Synopsis
Avengers, The (1963 series) #356 synopsis by
T Vernon
Rating:
In the jungle of Wakanda, Black Panther is approached by Coal Tiger, asking for help before he collapses. Then the Gatherers (Swordsman, Magdalene, Sloth, Cassandra) leap out and attack. Panther is too fast for Magdalene but Cassandra unleashes a mind-blast and knocks Panther and Tiger for a loop. They are interrupted in their actions by the Avengers (Hercules, Sersi, Thor, Vision) transported there by Lockjaw. Sersi unleashes her blasts on Cassandra while Herc and Thor take on the huge Sloth. Magdalene is amazed at how quickly the Avengers have recovered from Cassandra’s blast last time while Swordsman is confused by what he sees. Vision checks on Black Panther who shows him that Coal Tiger is his exact double….
Back at Avengers Mansion, Black Widow and Black Knight, still recovering from Cassandra’s attack, reveal that it was checking the search history on their computer that tipped them off to where the Gatherers were going. Nat notices that Dane is more reckless since he rejoined the team; he tosses it off as a joke and she goes along with it. Then Dane collapses and Jarvis and Marilla arrive to help Dane and Nat back to rest….
Back in Wakanda, Cassandra overpowers Sersi and reads her mind, causing the Eternal great pain. Hercules notices, distracting him so that Sloth clobbers him. Swordsman is still confused, Magdalene tells him to keep his mind on the battle. Going after Black Panther, she confronts Vision and overpowers him with her power lance. Sloth has defeated Lockjaw but the confused Coal Tiger announces he is going to help Black Panther, “once an Avenger, always an Avenger….”
Their leader, Proctor, realizes he is losing control over Swordsman. He takes comfort in the fact that Swordsman’s loss will leave Magdalene free for him to resume their relationship. He then goes into a private chamber to consult with a mystery helper….
Coal Tiger tries to snap Swordsman out of the mind control he is under but again, Magdalene quiets the trouble in his brain. They lay Panther and Tiger side by side and Cassandra begins the process of “gathering” Panther into Coal Tiger that the latter may survive. Tiger resists, appealing to Swordsman not to allow this horrible thing to happen. So Swordsman leaps forward and knocks Cassandra out. Then Hercules arrives to clobber Sloth. And then Thor arrives with the Wakandan Elite Strike Force which attack the Gatherers. The baddies retreat but the dying Coal Tiger thanks Swordsman for allowing him to die with dignity. The Gatherers escape through their portal but Vision seizes Swordsman and holds him back as the others vanish. Herc pulls Vision and Swordsman out of the portal lest they be sliced in half. Black Panther mourns the dead Coal Tiger but now they have a key to the mystery: the captive Swordsman….
CharactersGood (or All)Plus: Marilla.
Enemies
Cassandra (of Gatherers), Coal Tiger (of Gatherers), Gatherers, Magdalene, Proctor, Sloth (of Gatherers), Swordsman (Philip Javert).