Vision takes a call from
Wonder Man who explains that, without his approval, his agent has booked him for an appearance on David Letterman’s show and they want him to bring other Avengers. Vision offers to take care of that for him and contacts
Black Panther,
Beast, and
Black Widow, all of whom agree to take part….
Elsewhere,
Fabian Stankowicz quarrels with his disapproving father and learns the Avengers will be on Letterman the next day….
The next day, the Avengers assemble in the Green Room—Wonder Man, Black Panther, Beast, Black Widow, and Hawkeye—unaware that Fabian Stankowicz, disguised as a repairman, has been installing deadly machines in the building. He then changes into a suit and becomes one of the studio audience. Meanwhile, Hawkeye is planning to take the lead on the show as the only active Avenger; he won’t wear a hearing aid as it won’t be safe if anyone learns that an Avenger is hard of hearing so he has arranged for Mockingbird to get him a list of Dave’s planned questions….
The taping begins, Letterman and his bandleader Paul Shaffer open the show in their usual fashion and Dave introduces the Avengers. As Dave introduces them, Beast reveals that he will be quitting the Avengers to form the new
Defenders; Dave asks Hawkeye’s opinion but
Clint, who couldn’t hear him, answers the first question on the list, which is a non sequitur—and continues to respond to the wrong questions. Fabian, disappointed that none of the major Avengers are there, triggers his deadly machines which attack the heroes. They (and Mockingbird backstage) battle the mechanical menaces while Paul Shaffer leads the band playing “Wipeout,” convincing the audience that this is a staged stunt. In the midst of the chaos, Fabian mounts the stage and sits next to Dave, introducing himself and claiming credit for the madness. Protected by a force field against the heroes’ attacks, he explains all of his deadly gizmos and shows Dave the master control. Dave bonks him over the head with a giant doorknob and shuts down the murderous machinery. Wonder Man and Beast make some jokes. Fabian tries to escape and runs into Mockingbird….
Later, everyone relaxes at the Mansion,
Jarvis serving drinks while they recount the adventure for Vision. Beast turns in his membership card and Wonder Man turns on the TV to see the big show—only to have it preempted for a news bulletin about a burning barge on the East River. They head out to deal with the disaster, with Beast taking back his membership card for one last jaunt and reminding Simon that with the time difference, they may get to see the show in California….
“Michael Carlin’s Page O’ Avengers Stuff!”
Writer: Mike Carlin. Art: Mike Carlin.
Parody of the typical letters column.
Give that special marvelite a timely gift