Avengers #35: Review

Dec 1966

Roy Thomas, Don Heck

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Story Name:

The Light That Failed

Review & Comments

Rating:

Avengers #35 Review by Rob Johnson (June 23, 2011)

The Official Index to the Marvel Universe suggests that Captain America's disintegrating shield can't be his irreplacable indestructible one. It suggests that Cap didn't risk coating his real shield with Stark's experimental alloy, and instead used a substitute made of ordinary metal. Presumably the shield he uses later in the issue is the real one. Bill Foster stays working with Hank Pym, ignoring the fact that he was only on loan from Tony Stark in #32. Roy Thomas is given the scripting credit in this issue. But various online databases have Stan Lee as co-writer here. I have listed him as plotter. Whatever the truth, I believe Roy Thomas is the sole writer from the next issue onwards.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Avengers #35 Synopsis by Rob Johnson

Captain America and Hawkeye have been trapped in a gradually closing cage of laser beams by the Living Laser, who has left the room with the unconscious Wasp, who is the object of his deluded affections. Now read on.

Cap tries to use his shield to block the rays, with the special anti-laser coating from last issue. But it has mostly worn off in the previous battle, and the shield starts to melt, and then disintegrates. But unbeknownst to everyone Wasp must have triggered an emergency signal before she was knocked out by gas, because Goliath has followed it here. He bursts into the basement lab and rescues the two Avengers, even as Jan's signal moves away and then disappears. This is because the Laser has flown her out of range.

Laser has flown to Costa Verde to help a pair of would-be dictators wrest control of the country from the existing dictator. Needless to say they intend to double-cross him later. The Avengers hear of his activities and fly to confront him. (Cap has another shield.)

The Avengers are initially beaten off by Laser's troops and weapons. In between bouts Laser keeps trying to persuade Jan that his prowess means she must love him. The male Avengers attack again and are captured.

Goliath is encased in huge chains. But suddenly he shrinks down to ant-size, frees the Wasp, and sneaks inside the Living Laser's giant laser cannon to disable it. When Laser fires the cannon it explodes, knocking him out. Goliath shoots up, having exited the cannon before it blew.

The remnants of the country's army capture the rebel leaders. They also disown the current dictator and declare free elections. The Avengers take Living laser back to the US.

Goliath explains that he and Bill Foster really had found the cure last issue for Hank being stuck at 10 feet (since #28). But he had to test it on himself. He can now assume any size at will.

Back home Jan tells Lucy Barton the fate of her unhinged ex-boyfriend Arthur Parks (Living Laser). Bill Foster stays on as Hank's lab partner. Black Widow complains that Hawkeye went on 'holiday' to Costa Verde without her. And Cap has an unrevealed visitor.

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