Avengers #80: Review

Sep 1970

Roy Thomas, John Buscema

Story Name:

The Coming of Red Wolf

Review & Comments

Rating:

Avengers #80 Review by Rob Johnson (December 14, 2011)

For some reason the Avengers Index lists Captain America, Iron Man and Thor as full Avengers for this trilogy, but they're back to guest stars for later issues. This is another setup issue, for the next 2 issues and Daredevil #69. Zodiac was introduced in #72. Cornelius Van Lunt debuted in #77. At this point the Avengers don't know there is any connection between them. Red Wolf will be named Will Talltress next issue. The tribe's mythical hero and god may not be the same. The god will be called Owayodata in Marvel Spotlight #1 where he gives his powers to a Wild West era Red Wolf Johnny Wakeley. But this happens in the tomb of an even earlier Red Wolf, who was probably the mythical hero. This hero was Wildrun, the first Red Wolf, who will debut in Annual #21. Possibly the need for his body to be in the tomb is why Wildrun wasn't obliterated with the rest of the Anachronauts in Avengers Forever #3. Somewhere along the way the tribe is identified as the Cheyenne.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Avengers #80 Synopsis by Rob Johnson

Vision is wandering the streets in his human disguise when he see a Native American (in traditional garb and a wolf's-head headdress) and a wolf attacking a man. Vision intervenes and renders Red Wolf unconscious by materialising a fist in his chest. Despite having quit the Avengers last issue, Vision decides to take the Indian to Avengers Mansion, with the wolf following.

The Avengers, including Captain America, Iron Man and Thor, are planning to go after the group Zodiac, who have re-emerged after their last battle. But Black Panther thinks they'd be better employed tackling organised crime, which affects the kids he teaches. The other Avengers are split in their opinions.

Then Vision arrives and suggests they may have a third case to consider. Red Wolf explains how Cornelius Van Lunt wanted to buy his tribe's land. When Red Wolf's father refused to sell, Van Lunt sent his men to kill the family. The man before them was the only survivor. He called upon the tribe's mythical hero or god Red Wolf, who came to him and gave him the name Red Wolf, and the task of avenging his family. He adopted an orphaned wolf cub he called Lobo, and the two came to New York to track down the killers. Now after many months he found Van Lunt's henchman Jason Birch.

Vision decides to rejoin the Avengers, and wants to help Red Wolf. The Avengers tangled with Van Lunt in #77, but weren't able to prove him guilty of anything illegal. There is some argument over which task is most important. Cap and Scarlet Witch suggest each Avenger follow his conscience.

Panther chooses to tackle organised crime in his neighbourhood, but says he will work better alone. The other Avengers split between the other two options. Goliath and Scarlet Witch will accompany Vision and Red Wolf. Quicksilver wants to tackle Zodiac with Cap, Iron Man and Thor.