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Avengers #251: Review

Jan 1985
Roger Stern, Joe Sinnott

Story Name:

Deceptions

Review & Comments

Rating:
4.5 stars

Avengers #251 Review by (May 13, 2023)
Comments: Cover title: The Mighty Avengers, on issues #241-255. Captain America rejoins the team; Cap had been aged into his natural years by the Red Skull in CAP #295-201. Vision and ISAAC linked their brains in issue #238. Paladin was introduced in DAREDEVIL #150. Baron Brimstone first appeared in MACHINE MAN #16 then MARVEL TEAM-UP #99; this is his third appearance. Appearing in Vision’s nightmare are Cap, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, Dr. Strange, Starfox, Thing, Ka-Zar, Hercules, Wonder Man, Daredevil, and Sub-Mariner. Only appearance of Tinky Weissman.

Review: This issue divides into three sections: 1. Captain America returns to the series; this is responsible for the nice opening but is easily covered in a few pages. 2. Vision reveals his scheme. We have been wondering about the Synthezoid, his mood shifts, and his strangely jolly demeanor. And now we know: he is planning to take over the world. And feeling conflicted about it. This is the plot that will be followed up on over the next few issues as this megalomaniacal scheme comes to fruition. And 3. A Wasp solo adventure. This is the most entertaining part of the story and features a comparatively obscure hero for a guest star. And an even more obscure villain receives his comeuppance. Pretty nice.





 

Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Avengers #251 Synopsis by T Vernon
Captain America is maneuvering gracefully in, around, and through a huge mechanical deathtrap, wondering if this is just a distraction, when a huge golden robot smashes through the wall and captures him. Cap uses judo to push the robot off balance and escapes through the hole in the wall made by the robot. He faces his adversaries—and they are his Avengers teammates: Vision, Scarlet Witch, Wasp, Captain Marvel, and Starfox, with Hercules in the robot suit. They have been testing him to see if the effects of the Red Skull’s aging ray have worn off and they have. Vision tells Cap they can put off working out the situation with the Avengers roster. Starfox invites Wasp out for lunch but she declines, as does Captain Marvel; Hercules accepts though (as does Wanda but we don’t see this until later)….

As Cap takes off on his motorcycle, C.M. catches up with him in the form of a streak of light and they share their concerns about Vision’s mental state and his mood swings….

Alone in the Mansion, Vision links up with ISAAC, the Titan world-computer. He explains how his interface with ISAAC made him aware of the solution to the chaos that has plagued Earth and so he sought control through human channels such as becoming Avengers Chairman and meeting with the President but none of that would work. And now he has created the Encephalatron Command Chair; when activated the chair will give him control over every computer on Earth, allowing him to rule the world—but he hesitates to take that step….

At the restaurant, Starfox is concerned that Wasp has been acting standoffish toward him of late; Wanda thinks it may just be their discovery of his pleasure power; Hercules is only interested in the menu….

Janet Van Dyne arrives at the tropical resort Utopia Cay and encounters her old friend Tinky Weissman who introduces her to Baron Walther Theodoric. She also meets Paul Denning; there is an instant attraction and Janet and Paul spend a lot of time together. Tinky meets them with an invite to a party aboard the Baron’s yacht the following evening….

That night, Vision has a nightmare: he is a human version of himself, ordering the Avengers and other heroes around, and enjoying their praise and support. Then a decaying robotic version of himself enters, begging for attention from the human version. Starfox removes the robot’s face plate to reveal the face of the human Vision; Wanda removes human Vision’s face to reveal the robotic one. He wakes up with a shout of “No” and tells Wanda it was just a dream, to go back to sleep….

Getting ready for the Baron’s party, Janet finds a note from Paul, telling her he is ill and won’t be at the event. Janet goes to his room to check on him and gets no answer so she shrinks and flies under the door. Paul is not there but she finds a camera, several photos of the Baron, and an empty gun case. She flies out to the yacht to warn the Baron and finds him with a band of masked gunmen and he teleports them all away…

…to the cashier’s office at the island’s casino. Baron Brimstone and his men overpower the casino staff and guards and the Baron uses his mystic powers to open the vault. But from the vault emerges the mercenary Paladin who uses a stun gun to take down the Baron’s henchmen. Baron Brimstone wields some mighty power but Wasp emerges from under his cape, having been teleported over with the baddies. She uses her sting to wreck the hidden technology he uses to mimic magical powers and Paladin knocks him flat….

At a late supper, “Paul” assures Janet that his interest in her was not merely a cover for his job and now they have time for one another without interruption….



Joe Sinnott
Joe Sinnott
Christie Scheele
Bob Hall (Cover Penciler)
Joe Sinnott (Cover Inker)
? (Cover Colorist)
Layouts: Bob Hall. Letterer: Jim Novak.
Editor: Mark Gruenwald. Editor-in-chief: Jim Shooter.

Characters

Listed in Alphabetical Order.

Captain America
Captain America

(Steve Rogers)
Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch

(Wanda Maximoff)
Starfox
Starfox

(Eros)
Wasp
Wasp

(Janet Van Dyne)

Plus: Baron Brimstone, Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau), Paladin.

> Avengers: Book info and issue index

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