Avengers, The (1963 series) #319

In the North Atlantic Ocean, Royal Navy nuclear submarine Waterwind is brought to a halt by sabotage and invaded and captured by a band of Russian terrorists called Peace Corpse, led by Major Illyich Prokvitch. Prokvitch names the traitor in their midst and then executes the commander, Admiral Rickert, but not before the Admiral sends out a distress message….

At the Parliament Building in London, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher discusses the crisis with her cabinet. Excalibur is not available so she makes the decision to contact the United States government for aid….

The Avengers (Captain America, Sersi, Vision, Quasar) are meeting in their new headquarters when Peggy Carter puts through a call from President George H. W. Bush outlining the submarine crisis and asks for their help. Cap agrees. They try contacting Namor but can’t get through, Thor neither, so Cap suggests Peggy call in non-Avenger Walter Newell, Stingray, as one with the needed undersea experience. As they head out in the Quinjet, Quasar expresses concern that international terrorism is out of their line and Cap is worried about the lack of information….

Aboard the Waterwind, the terrorists are completing their takeover of the sub when they detect another craft approaching. They are then contacted by the newcomers, the Russian superhero team the People’s Protectorate (Vostok, Perun, Fantasma, Crimson Dynamo, Red Guardian) who demand they surrender or be destroyed….

The Avengers arrive at the scene, having picked up Stingray who has briefed them on the type of submarine involved. Instruments detect two craft underwater so they dive and spot them; the sub fires torpedoes at the smaller ship and the Russian heroes easily destroy them with their powers. Cap recognizes the Soviet heroes and doesn’t trust them so he decides to deescalate the situation. Leaving Cap in the Quinjet, the others swim forth to battle. Sersi encases Perun in a block of plastic. Vostok manipulates the Vision’s internal systems, disabling him. Quasar casts a Photon-Net over Crimson Dynamo but he easily breaks through it. Red Guardian contacts Cap, asking that they halt the battle, as it will only accomplish the hijackers’ goals. Fantasma is overwhelmed with negative thoughts, suggesting that something bad is going to happen; she senses someone demanding they pay for violating them. And then as Stingray searches for a way to enter the sub, a missile hits near him, sending him hurling through the water. The two hero teams look to see a war party of the last Atlanteans approaching—led by Tyrak, Orka, and U-Man—demanding they leave the area or die….

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Story #2

Rats in the Kitchen

Writer: Mark Gruenwald.Penciler: James Fry. Inker: Keith Williams. Colorist: Joe Rosas.

Synopsis

The Avengers Support Crew (Edwin Jarvis, Peggy Carter, Fabian Stankowicz, John Jameson, Michael O’Brien) is sitting at breakfast prepared by Jarvis before they start their day outfitting the Avengers’ new headquarters. Jarvis declines offers of help cleaning up and assures Peggy he enjoys the constant companionship. Once alone, Jarvis is confronted by the Crimson Cowl, terrifying him. The Cowl explains that it was once a disguise worn by Ultron but was mainly the identity Jarvis took on when he betrayed the Avengers. The panicked butler shoots his foe to no effect. The Crimson Cowl demands that Jarvis unmask him; he does, only to see his own face, reminding him of his betrayal being his greatest fear, that he will do it again. The Cowl tells Jarvis that the only way to kill the Crimson Cowl would be to kill himself. Jarvis fires one last shot and the Cowl vanishes. Michael O’Brien enters, having heard the gunfire; Jarvis tells him he saw a rat and panicked….