Synopsis
Avengers, The (1963 series) #120 synopsis by
Rob Johnson
Rating:
Taurus, the new leader of Zodiac, comes to see Joshua Link in jail in his civilian guise and tells him he knows him to be Zodiac-member Gemini. Zodiac intend to kill every person in New York of star sign Gemini, as Link is. But 1st they'll free Joshua and protect him.
But Joshua says it won't be that simple. He explains about his twin brother Damian, a cop. And how they had an origin accident which linked them psychically. Now he can take over his brother's mind, and in that state his physical abilities are doubled. It was Joshua in Damian's body who was Gemini. However if Damian dies in Zodiac's plot, then Joshua will die too.
Meanwhile Jarvis shows Sgt Damian Link into Avengers Mansion. The cop has had his liaison role with SHIELD extended to cover the Avengers. He's here to talk about Captain America being in jail on a murder charge. At this point brother Josh takes control.
Swordsman catches Link peeking at secret files. He accosts him but stumbles due to his injury from #117. And he accidentally uncovers Link's Gemini costume. Gemini evades Iron Man, Scarlet Witch and Vision but is laid low by Thor.
Damian Link revives, wondering what's happening. Mantis takes her lover Swordsman away to tend to his wound. Vision muses for our benefit about Black Panther being home in Wakanda.
Meanwhile Taurus has been watching from a nearby rooftop. The plan was for Joshua to control Damian until he could deliver his body to Zodiac. Now Taurus calls in the rest of Zodiac. They blast through the Mansion wall with a Star-Blazer hand-weapon, and defeat the Avengers - the Star-Blazer's stellar energy even toppling Thor.
Mantis returns from making Swordsman comfortable and takes the Star-Blazer from Taurus. She has the rest of the gang covered, but Josh has regained control of his brother and tackles her from behind. Soon Mantis falls to the whole mob.
Zodiac leave now that they have Gemini. The Avengers awaken, wondering why the villains left them alive. They find a tape recording left for them telling them that Zodiac will display their power at midnight. They will use a giant Star-Blazer to kill all Geminis in Manhattan. Then they'll demand money to not kill another star sign.
As midnight approaches Zodiac have the large Star-Blazer erected atop one of the Twin Towers. As well as Damian, they have also busted Joshua out of jail. And fitted them both with devices to nullify the Star-Blazer's effects. After the usual villain squabbling, they prepare to fire the big gun.
But the Avengers burst on the scene, and Iron Man and Thor zap the gun. They figured the gang would need a high vantage point to fire from. This time they make short work of their foes except Aries and Taurus.
Taurus turns the big gun on them. it is too damaged to blanket Manhattan, but there's still enough power to kill any Geminis among the heroes. Thor says there are none such, but the villain blasts Mantis who is left stunned hanging over the edge of the tower.
Taurus explains that her empathic powere means she feels the pain of any Sign of the Zodiac. That shot was set to stun. Unless the Avengers let them go free, the next shot will kill their friend.