Avengers #239 (January 1984)

In a superhero universe, it does make sense that superheroes can end up being really famous. People may follow them like people in the real world follow singers and actors. And naturally, superheroes may end up making appearances on talk shows. The Avengers did a talk show once. And not just any talk show, a rather legendary one: Late Night with David Letterman!

Late Night with David Letterman was a talk show that debuted in 1982. It was the first iteration of the Late Show series that is now hosted by Seth Meyers. Letterman was the first host, and he would host from its start to 1993. He left the series after being denied the opportunity to host The Tonight Show after Johnny Carson's retirement a year earlier.

This comic was part of what was known as Assistant Editor's Month. In 1984, a bunch of Marvel Comics' editors went off to the San Diego Comic-Con going on that year. As a result, the assistant editors took over the books for that one month. As a result, the stories tended to be a bit different, usually more humorous to sell the idea that the inmates have taken over the asylum temporarily. I haven't been able to find anything about how it ended up involving David Letterman's show, unfortunately. So, with that out of the way, let's look at Avengers #239!

The cover is an Al Milgrom and Joe Sinnott piece. It is admittedly somewhat basic, but what makes it unique is David Letterman himself. The cover depicts the talk show legend front and center with the Avengers behind him. There are a couple details I like. One is Hawkeye subtly referencing his hearing issues with his hand on his ear, Beast hanging from the ceiling, and Black Panther trying to look cool. The checkerboard on top is meant to be a parody of DC Comics' cover dress in the 1960s. And in another fun detail, the Avengers on the corner box have their heads turned around, almost as if they're embarrassed by this whole thing. 

"Late Night of the Super-Stars"
Writer: Roger Stern
Penciler: Al Milgrom
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Letterer: Jim Novak
Editor: Michael Carlin
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter (GONE TO SAN DIEGO, BAY-BEE)  

The story begins with Mr. Clint Barton, aka the Avenging Archer Hawkeye, marching into Avengers Mansion, his blushing bride Bobbi "Mockingbird" Morse with him.

There's no one to greet him...well, not quite. 

The role of the Big Giant Head will be played by the Vision.

Vision greets them and guides them to the medical labs. When they arrive, Hawkeye notices Vision's body is in a futuristic iron lung-type contraption. This was due to damage the Vision's body suffered when the Avengers battled Annhilus in Avengers #233. Then-new member Starfox set up a link between the Vision's systems and the world-computer of Starfox's native Titan called ISAAC. The link ended up giving Vision his new ability to project himself all over the Mansion, as well as power over the Mansion's computer systems.

The reason why the Mansion is empty is because it's Jarvis's day off, and the other Avengers are busy with other things. Hawkeye recaps the events of his miniseries, which resulted in his deafness and marriage to Mockingbird. Clint shows Bobbi around, when Vision gets a call.

It's Simon Williams, aka Wonder Man. He's Vision's "brother", that's a whole other thing. Simon's announced that he's been booked on the David Letterman show. His agent did this without Simon's approval, and the show wants him to bring some other Avengers along. Vision says it's no issue. But Simon's agent isn't going to be employed much longer.

Vision sends out calls all over. The Black Panther, Black Widow, and the Beast agree to appear. Elsewhere, a young man is tinkering.

This is from the pilot of the TV spinoff of "Help! My Son is a Nerd!"

This is Fabian Stankowicz, young tech genius. He hopes to make a name for himself one day, much to his father's disbelief. Fabian sees a promo for the Avengers' appearance, and a plan forms in his mind.

The Avengers meet up in the Green Room, while Fabian sneaks in. You see, Earth's Mightiest Heroes are not unfamiliar with Mr. Stankowicz, as he's encountered them before in issues #217 and #221. He's still a bit sore after those two defeats, and he's intent on making sure the third time is not the charm.

We get a fun little character moment with Black Widow (Hawkeye's ex) meeting Bobbi (Hawkeye's wife). Thankfully, they're getting along. Bobbi got a list of questions Letterman will ask the team, as Hawkeye refuses to wear a hearing aid. He claims it's for security reasons (the less who know an active Avenger is deaf, the better), but I personally think it's a bit of a pride thing on his part. Bobbi stays in the green room while the Avengers head out to the stage, watching the show on a monitor.

Fabian is in the audience, and he's not happy with the roster showing up. He wanted the big guns. The Beast takes an opportunity to make an announcement.

"So long, suckers!"

The other Avengers are shocked about Beast leaving for the Defenders, but Hawkeye's oblivious. We get another funny moment with Hawkeye getting thrown off by the questions as a result. Fabian presses a button on his watch, and an unused camera unleashes a laser on the Avengers, blowing then away.

Tabitha Smith had chili again.

Boom, baby!

Mockingbird rushes to help, but is ambushed by another of Fabian's machines. The battle rages in the studio, but the audience thinks it's all a skit.

While the fight breaks out, Fabian takes the opportunity to sit at the seat next to Dave's desk. He explains to the talk show host that he made these machines to fight the Avengers for simply one purpose.

Pretty much. He wants to make a name for himself. He wants to be famous. And hey, what better way to do that that be able to say he whupped Earth's Mightiest Heroes? David plays with Fabian's ego, getting him to talk about the machines that the Avengers are fighting. The devices are cleverly designed to challenge Earth's Mightiest, especially the steamroller-like machine that Wonder Man is fighting. Black Widow is able to alert Hawkeye to Stankowicz's presence next to Letterman. The Avenging Archer tries to take him down with an arrow, but...

"Sue Storm, eat yer heart out!"

Yup, Fabian's packing a forcefield. He also makes sure that Dave is protected as well. Fabian tells him that the forcefield is powered by a battery pack on his belt. Tapping into his own inner Avenger, David Letterman gives Fabian a nice trip to Dreamland with a giant doorknob.

The audience cheers as the Avengers finishing turning Fabian's machines into scrap metal. Fabian wakes up and tries to flee. And he would have gotten away with it if it weren't for that pesky Mockingbird. David goes to commercial. Hours later, at Avengers Mansion, we learn that Fabian is on his way to prison, and Wonder Man waits for the episode to air. It starts to air, but gets pre-empted by a news bulletin about a burning chemical barge. The comic ends with the Avengers leaping into action.

I enjoyed this comic. It's a fun, silly romp. It seems that the Avengers can't even avoid action while doing a darn talk show, ha ha! The only issue I had with the comic was the audience. The reaction to them seems to give the impression that they thought this was just one of the sketches the Letterman show was known for at the time. Why aren't they running away? You'd think people in the Marvel Universe at this point would be savvy enough to realize they're in a superhero brawl. But still, it's an enjoyable little story. 

Fun fact, if you remember my review of Captain America #372 (Early July 1990), the name Fabian Stankowicz may be familiar. That's because he goes on to be a member of the Avengers' support crew in the 80s and 90s. Sadly, the dissolution of the Avengers in the wake of the attack by Onslaught left him a bit bugnuts, and he hasn't been seen since.

If you want to read this for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2013 trade paperback The Avengers: Absolute Vision Book 1. I was surprised to see this in the trade. I thought it would never be collected in a trade because David Letterman is in it, and there would likely be rights issues to clear up. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home, wash your hands often, wear a mask, and get your vaccine/booster! See you next time!