In
WW2 France, the Invaders (Captain America, Sub-Mariner, Human Torch) come upon the
scene of an allied defeat near a cemetery. Suddenly, Oberfuhrer Okkulte, Hitler’s
chief wizard, appears and he makes the statues in the cemetery come to life and
attack the heroes. The Invaders are nearly overcome by the stony enemies when
Cap suddenly transforms into the Hulk, smashing all the statues to bits and
causing Okkulte to flee in terror. When the ruckus is over, the Hulk returns to
his Cap form (who is unaware of what just happened), leaving Torch and Namor in
shock…
…and
the incident is now remembered by Namor in modern day Arizona where the
Defenders are preparing for action; Namor is confused by the sudden appearance
of a new memory but he must keep his mind on the mission. The evil wizard
Cyrus Black has enslaved a multitude of innocent citizens and is marching them into a
narrow canyon so they can witness his triumph over the captive Doctor Strange.
Strange springs his trap, showing he was never truly a captive and at his cue, Namor,
Hulk, Valkyrie, and Silver Surfer leap into action, holding the possessed crowd
at bay while Strange blasts the baddie in a magic duel. The people collapse and
the evil pours out of them and Strange is able to catch all of the Infernal
Ichor of Ish’izog in a cask of Cytorrak. Strange notes that not all the Ichor
has been collected and mentally traces the remainder to Avengers Mansion. The
Defenders step through a portal…
…and
arrive at the Mansion to see Vision and Iron Man locked in battle. Captain
America tells them to stay back while the Avengers handle the problem. With
great pain, the Scarlet Witch casts a spell that shuts down the berserk
android. Strange asks Wanda if the Ichor could have something to do with Vision’s
breakdown, the Surfer helps Iron Man bring Vision in for repairs, and Thor asks
Hulk and Valkyrie to help him shore up the damaged façade of the Mansion. Namor
talks to Cap and finds that Cap doesn’t remember any such incident from the war
and a database search yields no relevant information. Strange and Wanda trace
the Ichor’s emanations and run into Diablo, the villainous alchemist, who
reveals that he was unable to exert full control over Vision but his magic
cards have allowed him to capture the minds of the Avengers and they have now caught
the Defenders unaware and subdued them…and then he plays his last card: Dr.
Strange himself….