The past can haunt us. As much as people like to say that the past is something we can put behind us, it has a way of staying with you. For Simon Williams, aka Wonder Man, that statement is very true. He's been involved in the superhero game for many years, and with it, he's seen many a triumph and tragedy, and he has also seen his life be put in turmoil. He's also died and come back to life. During Kurt Busiek's time scribing the lives of Earth's Mightiest Heroes in the late-90s, Wonder Man got to reunite with an old friend and take stock of his life. This is Avengers #14!
The cover is a, naturally, a George Perez and Tom Smith piece. It depicts a surprised Wonder Man getting his eyes covered by Beast, the latter asking, "Guess who--?" It really fits the characterization of 1970s Avengers-era Beast. And considering how he would be portrayed in the future, it's pretty clear that the X-Men really bring out the worst in him.
"Hi, Honey...I'm Hooooooome!"
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciler: George Perez
Inker: Al Vey
Colorist: Tom Smith
Letterers: Richard Starkings, Comicraft, Wes Abbott
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras
The story begins with a mysterious new villain rampaging through Times Square. Because in the Marvel Universe, New York City is the center of everything.
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The gentleman's name is Pagan. Pagan seems to be your standard big dumb powerhouse, complete with Hulk speak. Pagan is invincible! Pagan is unstoppable! Pagan will have ALL THE FRENCH FRIES! AND ALL THE MILKSHAKES!
In all seriousness, Pagan is what we like to call...a problem. But enough of that, let's look in something a little more...light-hearted, shall we?
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Yup, Hank McCoy, the Beast, has come to pay a visit to Avengers Mansion, taking a break from researching the Legacy Virus over in the X-Books. Why? Well, recently, Simon Williams, aka Wonder Man has returned from the grave. Being one of the X-Men, Beast is familiar with people returning from the grave. Not to mention during their time in the Avengers together, Hank and Simon became buddies. As such, Hank wants to celebrate Simon's return, and in style!
For the next several hours, Hank, Simon, and Wanda enjoy some of New York City's famous nightlife. They also ended up joining Jesse Ventura during one of his parties with REO Speedwagon.
Their path leads to the Horn O'Plenty Jazz Club. This place is special to Simon, as his father once took him here as a boy. It was in this place that Simon fell in love with jazz music. He would sneak into the club and listen to the music until he was thrown out. He saw all the greats: Miles Davis, Tommy Flanagan, Dizzy Gillespie. He even saw one of the last performances of Thelonius Monk before he died (This is a topical reference as Monk died in 1982). Wanda then spots someone in the crowd.
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The Vision is here as well, as this place also happens to be one of his favorite hangouts. Wanda convinces him to join her, Simon, and Beast. Simon is thrilled he's here and that he likes jazz as well. It actually makes a lot of sense that Vision would love this place and be a fan of jazz. His mind was formed from Simon's mental engrams, after all. Hank asks the waitress for more drinks, as they're going to get good and drunk tonight!
The waitress reminds him that they ordered virgin drinks. Basically, non-alcoholic drinks. But Beast is an imaginative man, he'll find a way. Simon decides that he wants to talk to them about something that's been bothering him. His memory of the months before his death in Force Works #1 is a bit on the hazy side, but what he does remember troubles him. One of them is encountering his dead mother in Mephisto's underworld back in Wonder Man #22 (June 1993)...even though his mother is very much alive and well, living in Paterson, New Jersey. He also remembers becoming more violent and brutish, even threatening Wanda, which happened in Wonder Man #18 (February 1993). He feels terrible about that and doesn't expect forgiveness.
However, Wanda is...rather understanding of it all. His powers were going haywire, and he himself was going through some emotional turmoil. She especially gets it, as not long beforehand, she flipped out herself and rejoined Magneto in West Coast Avengers #55. Part of the reason she did was because Vision was dismantled in West Coast Avengers #42. That happened because Vision tried to take over the world while under the control of the alien supercomputer known as ISAAC. That happened in Avengers #255.
Simon remembers killing people, like the superpowered Cambodian monk known as Angkor in Wonder Man #12 (August 1992), and a gang member in Wonder Man #16 (December 1992). Wanda points out that they were immediate threats to innocent people, and Simon was cleared afterwards in an inquest. Simon still feels guilty about those things and doesn't want his actions swept under the rug just because he was an Avenger. As such, he feels he's not fit to be a member of the team again.
We next go to Nugent Technologies. Doctor Henry Pym is working on some project, where he's visited by a Tracy Spencer. She thinks the higher-ups are being demanding on him, since he's working late. However, it's not that. Pym's just doing research and has no deadlines on him. Spencer points out the administrators are pushing for everyone else to be ready for whatever Pym is working on, which Pym finds unlikely. A mysterious observer calls for Spencer to be transferred, so to keep Pym from getting suspicious...
The scene then shifts over to Washington DC, where the Avengers are investigating a sighting of Lord Templar. He evidently held Congress captive for a half-hour, babbled about a new balance of power coming, and then left. We get a nice little moment with Firestar helping Justice with his nerves over being an Avenger. They get a call from Wanda. Remember Pagan from earlier? Well, he's raising all kinds of Cain in New York.
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The Avengers know nothing about this mysterious new bruiser, so Wanda tells Simon and Beast they'll scout him out before the heavy-hitters arrive. They'll need everyone with this one.
Vision tries to shock Pagan by plunging his intangible fist into the monster's chest, but it doesn't work. Simon tries straight-up brawling with him, but all it gets is him getting a Mighty Punch in his ionic-powered mouth. Beast says it best.
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Yup. Simon remarks that the last time he was hit like that, the fist belonged to Count Nefaria. Two re-engage the powerhouse monster, but it only seems to make Pagan bigger.
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Pagan claims he can do anything, and that makes him invincible. Wanda is...confused by this. She can sense energies around the monster. She asks what Pagan is after, but he says his goals are only his to know. A monitor shows a newscast about Lord Templar. Pagan scoffs and says even he can't stop him. This gets the gears in Wanda's head turning. The way Pagan talked about Templar. It was like the monster knows that self-proclaimed savior somehow. She senses that Pagan is drawing energy from somewhere, and that's why he's growing in size. He could be absorbing the kinetic power of Simon's punches, or the solar energy beams of the Vision. Which means they will have to tread carefully.
And then Thor comes in to literally bring the hammer down and bring the thunder.
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"HEY, THIS HAMMER DOESN'T TASTE LIKE CHICKEN! YOU LIED TO PAGAN!"
He's arrived alongside Cap, Justice, and Firestar. Cap takes command, pointing out Pagan should not have been allowed to cause this much damage. He orders Firestar to look for injured and get them to safety. Justice should telekinetically shut down all gas and water mains. As for Thor? Well, Pagan is a big bruiser, so he and Simon should take the fight to him.
He goes to engage Pagan, ordering her to use her hex power to lessen the probability of an explosion, or at least draw air away from Pagan. Big bruiser still has to breathe, right? Wanda tries to point out physical force doesn't seem to do any good, but he doesn't hear her. Thor and Simon try to engage the powerhouse, but Thor's hammer ends up hitting Simon hard.
Pagan laughs at them. Even the Avengers can't stop Pagan!
He tunnels away. Vision tries to pursue but the synthezoid can't catch him. Cap is not happy about this. Back at Avengers Mansion, Wanda watches Cap report to their government liaison, Duane Freeman. She thinks about the state of the team. It's a mess. Vision has become more withdrawn, Thor is absent a lot (thanks to stuff in his own book), Justice and Firestar are still newbies, and Cap...well, Cap has been wrapped up in his own stuff, which has led him to just expect the Avengers to run smoothly. Wanda decides it's time she and the Star-Spangled Avenger have a talk.
That night, Hank McCoy makes his leave. After all, he has his work on the Legacy Virus to concentrate on. He tells Simon that he was once bitter and morose himself. He had a difficult time after he mutated into his then-present blue form. He assures Simon that he's a good man, and his heart will tell him what to do, and it'll be the right thing. The story ends with George Perez and Kurt Busiek themselves. George remarks he loves drawing Beast (He and Wanda were his favorites to draw) and wondering if he'll get to do so again, with Kurt saying you never know. Wait until JLA/Avengers.
I really liked this issue. The main event is of course, focusing on Simon. You can tell that Busiek is a big fan of the 1970s-era Avengers, as they get the main play in his run. What I especially like is that he uses past stories to explore their characters. It's something we don't really get in Big Two books anymore, mainly because most authors these days see continuity as an annoyance to be ignored. Stories like this are why I love continuity.
Perez's art is of course, brilliant. It's very detailed and expressive.
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