Avengers #30: Review

Jul 1966

Stan Lee, Don Heck

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Story Name:

Frenzy in a Far-Off Land

Review & Comments

Rating:

Avengers #30 Review by Rob Johnson (June 21, 2011)

In a display of possible sexism/sizism Captain America says Wanda and Pietro can leave because Goliath is here to replace them, but doesn't mention Wasp. The possible isms are of course more to do with the comic's creators, as she's not on masthead either. Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch stay on the cover even though they're not active. Wasp will finally make it for #32. Goliath says Tony Stark has left town. He's probably off fighting Mandarin and Ultimo in Tales of Suspense #76-78. Black Widow severs her connection with Power Man and Swordsman here. The duo next appear working for the Red Skull and fighting Cap in Tales of Suspense #88.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Avengers #30 Synopsis by Rob Johnson

Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch noticed that their powers were fading last issue. They wonder if they aren't really mutants, but derive their abilities from their native land. They take a leave of absence to return to their homeland. Captain America grants their request now that Goliath has rejoined the team.

But Goliath is moping around because he is stuck at 10 feet high since #28. Until he sees a report of his college professor Dr Anton researching artificial cell growth in South America. Grasping at a straw he heads off down there without telling anyone, not even Wasp.

Black Widow, brainwashed by the Chinese, is still plotting with Power Man and Swordsman to take down the Avengers, as seen last issue. Her aides fight over her affections, but of course Natasha loves Hawkeye. This contrasts with the Avengers, where Hawkeye has seen the light and no longer continually tests Cap's right to lead.

The three remaining Avengers decide that the Widow and her cohorts are an ongoing threat, and split up to try to find them. The diminutive Wasp overhears a rumour of the Widow, and informs the others. Hawkeye requests permission to tackle the villains by himself, to make up for letting them escape last issue. His feud with them is doubly personal: as well as the conflicted relationship between him and Natasha, he and Swordsman have unresolved student/master issues.

Hawkeye attacks them in their warehouse. Widow's conditioning wins out and she helps fight him. Hawkeye scores a satisfying victory over Swordsman, but is losing to Power Man until Natasha shakes off her brainwashing and helps him. The Widow is now firmly on the our side.

Meanwhile Goliath reaches Dr Anton's base, but is attacked by men from the Forbidden Land. He forces one of the men to lead him there, where the scientist is held prisoner as a spy. Anton was tracking a power source, which the Forbidden Landers call the Flame of Life. The Keeper of the Flame sentences him to death. Goliath is attacked by more soldiers, but is rescued by Prince Rey, who claims to be the rightful ruler of the land.

Wasp sees a TV report of Dr Anton's disappearance and Goliath's abandoned rocket-powered air car (actually a one-man open platform that will in later issues be called a jet-scooter). She runs to tell Cap.

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