Avengers (Vol. I) #9
The Coming of the... Wonder Man!
Baron Zemo is going nuts! He MUST have revenge on Captain America! So, another
scheme is concocted, this time with fallen industrialist Simon Williams, as
he's bailed out of jail by the Enchantress and is soon transformed into Wonder
Man, a powerful being with nearly limitless strenght. He tries to chum it
up with the Avengers, telling them about his failing health due to Zemo (which
is partly true), in a plan to capture the team. It works, as the Avengers
are defeated and helpless before the Masters of Evil, ready for mass execution.
But Wonder Man changes his mind and turns on Zemo, saving the Avengers' lives,
but apparently dying himself in the process.
The coming of a new artist and the coming of a new character. Don Heck does some very awkward panels in this issue (and strange facial expressions), but he will come into his own efficient style in a very short time. This story SHOULD have been a two-parter: sometimes it seems rushed, with important scenes completely missing (particulary in the middle). Nevertheless, it introduces a more or less reluctant associate of the Masters of Evil in the person of Wonder Man, who will become a very complex character in his own right. He doesn't officially join the Avengers here. Rick Jones is absent and Cap still broods over Zemo (as he did in Untold Tales of Spider-Man Annual '97).
Once again, the villains escapes, a trend that still continues to plague
Avengers' storylines. Maybe a bit bland, this story is still an important
one, but it's not evident yet; should have been more involving. Still,
Wonder Man's sacrifice remains effective. Why would Williams want to play
along in this crazy sci-fi scheme? He must have been pretty desperate,
indeed. At least, he sees the light. Very strange to see the Enchantress
and the Executioner, dressed in snappy suits, hanging around a U.S. court!
Love that lil' Wasp head on the cover!
Throughout all this, the Avengers appear in a short scene in Fantastic Four #31. And you can also check out Tales of Suspense #59 and #60, plus Untold Tales of Spider-Man '97.
