Savage Avengers #8: Review

Dec 2019

Gerry Duggan, Patrick Zircher

::: click cover to ENLARGE it :::

Story Name:

Chapter 8: Dinner with Victor

Review & Comments

Rating:

Savage Avengers #8 Review by Rob Johnson (December 13, 2019)

This series is turning more and more into Conan Team-Up.

Dr Doom of course isn't dead and the 3 reluctant companions will be here to face Kulan Gath in the next 2 issues, with maybe Dr Voodoo in tow.

From Our Blog:

Gwen Stacy, beauty queen of Standard High School, was Peter Parker's (alias Spider-Man) first great love.

Gwen Stacy: Classic Beauty

Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Savage Avengers #8 Synopsis by Rob Johnson

Last issue Elektra told Dr Strange about the encounter with Kulan Gath in #1-5 and how Conan stole the 3rd Eye Of Agamotto from him. And also last issue Dr Doom abducted Conan to Latveria. Now Stephen Strange uses the Orb Of Agamotto to track the artefact and locates it in that country. He magically transports himself there.

Doom treats Conan to a lavish meal. But the barbarian is insulted when his masked host doesn't eat with him. Victor Von Doom explains that his mask hides his facial scars, but Conan deems that mere vanity. Doom unmasks to eat. Honour satisfied, the Cimmerian asks what he will pay for the amulet. Before Doom can reply a footman announces a visitor.

Dr Doom and his guest go to the battlements over the entrance and see Dr Strange who levitates up to join them. DrS tries to persuade them to hand over the amulet to him, but DrD wants its power and Conan demands a price. Stephen tells them that he has the 1st Eye Of Agamotto which grants knowledge and a dragon (Sadurang in Tony Stark: Iron Man #12-13) has the 2nd Eye which grants power. The 3rd Eye was lost in time so how do they know this is the real thing? And Kulan Gath may have cursed it.

They test the Eye by hanging it from the neck of a goat, who seems none the worse for it. Doom analyses it and declares it Neolithic. Strange claims that his 1st Eye was found/created by Agamotto, the 1st Sorcerer Supreme, in the much earlier Paleolithic (see the 1 Million BC Avengers in the current Avengers series). He uses *that* Eye to scan the object and detects an evil energy, and he declares they must destroy it. Conan says he doesn't care what they do with it *after* they pay him for it. DrD leaves and returns with a large black broadsword which he gives to the Cimmerian.

But Dr Strange tells them that earlier he detected the arrival of Gath's City Of Sickles in the Egyptian desert. He parts reality and leads them into a Ditkoesque realm so they can approach the City undetected. Conan says he's killed Gath several times but he won't stay dead. Strange says that when he faced the sorcerer before (Uncanny X-Men #190-191) he needed help from both X-Men and Avengers to defeat him. DrS's Cloak Of Levitation takes offence to the barbarian's disparaging remarks about wizards and has to be restrained from attacking him by Stephen. They reach a doorway to reality and the Sickle City. Doom ignores advice to be cautious. Conan follows him and suggests the cowardly wizard can stay behind. Strange says he'll come with them to protect them.

Conan uses his 2 swords to slash his way through Egyptian cultist guards. The other 2 follow him into a building he recognises. DrD tells DrS the amulet appeared to him in a vision and led him to the Cimmerian. DrS tells DrD they must rescue Kulan Gath's prisoner Dr Voodoo (see last issue again) so he can help them. Doom of course spurns all aid.

When he thinks Conan has guided them far enough Doom blasts him with technomagic and takes the 3rd Eye. Strange tries to stop him but Doom retaliates with the Crimson Bands Of Cyttorak. He dons the amulet but it's chain starts to strangle him and then decapitates him. And Kulan Gath appears now that the most dangerous opponent has been eliminated.

::: click cover to ENLARGE it :::