Avengers #223 (September 1982)

A superhero's life is always in upheaval. It always seems like that no matter what a superhero does, they always have to end up taking down bad guys. It doesn't matter if the superhero is a veteran at the game, or a neophyte. It always seems that a superhero never can take a break. The case is especially true for one Clinton "Clint" Barton, aka the Avengers' resident Avenging Archer Hawkeye. As a member of Earth's Mightiest, it can be imagined that he can be considered 'always on duty' in some way. And sometimes, that even involves working with a newbie to the world of costumed heroing.

In this case, that newbie was one Scott Lang, aka the second Ant-Man. First appearing in Avengers #181 (March 1979), he was an ex-con and electronics expert. To save the life of his daughter Cassie, Lang was forced to take up thievery once again, stealing the Ant-Man suit from the previous user, Henry Pym. When Pym learned of the circumstances, he allowed Scott to keep the suit. In the years since, Scott has served as a member of the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and in recent years, even been a Guardian of the Galaxy.

Lang has appeared in various animated series, but his biggest spotlight has been in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Portrayed by Paul Rudd, Lang has appeared in 2015's Ant-Man, 2016's Captain America: Civil War, 2018's Ant-Man and the Wasp, and 2019's Avengers: Endgame. At this point, he has teamed up with the Avengers, Spider-Man, and the Thing, but this will be his first time battling evil with Hawkeye. So, how did it go? Did they get along smoothly, or did they end up brawling with each other as much as a common foe? Let's find out in my look at Avengers #223!

The cover is awesome. An Ed Hannigan and Klaus Janson piece, it has become rather iconic, showing Ant-Man lying on one of Hawkeye's arrows as he's about to fire it. The stark white background keeps the eye's attention on the two heroes. The saying on the cover is cliché, but accurate. Somebody gonna get it! This cover actually has been homaged in other media. Nods are paid to it in the video game Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and in the big airport battle scene in Captain America: Civil War.

"Of Robin Hoods and Roustabouts"
Writer: David Michelinie
Penciler: Greg LaRocque
Inkers: Brett Breeding, Joe Rubinstein
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Letterer: Rick Parker
Editors: Mark Gruenwald, Michael Carlin
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

The story begins with a certain archer returning home.

"Comin' home! Comin' home! Tell the world he's comin' home!"

Look at that smirk. Ol' Clint Barton is up to some trouble. Well, not really. You see, since he left the circus, the old owner retired and turned it over to his daughter Marcella Carson. She had sent him a flyer, seemingly inviting him for a show, but it was really a call for some help. Clint heads towards her trailer, but the burly guards sends him out on his butt.

"All I wanted was directions to the bathroom!"

Clint is ready for a fistfight, but one of the men whips out an oddly futuristic-looking gun, convincing the archer that a tactical retreat is the best option. This whole thing gets the former carny suspicious. Luckily, he packed his Hawkeye duds in his bag. However, he's going to have some backup. Elsewhere at the circus, one Scott Lang, aka the then-new Ant-Man, is buying some cotton candy for his daughter (And future superheroine herself) Cassie. He notices Hawkeye race by in costume, and decides to give him a hand. But one problem: He has Cassie with him. Hey, there's a solution!

She always did want to go on that rollercoaster... Scott gives the attendant a bit of money and tells him to let her ride the rollercoaster as long as it lasts. Scott Lang, Father of the Year. Hawkeye makes his way to the office, and finds that it's deserted. But he's able to track Marcella and the goons down relatively quickly. He's able to rescue the circus owner and get her to seeming safety in another tent. It's at this time that he's finally noticed that Marcella's grown up since they last crossed paths.

Marcella isn't Hawkeye's type. He likes women that can beat him up.

She explains that some crazy superhuman has taken over her circus, and she was lucky she was able to slip a call for help to Hawkeye thanks to his being on the circus's mailing list. Scott Lang has a bit of trouble suiting up. He kept his suit in his pocket in shrunken form. But back to the tent! Who was that nut who took over Marcella Carson's circus?

"Anyone who calls me Skeletor gets a sword in the face!"

Yup, future MCU villain (of Black Widow's upcoming solo movie) Taskmaster! Hawkeye remembers reading about him in the Avengers files. You see, the Taskmaster considers himself a teacher. He helps train the goons supervillains use in their schemes. He ran a bunch of these "academies" all over the country. So, why use Marcella's circus? He's expanding his business. Circuses travel around, so he wants to see if he can use one to disguise a mobile supervillain goon academy. And the type of people he looks for tend to hang around carnies, so it works out.

Hawkeye doesn't take too kindly to this, and tries to give the super-trainer some Arrow to the Head. But Taskmaster blocks it with his shield. You see, Taskmaster has this thing called "photographic reflexes". If he sees someone doing a physical feat, he can imitate it perfectly. For example, if he sees a gymnast do a routine on a pommel horse, he can then do a perfect duplication of the routine. It's allowed him to imitate the various fighting techniques of heroes like Captain America, Daredevil, and even Iron Fist. He can't duplicate superpowers, though. For example, he can imitate Wolverine's fighting style, but he can't imitate the man's claws, super senses, or healing factor.

He uses this ability to make short work of Hawkeye, and forces him to drop the bow by taking Marcella hostage. However, this was watched by some ants, who report this back to Scott. Taskmaster arranges the classic supervillain death trap for Hawkeye.

It's the early 80s, death traps were still cool.

Hawkeye is trapped in an electrified cage with a hungry lion. If he tries to escape, the cage will shock him enough to send the World's Mightiest Archer to dreamland. Either way, Clint Barton is lion food...or not. Thanks to his ability to shrink, Ant-Man is able to get through the bars harmlessly, and tosses the lion into them. Don't worry folks, no lions were harmed in the making of this comic. Leo there is just sleeping.

Hawkeye's luck is also improving as Ant-Man had encountered Taskmaster before. He was there when Taskmaster first appeared in Avengers #195 (May 1980), and they battled in Marvel Team-Up #103 (March 1981). Said villain is threatening Marcella, but Hawkeye and Ant-Man are able to get to her before he can do anything. He tries to flee using a magnesium flare to cover his tracks, but Hawkeye stops it with a well-placed arrow.

The supergoon teacher orders his goon students to swarm the two heroes. But this heroic tag-team turns out to gel really well.

"BAH GAWD ALMIGHTY, KING! THOSE AVENGERS ON THE RAMPAGE!"

Even Marcella gets in on the action, clobbering one of the goons with a wooden club. Hawkeye and Ant-Man chase after the Taskmaster, but the man has an insurance policy.

Yup. There's a dummy in that cannon. Once it hits the net, the explosives in it will be triggered, blowing the tent (and everyone in it), sky-high. Hawkeye orders Ant-Man to take care of that while he pursues Taskmaster. However, Ant-Man points out that it may take both of them to stop that dummy. Hawkeye reluctantly agrees. The Avenging Archer uses a bolo arrow to restrain the man at the cannon, but the man's fall ends up hitting the switch, activating the cannon...and firing it.

There's one chance left. Ant-Man shrinks down and climbs on one of Hawkeye's arrows. The archer fires it at the cannon.

As the dummy falls, Ant-Man desperately crawls towards the explosive's detonator. The dummy falls back in the tent...








...and does not explode. Hawkeye fears his new insect-theme got comrade got squashed, but he's okay. He managed to jump on a winged ant before the impact, thanks to his watching "Raiders of the Lost Ark" 27 times. Yeah, Scott is a bit of a film buff. Unfortunately, the Taskmaster managed to get away. Ah, well. We'll see him again. As Hawkeye brings in the rest of the Avengers to clear up, Ant-Man realizes something.

He left Cassie on the roller coaster! He rushes back to see her, but she's just tired. She's okay, and wants to ride it again tomorrow! The story ends with Scott Lang being amused by this. Kids, am I right?

This was a very fun story! I really enjoyed the interaction between Clint and Scott Lang. I'm kind of surprised that this wasn't used as a foundation for an eventual friendship between them. I also always did like the concept of Taskmaster. It's a great way to explain how supervillains often can get goons to do tasks for them. I'm surprised that Taskmaster is the only such character in this superhero universe. Well, only one that we know of, anyway. I know that it may be odd for a book called "Avengers" to focus on only one member here, but it's nice to show that each of the members are people with lives outside the costumes.

This issue was also great because it was a nice glimpse into Clint's past and pre-Hawkeye days. It's neat to see characters' pasts, what molded them and made them into what they are. Greg LaRocque also turns in some good artwork for this.

If you want to read this for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2015 trade paperback Ant-Man: Scott Lang. It collects his early appearances. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you enjoyed it, spread it around! Join me next time, as we join the Fantastic Four on an viewing of "things" to come....