Comic Browser:

#29
#30
#31
#32
#33
#34
#35
#36
#37
#38
#39
#40
Selector

Avengers Spotlight #35

Aug 1990
Danny Fingeroth, Jim Valentino

Story Name:

Call Me Whatshisname


Synopsis

Avengers Spotlight #35 synopsis by Peter Silvestro
Rating: 3.5 stars

Recovering from serious illness, Gilgamesh of the Eternals spends his days cleaning up the debris from Olympia while his pal Sprite tries to get him to relax and enjoy life for a change, even gaining the recognition for his heroism always denied him. Gil agrees though with reservations (and threats against Sprite should anything go wrong). Sprite teleports them to Paris, giving them modern clothing to blend in, though Gil discards the hat which reeks of garlic….

In the Latin Quarter, they witness the robbery of a cash exchange. Gil intervenes and subdues the criminals. The news media arrives—and attributes the heroism of the day to soap opera actor Jean-Paul Beltootho, who just sits there smiling. Sprite wants to take vengeance on the actor but Gil restrains him….

Near the Eiffel Tower, a prehistoric enemy of Gil’s whom he doesn’t remember suddenly appears. B’Gon the Sorcerer has spent the millennia since his defeat by Gilgamesh building his power and assembling an army of dragons for just this day when he can overcome his enemy and conquer the world. Gil takes down several dragons in a series of skirmishes but B’Gon’s threats to attack humans sends Gil into a rage and he beats the sorcerer in his dragon form. Gil herds the dragons into a western-style cattle roundup but B’Gon awakens and teleports them all away, leaving Gil to plummet from the skies. Suddenly, Captain America flies up and catches Gil and lowers him safely to Earth. Cap, actually Sprite in disguise, loudly sings the praises of the hero Gilgamesh in his exploits against the marauding monsters, making sure the Eternal hero gains the glory her deserves….

The next day, however, the Daily Bugle reports that Gilgamesh went on a mad rampage in Paris and Captain America swooped in to save the day. Gil is angry but Sprite points out that for the first time, the world got his name right and spelled correctly. It’s a start so Gil smiles for the first time in a long time….


 

Review / Commentaries


Avengers Spotlight #35 Review by (October 4, 2022)

Review: Ah, Gilgamesh! The earliest comic book hero of all! But also a pretty dull character. This tale gives him a rare spotlight but he just comes off as a dour Big Strong Guy with no particular distinction. Even pairing him with a funny sidekick fails to make him interesting. The huge dragon battle makes for some cool stuff along with a comical edge to the tale but he’s instantly forgettable. He wasn’t much of an Avenger so maybe it’s best he returns to the pages of the ETERNALS where he fits in at least.

Comments: Fill-in issue due to unspecified problems; the conclusion to the Hawkeye story arc appears in the next issue. Gilgamesh first appeared in the Epic of Gilgamesh in the 2nd millennium BC. He next appeared in ETERNALS #13 as one of that ancient race. He served with the Avengers in AVENGERS #299-310 and this is his next appearance; most of his later appearances are in ETERNALS titles. Sprite first appeared in ETERNALS #9. This is the one and only appearance of B’Gon the Sorcerer. Olympia was wrecked in AVENGERS #309-310. Jean-Paul Beltootho’s name sounds like a parody of that of French film star Jean-Paul Belmondo but I’m not seeing the joke.



> Avengers Spotlight comic book info and issue index

Elektra

Excelsioring your collection:
statue
Holy smokes, Batman!
(The Boy Wonder)

Jim Valentino
Jeff Albrecht
Renee Witterstaetter
Steve Lightle (Cover Penciler)
Steve Lightle (Cover Inker)
? (Cover Colorist)
Additional Credits
Letterer: Janice Chiang.

Characters

Listed in Alphabetical Order.


Plus: Sprite.