Giant-Size Avengers #4

This is the 1st time Space Phantom has been shown working for Immortus, justified by the fact that SP is (the only) inhabitant of Limbo. SP's switching with Mantis should send her to Limbo, and it works here because the box is a simulation of Limbo. (It would make more sense to me to say that the box is an *extension* of Limbo.) In Thor #281-282 it will appear that Space Phantom is as he said in Av#2 an alien of a race like himself. But Avengers Forever will claim that was a trick by Immortus, and the multiple SP's are in fact random beings who got trapped in Limbo. According to the Official Index the Avengers have been appearing continuously in this Giant-Size series and the main Avengers one since Av#127, with the exception of Iron Man popping out for IM#72, Giant-Size Man-Thing #2 and IM#73 between Av#130 and Av#131. They also stick around for the opening scene of Av#137 (#136 is a reprint). But they nip off to do their individual things before the bulk of that issue. This issue also reprints The Ant-Man story from Tales to Astonish #38 and the Black Widow story from Amazing Adventures #1.

The Titanic Three will appear next in Iron Man #74 being arrested by the Vietnamese (for something Crimson Dynamo did in IM#73). That will be the end for the team and for Niven - the Official Handbook will say that the KGB will kill him to give his armour to the next Crimson Dynamo in Champions #7-10. Titanium Man will continue to lumber on probably up to the present day, but there will be some replacement Titanium Men along the way, and some disagreement as to how many and which is who. Radioactive Man will continue to be a stock baddie, but eventually will reform in the Thunderbolts, and later become 1 of China's superheroes. Thor says he's the chairman of the Avengers, and has been since Captain America resigned the post some time ago. The Official Index has listed him in the role since Av#128, so Thor's probably referring to Cap's recent quitting in CA#176 (before Av#127) to become Nomad. The Eldest Cotati plant-being has supposedly reanimated the dead body of Swordsman. This may explain why it's green, but not why it's glowing and ghost-like. Apart from lots of flashbacks Mantis will return with her son in Silver Surfer (1987) #3. But she will also have the distinction of sort-of appearing in other comics universes before then. Englehart's briefly appearing characters Willow in DC's JLA and Lorelei in Eclipse's Scorpio Rose are generally considered to be her.

Dormammu and Umar appear here during the story currently running in Dr Strange (1974) #6-9, also being written by Steve Englehart, between #7 and #8. This subplot with Scarlet Witch doesn't really affect the DS tale, just getting a passing mention in DS#8. Agatha Harkness' attitude here and in Av#134 suggests to me that she let Dormammu possess Scarlet Witch, expecting that Wanda would prove herself capable of winning out. We last saw Dormammu sucked into the Evil Eye in Av#118. But the belief of his worshippers was enough to begin his regeneration. And his sister Umar brought him the the centre of the Earth where the heat would nurture him. (Dormammu also argues that his rebirth means that his oath to Dr Strange in Strange Tales #127 never to attack Earth is now nullified.) Umar was introduced in ST#150. She spends as much time trying to steal her brother's power as she does battling Dr Strange. Which will be a factor in the resolution of the current DS story. Dormammu will continue to appear throughout the Marvel Age, but lately his stature seems to be diminished:- appearing mainly as 1 among many demon lords, and even apparently being killed by Magik in Uncanny X-Men (2013) #5-7. Umar will appear less frequently, usually in conflict with her brother.

This issue is the climax of the Celestial Madonna storyline, somewhat let down by the workmanlike art of Don Heck. John Romita did some alterations to the cover. Once again it's a bit misleading, with Dormammu menacing the dual wedding ceremony. The title obviously connects with '... what time hath put asunder" from #2 to paraphrase "What God has joined together let no man put asunder".