorm, Thor with Mjolnir. Thor suggests that with similar talents they combine their powers, creating a storm that destroys the remaining robots as well as sending Herc and BK flying, forcing them to grab onto the solid Vision to halt. And then Captain America calls Vision to end the simulation. Cap and Black Widow arrive and explain this was a common practice to gauge the abilities of new recruits. Thor is angry and they let him vent for a bit. Natasha notes that Crystal’s performance was very good as a result of extensive training with the Inhumans while Thor’s was a bit less so. Herc volunteers to oversee Thor’s training, which does not delight the new God of Thunder. Black Knight shows Cap his new laser blade, replacing the cursed Ebony Blade which has been a problem of late….
Late that evening, Nat finds Cap still awake, brooding over the problems of the team of late: Sandman, Rage, and Sersi. He is concerned that the team is no longer a fellowship of friends, that something has gone wrong with the Avengers….
The following day, Crystal calls her estranged husband Quicksilver about a weekend visit to Washington so he can spend time with their child. But Pietro resents her trying to force a reconciliation but he agrees to the visit before abruptly signing off. Vision then enters, apologizing for overhearing her call. She opens up about her marriage, which she knew would be difficult from the beginning because of the Inhuman vs. mutant differences and she does not know if she is trying to save the marriage out of love or guilt. Vision reminds her that he no longer understands these emotions while trying to help. Then a distress call comes in: a wounded Johnny Storm reporting that the Fantastic Four is under attack, requesting aid. He is then cut off without any further details. Vision summons the others….
The team heads out: Thor, Black Knight, Vision, Crystal, and Hercules (Cap and Black Widow are visiting the West Coast Avengers in California) fly to the Four Freedoms Plaza. Thor and Vision reconnoiter but find no signs of trouble. Then an energy bolt blasts the Aero-Car out of the sky. Crystal and Hercules fall while Black Knight is unseated from Valinor, his winged horse. Crystal catches herself by creating an updraft, Vision catches Black Knight, Thor wrangles Valinor, and Hercules lands on his head on a roof. And then the villain appears: the Swordsman, their dead teammate who resents being left to die and is now seeking revenge….
CharactersGood (or All)Plus: Luna, Marilla.
Enemies
Magdalene, Swordsman (Philip Javert).