When to comes to superhero teams, there is always one trope that accompanies them: The changing of the guard. That's right, every so often, superhero teams will undergo roster shake-ups. The reasons can be various. It can be because the creatives think the status quo needs a bit of a freshening up, it can be done to synchronize with another piece of media, or it can be done to try and increase a comic's sales. The reasons can be myriad. But with team shake-ups, there's always an opportunity to tell new stories. New character dynamics to explore, that kind of thing.
One team that is known for regular roster shake-ups is the Avengers. Throughout the team's 60-year history, the group's roster has gone through many changes. As a result, many of Marvel's most prominent superheroes can say they've been counted among Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Even heroes who traditionally don't get involved with superhero teams like Spider-Man and Daredevil have served as Avengers at one point or another. As such, I thought it would be fun to rake a look at a comic that showed a transition to a new roster. This is Avengers #151!
The cover is a Jack Kirby and Dan Adkins piece. It depicts the "Big Three" of the Avengers: Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man, rallying the Avengers as there's a big battle coming up. It is a bit deceptive, I admit. It gives the impression that the Avengers are going to engage in a big battle in the issue, but that's not quite the case.
"At Last: The Decision!"
Writers: Jim Shooter, Gerry Conway, Steve Engelhart
Penciler: George Perez
Inker: John Tartaglione
Colorist: Don Warfield
Letterer: Irving Watanabe
Editor: Unknown
Editor-in-Chief: Gerry Conway
The story begins with Ben Grimm watching a news report about the Avengers undergoing another roster change. The reporter theorizes that Thor will no longer be on the team for undisclosed personal reasons.
Yeah, you may be wondering what is up with Ben here. Well, at this time, Ben had lost his Thing powers and was human again. He's wearing a special exoskeleton that Reed Richards made for him in Fantastic Four #170 (May 1976). He grumbles about the Avengers' roster changing again. He points out that the FF's membership has always been rather stable...until the time Medusa took over for Sue Storm...and Thundra...and Luke Cage...yeah, you have no room to talk, Grimm.
Inside the Avengers Mansion, the group is deciding who is staying and who is leaving. Cap decides to stay on board. After all, he has roots here. The Avengers have been a home for him since he was unfrozen. Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, just wants to know if Hawkeye is staying.
Elsewhere in New York City, a gray-haired man is staying in a flophouse, lamenting his son. He listens to the TV report as he's washing his face. He hears the reporter theorize about Wanda's status. He freaks out, screaming that he's gone too far for her to leave now.
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| "No! I finally had my cosplay ready to show her!" |
Back in Avengers Mansion, Thor points out that right now, Hawkeye is having a good time out west alongside his friend, the time-displaced Old West-era gunslinger Two-Gun Kid. They'll come if they are needed to help. Vision and Scarlet Witch agree to stay. Janet Van Dyne, the Wasp, is all too happy to stay as well. Elsewhere, the Avengers are being watched.
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| "Oh God, is he going to go on about this again?" |
One of the viewers vows to make the Wasp pay for rejecting them. The mysterious villain partner, an equally mysterious general, warns them that his partnership requires the villain to control themselves. The villain tells the general that they have not decided if they should be partners. But if it does go down, they will not calm down, and if the general has a problem with that, well...he can go "go to Hades"
Hank Pym decides not to join the Avengers, as he wishes to dedicate himself to his lab work. The Champions watch the newscast. It gets Hercules and Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) nostalgic about their Avengers days. It also gets Angel (Warren Worthington III) and Iceman thinking back on their X-Men days. The Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider wonders why he joined this team...but then again, even a punisher from Hell needs friends. Awww.
The arrogant Moondragon turns down Avengers membership, feeling constrained and uncomfortable. Despite that, she does say that she respects them and considers them allies. Hank McCoy, the Beast, agrees to stay on. Hellcat, a new (at the time) heroine, accepts joining the Avengers. However, Moondragon tells her she is not ready to join them and offers to train her herself. Hellcat reluctantly agrees. Hank Pym then changes his mind and agrees to join up. After all, even though he's a scientist, Avenging is in his blood.
And with that, the new roster is decided: Captain America, Iron Man, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Beast, Wasp, and Yellowjacket. Now all there is left to do is for everyone leaving to say their goodbyes, and to formally announce it.
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| "10,000 FISTS IN THE AIR!" |
The new Avengers team is swarmed by reporters, but there is one last surprise. A large crate nearby explodes.
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| Simon Williams foreshadows Marvel Zombies. |
I enjoyed this issue. It does not have a lot of action, but that's not the point. The story is intended to do some set-up. Set up a couple storylines for various characters, that kind of thing. One of my favorite things about the issue is the recap of the Avengers' history up to that point. As a bit of an Avengers history and continuity buff, it really appeals to me. Stories like this show that unlike other teams like the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, the Avengers' history is treated like a big deal, like it matters.
I also liked that we touched on other heroes in the Marvel Universe reacting to the newscast recapping the Avengers' history. It helps give the idea that the Marvel Universe is interconnected, like things that happen in one book matter and have an effect on other characters. This scene is also a nice subtle way to show how the Avengers are connected to so many other teams in the Marvel Universe.
And naturally, for a story like this, who better to get than the late great George Perez on it. Yes, his art here has not quite reached the heights it will reach during his runs on New Teen Titans and Crisis on Infinite Earths some years later, but it's getting there. It's still great to look at.
If you want to read this for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2010 trade paperback Avengers: I Am An Avenger. 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!
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