Avengers Unplugged #5

Jun 1996
Glenn Herding, M. C. Wyman

Avengers Unplugged #5 cover

Story Name:

Legacies


Synopsis

Avengers Unplugged #5 synopsis by Peter Silvestro
Rating: 4 stars

Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau) has been captured by the Controller; once his disc is on the back of her neck, he controls everything she does, though she is awake and aware of it all. He tests the disc first by grinding his cigar in the palm of her hand and then by kissing her. She reacts to neither so he sends her out to bring back the broken body of the other Captain Marvel….

On Titan, Genis-Vell broods about his legacy from a father he never knew. His uncle Eros a/k/a Starfox tells him about his father Mar-Vell and take shim out to a classy club called the Cockaigne Lounge for drinks and companionship. Eros attracts two gorgeous women; when he excuses himself to go to the restroom, Monica is there in an evening gown; she blasts him and heads back to the table. She casts an illusion over Genis, causing him to see the young ladies as wretched hags so Monica, following the Controllers, prompting, takes Genis back to his place where she attacks him, rendering him unconscious….

She carries him back to Earth but he wakes up in transit and uses his Nega-Bands to cause an explosion, leading them to a fight on the ground. She secretly summons the Avengers, reaching an apathetic Deathcry who thinks it’s a prank. Vision drags her to Monica’s aid they arrive just as Monica is knocked cold by Genis’ attacks. They fight with him until Starfox shows up to explain. He offers to stimulate CM’s pleasure sensors so that she reveals what is going on. So she blasts him with x-rays, which stops Starfox but allow everyone to see the chip on her head. Vision removes it and the heroes attack the Controller in his lair. Monica is offered the chance to punish the Controller…but she realized he is under someone else’s control….

As they leave, Genis suggests that Monica better deserves the mantle of Captain Marvel. But Monica tells him the name is his legacy and announces her new name is Photon….



 

Review / Commentaries


Avengers Unplugged #5 Review by (July 19, 2023)

Review: Mildly interesting story is significant primarily for the passing of the mantle (actually just the name) of Captain Marvel on to a new generation as Monica Rambeau had no connection to the original Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell, not the Shazam guy; we don’t talk about him around here) or to the Kree Empire. The story is quite gruesome with Monica being under control of the Controller, being very clear about the mental and moral torture the situation puts her under. This is possibly the most graphic Controller story as most usually gloss over what’s going on in the victim’s minds to concentrate on the hero defeating the bad guy.   

Aside from the story, the art isn’t too annoying for the 1990s: drawing isn’t as scratchy, bodies not too bulky or distorted, colors not too bright. It still couldn’t be mistaken for anything but a 90s comic but still acceptable.

Comments: Monica’s original powers were restored by the Stranger in STARBLAST #4, a miniseries connected to Starbrand of Marvel’s New Universe. Genis-Vell first appeared in SILVER SURFER ANNUAL #6, taking his father’s name in CAPTAIN MARVEL (1995) #4 i.e. three issues after the title started using it. HEROES FOR HIRE #1 reveals that the Controller is under the power of the Master of the World (the Alpha Flight villain). Tom Palmer contributed to the inking.



> Avengers Unplugged comic book info and issue index

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Main/1st Story Full Credits

M. C. Wyman
Sandu Florea
Frank Lopez
M. C. Wyman (Cover Penciler)
Sandu Florea (Cover Inker)
Frank Lopez (Cover Colorist)


Characters

All stories. Listed in alphabetical order.

Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel

(Genis-Vell)
Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel

(Monica Rambeau)
Controller
Controller

(Basil Sandhurst)
Legacy
Legacy

(Genis-Vell)
Starfox
Starfox

(Eros)
Plus: Deathcry (Sharra Neramani), Photon (Monica Rambeau).

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