> Avengers Masterworks Volume 3
 
 

Click panels for larger images


From the Mouths of the Marvels:

"Surely you do not expect four primitive Avengers to lead us to victory against the greatest military force ever assembled?!?!? A svage from the twentieth century...armed with a bow! He and his fellows are beneath my contempt!”

-- Ravonna's military chief-of-staff, page 3


Kang shows his tender side.

(Click panels for larger images.)

 

Avengers #24
January 1966 • 20 pages

Script: Stan Lee • Letters: Artie Simek
Pencils: Don Heck • Inks: Dick Ayers


Lineup: Captain America • Hawkeye • Quicksilver • Scarlet Witch


Title: "From the Ashes of Defeat - - !”

First Appearance: Baltag

Villain: Kang, Baltag

Cameo: Dr. Doom

Death: Baltag, Ravonna

Cool Hawkeye Arrow: Magnetic Intensifier

Gadgets & Technology: Delta-Ray Launcher with interdimensional shells, Force Blast Beacon

Letters Page: Page OnePage Two


Synopsis: (continued from AVENGERS #23)

As Kang rails against the Avengers, the team from the past put their full weight behind Ravonna and her stance against the tyrant. His army presses their weapons against Ravonna's kingdom, which is- for the moment- safe behind the Plasto-Defense shield that has sprung up around it. Before the Avengers can take Kang prisoner, he escapes from the scene, leaving the Avengers to commiserate with Ravonna. Her main military commander suggests surrender in the face of hopeless odds, but Ravonna's first instincts are to fight, and the four "primitives" from the past stand right beside her, providing an example of nobility that is infectious to those who might waver in the face of Kang's evil.

The army chief bows to Cap's natural leadership and grants him authority over battle plans. Meanwhile, outside the partitions, Kang's troops still fruitlessly plug away at the Plasto-Defense shields, until Kang brings in the big gun: a Delta-Ray launcher, with inter-dimensional shells that can pierce anything! Sure enough, the artillery shells impregnate the Plasto-Shields. Inside, Quicksilver saves a young woman with a baby in her arms, and she is moved by his courage on behalf of a complete stranger. Captain America leads Ravonna's guard to observe Kang's troops, and as they watch from behind a partition, the inevitable happens: the hordes make it through with all their high-tech weaponry.

Kang's troops breach the palace, where they find Ravonna huddled with the Avengers. The team bravely fights back, to hold their ground, but from all corners come Kang's men, and they are finally put down. Brought before Kang, he announces that the only prize he seeks is Ravonna, and he sends his men out to search for the missing Quicksilver. The mutant speedster is being nursed back to health by the woman he saved, but he is still not in health enough to fight. Meanwhile, Kang's desire to wed Ravonna is challenged by his top military commander, Baltag, who states that the governing rule of warfare is that no mercy be shown to the conquered- all monarchs are to be slain once defeated, including Ravonna. Kang refuses to comply, saying he wants Ravonna no matter what. But behind the scenes, the warlords brood, and plan Kang's overthrow.

While Kang pines over his love for Ravonna, assassins make their move on his life. He fights them off, but realizes that if Baltag has aligned his military might against him, he will need help. He turns to Captain America, who is convinced that they have a common goal now, to save Ravonna and her kingdom from the traitorous warlords. Cap explains the odd turn of events to his teammates and they go along with Kang to find Ravonna, who is greatly impressed that Kang has risked his life to save her. They rally Ravonna's men to fight, stealing weapons from Baltag's armory, and launch a surprise attack on Baltag. The warlord is no great leader, and cannot defend against the superior strategist Kang. With the Avengers leading the charge, Baltag's army is defeated, and as Kang and the team enter Baltag's palace, he and his personal guard are subdued as well, put in their place by none other than Quicksilver, who is seated in the throne.

After the happy reunion between the Avengers siblings, Ravonna realizes she does indeed have feelings for Kang. Honoring his pledge, Kang sends the Avengers back to the past, and just as the situation begins to turn back to normal, Baltag comes from out of nowhere and fires at Kang, accidentally hitting Ravonna. Baltag is cut down by Kang's guard, but Ravonna falls to the ground and dies in Kang's arms.

--synopsis by Gormuu

--panel images provided by Avengers Assemble


Issues Reprinted
Avengers #21-30

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.

 
AVG #21 AVG #22 AVG #23 AVG #24 AVG #25
AVG #26 AVG #27 AVG #28 AVG #29 AVG #30

 

All cover images are courtesy of the Silver Age Marvel Comics Cover Gallery.

Website design by Doug Roberts and John Thomas. All images on this site are copyright of Marvel Comics. This site is for reference purposes and promotion of the Masterworks line of books as well as Marvel Comics and their properties.


Reader Reviews and Commentary To contribute: Send to Gormuu!
Submit only with understanding your text may be edited by gormuu for
space, content and syntax/grammar considerations!